Hondscioh nodded at Egilfrid and looked between Erlene and the Eorling horse-tamer ''Yer woman knows where to find ya.'' and advanced a few strides to shake hands with him, though his eyes soundlessly wandering around the ring to find his horse.
Egilfrid leans lightly on his crutch as he slowly trails after a young rider, a man with flaxen hair mounted on a stout stallion, kept on a tight leash. Egilfrid carries a long, thin pole in his hand, swinging out to strike against the animal. The animal lets out a snort as the blow lands, the rider gently urging on the beast. This scene continues, the horse learning to twist aside and step to escape the light sting of the pole, led on by his rider. The exercise appears kept short, his head turning as he saw the pair approaching. "Better," He nods his approval to the young rider and tosses aside the pole and eases the beast from its leash before turning toward the pair. He forms a small smile and reaches his hand out in turn to Hondscioh. ''I'm not often hard to find. Not so springy as I might've once been.''
Erlene smiles at the two and gives the rider a quick wave. Leaving the two to their business she leads the mare towards small stable raised to saddle the horses. Murmuring something to the mare she ties the reins to the pole and begins the task of trying to saddle the mare who does not appear too happy with it!
Hondscioh looked the man in the eye, forming a half warm-natured smile, ''You've been busy, aren't ya?'' he casted his eyes about until they landed on Hondscioh's horse, studying the mare for a brief length. ''So, how's she? Alright?'' he eyed Egilfrid back, the Eorling's eyes glowing under thick fiery brows.
Egilfrid says, 'Better now, the ride must have been rough on her. Her hooves were bruised and dirty in hard places, but I've clipped and cleaned her. Another day of rest and she should be well to bear weight again. Erlene has been giving her plenty of attention, she might come back a tad spoiled.'
Egilfrid casts a look toward Erlene for a moment with a dim though fond smile. "There's suddenly a great deal more horses than I'm used to. They won't always get along in the space we have to offer them."
Hondscioh straightened some, a hand resting on his war-blade's familiar hilt, and the man firmed his jaw as he listened, paying more care to this matter than he would for many other things, like women, which could be read from his blue eyes. ''Yea, the ride was tougher than any I've taken thus far.'' he agreed, drawing in a breath, added ''Very well, she'll rest then. 'Tis a rider's duty, eh. -- ..since we're still rooted here.'
Erlene grunts she finally manages to get the heavy saddle on the mare's back. Reaching underneath she gets the strap and pulls it back to go around the belly, the mare quick to protest the whole matter by blowing her belly making it difficult to actually tie the strap. Hanging her head Erlene lets out a quick sigh "No one is going to ride you barebacked, mind you!"
Egilfrid says, 'You've any glimpse of Gárwig's heart on your presence here? I cannot tell anymore. Things have been.. different in Wildermore, even before your arrival.'
Erlene pulls on the strap to try and get it to the buckle but with little use. With another huff she pulls up the skirt of her robe and dress to raise her foot up against the mare's belly, pushing on it to force the mare to exhale and the belly to go down and quickly fastening the strap of the saddle.
Hondscioh made a rueful grin spreading across his lips chafed from the cold. "I'm thinking the Reeve Lord is not much different than other Reeves and Thanes our broad Riddermark could furnish us with... Guess he takes his time in readying for a trial. But this is what I assume.'' head cocked to the side with an air of a point already known, eyes narrowed, he eyed the man once again. ''And how do ye mean? Even before our arrival...?''
Erlene nods sharply and gives the grumpy mare a quick pat once the saddle is finally strapped and ready. Grinning sheepishly she murmurs something to the horse before turning to join up with the other two.
Egilfrid says, 'You've already seen we've had our share of grief out here, many kin lost. But the reeve has suffered more than many others have. He lost his sons to the fighting here.'
Hondscioh nodded once knowingly to the first sentence and listened, a slight grimace cracking in his bearded, scarred visage. ''All his sons?'' he repeated, heralding the sound of surprise on the Eorling's part. ''Well, that must be sad for an old Reeve, a father more like...'' he sighed.
