Leofholm looks over his shoulder, regarding the people on the cart. He remarks: "I would like to take you to the meadhall too, I know I would like to get there if I was in your place, yet the two of you still appear in need of much rest. I will bring you to the infirmary."
Faerhild shakes her head with a firm 'No'. She draws in a breath, "Take him to the infirmary, leave me by the bridge. I will cross it....even if it would be my last deed."
Leofholm says, 'I will not be to blame if you are to perish there. We still need to bring your companion in arms to a bed, though.'
Leofholm looks over his shoulder and climbs out of his saddle, pointing at Yrminas and Ethelweard. "You two, carry him inside please."
Ethelweard nods, quickly dismounting and heading to the cart.
Yrminas glances down at his steed giving the beast a pat on the neck and offers it a carrot that had been in one of the saddlebags. He whispers the beast something in it's ear and then he get's to the task of helping Eorcan while it wanders of to the stables.. by itself.
Faerhild slowly moves her legs, allowing them to fall off the cart's edge. Ever so slowly she slides off, allowing gently weight on her feet. Eventually she stands there, her one arm wrapped around her waist as if to keep her wound intact or to withold the pain it emitted.
Yrminas says, 'Can you walk?'
Faerhild flicks her feverish gaze toward the bridge, starting her slow battle to reach it, after two trembling steps she replies to Yrminas, "I...will not be carried." Although it's evident this will take a while for her.
Yrminas says, 'Do you intend to go by yourself? Atleast wait until we brought Eorcan inside and I will come with.'
Yrminas makes no effort to come after her, rather the tone by which he speaks seems rather flatly reprimanding for her to be so brash and injured (at the same time). He moves up the cart to help the wounded boy lying upon it to ease his suffering with all the care he can muster. Sparing his injuries as he can, by seeing how Eorcan reacts to his handling.
Faerhild halts by the fence, coughing into her gloved fist, her features covered by cold sweat. The edges of the wools around her face, caked by frost, marking the time they had spent on the road. Eventually she raises her gaze, staring at the distant doors of the reeve's meadhall. She breathes steam in the air in silence, not replying to Yrminas's long lost words of advice. For her the wounds were not the most painful thing she carried, but her guilt. Something she suspected he would fail to understand.
Yrminas carries Eorcan in his arms, he huffs a little with effort when he rises upon the stairs and then heads in through the doorway.
After carefully putting Eorcan into one of the beds the men head toward the meadhall.
Upon hearing their steps Faerhild too steps forth, weak and slow. Each of her steps held a strange feeling she might fall over, yet at the same time she seemed utterly determined to not do so.
Yrminas casts a glance to Leofholm for a moment, seeming intent to stay near her atleast.
Faerhild does not spare a glance at the guards who stand by the gates of the bridge that lead to the hall. She stares vacantly in front of herself as she moves forth slowly.
After managing across the bridge that seems to stretch beyond forever, Faerhild looks at the stairs as if they were a hoard of orcs on a battle field, although she starts her slow war against them, biting her teeth together while she frowns in dark determination. Her arm embraces her waist tightly to hold the wound from not stretching too much.
After reaching the hall Leofholm moves with a determined stride, walking alongside the fires as he quickly moves through the room, his eyes scanning to see who was present at this time.
Yrminas glances with some familiarity on the stuborness by which Faerhild moves her battered form onwards. However he keeps his mind to himself and simply follows along with his wet trail left to dry on the wooden floor.
The meadhall appears too busy in this late hour. People come and go, soldiers and common folk alike. The Reeve is on his feet, giving instruction and so are the men around him. Saexwyrd stands guard to the Reeve as always, remaining quiet, worn from worry and lack of sleep. As the group enters there's a lowly whisper. Heads turn towards the Reeve and as he realises he as well turns his head towards the newcomers. The murmurs are silenced and the old man frowns deeply before raising his hand to wave dismissively to all the others "Leave us... all leave us!" He orders in between his teeth. As people take it slow in evacuating the room, his patience runs out and he shouts angrily making the very walls tremple. "Get out all of you!". He gave a warning glance at Seaxwyrd who hung his head in shame, then turned his blazing gaze to the newcomers, sparing Leofholm a respectful bow of the head.
Leofholm bows respectfully in return, waiting for the Reeve to address them.
Faerhild met the Reeve's gaze, bowing her head out of courtesy, before raising her chin to stare at him again, not shying away from his anger. Half of her face is decorated by fainting bruises, the rest of her features frost beaten. Her chapped lips tremble for her physical state, and she fails the courtesy of the healer as she musters out a strong voice, "I have broken all my promises to you,...aside for when I promised I would not die, my Lord. So here I stand, alive and humble to meet any punishment you deem fitting." She lets out a breath, as if carrying those words had been more straining than all the wounds in this world.
Yrminas raises his brow and looks behind him when the last in the hall close the door behind them, a finger he uses to rub over his forehead when they begin to talk. His expression obscured by his hand.
