With my back leaning against a wooden fence built to prevent my cows from running away, I’m working on the impossible task of restoring my old rusty training sword. It has no sharp edge anymore and I'm pretty sure it would break if I strike it hard against anything. No, the sword is past its glory and fighting days, but it's still balanced enough to use while I do my morning training routine. So for the last hour or two, I have taken my time to carefully clean any dirt or loose rust from it, with an old cloth, before adding wax to it, to delay it from rusting more.
The sun has slowly been settling, painting the air with its warm colors in purple and warm orange, filling me with renewed energy after a long day. Sitting there humming to myself, I notice a soft rustle in the grass behind me, near the barn.
Without turning around, I smile and decide to call out the would-be predator, sneaking around.
Gwen I know you are there, so please step out of the shadows and enjoy the light and warmth of the evening sun.
In return I hear a delightful light laughter responding. It's near impossible to sneak upon you Duncadda, you must have the ears of a fox. It appears she picks up her pace as she approaches me. Or maybe the ears of an elf, if I should believe the villagers wagging tongues about you. She comes up on my left side, smiling and a light chuckle escapes her, as if she is teasing me.
Wagging tongues eh? What is it this time then? I ask, returning the smile. Maybe that my father was a high elf lord who had bewitched my mother, raised me as his son and then left me as a young man near the Wold?
She laughed again in response. No silly, she says, shaking her head in amusement. You know how some villagers can be, empty potty heads, bored, which means they fill their days with stories and lies about other people. She sits down in front of me. But it seems you do not care anyway. She pauses, before continuing with a more serious tone. It’s strange to see a man of the mark, ignoring most insults as calmly as you do. Most of the riders I have met, would have drawn their swords or gotten themselves into a fistfight for less… she let the words hang there, inviting me to respond.
Well I’m no rider, I reply. And you know I get into enough trouble as it is, without going looking for more because of some words exchanged. I focus my eyes on the sword, which has laid idle in my hands the last few minutes. As I start moving the old rag over it, continuing to clean it, Gwen reaches out with her right hand and gently moves her fingers over the scars on my left arm. I know… do your wounds cause you much pain these days?
I gently withdraw my hand away from her. No, I'm fine… Yllfa have done an outstanding job of patching me together. I look up to face Gwen and notice a sad expression in her face. But enough about me… I say. Why are you here Gwen? Is there anything you need help with? Her expression turns sour. Can’t an old friend come visiting, without needing anything? It comes out harsh and it seems she realizes that herself and her expression soften, before continuing. Oh, I’m sorry for lashing out like that Dun, I know you meant well, so please excuse the outburst of a tired woman.
No need to excuse yourself my dear Gwen, I'm a poor company myself these days. I replied and smiled sadly at her. The loss of Fastred still lingers in my heart and I worry about the village, but you know that. She nods, before reaching out with her hand again and this time I do not withdraw my own hand, taking comfort in the touch.
Duncadda you horny toad! You've been holding out secrets for your best friend again, a familiar voice filled with raw laughter, shouts from the farm's gate, interrupting us. Of course, Eadrinn has decided to pay me a visit again and his timing is rotten as always. As I stand up, I help Gwen up as well, before turning to face the man also known as the grey monolith. Eadrinn, you lost again?
Eadrinn just laughs at me. It seems you're the one who is lost Duncadda. Why else would you hang around a fence, instead of taking this little bird into your barn... he let the rest of the sentence hang in the air. He grins at me before his eyes take a measure of Gwen, nodding in approval as he moves closer to her. As he draws closer I step in between him and her to face him. You are not welcome here, if you cannot leave your barrack manners behind. I nod my head towards my farm's gate. You can return the way you came, so your presence don't soil up the rest of my farm.
Eadrinn’s eyes grow small and dangerous as he steps up close to me, until he towers above me and looks down. And if I do not heed your command, little scout? What then? He says, as he taps his left hand on the large axe hanging in his belt. Will the little scout beat me up, eh? He says mockingly. I notice Gwen move closer behind me and take a hold of my left arm, trying to gently pull me back from Eadrinn.
I will do nothing Eadrinn, because your secrets tell a tale about you and I know them. I reply as I let Gwen pull me away from him. Pounder that now and figure out what that will do to you.
Eadrinn seems rooted at the spot and just stares at me for some time and then he starts to laugh. Ha! Duncadda, you are serious as an elf sometimes. Have I said that before? Can’t you take a joke from an old friend anymore. He cast a glance towards Gwen. Excuse my crude and rough manner lady, I meant no harm, but I do enjoy testing your beloved's mettle.
I can hear an intake of breath and with a defensive voice Gwen replies. He is not my beloved… we are good friends and… and neighbors... helping each other from time to time... but your apology is accepted. Eadrinn just grins and nods at her words, before he looks at me and winks.
So why are you here, Eadrinn? On the command of the Captain again? I ask him, before he can spit out more crude remarks.
Nah! I'm here hoping I could buy some of your dark mead. He looks at me hopefully, before continuing. I swear… He looks around, before addressing me again. Duncadda, on my oath I swear if they serve me more of the horseshit they call beer at the Roaring Dragon, I will torch the place! But you can remedy that. He says. By getting me some decent stuff to drown my sorrow over being stationed at this… this dung heap of a village… for old times sake?
I take my time considering his plea, before I nod. I will get you a cask, but one cask only, but in return you will talk to the Captain about me getting a new sword from the garrison armory. I hold up my rusty training sword in front of me. You were right last time we spoke, I have a sword, but as you can see, it's useless. I look at him. Do we have a deal Eadrinn? Do I have your word?
The large man slaps his right arm forcefully into my left shoulder, but in a friendly way, but still it makes me take a small step to keep my balance. I knew you came through for an old comrade in arms, Duncadda. I will speak with the Captain, but can't promise if that arse will support my request. He has been disagreeable of late… come to think about it, that just might be his nature. Eadrinn says and laughs at his own joke.
Then he turns his attention towards Gwen. Your man here is a good man, but not a muscular good looking warrior like me if you ever change your mind for something else than scrawny Duncadda here. He says chuckling. But I see the little lady's ears are turning red, so I will leave you lovebirds alone. But I will fetch that cask of mead in a few days, Duncadda. And then he turns around and walks down the road eastward and towards the gate of my farm, humming a familiar song about mugs of mead on a wall.
I stand there in the dusk, watching him leave and I notice that Gwen is still clutching her arms around my arm. As I turn around to face her, she releases her grip on me and steps away, avoiding looking at me. You alright there Gwen? Eadrinn is a crude man, but mostly harmless and more wordy than most of the villagers wagging tongues together. She raises her eyes and looks towards the market, still avoiding meeting my eyes. He scared me to begin with… I have never seen such a brute before and how he bluntly spoke, with no respect to either of us… I nod. Aye, that is Eadrinn in a nutshell, but pay him no attention, because that would only encourage him to continue...
I need to go, she interrupts. The hour is getting late Dun and I need to return to my little sister, before she starts to worry about me. She gives me a quick hug that surprises me, before she turns around and follows the same path as Eadrinn. As I watch her go, I'm left to my own thoughts, pondering on the meaning of the touch, before the appearance of Eadrinn.
Around me the dusk is getting closer and the warm purple and orange colors in the air have turned dark blue, signaling the end of the summer nights.
