THE PAST...
''A mighty man in byrnie are you, of proven bravery, bold in battle. Into my war-band will you come, to serve as warrior and counsel wise words?''
Warrior: Aye!
Lord would call for sword, which was kept in the sheath, hilt on the knee pointed toward the warrior with the length of the blade running along his leg, and the point passing between the right arm and the body. The buckle of the sword belt rested upon the hilt, and the lord grasped the hilt so that his arm lay on top of the sword along its length.
''Speak then your oath!''
The warrior would kneel before the lord and would put his right hand under the hilt.
''I, Elfgast, make this oath: that I shall be in the forefront of fierce battle, forging ahead with my lord and friend, coming to the war-call carrying my weapons; and when no battle causes the war-horn to blow, I shall not forget the ring-giver's generosity, but will offer wise counsel as I may. And though I had liefer lay down my life than see harm come to my lord, still should the poisoned point or aged edge strike him down, then I shall not flee a single footlength from the field, but rather shall advance into the enemy army, slaying as I might, to avenge the protector of the people. And by Béma, Eorl and Helm, may this sword smite me upon which my hand rests, may my own edge twist and turn against me should I fail to keep this oath.''
Lord: I have heard your oath, hear you then my vow to you: with red gold shall I gift you, granting good gifts as you merit, round rings rolling from my hand to yours; among my earls shall you sit in the sumbel, with sweet mead strong filling your stoup. my sword shall stand between you and your enemies, my strength and my war-band beside you boldly, for bare is brotherless back. And may the Hunter hallow this oath!
Lord would stand and hand sword to assistant, who in its place would give him an arm-wrist, a worthy gift, which the Lord would give to his new warrior. And thus the bond between lord and warrior would be sealed...
So dark was the path that what's beyond could not be seen.
So hot was the burning arrows that the iron shield glowed red-hot
and the Eorlings seated some distance away fled from the terror of the enemy
and rode far, leaving their lord.
Among the remaining, there was Hondscioh, son of Breca,
who thought it was shameful to leave.
He told him how he remembered how they boasted
that they would repay Régnwald for all his gifts whenever such a time came,
Then in his hour of need when they should be helping him they fled from his side.
That he does not deserve this disloyalty
and that they should die together or conquer together.
Even with this speech from Hondscioh, the wind blew the same.
but he seized his shield, of yellow linden-wood,
and his ancient sword and prepared to rush to Régnwald’s aid
with some warriors, Yrmenlaf, Æschere and Langhund,
to fulfill the deed, save Lord Thrymm.
