MEAD-HALL OF SNOWBOURNE / DAY
Régnwald cocked his head in enthusiasm to the elderly man, Folcbrand named ''A pleasure.'' and he added ''So yer a farmer. Then I shall say I used to be one of the spear-armed horsemen that patrolled your farmsteads a few years back.'' he nodded to Saewaru in thanks and slightly moved to the right to make space for her beside him.
Saewaru set the tray down and before serving them she cleaned the table in front of them, mostly worried about her brother's shirt getting dirty by any left overs. She then placed a horn in front each one of them and the tray in the middle. For a moment she lingered there afterwards meaning to catch Régnwald's gaze and ask with her eyes if it was alright to stay with them. Saewaru smiled and took place next to him.
Deorcred took the horn and raised it towards the lord Régnwald, and waited for him to say something, most likely.
Folcbrand grinned to Régnwald. "Aye, I know warriors when I see'em. We might've met. Which town have you stopped to restock supplies?''
Reénwald eyed Folcbrand and gave a content bow of his head, slightly leaning backwards ''Mostly Harwick and Langhold.'' and he spotted the action of Deorcred, apparently he was not quite expecting that. Straightening a beat, he raised the horn-cup in his firm grip ''Well, we can never forget these gifts. To new friends and the old.'' he uttered at long last.
Saewaru just smiled at that, as she didn't opt to drink that eve, probably making the wiser choice.
Folcbrand raised his horn in return. "To friends and to king!" and he prepared to drink the whole content of his horn.
Régnwald thereafter would take several long drafts of the ale, setting it down, he wiped his mouth with his elbow.
Deorcred seemed thirsty maybe a little too much. He necked all the content inside the horn, '' Aye. '' he would say after he lower it from his lips.
Saewaru stood to pick up the jug and refill the horns, as a good hostess would.
Folcbrand said, 'You may have seen me in Harwick, then. I would visit it often for trade.'
''Aye, I must have, though we have spent most of our time in Feldburg, the headquarters of the éored.' it was answered. Regnwald turned sideways, green eyes landing upon Saewaru, and he looked to her with some sympathy. ''Did ye enjoy the foaling festivals in Aldburg, sister?'' he would ask, staring to her.
Saewaru replied, 'Well to be honest Regnwald I did, but not because of the festivities.' and she turned to the other men to explain. 'You have to pardon me both of you, but I am still not used to the idea he is back home, he has been terribly missed.'
Deorcred drank more from the horn, '' He who? '' he said then looked at Régnwald, if he is that he.
Saewaru answered, 'My brother!' and she nodded at Deorcred and as she turned to look at Régnwald again she beamed yet another smile.
Régnwald shook his head silently, having hard time to mask his vagrant expression, then adding his words ''Hrm, I had a few tasks to care of, so I couldn't join ye. Sorry about that. -- And yes, ya've been missed too dearly as well.'' then he glanced around, perhaps willing to change the subject.
Saewaru asked the men rolling her eyes between them, 'You will be staying in Snowbourn for long?'
Regnwald took a goodly swig of his ale, following the maiden's glance.
Deorcred still could not fit this in his mind, for he believed the war brings even more than such partings, '' Err, aye. I can imagine. '' he murmured, besides thinking he had no family. ''I didn't think of it, not now.'
Saewaru said, 'If you're not elsewhere expected... it is a nice place to be, with a lot to be done.'
Deorcred darted his blue eyes at Saewaru for a bit, and deemed if she suffered from being left all alone, once again? Perhaps she thought it as a happy picture, with his brothers and a band of friends. That's what he thought of.
Folcbrand politely interceded "ye're stationed in the Wold?
Saewaru met the man's gaze without turning her eyes away, searchingly, trying to take a good guess. She twitched her nose in the end, maybe just to cheer things up.
Régnwald shook his head with a gulp, staring to Folcbrand ''We plan on spending this season in Snowbourne.'' he answered in calm tone. Remembering something from the earlier chat. ''You were saying something of the strange folk in Walstow. Ye've awaken my curiousity, Folcbrand.''
Saewaru said, 'Walstow? Isn't that where Ceolswith is?'
Deorcred gave a warm, mountain white grin, unexpected from an Eorling. He sipped from his horn, '' How are you? '' he asked to Saewaru.
Saewaru gave Régnwald a long look before turning back to answer the man's question in a bit of a lower voice, to not interrupt her brother's talk with Folcbrand.
Folcbrand nodded at Régnwald's words, pulling the braids from his beard. "A merchant said so. Folk's seeing strange people wandering the fields at night. Some fences turned up broken.
Saewaru spoke, 'Thank Foldewyn, I am always well, but now I am even better. A man should do his duty but it is always a blessing to have them back home.'
Régnwald arched a faint, straw-hued brow, leaning slightly backwards ''Hrmm.. The poachers I would deem.'' he commented. ''Merchants though, they wander all the roads in possible peril with so few men to escort.'' He would remain silent then, turning his attention to his sister and his childhood friend.
