Behind the bars

FORLAW / JAIL / DAY

​Zaiweyn entered the jail, eventually, after disarming herself to the guards and leaving all suspicious items to their care. Carrying nothing but her clothes, the woman approached the bars, just staring at the folk inside.

Gydgar sat on top one of the barrels he had tipped over to create a seat, tapping his boot against the metal rim circling the wood with a smile on his face. His knuckles were still a bit bloody from the beating he had given to Seaxwyrd.

Zaiweyn neared the bars, peering through them at the people within, trying to catch their attention by staring.

Gydgar looked over towards the face peering through the bars, flicking up his chin in greetings as he looked back towards them in return.

Régnwald sat near the group of sacks, eyes, red rimmed, still remaining sombre, and he gazed at his feet clad in worn leather. Betraying no life, he deeply drew in the air of dark, gloomy place, letting his head hang for a moment until he heard the sound of opening gates, letting inside the jail some light before it faded like a dying star. His eyes struggled to spot the maiden coming. 

''...Cynebur?''

Gydgar said, 'Did you bring Seaxwyrd for round two?'

Zaiweyn spoke, 'Well, no and no.'

Gydgar grinned as he'd push himself off of the barrel, making his way over towards the bars. He looked over his shoulder towards the shadow of Régnwald in the corner, tapping his fingers on his revealed forearms that were covered in small bumps from the cold.

Faerhild stepped inside, shifting place with whomever had stood about.

Régnwald hardened his gaze, sparing the barest of glances towards the maiden, though he would not stand, not changing his position, and his eyes gazed between his comrade Gydgar and the visitor. Grimacing for a moment, his scarred face wouldn't be seen for 'twas too dark where he sat. Soon his voice would lace with the fatigue of recent events ''Ye brought news from her?''

Gydgar squinted towards the new guard that had come, moving from where he was standing to stand upon her side. He laced his arm through the bar, his fingers gripping around one of the metal rods as he leaned his shoulder back against the wood. Whilst Régnwald and the visitor spoke, he whispered. "How much longer are we in here for then?"

Zaiweyn tilted her head, watching the man nearing the bars, then back over at Régnwald, or rather in his general direction. "I heard not of that person" she says rather calmly and casually, squinting to try and see better, for obvious reasons that not helping much in a dark jail cell. "Just came to look at man commanding enough loyalty to get thrown into jail for."

Régnwald lowered his gaze, not directly looking up to her, ''Then why come here--'' before he could finish his words, the maiden's answer made his growing enthusiasm fade. He wouldn't add his words to that, let his head drop once more. Soon after, the man known as dryhten in good days, rose tall, advancing but a few long strides until he neared her. ''I remember you...'' he uttered his words lowly, ''You were in the trial the other night.'' he added, casting his eyes down with a sigh, head cocking to the side to meet the guard's gaze, with the gravity of a point already known to the young Horselord.

Faerhild stood straight and still like a statue, staring at nothing. She acted as she would not hear the man's whisper, although she might have.

Gydgar said, 'Hm.. lass, your helm is on too tight. I asked how much longer are we trapped for?' he spoke out louder, fingers gripping onto the bars better to show his reddened knuckles.

Faerhild turned her head slowly to stare at him blankly, "I heard you. Yet it is not my place to answer nor decide that. If you do not like cramped small places, perhaps you should constrain yourself from punching the members of Witan next time." She offered him a faint smile, although it seemed somewhat passive aggressive by nature.

Gydgar raised one of his shoulders in a shrug, meeting her eyes as she turned to look at him with a bold smile. "He asked for it. All talk, no pain. Did not even get hit when I broke his nose."

Zaiweyn appeared amused at the exchange to her left, failing miserably at hiding that. She did, however, look back up at the man talking to her, being slightly, if visibly shorter than every other person in Forlaw. "Yes. I was there. I even spoke, even though my words were not heard. Or cared about" she said with a shrug. "Not my decision anyway, reeve listens to whom he wants to, no?"

Régnwald would listen in silent solemnity as the maiden spoke to him, though his eyes were set still on the guard on the other side of the cold, metal bars. Brooding over the information for a brief while, he held Zaiweyn's gaze ''You have my thanks for your words. If 'tis why you're here.'' he spoke, stealing a grim glance at the guard as his brief words sunk in.

