Francis only nods, accepting the slightly dazed look about the man as the only reaction one should have for losing one's horse out in a such a miserable storm.

"Haven't seen a horse," he offers, "but if she's yours she may just know the way back home."

By now, the huge black dog accompanying Francis has circled around the stranger, and bowed his head to take a few sniffs at his feet and trousers.

"Where were you headed?" Francis nods back behind him, to the road that leads back into town and lowers his lantern.