The next day in Snowbourne was bright, and cold. It was the first breath of winter, Sæwaru had said. The snow and icicles clung to the roofs and ground. Snowbourne was a bustle with activity. The shops were open, the markets displayed their wares. The wind was calmer, a mere breeze. The Sutcrofts banners drooped on their poles. The company were on the stables that time, tending their horses for the trip soon to be started.
The men stood by the stables. This was a quite and not a secret place. Anyone on the streets below could see them there. However, it was quiet. No ears could pry their words and they could speak of anything their hearts desired. Régnwald dismounted his horse near them. This is where he met companions he most trusted. They were Anfald, the captain of the Éored of Snowbourne, and Ulcwine, the patrol leader and Eothgar, the rider.
''There's been talk of strange folks around. They cloak themselves so none could tell they be spy, orc...'' Anfald said.
''Is there more to this rumour?'' Régnwald asked.
Anfald shrugged, ''This one is new. Though, cloaked strangers? What do they have to hide?''
''Their ugly faces.'' Ulcwine laughed.
The boy in the stables bent down through his knees, wrapping his arms around a barrel ladened with sword blades and spears. Wyrhta was his name. He moved over to where the rack of shields were set out, placing the barrel down by another before he rearranged them more neatly, putting all the spears together and all the swords in another.
He looked over the wall, peering over to look to the horses and their stables, after seeing the state they were in he lifted a pitchfork and went around, thrusting it into smaller stack of hay before spreading it out equally over the stall. He did not use much, not wanting to waste it.
Régnwald turned his gaze away and paced back to his horse with long, confident steps. As he arrived, he began rubbing the mane of the red steed of great-stature, and clean-limbed.
Wyrhta looked over towards the man, noting his armour and great horse. He looked away, getting on with his work as he thought. Wyrhta commented as he rested the pitchfork upon the stable wall, taking a shovel and pulling a small barrow around. He then started to scrape up the dirty hay and muck, placing it into the barrow.
"A mighty friend you have there."
Régnwald turned his gaze to young man who had been tending the horses for a good while, and he nodded ''Yes, mighty indeed, but still like a child after all these years.'' he replied to him in a calm tone and paced over to him, before greeting his horse.
Wyrhta chuckled slightly, "I imagine he has seen many fights?" He spoke, as if asking a question but also making a statement. He stopped shoveling for the moment, to look over to the man.
Régnwald smiled faintly and leaned his back on the wooden pillar, crossing his arms ''True. We rode together and battled against countless foes, he's also a loyal companion to me.'' he answered, tilting his head approvingly.
Wyrhta looked upon the horse, smiling slightly. "A true wonderful steed..", he then looked down to his shovel and clothes as if remember where he was before he looked to the man, "Oh, Wyrhta is the name." He smiled with a nod, his hands dirty so not offering them out.
Régnwald replied ''Thank you.'' he knew it wasn't a personal compliment, but somehow it felt even more gratifying to have the horse he loved so well appreciated. ''Régnwald... Do you have one?'' he asked calmly, then turning his gaze away to Eohilda who just approached, ''Here you are,'' he called after her, his eyes brimming with their habitual calmness.
Wyrhta shook his head, "Only rode on a horse that is not my own." He said, before he looked over to who the man talked too. He stood back, holding his shovel again and falling silent, just looking between the two.
Eohilda would wander back her way upon the hallowed ground where horses were being fed or rested. She seemed to spot a new red-garbed man beside Régnwald which she only heard by voices, for figure wasn't really exposed in Eohilda's sight. "Great, another pert guard..." She mumbled, approaching. "Ya, should tell yer' fellows to keep their attitude." she exclaimed uneasily.
Régnwald's brows were ceased in worry, ''Shame man... 'Tis is a tradition to hold bonding ceremonies for the boys around late teens in the Wold. It is what we're famous for.'' he rubbed his beard lightly as his words sunk in, and he turned his gaze back to her, ''What is wrong? Has something happened?'' he asked indifferently.
Wyrhta tilted his head at her, a brow raising, ''The stable-hand, or the smith?''
''Nay, my steed's arse. Of course your fellow guards! They have made me on an extreme discomfort!"
''Mind your tongue,'' Régnwald warned her, frowning.
Eohilda gave a side-ways look at her captain, swallowing hard, and bowing stiffly to him.
Wyrhta nodded his head, leaning on the shovel before he shrugged slowly. "I can go have words with them? Though, in this place, I know not much. I am from Scylfig.''
Régnwald shook his head and crossed his arms, judging from his visage, he didn't seem well satisfied with her answer; though he preferred to change the subject by saying, ''How was the road anyway? You haven't come by to any ill events I hope.'' he spoke at length in a voice not sounding much worried; though he eyed her keenly.
Eohilda would slowly glance a wave after wave, a steady and wary stare to Régnwald. "Nay, Captain... Nothin' tha' bodes me ill on tha' road... But tha' bas-... "They were makin' fun 'bout me gender, they said 'tis nonsens' for women like me to wield swords." she fell once again in a sudden anger, but quickly to dim.
He listened her words, standing tall in silence amidst the calm; yet cold night. He hardened his green eyes, and 'what a strange accent' he thought a while, then straightening he drew in a deep sigh. ''Your gender? You should have shown them the glint of your blade, at least I would do that.'' he grinned lightly and remained silent again.
There was a munching sound coming from near behind, ''Gramlic!'' he scolded, ''Stop that!'' His horse lowered its neck with a mouthful of hay that had just been the part of the roofing. Régnwald sighed, ''You are going to make me do it all over again, aren't you?'' The horse looked at him with his big brown eyes. He could have sworn that there was a smirk in them.
Eohilda couldn't find the chance, she went silent, looking at Régnwald, smirking in a funny way. "Ya' know, horses mustn't be showed in forceful ways, ye' must calm, and It shall obey his master." exclaimed Eohilda in more of a relaxing way.
Régnwald turned his gaze back to her after a brief while, his face grew grim and he replied back, frowning ''I don't think you are the one to teach me of them as I spent half of my life with him.'' A brow was lifted high. He straightened and spoke, ''Tend well to your horse, for it will have to march back on the morrow with the first light. Poor horse,'' he shook his head in the end.
"Ha' Hebrew you says? He is ready 'fore any of us is born!" her expression would joyfully grow bright, like a dawn which is about to shine the oceans of grass "Days ahead, thinks It'd be best if me leave starts now, fo' I seek somethin' in this mere' plac'." Her words were rather unsure, but one could spot a spark of trust beginning to grow for the Captain.
Régnwald folded his arms, leaning his shoulder on the pillar. He listened her words with low attention, and advanced a step ''My advice to you is rest, and gather your strength. You'll need plenty of it on the way return.'' he gave out his breath as his words sunk in. Régnwald turned his gaze away, now his hostility fading, he paced forward to the Mead Hall with long, confident steps.
''Hold on ther' Captain!''
''I came 'ere just now, and we must leave by tomorrow?''
While crossing the main road his pace slowed and came to and halt as the maiden called after her and he blinked his eyes calmly, ''That is right, do what you've come to do, handle your works and errands,'' he paused letting his speech to hang and he turned around, eyeing her from the distance, ''And we will leave at first light.''
''But.. I hav'... uncle... tha'...''
''Then I advice you to be swift, maiden!''
