-Another day in Stangard-
Hnefatafl* board with Redmund and Ulcwine sitting on opposite sides, there were about a dozen light players surrounded by a besieging force of twenty dark players, a light king-figure in the center of the board.
Régnwald and a few eorlings were standing nearby, watching.
''So long as the king wins the day.''
The group turned to see Hondscioh shuffle up, with an amiable grin.
''Always, fréond.'' said a warrior with long braided-beard.
Hondscioh patted Régnwald's shoulder, leading him away from the others.
''So... another bloodless night.''
Régnwald pondered the cryptic comment as Hondscioh made sure none of the others were close enough to hear.
''I'm pissing it.'' said Hondscioh, his fiery brows crossing like arrows with somewhat of worry in his eyes.
''Blood?'' Régnwald asked after a puzzled beat.
Hondscioh nodded then shrugged ''It's come and gone over the weeks,'' he forced a grin.
''I'm turning to a woman, or a dying man.''
Régnwald watched him a beat as he gave a thought, moving his eyes away.
Hondscioh looked up to see Régnwald's troubled gaze, saying naught as the wind blew strongly to them, winding up their weather-beaten cloaks.
Hnefatafl*
This was probably the commonest of the board games played, and was almost certainly a Germanic development of the Roman game latrunculi (soldiers).
