As the rider peered through dawn's gloom, he finally spied the elusive pair. Bringing his horse about, he left the path. Heavy-shod hooves left great marks in the ground as the armoured beast carried it's burden toward the foot of the cliffs.
Régnwald fixed his eyes at the approaching horseman, his eyes were ceased in half worry; though he kept his wariness. ''Westhu rider!'' he called after him from a distance, his voice was stout and firm and then he handed the reins over to Éohilda.
The horseman pressed onward. He was road-worn and looking to be bone tired. Mail clung to the main, although rent in several places. His horse's armour scuffed but otherwise in good repair.
"Westhu, béaggiefa hal!" He complimented the man. "I am hoping you are the Régnwald I seek."
He straightened and laid a hand on his sword's hilt. ''You heard right,'' he confirmed and remained silent for a brief while, surveying the man keenly ''I'm Régnwald, and of my company, this is Éohilda, falawigend.'' - ''And why do you seek for me?''
The maiden unsheathed her blade swiftly as the stranger approached further, looking in a very cautious way, she stepped in front of Régnwald, attempting to guard him.
"Step aside, spy! State yer' business, or be slain in plac'!"
Régnwald arched an eyebrow, seeming quite abashed of the maiden's move. He advanced a step and gave a sideways look to her, ''Don't you see?'' he warned her lowly.
Éohilda raised a brow to Régnwald, she remained in her cautious, yet angered face. "I see a spy, wearing charmin' Rohirric gears, jus' to set a trap on us!" Her tone is raised, taking a step forward once more.
Régnwald shook his head and laid his hand on her shoulder, slowly drawing her a step backward and he flashed a warning glance at her.
Burgweard raised his eyebrows at the woman's tone, heaving his shoulders in something of a sigh he turned to Régnwald. "No news except where to find you, Lord." Dismounting, he drew Eftlisung. Worrying that the man's protector would attempt to gut him, he placed the tip upon the ground, kneelinng as he did so.
"I am Burgweard, son of Hereward of Woodhurst, who fought with your father in his last battle, it was he who told me to seek you out, for your father was spoken highly of, as were you." Breathing deeply, he spoke once more.
"I seek to pledge both myself and my blade to your Éored, Lord."
Régnwald gave the man a measuring glance, allowing himself sometime to think about his words and he bowed his head in thanks of compliment that made him feel proud of his father oncemore.
Soon he spoke, ''It's an honor to have the sons of old esquires in our ranks.'' and he added ''Stand up, Burgweard, son of Hereward of Woodhurst.'' he paused for a while and eyed him, letting his speech to hang then he added ''So you've ridden all this way to offer your sword for my éored?'' he knew the answer, he wanted him to confirm his words however.
Éohilda watched them as they seem to be acquainted, her face went lush red on her sright freckles. Later on she would stood back, heading to her steed which is Hebrew, mayhaps looking after him.
Burgweard nodded, sparing a look to the woman at his side. "Aye lord, I swear I am no spy, but I have a truth you must know before you accept my pledge."
Régnwald replied ''At first I knew you weren't a spy.'' and he provided a list of requirements, including a horse, weapons and armor, but also physical ability and skills. Not to his surprise, there was almost nothing the man was missing.
Burgweard offered who would hopefully become his new lord a crooked grin. "I've been doing that for the last ten years, Lord."
Régnwald merely smiled ''Very well then,'' and he continued with a tilt of his head, ''I can allow you to join my Éored, which is not fully manned. You have until next week to ready your horse,''
Régnwald added, ''You may be ready for battle, but your horse could kill you as easily as an orc if it is not desensitized properly to the sounds of battle. Sharpen your blade, strengthen your arm. When these things are done, seek for me in Feldburg in the Wold. There, you will be instructed further.'' This agreement was sealed with a strong shake.
"Capt'! Sun is settin', we should not tarrie any longer!" She soared into a distance, as her tone was an exclaim.
