As  she  neared  the habitation  her  heart sank.  There  was  smoke  bellowing out  of  the  windows. Wasn’t  it  bad  enough  having  to  cope  with  those  damn  Vikings  causing  trouble all  the time. Elsebeth   had  three boys  to  look after,  a husband off in Wessex  defending  the  realm and  now it looked  as if  the  cakes ( small loaves  of  bread)  had  gone up in  smoke!

Opening  the  door of  the  cottage  she  saw  the  man  who  had  asked  for shelter  earlier  that  day  sitting  by  the  fire  staring in to  the flames  totally  unaware  that  the loaves  were on fire.  Not  just  burning actually on  fire!

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