Régnwald walked along the edge of Stangard village, looking over...
...some Eorlings making adjustments to their weapons, one mending his jerkin, another whittling a fish from wood.
He passed an old shed, only to find Thorkel on the other side, kissing a young Stangard widow.
Régnwald watched a moment more than he otherwise might briefly transfixed, he turned away then continued on over to a field, where Hondscioh and Elfgast were practising sword-play.
But the two of them were in very different worlds: Elfgast was fighting with spectacularly flashy great swings of his great blade, whereas Hondscioh seemed lost in thought - matter-of-factly blocking Elfgast's strokes, but making no advanced on his own.
Elfgast stopped, indicating Hondscioh to his captain.
''Lord, he's already fighting like a woman.''
Hondscioh grimaced ''You want to waste your strokes on me and the air - go ahead.''
Régnwald stepped up, unsheathed his sword, and Elfgast took sparring position... soon they began trading loose strokes.
Elfgast hissed with a mock ''Hondscioh had a bad dream.''
Régnwald glanced at Hondscioh, giving this more respect than Elfgast was willing to.
Hondscioh shook his head dismissively.
Régnwald turned to eye Elfgast ''And yours were good?''
A trading of strokes... Elfgast shrugged.
''Here, with the smoke of the dead?'' Régnwald continued, and Elfgast got the shot, took a heavy swing at Régnwald, which he then blocked.
''The siege is near. I don't see fear helping us.'' Elfgast said.
''Don't you fucking start --'' Hondscioh patted.
''Fear, eh...'' And Régnwald took a couple of fierce swings at Elfgast, under which he staggered back.
The two stared at each another beat, fire in their eyes. And Elfgast strode forward, swinging his blade as to cut through trees. Régnwald, seeing the power, kept back, till Elfgast spent some of his emotion.
Then he countered, knocking him back till he tumbled over some uneven ground. Régnwald stood over him, his blade raised...
''Careful you don't drop it, lord.'' said Elfgast.
Régnwald eyed him, and answered softly ''Fear has its place.'' He lowered his blade, calmed, and offered him a hand up. Elfgast, after a beat, acccepted.