Faerhild returned his smile with a growing smile of her own, "And you asked for this." She gestured at his cell. She then returned to staring at nothing in front of herself.

Gydgar said, 'Then next time I ask for a place without a proper bed, hit me around the head and throw me in the snow to regather my thoughts.'

Faerhild kept staring in front of herself, although she bothered to reply 'I would have if Seaxwyrd had not gotten to you first.'

Gydgar said, 'Only a lock is what keeps you from doing that, and I am sure a guard like you has the key. I will even come back to my cell afterwards.' Gydgar glanced towards Régnwald with a slight smile on his lips, as if he has some sort of plan though he doubted it would work.

Faerhild turned her head to look at Gydgar, although catched Régnwald's stare while doing so. She'd then merely stare at him back from behind her helmet. Never replying to Gydgar's words, as in her mind she had already replied to them when she first spoke.

Zaiweyn shrugged. "I need no thanks. Just came to see a man accused of all the vile things and hear him" she said, head tilted again. "Wanted to hear what he has to say. I heard one man speak against you, very bent on having you suffer. Not a good thing, that. Kinsmen should stand together, not bicker like children over a stolen fish."

Faerhild removed her helmet, raising her brow at Régnwald's stare.

Gydgar said, 'Hrm. Would have expected someone close to Seaxwyrd to be a coward.' nodded his head slightly, raising his chin up slightly.

Régnwald gave a brief, not too warm glance at Gydgar, and bowed his head sharply, mayhap a gesture for him to not try what he would attempt to. His eyes again landed on the maiden ''I've uttered enough words in the Mead Hall.'' he paused, gaze lowered ''And unlocked my word-hoard, but words themselves weren't enough to cut ill-purposed knots, plans, eh.''

Zaiweyn shrugged a bit. "I know little of knots and plans. I just want to know what to make of you and your folk. I already know one is a hard-headed brawler" she said, shooting a grin over at Gydgar.

Faerhild shifted her gaze on Gydgar, replying calmly, "Tell me....When Stangard was attacked, did you send a message to ask aid?" She shifted her gaze on Régnwald, assuming he was smarter of the two.

Faerhild glanced at Zaiweyn, staring at her for a moment in eerie silence as she pondered where her motivations lied.

Gydgar noticed Régnwald's look and nodded his head slightly, before he looked towards Faerhild, "I was busy using my fist and shield to keep back swarthy-men from reaching the women and children after my sword got stuck in ones chest."

Zaiweyn said, '"Could you not pick his sword up? Better than just a fist I think."'

Gydgar spoke, 'In the frenzy of a battle, my mind does not always think like that.'

Faerhild kept looking at Régnwald, saying nothing.

Régnwald would let a grim, knowing smile crack in his face, showing the young man's scarred and bearded features to the beholding eyes. ''The Reeve made his decision, an unbreakable word. He made a mistake, but we shall heed, if 'tis what ye wonder.'' he sighed once more ''The war-band was disbanded, as you saw. 'Tis all I might say, and sorry to disappoint you.'' the Horselord would turn around then, advancing forth until he neared his dark, shadowy corner.

Zaiweyn looked towards the man curiously, the eyes now more used to dimness of the jail cell seeing more than just a silouhette this time around. "War-band? Yes, maybe. But I see peoples get in trouble for a man. People stand behind a man. Behind eachother. That bond breaks hard, no?"

Faerhild shifted her gaze on Gydgar, "Well, there lies your crime. When you can not outwin the beast, you send your swiftest rider to ask for aid."

Gydgar said 'Have you ever been in a battle?'

Régnwald slowed his pace to a halt, not turning back, but his eyes narrowed at the thought, and one could say the maiden's words established some dark enthusiasm in the Horselord's eyes. Yet he would utter no words.

Gydgar raised his brow, turning his body with both of his arms now sliding through the bars and all of his fingers gripping around the metal. His brow raised to her, leaning his face between the two bars to see her better.

Faerhild said, 'I have ridden between battles. My battle is against time.'