Deorcred raised his brows at the steadfast answer and nodded heavily a few times. He drank more, '' Hope so! ''
Saewaru said, 'They will, they will!' She nodded and smiled encouragingly, with the certainty of the faithful.
Régnwald continued ''I have tried to have a deal with a merchant from Kingstead, named Helmbald. My band of men would escort his caravans, in exchange of the bargain, he would give us discounts for the weaponry, spears and axes... Alas, he disappeared after a while.'
Folcbrand said, 'Quite a strange tale. Did the merchant even pay you at all?'
''Nay. Strange bald man...' Régnwald uttered a sigh.
Folcbrand said, 'Did I hear you just arrived in Snowbourn?'
Régnwald nodded firmly ''Yes.''
Folcbrand said, 'Which road have ye come from? Have ye news from the Westfold?'
Régnwald remained silent a long time at that and gave a thoughtful smile, just the corner of his lip curling into a half smile. Blowing air through his cheeks, the mid-aged Eorling would reply ''Not Westfold. I've been heading west and south from Forlaw of Wildermore. It's been a tough journey I have to confess.''
Folcbrand took a sip from his horn, eyeing Régnwald with a hint of understanding. "Feels like roads are more dangerous than usual this year, eh?
Saewaru turned to her brother now, his answer stirring again the alarming feeling that something is wrong. She lowered her head for a brief moment, her dark eyebrows coming closer together as she ponders over the matter.
Régnwald firmed his jaw with a little serious expression growing in his bearded, pitted face and eyes of hazel green. He nodded once. ''Eoreds themselves do not suffice in these days. More is required to whack the terror in the fields.'' he gazed broodingly into the empty horn-cup, and as his words sank, turned to give a thoughtful look at his dearest.
Saewaru blinked and sensing his moment of doubt she gave him a steadfast look and a nod of confidence in what he can achieve. Then proudly she turned to look at their elder.
Folcbrand agreed with a short nod. "I know yer meaning. This does not seen like random raids or simply bold orc parties."
''Do you say a war is coming?'' Saewaru interrupted.
Folcbrand gazed Saewaru for a moment, then he shook his head slowly as if apologizing. "Maybe. I cannot know." He let a short laugh at himself. "Do not listen to me, lass."
Saewaru said, 'I have to listen to you sir, a good woman should know when to stock twice as much for winter. If our father was alive he would likewise advise me.' Saewaru added and nodded her respect to the white-haired man.
Régnwald unlocked his word-hoard and uttered a sigh, ''The change of winds tell so, tales of farmers abandoning their crops afar. Eyes of the children and women mourning their fathers, husbands and sons. -- What can a man do against such reckless hate? ...Better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning I would say.'' he casted his eyes about with something akin to rage.
Saewaru peered at him, though her eyes did not follow his to rage, rather they reflected the perseverance of their people. She took a deep breath, thankful that someone elder was with them.
Folcbrand emptied his horn and place it on the table. "Where will the éoreds march to, then? To Dunland or within our own boarders?"
Régnwald blinked his heavy eyes, exchanging glances with Saewaru then turning to meet the elderly man's gaze, breathing heavily ''I know not. But the rumours that king has ordered his marshals and thanes to not raid too deeply have been wandering across the broad kingdom for a while.'' a short silence, he continued ''It is not for us to question the king, nor our betters, but hold our oaths as best we can.''
Folcbrand agreed, 'I heard such as well. But I fail to receive news from the west. I plan on visiting Edoras first, though. They might have news there.'
Saewaru rolled her eyes between the two men, in wonder of what they were getting at. 'Will we ever get to visit Edoras Régn?'
Régnwald nodded, laying his left arm over her sister's back and caressing her shoulder softly, thinking that she would need such an action. The mid-aged Eorling gazed at Folcbrand ''Mayhap, but I'd look for Aldburg if I were you.'' then his eyes were drifted down to Saewaru, staring over towards the large window ahead. ''I don't know. Perhaps.'' he smiled weakly. Though from his expression, it could be read that there were things Régnwald knew of the matter at hand.
Saewaru said, 'I guess trips aren't that easy these days.'
Régnwald turned to Saewaru now with a jesting expression ''Touch this byrnie, I'd be at the Hornburg's walls before ye've readied your needlework!'' and he leaned sideways, giving a light chuckle.
Saewaru opened her mouth in a "How dare you" expression then she puffed out some air, complaining along. "You simply lack taste!That's why you're not married yet"
Régnwald shook his head ''Too sad you'll share yer brother's fate if you insist.''
Folcbrand pondered on the current events
Saewaru snorted but glancing at her elder she showed some respect and kept her mouth shut for a moment. "You hear him sir? I should make him saw his own buttons from now on, that's what I must do!"
Régnwald gave out a jesting sigh, gazing aside.
