Faerhild sits by the table, slightly crouched due to her wound, her gaze falls down at her trembling hands and she seems to disappear in her thoughts, her dim gaze growing gradually vacant.
Saexwyrd 's heavy steps can be heard walking down the stairs, along with those of a small group of men. The wooden stairs creak unter their weight. After a few nods and words of goodbye by the stairs, the men pull up their hoods and leave. Their weapons are handed to them by the guards near the exit.
Leofholm looks over his shoulder. As Saexwyrd falls into his field of view, he turns his gaze to Faerhild, nodding over his shoulder .
Upon the sounds of creaking wood her gaze falls upon Léofholm and then searchers for her brother. She draws in a deep breath as if to prepare herself for standing up. The mere thought of it seems to exhaust her, yet slowly she climbs on her weak legs, casting a silent fragile smile at those around the table the smith, the Wanderer and the healer. Then the woman takes a few steps toward her brother.
Saexwyrd did not seem to notice his sister at first, he was lost in his thoughts and he turned to one of the serving women, asking to be served. He was about to move to the table where he usualy sits, but then Faerhild stood, and he halted, giving her a hard stare, not knowing how to react to her presence, his face slowly turning more red than it usualy is.
Faerhild stares at her brother pleadingly for a moment, before stepping the rest of the way forth, gripping his forearm once she manages to reach him, perhaps actually in need of his physical support, "Brother, Could you take me home? I can not stand another night in the infirmary, I have started to hear tales in the men's snoring. Could I not lie in my own bed instead?...I miss father."
Saexwyrd watched her come his thoughts becoming all the more confused as she approached. Once she was there, he simply nodded at her, speaking lowly. "Will you be needing me to carry you?"
Faerhild wraps her arm tightly around his, shaking her head subtly, "I can walk, yet I did not dare to walk alone."
Saexwyrd nodded at her, feeling rather helpless at refusing her anything. He reached out to take her hand and waited for her to walk so he could move at her pace.
She glances at her brother briefly as she steps slowly across the room, placing some of her weight on his arm.
Saexwyrd paused for a moment by the gate, to speak to one of the guard and inform of his brief absense. Once down the steps he just leand to pick up Faer in his arms gently, should she let him that is.
Faerhild allows him to do so, even if she seems somewhat embarassed and uncomfortable. Allowing a man to carry her, whom she had argued the past years with. She closes her eyes, perhaps to escape the shame.
Saexwyrd carried her effortlessly, taking wide and steady steps to reach their home earlier. He looked straight to the road ahead, though as they moved on, he squeezed her some. maybe too much
Saexwyrd says, 'Do you have any belongings left at the infirmary?'
Faerhild opens her eyes, to stare at him, finding her fate in being forever saved by her elder brother, 'My torn armour, and...the shield...My sword lies where I fell.'
Saexwyrd walked up the steps he awkwardly opened the door to get her inside. He shouted the serving woman's name once he entered, barking at her to prepare
Faerhild's room and bed. Then he placed Faerhild down gently, by the fireplace, next to the seat there.
Saexwyrd says, 'I will sent for our father.'
Faerhild closes her eyes as she breathes in the familiar scent of their home, smoke, wool, wood and the collection of the servant's herbs. She is briefly taken aback by the feeling of returning home, before she'd find the seat by her feet lowering her weight on it. She offers her brother a solem look, her words carrying more meaning than they say, "Thank you."
The serving woman poked her head in to lay eyes on Faerhild, mixed feelings over her face. Worry for her pale face, joy for her return. She bowed her head respectfully and hurried upstairs to prepare the room for her.
Faerhild sighs out her next words, notably more silent, "And...I am sorry."
Saexwyrd avoided her gaze. "The blame is mine." he stated aggitated.
Faerhild swallows, her eyes tearing up, "..No..It was I who... failed." She bites her lower lip hard, frowning anxiously, "So close and yet so far.....I can not bear the thought...we did not manage to reach him...." She lets out a trembling breath filled with despair, before she'd swiftly swipe her tears away with the back of her sleeve.
