Men of the Mark

Waelden, Duncadda and Brinin out for a hunt to fill their stocks for the winter. An adventure long overdue for Waelden, who can now walk mostly unhindered. A majestic deer would be the first of two felled beasts this night.

"Three things, above all, a man needs in battle," Eldewine said to his son.

"A good sword or spear, a helmet and a shield. With the sword you draw blood and bring your foes to their knees; with the shield you protect yourself and the man beside you; with the helmet you protect that which you need to protect the most: your vision, your hearing, and your senses. Bring these tools with you into battle, and let them become a part of you, like your own limbs."

Bancross seen from the south.

So Ethel has her first opportunity to work on a blade, though she is closely supervised by Heartha and Wigthegn.

"It's the sort of sword someone like Duncadda would use," she says. "Someone who makes a blade dance of his fighting."

It is father and daughter time in Bancross, as Waelden and Ethel spends the day grooming and spoiling their respective horses, Ealfin and Roan, as well as the young filly, the most recent addition to their herd.

The warhorse Ealfin, proud father of both Roan and the still unnamed filly, curiously watches the grooming and eagerly waiting for his turn before the sun sets upon this chilly autumn day, where a cold wind blows and rain may be hanging in the air.

Waelden's sword Heruwargr with its scabbard, an heirloom of his father, who was rewarded with it after a skirmish of legend. It is a sharp and agile sword, swift and deadly in any hand that wields it, and Waelden treasures it dearly. It is his weapon of choice in most situations, where a spear just isn't viable or becomes too cumbersome, and it has saved his life on many occasions.
The story behind the sword can be found here: Of Warg and Man