Oswald de Lacy is growing up fast in his new position as Lord of Somershill Mano
r. The Black Death changed many things, and just as it took away his father and
elder brothers, leaving Oswald to be recalled from the monastery where he expect
ed to spend his life, so it has taken many of his villagers and servants. Howeve
r, there is still the same amount of work to be done in the farms and fields, an
d the few people left to do it think they should be paid more - something the Ki
ng himself has forbidden.
Just as anger begins to spread, the story of the Bu
tcher Bird takes flight. People claim to have witnessed a huge creature in the s
kies. A new-born baby is found impaled on a thorn bush.