Saexwyrd turned to look at her. He grunted as word came difficult to him. " You should not cry sister. Tears do not become you." He then cleared his throat before asking further. "You shoud tell me what happened."
Faerhild nods, agreeing to his statement, although it was evident the thoughts of dying had made her not only physically weak. It seemed as if she would have lost most of her spirit as well... Yet she hardened herself, to recall the events. 'Régnwald had promised me a warband, this...Cynebur was supposed to muster the men. Yet she...seems to have abandoned him... as have many of his men. Only few stood by his side as we departed for the fort. I insisted we needed more men, yet it seemed there were none. No plans were made, no scouts were sent, aside for that we would near the fort along the winding path, in two small groups. We were instantly spotted, and..attacked. We attempted to press forth, almost reaching the gate, yet arrows flew at us from the sky. We were outnumbered....I remember an a drk figure coming at me. Then nothing.'
Saexwyrd listened to her intently, while pouring mead into two mugs, offering her one, maybe unwisely so, 'How many were they?'
Faerhild accepts the mug, yet rests it on the mantle piece, "A woman called Zaiweyn, dragged me out of there....for what I remember, they sent out first an unit of ten orcs. Later on more. There were those up on the walls, archers. They seemed organized...we could heat clatter and sounds of larfe beasts from inside. I do not know if it was their smiths, preparing weapons, or are they building something even more horrible...Perhaps Yrminas recalls better...." Faerhild recalls the events in a cold tone, as if telling a tale that did not happen to herself.
Saexwyrd lowers his gaze to her clothing, trying to guess where her wounds migth lie. He remains quiet for a while then he sips his mead and speaks up. "Where are you hurt?"
Faerhild wears a clean simple cotton dress, enforced by a layer of wool, gifted by the healer. It told nothing of her wounds. The only visible sign of battle laid on her face, half of it covered with fainting bruises, "The orc ran it's sword into the side of my stomach." She hovers her trembling hand above the wound as if to show where it was...,'I laid several days in the bed afterward, certain each one was my last...Régnwald too was severely wounded, yet he insisted to continue... for the oath he had sworn me. He is not the most....wise...of leaders, yet he has a will to hold on to his words. I do not know if it for pride or for honour, yet he...is still out there, looking for Thrymm.'
Saexwyrd lowered his head and looked away, obviously he didn't like hearing that or maybe he just couldn't bear the thought of it. At the sound of the Regnwald though he gritted his teeth, 'How many of them left?'
Faerhild looks down at the floor, 'Five.' She wrinkles her brow, appearing nothing but hopeless.
Saexwyrd says, 'How do you know they will not run?'
Faerhild says, 'Régnwald has surely many weaknesses, yet he does not seem like a man who would run away from his oath. More....I'd deem him a man who is too eager to meet his death for his sense of duty. In his eagerness he acts in haste, yet he still... acts. Aeschere decided to remain by his side, you know he would not allow Régnwald to shy away from his oath.....But I do fear alone they have no hope of victory.'
Faerhild offers him a concerned look, eventually raising her brow subtly as if hoping he would know a way to aid their cause.
Saexwyrd held his forehead in his wide thick hand, not much less frustrated than his sibling, 'It should have been me looking for him, damn him for trapping me here...'
Faerhild smiles at him gently, a rare expression on her features, "I trust in Thrymm's wisdom, even if I understand your burden."
Saexwyrd says, 'When we were children I always thought... he'd marry you...'
Faerhild blinks, appearing briefly confused, until she'd burst into laughter. Sadly it dies as swiftly as it starts, turning into a pained frown, as her amusement had stretched her wound. She decides to smile instead, '...When we were children I never thought of marrying anyone.' She loses her smile., 'The thought only entered my mind, after I got wounded...having lost the future I chose.'
