It was so long ago when she have met Regnwald, he was sperewigend also, just joined the first eored, while she already rode few seasons with eored of Wold. She took time to teach each of the folawigends what she knew, some disliked that woman is there to teach them, but it was best way to learn when woman with shield is victorious over man in the dust. They all learned fast, it was time when goblins were hungry cause of long winter as well their wolves. In that winter they rode to the high valleys of the Mark defending the farms and small steads.
Freezing in the saddle did them to all something, they bonded in a way no oath can measure to. From twelve riders that winter, only six survived the snow storm in High Knolls, almost all freezing to death. Nights to remember, nights they wished to forget.
- Cynebur - a voice called and it was Elfled, widow since few days, since Stangard. She looked pale and withering slowly, but she had duty to live for her two children.
- Ja, Elfled? - Cynebur asked after she fell in depth of memories for a while.
- I was outside washing me little ones when i heard Ceolswith rode out, and dryhten followed her as he heard of that. - she pauses now openly distraught with the news - I..What is happening? Aren't we leaving today? -
Cynebur was surprised, a sharp as razor there was cut in her guts, slicing her, mellowing her. Shieldmaiden forces a smile and stands up as embracing Elfled, patting her back slowly.
- Fear not of it, he had to scout the bridge, and Ceolswith is former shieldmaiden, she must had urgent reason that dryhten knows about. So we continue with what we planned, dryhten will return in time. Trust me. Only cowards abandon their kin in this time, and neither of them are such. - smiled and looked sternly at the Elfleds eyes, hiding the inner feel of panic.
- Now go, and if someone hears about this, please say what i told you, if not send them to me. - says lastly and pats the Uffe, Elfled's four year old son, ruffling his flaxen hair.
She seft cave as soon she could, seeking and speaking with guard who was there and saw everything. She made him repeat four times from word to word what each of them said, before letting him go and continue with last preparations.
Shieldmaiden stood on the bank of the river, leaning with arm on the water beech, filled with troubling thoughts and disappointment.
- War is beast that eats heart of men - she told trough whisper, yet her whisper sounded loud in her thoughts repeating itself. She closed her eyes as her hand was squeezing the hilt of her sword until it grew numb.
- Bema save us. - she sighed disappointed at what happened, then returned to the cave, trying to do what she can with help of others, as there was oath in her heart, unspoken one, to people of the Mark, an oath that was fortified on the bond of friendship between her and Regnwald, an oath she lived for.
