Cynebur

The Reeve nodded, keeping his eyes on the war-band, and giving not a speck of glance to the Witan at his flank. "You fought in the siege in Stangard ...or so is supposed. You haven't shown the courage to stand and protect till death as in ways of our kin...''

Régnwald let his eyes wander about the faces for a moment, he eyed first Zaiweyn, then the pair he met, and soon around his comrades until Niehstu spoke with fatigue of recent days, "I do not accept that, my Lord, Still my war-band holds no such judgment by our king or marshall." He threw the titles as weapons, eyes narrowing a fraction to show the crows’ feet that clung to their edges. ''I only offer for myself that I have done no wrongs in your land save ride across them and seek to protect your folk, and thus lay myself at your mercy.''

Within the large Mead-hall, all the members of the Witan have gathered: Mægisterwigend Gyric, serving as a Captain of Wildermore's éored, Seaxwyrd son of Radwine, a son to a renown warrior, standing at Thrymm's place, Ethelmund, the Quartermaster of Forlaw, Thane of Scylfig, Cynegar, a friend and cousin to the Reeven, Frambald, Thane of Dunfast, Aldwin, uncle of the Former Thane of Byre Tor and last Leofholm, master healer of Forlaw.

Frost upon Shieldmaiden

For she stood too long, the daughter of Burgar the Old,

Day to day, she stood too long, the shield-woman

Four days, five nights, she stood before doors of the Witan

At fifth dawn the gates opened and elder men come

"I kneel for blood and cries people wept,

I give to ye mine shield and spear,