Today in Stangard was no different than the other, pain, rumors and qualms had taken the townsfolk between its arms, even for a summer day, it was a day of grief. The guard in the tower frowned slightly as his trained ears picked up the thudding of hooves coming beyond, some fifteen riders, a boy, and a man dragged by the brown-stallion.
''Open the gate!''
Son of Régn kicked his stallion in his flanks softly one more time to close the gap between Redmund. Swinging himself off his horse as they halted near stables, Régnwald landed on the ground, taking a few steps before standing right before the captured man who looked deeply weary. He watched as the other men quivered, stepping back and pretty much pushing the man.
''Régnwald, who is this man?'' asked an elderly man who stood next to him.
He took that moment to gaze between them ''A traitor, raper ...of dead.''
''Why is he here?! Why didn't you kill him?'' the man with braids questioned matter-of-factly.
Régnwald spared him a bitter glare until he yelled furiously, his body heaving with hate for the captive man.
''He knows things about the fire in the jail.''
Grumblings and snorts would be heard about that moment.
''The plague already made us fall on our kneels, and now we have rapers?!''
''Foldewyn! How will we ever cure all these people if our warriors spend days hunting rapers.''
Grumblings and complaints continued...
Yanking his sword out of the ground where it lay, Régnwald, grimly determined, pointed it at the captive's neck. ''Perhaps I should kill him now and seal our fate.'' He suggested, his face contorting into a frown.
Pushing herself up off the grass, Ceolswith stepped forward, placing a hesitant hand over Régnwald's on his sword, her petite fingers closing around his own.
''We will question him.'' she spat out, watching as Régnwald's arm softened under her touch, slowly moving his sword away from the captive's neck and pivoting around to face his horse upon which rested the boy he found near the burned hut.
''Did I do the right thing? Leaving home...'' the boy asked, his voice barely above a whisper, heavy-eyed.
The men around stopped to listen, though his brief words were spent. Did he do the right thing... this was the cause of his silence? Régnwald tried to glimpse behind his reasoning. Clearly this thought had tormented the boy these hours. At a moment, he replied.
''You did not doubt then,'' he said, ''Do not doubt your heart now, Stangard will be your home.''
It was hard to tell if the words he chose gave him comfort. He breathed out through his nose and stood.
Régnwald turned to townsfolk around him, frowning a beat until he let his chest release a long, bitter sigh that went along with him throughout his ride.
''Bind him before the Mead-hall.'' he ordered, addressing the captive.
''Langhund, Aodhred, follow me to Riders' hall.'' he spoke, glancing about to find the two veterans, ''We have plans to make.'' he continued, sparing a brief glimpse over at Ceolswith before he retired swiftly.
Artworks by Kevin Crossley