Egilfrid twitches the corner of his lips, his feelings kept largely to himself on the matter, though he nods his agreement. "He is still a good lord to us. But it has changed something in him, how could it be otherwise?" He turns toward Erlene, his face lightening up a little as he regards the horse. "That was faster than usual."
Erlene says, 'Your trick worked well, made it go faster.'
Egilfrid says, 'The saddle is still only the easy part. She is stubborn.'
Erlene says, 'So I've noticed...'
Hondscioh bowed his head, uttering no words on the man's statement. He gazed upon Erlene, struggling up a weak smile and stood silent for a few moments. Once holding Erlene's glance, the Horselord spoke in his heavy accent ''She can stay here and rest for the days to come, eh, Egilfrid? -- Of course, I will pay.'' it was spoken firmly by the warrior, waiting solemnly.
Egilfrid offers a subtle nod of approval toward Erlene, the mention of payment certainly lifting his enthusiasm.
Erlene steps closer and reaches into the bag hanging over her shoulder and down her side "She's quite lovely and quite the talker too." Looking over to Hondscioh she smiles fishing a piece of pemmican out of the bag and offering it over to Hond "Would you like some? It is very filling"
Hondscioh would, without any hint of hesitation, accept the offered pemmican, trying to give a polite bow of his head ''Thancie, Erlene.'' he responded before taking a good bite from it. ''Tis delicious.'' and nodded several times ''Least better than everyday stews in refugee camp.'' he groaned, nodding as he took another bite, almost forgetting the topic he was in with the Eorling beside him.
Erlene offers the offer half of the small pemmican brick to Egil with a smile. As would be expected the pemmican would be meaty with some small chunks of fat in it though this one has a slightly sweetened taste of dried berries mixed into it to give it a bit more flavour. ''Oh, I'm glad that you like it, sir! I do have more at home if you and yours would need it. Very good food to store.''
Hondscioh, forgetting the necessities of being polite, nodded deeply once ''Wel, that'd be a bliss, and so for the comrades in the camp!'' the man smiled with some light.
Egilfrid spares a glance toward Hondscioh as he takes a large bite into the pemmican. "When I first came here I subsided much of the winter on oats meant for the horses! I've been blessed." He remarks with a smile that comes not without a moment of hesitation as he turns back toward Erlene. "They could do with something better than whatever group they eat there."
Erlene glances at Egilfrid a moment and then to Hond again, rubbing her nose with a sniffle "Well, with some trade I could offer some of this to you and yours. Could even teach the women of your group to make this if they do not know how."
Hondscioh turned to Egilfrid with some solemnity ''Well, good that I've heard your words of the Reeve and his sons. Certainly my earl would owe much to learn about that.'' he blinked once, still eyeing Egilfrid. ''Guess they do. But we've learnt to take what comes. Still the attempt worths it, aye.''
Egilfrid curls the right corner of his lips lightly, offering another subtle nod toward Erlene. "You'll need your strength, for whatever the reeve has intended. I could not believe he would turn away women and children."
Erlene breaks off a piece of pemmican and pops into her mouth as she looks between the two, falling silent for now as the two men would take up the conversation again.
Hondscioh remained silent on that matter, glancing about. ''Helm's balls, the hour grows late...'' the words escaped his mouth, stepping back, he cursed himself many times inside, though masking it with a vague nod, casted sharply his eyes to the ground, fiery brows crossing like arrows. ''Tired, I better go and get some rest... -- G'night.'' He waved a slight hand, edging himself from the pair with long strides in the snow.
Egilfrid pops another chunk of the dried mixture into his mouth and turns to face Hondscioh, a smile easing on his lips. He dips his head to him. "Rest well, Hondscioh. We'll care for your mare."
''I've no doubt, friend, no doubt.'
Erlene says, 'Be well, mister Hondscioh. Hope you find good rest.'
