Hildfrith

Hild climbed the stairs at the back of the ‘Roaring Dragon’ and headed to the door of Bronaa’s room.

“Ethel is here” she stated, as she knocked on the wood and entered.

The girl, Bronaa, stands by the table before me, and recites the tale I have told her. The hearth fire is lit, because although the days are still mostly bright, the Harvest Season is upon us, and the evenings can be touched by a chill finger at times.

We said farewell to our kinsmen last night with the lighting of pyres in the center of the village near the mead-hall. I knew some of the fallen by name and face, but not intimately. I feel selfish for being thankful for this. Others are heartbroken. And while I have had my share of being broken with grief, I still can't muster a good reason why I should not suffer as they do.

Foolish thoughts, I know. 

The clouds were racing across the sky, like a drawn out white fluffy hunt of horses, riders and hounds, Bronaa thought. She stroked back her hair from her forehead and smoothed it behind her ears, tipping her face up to the thin morning sunlight. The cool wind was about her face as she delighted in taking larger than usual breaths. Ah, it felt good after the storm clouds, the gray and red sky of battle.

“Ethel, are you awake?”

There was no reply, though the corn-haired girl muttered slightly and hugged the blanket around herself.

((The kin members do not feel happy continuing writing the series of battles in this planned story line at the moment, due to world events. This is a short winding up of the tale so far. Others may post their summary as well. Further writing after the summaries will focus on more peaceful matters. )) 

“Just a quick word, Bronaa,” Hearrd said, as he walked straight into the Roaring Dragon, one arm supportively around Agnes.

“Mama isn’t here at the moment,” the brown-haired girl replied. She was somewhat taken aback by this interruption of her thoughts.

Hild shielded the candle flame with her hand, to lessen its light, as she peered round the door. She did not want to wake Brona from her sleep. She just wanted to check. To make sure she was actually there, back in her own bed.