Zaiweyn stared at the halted man, lips parting curiously at the reaction. She remained that way for a while. "You have folk ready to stand with you into hunger and cold" she said, nodding. "I kind of envy you that" she finished, then turned to curiously watch the other two talk, leaning against the wall and not even trying to hide that fact.

Gydgar said, 'Then if you have never been in a battle, how do you know what the chaos is like in the depths of one? When there are already so many enemies from one force, and then another comes out of total surprise, how are you meant to send a rider to Harwick which would take too long?'

Régnwald frowned grimly at the words spoken by the guard, casting his eyes over his comrade ''Gydgar..'' he said under his straw-coloured beard, and gave out a long sigh, matching the nature of the tired Eorling. Apparently he wasn't wishing to hear anymore discussion words about the matter, the man stood tall, turning around before he let his eyes wander about the three. His fatigue, cold eyes held Zaiweyn's gaze once again mayhap for the last time ''I'm the one behind the bars. It shouldn't be something to envy, girl.'' and his glance would herald the sound of resignation on the young Eorling's part, he returned to his dark corner, and returned back again to his dark thoughts, brooding.

Faerhild said, 'Well, I have been the rider. You always have a scout and a messenger with you. They offer you information about the nearing enemy and ride off to seek aid when need be, so you may do your brave deeds and they may do theirs.'

Gydgar looked over his shoulder as his name is spoken, frowning lightly though he soon quietened down, though a small amused grin was still at the edge of his lips as he looked back towards the guard, whispering out. "When I am from these bars, me and you will continue this."

Faerhild said, 'I highly doubt that.' smiled amusedly.

Zaiweyn looked towards the brooding man, offering a faint shrug. "I do not agree" she said, quietly. Looking amusedly at the two that bicker, however the amusement somewhat dimmed.

Faerhild pulled her helmet over her braids, continuing to stare at the man from behind the metal.

Gydgar said, 'It will happen. Be it by our own will, or I find you on your guard post and speak to you there, for a guard cannot leave their post.' grinned slightly, reaching out to try and tap one of his fingers against the metal helm before quickly pulling his arm back and would go to head to his corner again.

Faerhild stepped backward calmly as his hand reached out, leaving his finger but an inch away from touching her. She would not reply anything, although she'd stare at the man intently as he walked away.

Faerhild glanced at Zaiweyn, taking a formal tone, "This is not a tavern."

Zaiweyn turned to the guard, head tilted casually. "I have noticed, yes. Taverns are more cheerful and warmer" she says, nodding a little. "I was watching you speak to that man. Are all prisoners troublesome here?"

Régnwald sat with his habitual solemnity, and he wouldn't disagree with the maiden's words, which made him brood over her statement. Once gazing at Gydgar who strode back to his corner, his head cocked downward again.

Faerhild answered, 'If you have finished your business, you should leave.'

Gydgar called out from his corner, "And taverns have drinks, and food. Speaking of which, when do we get food?"

Faerhild replied dryly, although she did not to her question.

Zaiweyn straightened her head slowly, mostly a curious expression adorning her face. "I got what I wanted, yes. Farewell." she said, then turned to leave, after retrieving her belongings from where they were deposited.

Faerhild followed the woman with her gaze.

Gydgar grumbled and folded his arms over one another, "What about a cloak to keep me warm? Your prisoner may freeze to death! All I have is shirt and leggings."

Faerhild glanced at Gydgar, "Will you speak less if you freeze to death? If so, I'd call it progress."

Gydgar said, 'I will speak more as I freeze to keep myself warm.'

Faerhild furrowed her brow subtly at the thought of that.

Gydgar said, 'So, what say you? Or shall I start to sing?'

Faerhild stepped up the stairs and returns with a pile of blankets, pushing them with some effort through the bars and tossing them into Gydgar's direction.

Gydgar got up and headed over to the bars, bending down to lift the blankets up and taking one to be his cloak. He nodded slightly, moving over towards Régnwald then and offering one of the blankets to him.

Régnwald would not notice Gydgar at first, and once the worn blanket was offered to him, he hesitated for a moment, and then he spared a bow of his head in silent thanks, reaching out and taking the blanket.

