The night was calm as the training hall was locked up. A light, cheerful chatter went on, coming mostly from a young folawigend to the older woman next to him. The woman had a bit of a grin as the young man told stories about trying to train a wild horse with his father.
"Then the beast pushed me over. Erna just happened to be watching at that moment. My father told me not to be such a flimsy man in front of her. We married in the next month. Erna still teases me though." Æthelweard spoke, grinning as he carried what he needed for the barracks. He insisted on escorting her home, at least until the path towards the hill was in sight.
"That is quite the tale," Céolswith shook her head. She was about to continue when the two men in front of the jail looked misplaced. Æthelweard caught on to what she was looking at. He spoke first.
"Lovely night we're having."
"Move along, folawigend." the bearded man in chain mail said.
Mere moments later, nine others come rushing out of the jail. There of them were dressed in rags, notifying that they were prisoners. Æthelweard drew his blade after dropping the crate as the two at the door attacked. The Quartermaster also looked for something to use as she was not dressed to fight, nor did she need her sword while in a dress. A stick had to do as she called for help. Her other hand pulled at her skirts, giving her some more leg room to fight with.
The folawigend managed to knock one of the men over. His skill was not enough for a bald-headed man in a mask. Æthelweard was beaten to the ground before the masked man strode towards Céolswith. She had managed to disarm another of the attackers, but the borrowed sword was smacked from her hand before she could grab it tightly.
"That is the quartermaster we told you about." another man spoke up.
"I see." The man's voice was filled with confidence, "Well Quartermaster, can't have you getting into our work again. Tell the Æthelwigend that Alf and his gang plan on burning this place to the ground before he can manage a place properly. Which seems never, if he is always gone."
He paused before ordering, "Let's get out of here!"
All she remembered from that point was a fist hitting her in the side of the head.
When she came to, a bloodied Æthelweard was pulling her up, "Come up back to your feet, Quartermaster. The guards at the gate managed to kill two of the strange men."
She rubbed the bruise that was coming in before nodding, "Find out what you can about the men and get back to me."
The folawigend nodded before rushing back to the eastern gate. She stood in her spot for a moment longer before the pain of the hit forced her to head home.