Saexwyrd closes his eyes for a moment then he walks down the steps leaving his lord's side to stand next to his sister, to place himself among the accused. His throat is dry still and no words find their way to his mouth.
The Reeve does not reply to the girl, he follows Saexwyrd with his gaze and in the end, out of respect, he adresses Leofholm. "Welcome back Master Leofholm! You may rest now and soon you will be serves at my table. But tell me first what news you bring!"
Leofholm says, 'I have done my work as I was ordered to and tended to those injured to the best of my abilities. Eorcan, the other man whose wounds I patched, is still resting at the infirmary. I have also brought one of Regnwalds men to Forlaw. After speaking with me, he has seen reason and is willing to pledge his loyalty to you. I believe it would be benificial for us to stand together and take in those who are willing to raise their swords in defense of Forlaw. I hope you can remember how I spoke at the trial of this matter, but I trust you will make a wise decision and I leave it in your hands from here on.'
Faerhild keeps staring at the Reeve, finding already her punishment in his decision to ignore her. She however keeps staring at him, her eyelids closing and opening slowly. Her stance lacks stength on her weak trembling legs, it is as if the one arm that was hugging her wounded waist was holding her standing.
The Reeve pointed with squinting eyes at the two siblings. "You are a member of my councel master Leofholm, what do you say I do with these two? They went against me and made a mockery out of my decree".
Yrminas leans against his spear, observing the tempers and the words being shown and exchanged. The warmth of the place is sending a flush to his frozen face and his beard begins to drip in the meantime.
Saexwyrd glances over at his sister, trying for a moment to figure out her condition. She was standing and that appeared enough though her face was pale there was no doubt in that. He raised his head to wipe the sweat that was already soaking his brow.
Faerhild glances at Seaxwyrd, only now realizing he was standing by her side. She meets his gaze and her brow furrowing in deep confusion as she tilts her head, blinking slowly. Her mind takes her back into the moment when he had sworn he'd never save her again.
Leofholm says, 'Her actions were severe and cannot go unpunished, yet I am also convinced of her unwavering loyalty to the well-being of Forlaw. She has bled in defense of these lands and I advise you to consider this loyalty when choosing a punishment. Again, we will need every capable fighter for what is yet to come.'
Faerhild recovers from the surprise, shifting her gaze on the Reeve. She bows her head, "My Lord, I am willing to meet any punishment you deem fitting, as I have stated....Yet my brother, had no part in this.'
The Reeve nodded, and the healer's words offered some comfort to his troubled mind. He glanced at Yrminas to nod in aknowledgement of his presense then he turned to Faerhild. "I know of your brother's part in this. He confessed it the day left. Now you will name those who followed you and helped you. Either they were men of Forlaw or this accursed Regnwald. One by one"
Saexwyrd turned to his sister to wave his head at her, he was about to speak up but as the Reeve spoke he remained silent.
Yrminas offered a respectful nod in return. However sparing the siblings any betrayals the man steps in, "Perhaps it is more wise to ask me of what happened of these men. For I am the last who has seem them. I can make account that the man named Regnwald is among them even now."
Faerhild looks down at the floor boards briefly, before raising her gaze to meet that of the Reeve, he gaze bold and stubborn, "Each who followed me, thought they were acting under your orders for I told them I had your permission to travel out for three days and muster men. You should not punish those I have mislead with a lie hidden inside a truth. These men sought to rescure your son, and some of them died while attempting to do so. Even if we failed, we gathered valuable knowledge.'
The old man listened to the words spoken, trying to contain his anger at the mention of his son. he then nodded at Yrminas. "I do not recall your name,but I recall your face. You shall speak their names, but so will Faerhild, daughter of Radwine after you. And I will chose myself if they were mislead or not. I hear you rider, first. Speak!"
Faerhild frowns darky, not willing to look at Yrminas.
Yrminas says, 'I can not name all, however names that have befallen my ears are Regnwald, Yrmenlaf, Langhund and Gydgar. Not all sworn to Regnwald, but merely men forced from their steads into his eored. Gydgar however has fallen in battle, the price for saving the others. Faerhild here would not have lived had he not sacrificed himself, neither Eorcan who now rests on a sickbed still. And I Yrminas son of Irmin, have partaken in this battle. By coincidence only as is my way in this war. This report is my due to your request for assisting Forlaw. I could even say unto you, if you wish to capture Regnwald yet why ever able -free- man or woman will be needed.'
Faerhild continues to frown at Yrminas's words.
Yrminas falls quiet, allowing the old man to digest his report. By the looks of things though, he does not appear quite finished.
The Reeve nodded in approval of the man's words and then turns to Faerhild. "Your turn now daughter of Forlaw. "
She speaks, 'My Lord. I have only one name I wish and can speak out loud afore you today. Thrymm, son of Gárwig. For he is alive inside the fort of Framburg and I have heard his call midst the battle. I beg you to rescue him for I could not.'
The old man stood and walked down the steps. He came close to the wounded maiden and looked her in the eye, with a mixture of anger and compassion. "You know what loyalty means Faerhild? I thought your brother too be the foolish one, but you surpassed him by far."