Gydgar whispered out towards Régnwald as he stands infront of him, speaking only quiet enough for him to be heard by Régnwald. "I shall work on getting food and drink next." He reached out to give his captain a pat on the shoulder, before he'd get up with his blanket-cloak and head back to the bars. "And of food?"

Faerhild casted a tired look at Gydgar, staring at him for a moment, "Are you truly starving?"

Gydgar answered, 'Feel my stomach and you shall feel ribs! Food is needed, for all of us, otherwise your prisoners shall die and the blood will be on your hands.'

Régnwald narrowed his eyes, letting the mightily enthusiast man's words have its moment, he watched them for a length without words.

Faerhild said, 'Dying out of starvation does not spill blood, least on my hands.'

Faerhild rolled her eyes ans turned to skip up the stairs with a sigh.

Gydgar pulled his cloak around him, "Though it is a death nonetheless!" He watched her go, smiling slightly in victory.

Régnwald soon after would speak out for the guard herself to hear, eyes not directly set on her, but wandering dimly in the dark, cold room ''Gydgar,'' he called ''You better not waste the guard's time, so she may return to her main duty. Keeping watch on the gates.'' it was stated in a loud, clear tone.

Faerhild returned a long moment after later with a pot in which she had gathered bits of dried bread, cheese, root vegetables and things one could nibble. Some of them looked like someone had already taken a bite out of them. The woman opened the gate briefly with her key, placing the pot inside their cell, before stepping outside and calmly locking them up again.

Gydgar looked into the pot, lifting it up before he answered to Régnwald, "I shall not, I will manage without a drink for now!" He turned then, carrying the pot over towards Régnwald and letting him have first pick of the food.

Régnwald would shake his head briefly, with a hint of distaste in the man's scarred, bearded features, ''I'm not hungry, you eat. And share the rest of it with your comrades sleeping there.'' he would vaguely gesture his head towards Niehstu and Hondscioh who were lying across the other side of the jail.

Gydgar said, 'Even though you are not hungry, you must eat to remain strong.'

Faerhild glanced at Gydgar, being struck with a memory of her mother.

Régnwald gazed first at the guard then Gydgar in the eye, ''Nay, you eat.''

Gydgar nodded his head, digging around in the pot and pulling out the largest piece of bread with some cheese and placing it infront of him before making his way to the others, sharing out the food equally. He then sat nearer the bars, digging around for what was left and pulling out a half-broken cold carrot.

Faerhild looked at Régnwald, speaking after a long moment of consideration, "As I said in your trial, This is in many ways waste of time. Yet it is not in our power to decide the matter. Yet I wonder why you'd wish to rot in a cell, when you could aid the cause outside even if without armour or sword."

Régnwald would then spare the barest of glances towards the woman guard ''Tis not my wish nor my will to rot here. Soon the Reeve would release us,'' the man paused, eyeing Faerhild with something akin to pride in his defiant, green eyes ''And we have friends outside.''

Faerhild asked, 'You have none inside? You speak of us as if we would be the enemy.'

Gydgar took a bite out of the hard carrot with a loud crunch, grimacing at the unpleasant hardness and coldness. He chewed on it, taking a bite from a piece of half eaten dried bread.

Gydgar said, 'Do friends lock their friends in cells?' tilted his head back to look up towards the woman.

Faerhild said, 'If they punch them in the face, yes. You were given an option, I remind you.'

Gydgar said, 'Would you not be upset or angry if say your Reeve was forced down from his position, to never wield a blade and to be exiled if he did so?'

Faerhild said, 'I would. And I would sit in your place. Yet I would complain a lot less more. If you can not handle the causes of your pride, do not act along it's whim.'

Gydgar reached through the bars, holding up a piece of the dried bread that hurt teeth when bitten into. "Eat this, and then see if you would complain or not."

Faerhild said, 'I did eat that, before I started my duty.'

Cold wind swept into the dark jail from the wooden gates, if only it could take the Eorling's words with it... he brooded grimly. ''Enough, Gydgar.'' he spoke out ''Now that the guard's duty is done here, she may return to her watch, ...outside.''

Gydgar nodded his head, pulling his arm back through and eating the rest of the bread.

Régnwald would soon be lost in his innermost thoughts once again, and likely he wouldn't be hearing the words traded between the pair by the bars anymore.