Régnwald stepped back, confusion etched across his face. Yet he uttered no words. The boy however, was furiously bellowing at any who would listen before calming himself. "My Reeve..." he spoke, eyes never leaving the war-band. "These riders escaped when my cousin's family were slaughtered in the assault, for no reason but to hide their wanton destruction of a peaceful village.''
Niehstu fixed her eyes on the boy her face turning slowly red, as an unfamiliar feeling stirs within her chest. Anger. She clenched her fists tightly.
The boy shook his head, eyes focusing on the woman that stood close to Régnwald. "Her... she abandoned her renowned house in Wildermore to join them! They lack all loyalty!" He half drew his blade, moving on young earl but was checked at the Reeve added his own formidable voice. "Stop!"
Cynebur stepped forth toward the man called Seaxwyrd with storm in her eyes and sharp tongue "Don't let your tongue dabber without your reason, you all know of me, of my family. And I know of yours Seaxwyrd. I, Cynebur Burgarsdottir vouch for honor of this men and women, with all my crop-fields and honor of my family name. I shall not remind you of deeds of my ancestors as tales of them are wide known." she looks to Reeve pleadingly "You are man of wisdom and utter your word I was sent to join an éored as a young woman, does my word mean naught? I stood with these riders and captain as easterlings approached, their banners were numbered in hundreds. Régnwald son of Régn was last one to leave, and we had to drag him from the burgh. 'Twas not his will, he would rather die with éored and burgh. But there were few survivors, women and children, our kin that grasped a chance to live. That I, Cynebur Burgarsdottir say." she bowed deeply before Gárwig, red in face.
Niehstu nodded all the way to Cynebur's words though the recollection of the events of that day sucked the life out of her young face.
The Reeve listened the woman's words silently as he sat. Soon he held up his hand, commanding silence, the demand had weight added to it by the presence of five guards approaching. Spearhead's glittering in the flame of the hall's firepit, they took to the edges of the group. "It seems to me..." Gárwig spoke quietly and deliberately.
Cynebur looked not to Régnwald and just took another step from the lad, Seaxwyrd.
"That if these allegations are true, and you are meant to be exiled..." He spoke to Régnwald now but looked between the war-band. "We have a problem, I do not appreciate being lied to..." Eyes narrowed at that, he looked back to the boy. "As for you, you will remove yourself and calm yourself, and return in a manner as befitting your house.''
''You have heard the words, Lord. Rest is to your wisdom.'' Régnwald spoke.
Niehstu took a deliberate step next to their captain, pretty much to show her intent in the case of his exile.
The boy spat, leaving a spattering of spittle upon Theomyn''s scratched and hammered breastplate. With one last lingering glare he stalked from the hall.
Theomyn took a couple steps forward in anger.
Stelimund tried to stop Theomyn with his right arm. ''Don't.''
As the Reeve spoke in hushed tones with his advisors, Régnwald looked among the war-band in a new light. He offered the faintest of nods in salute to their act. Once more, the Reeve spoke up. "I have thought, and my decision is thus..." For dramatic liscence or genuine uncertainty, the Reeve paused before continuing.
Cynebur looked to Régnwald and all others gathered before again turning toward Reeve.
The aged Reeve unclocked his word-hoard "Guilty or innocent, you are folk of rank, and I will not imprison you, however..." He peered toward the locals around the hall, his gaze landing on the couple that stood beside the ornately carved pillar. ''I would also like to hear your thoughts...''
Young earl's gaze swung across the long hearth to the unnamed man, narrowing his eyes as he stood tall.
Erlene shifted where she stood and lowered her head a bit as attention is put on the two. Stepping back a bit she kept silent to allow Egilfrid to speak.
Egilfrid straightened his back and parted his lip in wonder, surprised to be adressed. He bowed deeply before the reeve then looked toward the assembled warband, a moment stalling by in hesitation.
Niehstu lowered her head in the prospect of meeting face to face with the captain and turned her head to face the locals, faced familiar to her now. She gave them a hopeful look.
Egilfrid cleared his throat. "Reeve Gárwig, I do not know these folk or of the crimes they are accused of. I have hosted one of them in my house, and until these claims are proven to be true..." Egilfrid turned back to the reeve. "I believe they deserve hospitality. There are few other places they may turn." He bowed once more, having spoken his piece.
Chewing over the words of the ceorl-man, the Reeve spoke thus, looking over the war-band deeply "I must ask you remain in your camp within our walls while I look into this matter, and do not attempt leaving." Another quick nod to the guards, who fell in line about the group. "We will sort this matter in a few days, when I've word back from whom I require it from, now if you'll excuse me..." He turned from the war-band, as if nothing but a trivial matter of lies, exile.
Régnwald would bow his head in thanks silently, still a mixture of temper and confusion in his green eyes. He turned around to face the group, his eyes found Niehstu. Motionless, he tried to struggle up a thin smile.
Niehstu avoided his gaze and put on her helmet quickly. She nodded to him in a formal manner and was quick to get out of his way.
Cynebur bowed her head, with hands behind her back. With few of the men and Reeve she whispered about something, until she bowed again with a smile, and joined the others.
Erlene hooked her arm with Egil's and looked up at him with a smile. The smile withered a bit however as she looked back at the warband, studying them silently while Egilfrid watched the warband with uncertain feelings, contemplating the company ahead of him silently.
Régnwald advanced a step forth, letting his eyes wander around the faces briefly. ''Let's leave, shall we?'' his golden brows were lifted.
Niehstu nodded and followed. She turned towards the couple and placing her hand over her chest she bowed her head as a thank you.
Egilfrid formed a brief, strained smile. He nodded his acknowledgement.
Régnwald glanced at Cynebur then, casting his eyes to the wood slabs of the hall and he struggled to find words. Once he straightened some, he held the maiden's gaze ''Your words were so honouring.'' he managed to say, and bowed his head in silent thanks.
Cynebur looked at the young earl and nodded "Well, I spoke troth."
Cynebur said, 'Lets go to tavern, we should speak but also raise a horn to the lost.'
Niehstu opened her mouth to raise a protest about this, but then looked around and shut her mouth, but Hondscioh would raise a fist ''Aye, for that we shall drink. The mead is good here.''
