Noon approached like a running horse. Einar Ravnson protected the sun from his eyes with one hand, then blew the whistle to call back the hawk. The bird of prey returned with a hare on it's claw and Grimbold, thane of Grimslade nodded approvingly before turning his attention back to Hraidar. Few matched the thunderous voice of the experienced traveller, but when Grimbold's words made him look even larger than he already was.
"Tell me again what happened." He demanded. Hraidar was born in Grimslade and have served under Grimbold before. His brother was a captain and his father was a veteran both in Grimslade and on the king's personal guard. That is why the Thane listened to Hraidar.
"I have heard rumors of Tidhelm lord beeing in Woohurst and went to investigate. Only two rode with me, Folkbrand, whom you already met and his brother, Thornbrand. They served with me in the Limlight Gorge and heeded my call."
The Thane listened to the tale in silence, his face grim as always, hand resting on the sword's pommel. Hraidar always trusted and admired Grimbold almost as much as he trusted and admired his own brother Einar.
"I knew something strange was happening in there, Grimbold thane. But not... Not what I saw. I came to find Tidhelm lord beeing held captive in... A slum." Hraidar spoke the words as if they were something disgusting he was taking off his mouth, spitting along with filth. "Thugs and bandits stripped him of his former dignity. He looked like a beggar as you have seen yourself, my lord."
"When I attempted to bring Tidhelm lord with me, the Thugs refused to let him go and they attacked me. Three men they were. The leader was called Cadwallader and he seemed to command some fear amongst the miserables of Woodhurst." Hraidar swallowed his anger and hurt as his account of the events followed. "As I left the three men unconcious, some sort of... Riot broke and many came in running, bearing arms. That seemed to scare poor Tidhelm lord, who ran off. I followed him, but Thornbrand, beeing surrounded by those maggots..." Fists clenched, Hraidar stops for a moment, controlling his feelings.
"They killed him. A man who dedicated his life to protect the borders of the King's lands. A man I never saw flinch, even from the foul things we faced on wild rocky hills. I... I lost my sight, then." Hraidar looks into the distance and speaks as if trying to justify to himself his actions and his poor choices. He could have saved his shieldbrother and that thought would forever haunt his heart. "I could not let that crime goes unpunished. I could not allow Thornbrand's body to be left on that... That place."
"So you killed them all." Grimbold thane stated bluntly. Not a tone of judgment on the voice.
"Not all, my lord. But many. Most, I think. Enough to drive away the others. But in doing so, I let Tidhelm escape. You have to understand me, I... I could not..."
Grimbold gestured Hraidar to continue, not showing consideration to the man's justifications.
"I told Folkbrand to take Thornbrand to a merchant we saw on the road and pay the man to travel to their hometown. Then, Folkbrand should come to Grimslade, to you. I went to look for Tidhelm lord, otherwise all the troubles and... Thorn's death would have been in vain. I rode for the rest of the night before I found the man, half maddened. I trusted no one in Stonedeans, so I came here, my lord. To seek your advice and... Your judgement."
Grimbold remained silent, pondering. Hraidar was tired and barely slept or eaten for two days, pulling the reins of his horse with Tidhelm on it. A long and sad march, with his companion coming in and out of sleep, most of the time speaking nonsense or asking about dead friends. How long has it been since he was captive?
"It was good you brought this to me, Hraidar Ravnson." The thane spoke with his voice of giant. "Though I have no power on stonedeans, I will bring this to others that might be able to do something. You said earlier a name was mentioned by the brigands. Tell me once again the name."
"Thurferth, Grimbold thane. I do not know who this is, but they mentioned Thurferth was supporting the riot."
"I cannot order you to investigate this further and I believe it is best you stay away from Woohurst for a time. Your duties now are on the Sutcrofts, under Fastred. You will repeat to anyone you were recruiting, and that will not be a lie. But others will take care of it now." Hraidar agreed in silence, part of him relieved to not involve anymore in those matters. "You already taken Aethelwynn, your sister to your Éored, so I cannot give you men, as you also asked. She was not a sworn rider to me, but she was of Grimslade also. But I will recommend you one, who is loyal to me. Know I am doing this for two reasons: both because I do not wish you trouble when you return with less than what you left, but also because I want to keep an eye on you."
The rider considered the Thane's words. He was saying he was appointing one rider, but Hraidar would be also bound to Grimbold in secret. He massaged his temples with the fingers, afraid of what would come. Would someday Grimbold ask payment for the favor? Or was it even a favor?
"Thank you, Grimbold Thane. You are most generous." Grimbold simply laughed at the statement, knowing it was not out of generosity he was making favors. But he embraced Hraidar's shoulder with one arm as to ease the man's troubled expression. "I will return to Snowborn as soon as Tidhelm lord is well enough to travel."
"You did well, Ravnson. You rescued the chief of a noble house of Rohan. You did well, son."
