A bright fire waved in the middle of the hall, an enormous bronze kettle upon it was burping and gurgling , the soup within was making many a mouth wet in appetite.Old and young were sitting together, large round bowls and wooden cups stood before them on the thick oaken tables. When all of those within had found a chair or shared benches with one another, or the last young maidens whom weren't servants had found the laps of men, then it was when Tunaraz rose to his feet, "Welcome my family, my friends, the night unfolds itself and it shall begin with my words!" Jests were thrown at him from some of the elders, laughing and telling him to be quick about it, yet when he raised one of his hands with a smile even these jesters would be silenced, all ears were aimed for his mouth, "Great turmoil has found us, the Weavers crawl ever further from their vile stinking lairs, with an abominable hunger unseen before in our generation! The ork, multiplies and carries with it, poison, rust and cruel things made from iron to serve them in their foul ways! The Dark men have returned, eager on looting and despoiling that which they can not enslave!" Many heads nodded and fists were clenched.. "It is time, to let lie or even better forget the old wergilds! Time to call upon the tribal heads from all the borders of the Mircwidu!" Voices grumbled and muttered , a few only acknowledged their agreement. "They have laid waste to many villages already in the east, our groves are being burned down and it is time, that will will drive them out! With spear, axe and sword!!" A few yelled, and the larger number were now eagerly nodding to avenge the fallen cousins in the east. "With home in our hearts and our honour as men in our mind, we shall offer up any Weaver, Dark man and ork that dares to set foot in our lands and attempts to cast us aside! We will burn them on great pyres that will rise in big columns to the heavens and let the Spirits rejoice then to see so many yet hold true to them in these evil times! Fame to Honungmaerc!", his voice then thundered through the hall and many a young maiden laid her head on the shoulder of her young man or hid behind the furniture out of fear for his ire, as if he were to grow claws and great teeth to bring savage destruction upon the old foes of Man! As for the manfolk and not a few maidens known to be warriors rose up with equal anger! Many oaths were tossed left and right in the hall and it was a good thing weapons were forbidden to be carried in Tunaraz' hall during festivities, for many otherwise would have taken up their knives and gave themselves ritual cuts as they swore with the many names they give to Bema on their lips!
Tunaraz then held up both hands again and they fell silent once more, "Feast now all, let us enjoy and let tonight give us memories that will keep us warm on days and months to come! Eat , drink and know my love is with you all!" Then the man seated himself and young Habuk rose to his feet, the fire of youth burned bright in his eyes, dancing with the spark of golden thunder, " It is decided! My and my eagles shall play for pidgeon then! We will fly to the many corners of the Mircwidu and send out warning to our people!" The others chuckled and encouraged him in equal measure, the youth took relish in both, "Once gathered then let us decide where we shall aim our talons and beaks at! Let us now eat, drink and enjoy the beautifull women of this hall if the lord of the hall would excuse us! By Bema!", he yelled and rose his filled cup! "By Bema!", the hall thundered as all proud and rough voices yelled in unison! And like the first storm beginning the musicians began to play, harpers, flutists and many more made fantastic tunes that brought a happiness to all within as if they would soon reap from the fields rather than prepare for a war most foul! The waitresses poured freely with beers and wines rumoured to be from Lake-town, all were full of glee and many a woman's wail and pleased laughter mixed with the roaring of men! Applause sounded as the ancient auroch was served by twelve strong men and it would not take long before all had their food offered to them! The young hunters were more than eager to gloat to the maidens about their strength and cunning, yet one of them, perhaps the bravest of all maidens had her eye for fiercer game and with a lusty look offered Tunaraz a plate.. The man laughed a little as she was swiftly sent off by a slap on the backside from Tunaraz' wife whom shook her head with a slight smile. She in turn bowed before her husband and his eyes could not help to be drawn to her figure, yet concealed by her dress. "Come my loyal and mighty mann, let the children play..", she placed her hand softly on one of his shoulders and tilted her head while throwing a lock of hair up, "..and let us retreat to our own quarters." She was elder than most within the hall. Once she was a beauty, a skin polished like marble, softer than anything he could find words for, the beauty she was many summers ago had now faded for sure, because also her flaming red hair had now streaks of grey within, just as his own had gotten the look of iron in some parts. He looked at her, even her temperament once so fierce, had now been cooled by the wellspring of experience, .. and he knew he would always find her the starlight in an earth full of flickering candles. "I shall yield woman, because none more so than you has ensnared the heart that beats within my chest!" Now with the corners of her mouth going up in a smile and her white teeth sinking in her lower lip while her eyes danced with light she pulled him along by his hand. It was despite their aged bodies that they were yet the youths of long ago, looking for the nearest bush or haystack to play within together. Her hair waved as she pulled him on and his eyes could now not be kept from her hips whom graciously went on before him.. He threw himself on their bed eventually and she remained at the door, lifting her dress to reveal a single teasing leg, while her eyes challenged him .. "Spirits have blessed me for having such a beautiful woman!" She laughed and jumped on to him like a wolf on it's prey.. then the door fell shut behind them.
