All was quiet, save for the hushed wind and the braying of horses. The clouds hurriedly shifted across the sky as if seeking the end of the grasslands, to only then gather along the crown of snowy mountains far off in the distance. Eadnod stamped a hoof into dry grass, and down further to leave his mark in the dirt, the gesture went unnoticed by his grazing kin, but the thud brought Ealhwine's blue eyed gaze from the partially skinned rabbit by his lap. His attention turned upwards to the now darkening sky and his mood turned a little darker, it had been days of loneliness in the saddle, all he would have asked for was a clear sky to accompany his supper. Another slow cut with his seax and a few sharp tugs on the rabbit's hide, and supper was ready for the fire.
Ealhwine averted his gaze from the fire, it was difficult not to watch the flickering flames and the pulsing embers but to watch a fire is a fool's game when out on the plains. The ache in his chest was no lesser, he knew though that the next day would soothe it somewhat, pledging himself to duty was the only way. It was no love for a woman, or heartbreak which caused the emptiness in his chest, just the crippling pull towards duty. He could think of nothing else.
The morning came much swifter than the night had, and Ealhwine awoke beneath his green cloak and blanket. The fire had burned its way down to white coals and the wind was tempting the ashes off into the breeze. Eadnod was close by, ever the trustful companion steed. He welcomed the day with nettle tea, swathed in his cloak to hold the unbroken winds from his awakening body. The plains welcomed Eadnod's galloping hooves with an open view and clear skies, Ealhwine's rolled blanket and saddlebags bobbed as he ate a breakfast of dried meat in the saddle, Harwick and the Eored beckoned, he would certainly make it that day.
