Penance.

The sun is just starting to go down.  A few people have slipped by on the way to neighbours dwellings. They didn't look at me. 

The rain from late morning drifted back again after mid day. It soothed the Brand on on my wrist a little though. Apparently sun rise to sunset is not the length of time I am to spend here. My neck and back are really starting to ache. I can't keep my head lifted too long. Which is a shame as the sun set is really very striking. 

One of the younger boys has started to light a few torches outside the main square. But there really is no sence is lighting them as no one has crossed it all day.  The boy is coming closer.  He's stood at stairing at me for a very long time. But now he's crept through the mud to just in front of me. 

I can only see his shoes. Falling apart on the toes  they look far to big for the legs attached. 

'My Ma said I shouldn't ask.'

He starts. I'm not sure what to reply. But he spares me the trouble. 

'Are you really Master Robin of Glenhoe from the castle?' 

I nod. And he shifts from foot to foot. 

'tell me what it's like, fighting for the king?'

'Its a lot warmer than this,' I stop as he sits down carefully on the more grassy area of the stocks. I can now see his face. He is seven or eight. 'At night time the heat stops. And it gets colder than the worst winter here.' 

I tell him a little about camels before one or two other small children creep close. They are youger than the boy and quiet. 

'Did you ever kill anyone? Ma says if you do you need to pay a pennant to God.'

I smile at his mix up. 

And I nearly reply before they scatter into the darkness. 

I'm not sure what they heard. Only that I'm back on my own again.