Burgweard bowed his head, standing and resheathing his blade. "Lord, I must tell you though..." He accepted the hand as it was offered. "For these ten years passed, I have been serving in Stangard, for I was made wolf's head, exile from the Mark." His dark eyes cast down at his boots for the briefest of moments before returning to gaze at his lord. "By banishment is lifted, but this will not hide from you nor my brothers and sisters in arms."
Régnwald gave a sideways look to the maiden and merely blinked. Listening the man's words, he also casted his proud eyes down, ''We have no secrets ...Tarry not, for we are in need of experienced men. There will be a campaign to East wall...'' he spoke at length, though he felt it's not a right time or a place to talk about them, and he confirmed his words with a nod.
Burgweard bowed his head once more. "Well lord, when you wish to hear of a reason for my banishment, if you do then you've but to ask." He looked once more to the now red-faced woman. "You also, Lady, for I no longer will hold any secret in my heart." Stepping back toward his horse, he rubbed it's neck and spoke up once more. "In Stangard, we fought hard against both Orc and Easterling, promise you Lord that we will both stand ready to ride with you."
Régnwald turned his gaze away and gestured at the maiden to ready her horse and he returned his gaze back to Burgweard and he advanced to him as he was stepping back to his horse. ''We are on a small mission, then we'll be on our way back to Wold. We've been tracking down a cloaked figure for a while. I wonder if you have any knowledge of him.'' he eyed him questioningly.
Éohilda sighed, she grabbed another apple from the pocket that she was given to Hebrew, leaning sideways to her steed lightly, she eyed the stranger. "Or a Dunlendings hidin' 'round the plains, both do better, if ya' hav' the stuffs that we need." She added, with a blunt tone - but not rude, however.
Burgweard shook his head slowly. "I've only rode into Snowbourn a night ago." Glancing between the pair he added. "Although a cloaked figure means ill for the most part I'd say, on foot or horseback?"
Éohilda nibbled the apple afterwards, letting her mouth be filled with crunchious and juicy noises.
Régnwald shook his head and stared to him, ''Nay, we do not know. Whether it be a hill-man or an easterling spy, whoever he is, they kidnapped her uncle.'' he pointed his eyes to Éohilda slighty, keeping his wariness and his green eyes brimmed with solemnity.
''...and it's the reason for her harshness.''
Burgweard bared his teeth at the thought. "Then I am sorry for you Lady, give me half a day to ready myself at Snowbourne and I will happily join the hunt."
Régnwald nodded firmly to him, and confirmed before saying ''Now we're heading north where the tracks lead us.'' and patted on the man's shoulder lightly, ''I will see you.'' he bowed his head and strode back to his steed before leaping on him with a lithe move. The horse twisted his neck, as if trying to tell something to its master, Régnwald comfirmed his companion, patting its neck lightly.
Burgweard turned back to the woman then, regarding her with a curious mixture of compassion and irritation. "Wyrd bið ful aræd, as my uncle used to say." He spoke the words in a low even tone. "You cannot escape the fate that is laid out for us."
"If it is my fate to find him, or yours, then we shall."
Éohilda faintly nodded. "If you wish so." She pushed herself to the saddle, making her way up on her steed.
Burgweard raised his fist in salute to the pair. "I will seek you out lord, and by the hunter's arrow wish you speed and luck on your hunt."
Éohilda stirred her head to him, gaining toneless expression.
Régnwald stood tall on his steed, and gave a firm nod to the man ''Ferthu hal!'' he cried under his plumed helmet and pulled on the reins of his horse, causing it to give a low whinny.
Burgweard looked to the pair before remounting his own horse. "Good hunting to both of you."
''Seek for us in the Norcrofts!''
Then Régnwald kicked the side of his steed lightly, making it to move on swiftly out of the camp and they rode through the afternoon. The sun shone on the wet grasses and they rode further still. Gramlic was full of vigour, happy to be running again. He would attempt to take the lead further without his master's consent. The rider pulled him back beside the maiden...
