Arewe, the old and experienced scout, stood in the middle of a field of hoof prints, staring at the young woman, his silver locks moving subtly in the gentle breeze, “People will look down at you for being a woman and they will look down at you for being a scout. No skald will ever sing a song of your deeds. Your Captain will rarely thank you and your fellow warriors will never see you as their equal.” Faerhild frowned faintly, but the old man pulled his wrinkled features into a gentle smile, moving his gloved hand to squeeze her shoulder, “Never allow that to darken your days. In many ways it is you who will determine the outcome of the battle. You are the bringer of knowledge. The eyes of your Captain. Without you he is blind to the enemy.” His face grew solemn, “Wars are won with words. Upon the words you bring, your Captain will build his plan.” She nodded with a light smile to mark he held her attention. Arewe locked his gaze firmly on the young maiden’s eyes, “If your Captain’s Éored is superior in numbers and you bring him accurate knowledge about his enemy - he will win with ease instead of winning with high costs. If your Captain’s Éored stands outnumbered accurate knowledge will allow him to lose with small costs instead of losing his every rider. Best result is achieved through knowing the enemy. It’s size, it’s distance, it’s path, it's weak point, it's strong point." He sighed gently, “So allow others the luxury of underestimating your role Faerhild, yet never do that yourself. Understand the weight of your words and only tell your Captain what you know with certainty. Never lie. Never make hasty conclusions. If you are uncertain, tell him that. Having wrong knowledge is as dangerous as having no knowledge. For based on your words the captain will make his decisions. And his decisions will define whether your Kinsmen ride the path of life or death.” She pursed her lips into a thoughtful line at his words, nodding solemnly.
Abruptly the man gestured down at the hoof marks scattered around the ground, “Now my child, tell me what this earth says to you?” Her blue eyes flickered across the soil for a long while. Eventually she raised her chin to look at him, her brow furrowed with disappointment, “I see tracks of many horses, Master Arewe.” He raised his silver brows, “Nothing more?” She stepped around studying the imprints for a while longer, eventually looking back at him, “Nothing more I can be certain of, Master.”
The old man smiled widely, appearing more than pleased, “Ah! Your mind is as sharp as your father promised. Now let us see what my old eyes can tell.” He knelt down to study the marks.
((The story moves backwards, so Part 3. continues from where the 4. ends))
Abruptly the man gestured down at the hoof marks scattered around the ground, “Now my child, tell me what this earth says to you?” Her blue eyes flickered across the soil for a long while. Eventually she raised her chin to look at him, her brow furrowed with disappointment, “I see tracks of many horses, Master Arewe.” He raised his silver brows, “Nothing more?” She stepped around studying the imprints for a while longer, eventually looking back at him, “Nothing more I can be certain of, Master.”
The old man smiled widely, appearing more than pleased, “Ah! Your mind is as sharp as your father promised. Now let us see what my old eyes can tell.” He knelt down to study the marks.
((The story moves backwards, so Part 3. continues from where the 4. ends))
