She woke up in martyrs sweat, banshee of bad dreams visited her again. She felt hair wet from restless night and night shirt clinging close to her skin. Woman brushed tears from her eyes that went dry on her cheeks and pulled herself up with left hand, whilst her right was seeming lifeless on her chest.
She opened wooden wings of the window and was greeted with starry night and night birds that sing before dawn. How hopeful they are to greet day when darkness is still bound on the world, Cynebur thought while listening them. Without much care she dressed up to her usual garment, and pulled a fine thick cloak with hood. With one hand she had to manage and close the cloak clasp which she was already used to by now.
She walked with sure yet slow steps following cobble and mud paths in Stangard, as she turned down by the path from mead-hall she looked at watchtowers, all manned by order of aethelwigend. Handthegn climbed up the ladders and pushed the hatch, where she was greeted warmly as it was not first time she visits Garmund at his watch. They stood leaning on the fence of the tower looking toward east and Eorlsmead tower.
Garmund nudged her with elbow and offered skin with watered mead, usual drink of any rider. Cynebur took a hefty sip, feeling the warmth spreading trough her limbs. He gave her crooked smile under light of stars. They knew each other for many years, and both hailed from high plains around Forlaw, children of stout and prideful mountain-men.
- "You'r like mountain lily pulled out of the wild rocky hills and planted in fine garden. You should not be so unhappy with things that fell at that way in front of you." - Garmund said as he leaned his head on his arms, watching her. His long grey blond beard was falling over the edge of the fence. His keen green eyes watched her playfully.
- "I never saw someone so much complaining on all the soft beds, good meals and fine garments they get. Women love dresses and jewlery, well my wife and daughters do." - he continued.
Cynebur nudged him with her elbow so he would loose ballance of elbow and drop down with chin on the fence. He winced and stood up.
- "Well ill be sure to send dresses and jewelry I recived from Aldor, to Torrun and your daughters." - Cynebur replied.
- "No, better not, then they would get used on fancy things and my dear wide Torrun would leave me, what will then I do?" - Garmund gasps and starts drumming with fingers on the fence with amused smile.
- "Well you still will have your Harwick wench, what was her name? Gilda? Be happy i didnt tell that to Torrun. But i hold you dear for some reason, i could not stand you get killed by her big..big..hands." - teased him with cheeky grin.
- "Oi! She was hounding after me, she saw all this and sent me winks, she even raised her skirt so i can see her knees just to tease me.. Oh Gilda..you little scrumpet, I wish her husband didn't find out." - Garmund moaned.
- "Bema have mercy on you old man. If Torrun finds out, you will need all mercy you can't find." - Cynebur laughs, forgetting her woes for time being.
In friendly banter they greeted the dawn, that spread shroud of golden light over peaceful Eorlsmead valley.
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