Faerhild keeps staring at the old man, her eyes glistening with tears, as she speaks her thoughts in a genuine albeit strong tone, "I love you my Reeve, yet my loyalties lie with my Captain as well. I am conflicted, for you look away from his despair. You are asking me to choose beteen you and him. It seems I have chosen my Captain, for which I will accept your punishment, my Lord.. Choose it, and I will meet it."
Yrminas says, 'Perhaps it ought to be considered.. had it not been for her shield-friends her death would have been assured. There is no lack for trying as she -barely- stands here. There is merit also in knowing that each capable pair of hands and eyes will be needed in the coming days.' The words sliding humbly from his lips while he tries to look and gesture at whichever objects that may help the old reeve to remember what plans he was making moments before.
The old man's heart faltered for a moment and so he smiled at her bitterly. He glanced at Yrminas then he turned back at the maiden, reaching out for her shaky shoulder. "I won't blame you, for those things you're not to blame. There's hope in the youngs' heart that is to their merit. Your mistake is not trusting my judgement, and that mistake you are to make a second time. What is it that you think Faerhild of Forlaw? That your Lord and his Councel will judge their kinsmen unfairly?" The man said and turned to glance at Leofholm as well.
Faerhild shakes her head subtly, holding the Reeve's gaze, "I trusted your judgement about the defences of Forlaw. I trusted when you said you could not afford any men. So... I took those you could afford, those whom were most useless to you my lord. I asked them to swear an oath to Forlaw and they fought and died committed to that oath. I know I took matters into my own hands in the moment of despair. It was not to ridicule your judgement, my Lord, but to save our beloved Captain. I do understand you must punish such an act, and I stand here willing to take the punishment as I have said."
The Reeve nodded to her words but he insisted quietly. "Their names Faerhild... give me the names."
Faerhild stares at him, choosing silence.
The Reeve rectracted his hand and took a few steps back. "Now it is not your Captain though your chosing over me, is it?" The old man grunted and looked at the healer. "You are to return to the infirmary if the Master Leofholm advices it so or to father's house until you are well. We are at war, and because of it, my judgement will have to wait. Should you in the meantime choose to leave, I won't expect you to ever return. Use this time to consider your deeds. As for your brother, he sometimes shows the wit of a dog, but he is as loyal as one. What you did not tell me, is not what I did not already know, Faerhild. "
The Reeve then turned at Yrminas and Leofholm. "I thank you both for your services. And your counsel. Yrminas, speak to our current... captain. He will have need of you".
Leofholm nods slowly. "As with Eorcan, her current state deems it necessary for her to rest at the infirmary and avoid moving around if at all possible. I would rather have her there as long as there is nothing of more urgency that would require that space."
"You will chose her fate for now then, until she's well enough.', The Reeve nodded in thanks at his healer.
Faerhild protests calmly after a moment of thinking about the matter, with a sad expression, "My Lord, I am not choosing strangers over you, but I am choosing my Captain again. For the men I refuse to name still search for him. I can only hope his father will have the courage to do the same."
Saexwyrd rose his hand to silence Faer, but it was too late. The Reeve bursted out in anger. "What proof did you find child? How many more men you want killed? "
Faerhild raises her gaze to stare at the reeve, "I heard his call, his voice...in the midst of battle, before I fell. He is inside that fort, my lord. Why do you seek proof of his life, when you have none of his death? Yrminas, Ethelweard and I have seen this forth, in what we knows lies a key inside. Are we to toss this key away, my Lord?"
The Reeve turned his back on her and raised his hand to dismiss them all. "By Bema take her out of here or I will kill her myself! He shouted. Saexwyrd gave his sister a curious look but he did not raise his voice to object. He took his sister by the arm as commanded to show her out.
Saexwyrd says, 'Shh...'
Leofholmt says, 'Come on, then. I have to look at the wound again after all this travelling.'
Faerhild does not move in the men's pace, but with slowly and shaky steps in their trail.
Saexwyrd whispers at his sister's ear "Really?"
Faerhild looks at her brother, ignoring his question as usual. Instead she asks her own, her pale sickly features wrinkling in a confused thought, "Why did you stand by my side?"
Saexwyrd says, 'Don't I always? Now tell me is it true?'
She considers, before replying, 'It was part of the truth. As I lied dying, bleeding to the dark ground, I saw him through shadows inside that fort, held captive. I tried to reach for him, yet I was dragged away. I fear he too is...drifting between life and death. We do not have much time, brother.'
Yrminas followed along regardless what the estimation of his demeanor was, he holds open the door for her to get through casting a brief glance at the hall and a sigh at the warm meal he'd not recieve after all.
Saexwyrd nodded to the guards so they could allow people inside the main hall again. He gave his sister to Yrminas to lead, nodding at him in thanks. "I am in your debt"
Faerhild glared at Yrminas, simply pulling her arm free from her brother's grip to walk on her own. It seemed desperate and feeble, yet she progeressed, slowly, halting to catch her breath after every few steps, blinking in an attempt to hold the spinning world still.
