Getting to his feet was a struggle, his muscles complaining after another long night spent on cold stone. He hoped the aches and pains he felt were nothing to do with dehydration and was reassured by his bladder insisting on being emptied as soon as possible. With a feeling of distaste, he pissed against the wall in the corner that the dogs had already decided would be their toilet. The animals watched him without any reaction as a stream of dark urine splashed against the whitewashed wall. A stomach cramp hit as he finished, causing him to double in agony for the few seconds it lasted. “God, not the time to get the runs.” He pressed his face against the window glass, seeing a constricted view of the woods outside. There was no movement, no sign of anyone in the vicinity, but why should there be? The path was so far off the beaten track that the only time it was ever used was when the hunting season started in earnest, when he could charge grossly inflated prices for those who enjoyed shooting the stupid, overfed birds. He shouted anyway, just in case someone was within earshot. His voice sounded weak and croaky, his throat hurt with the effort.

As he held onto the wall for support, for the first time the laird seriously considered that he might actually die in this single-roomed cottage. The thought scared him, causing him to search for words to a God he’d long ago given up believing in. “I don’t know if you exist, but for God’s sake help me.” That sounded wrong and he made another attempt. “I know I’ve not been a good man, I know I’ve made mistakes and have sinned, but please, God, please find it in your heart to look down on me and save my soul.” That sounded better, he was quite pleased with that.

His moment of self-congratulation evaporated as quickly as it had arrived when one of the dogs stood up, baring sharp incisors and walking towards him on stiff legs. “Sit down. SIT DOWN!” The animal’s eyes narrowed in a most human fashion, assessing how much of a pack leader he was, who was the stronger. The dog sat, its companion watching the interplay and remaining motionless, conserving energy.