Saexwyrd grunted fighting between his annoyance and his relief. In the end he too smiled, 'At least something good came out of that...'
Faerhild smiles again, 'Yet who would marry a woman of my age? Whom has a hole in her stomach instead of a child?'
Saexwyrd says, 'You're Radwine's daughter, Faerhild. Many men would want to marry you....Though I swear I will only allow the best of them to do so.' Saexwyrd added to lighten up the mood maybe.
Faerhild turns her smile away from him, "I am also a traitor." She sways slightly upon the stool as her arm wraps around her waist to shield her wound, the smile slowly dying on her lips, until it lights up again, "Perhaps I could get some small humble duty...if the Reeve spares me. I could light the torches when the darkness falls....As a child I used to love watching the old man....who lit them up.'
She drifts away in her thoughts, appearing more than distant, pearls of sweat decorating her pale features as she stares vacantly off into the space, attempting to see....any future in what seemed nothing but darkness.
Suddenly she blinks, returning into the reality, "If we could offer a diversion....It would add to his odds. Régnwald's. We would only need few men...perhaps they could light fires in the woods to lure bands of orcs....One here...another there..." She gestures about the room with trembling fingers, "It would at least somewhat confuse them....Ambushes would be optional, yet I doubt we have men for that. What is the Reeve's plan? Just to sit and wait?'
Saexwyrd looked at her face, for a while, as her expression change, it's darkness spooked him. He walked to her and grasped her shoulder with his big hand to give her a shake, inconsiderate of her state. He spoke slowly and deliberately, sweat now appearing on his forehead. "What will you have me do?"
Faerhild looks up at him, her eyes wide and grave, "He needs help....Can we ask Cynegar? Or his daughter? Beowwine? Perhaps a band of old men, whom are not that crucial to our defences yet can ride and cause a diversion?" She raises her brow, attempting to seek some response from his eyes, "Something....Otherwise....They are doomed...As are we....The orcs are preparing for something....And I fear that something...is our deaths.'
Saexwyrd stepped back, her words having him cornered. He downed his mead with haste, though that did not help either. He wiped his mouth and soaked moustache with the back of his hand.
Faerhild stares at him intently, her gaze silently demanding a resolution.
Saexwyrd says, 'A few nights back... before you left, I... I went to the soothsayer... I don't know what faith to place in her words... She said... Thrymm is alive and Bema watches out for him. I love our Captain as much as you do, but if we return with him broken, little it will help with what's comming. We will lose time and the trust between our people. Men too. But...'
Saexwyrd says, 'I can see now how failing this will... affect your future.'
The woman frowns, 'What's coming? I have seen a glimpse of what's coming....Are we to wait and allow the orcs to prepare, grow stronger? Why do we not strike into their side when they do not expect it, and rescue our Captain while doing so. Why do we allow them the advance? The other settlements should know of the threat. We are...The Riders of Forlaw...are we not brave and bold? I never took as for men, who would sit and wait for the enemy. Surely the Reeve would listen to you...or Cynegar. To see, how we have lost our spirit with our Captain.'
She paused for a moment before adding, "I do not care for my future as I do for that of Forlaw.'
Saexwyrd advanced at her, his emotiones fused into anger. He threw his mug against the wall to vent, in a display of his well know bad temper. He snapped at her. "Lost our spirit! It is you who have lost your mind! Attack a stone castle? With what? We cannot bring an Eored up there, we cannot bring horses! Nothing! You want -me- to give our Lord that crap of advice?"
Faerhild replies with calm, 'To light a fire in the woods nearby, to lure them to us, out of their fort! Did you not listen to any of my words, as usual?" She sighs, 'Do they not attack our farms and the smaller settlements? Let us wait for them, bait them. Take them a small group by a small group...Instead of waiting them to bring their black army to our walls.'
Saexwyrd says, 'And suddenly you think you can command troops better than the Reeve, the Maegisterwigends... everyone! Damn it Faerhild! Know your place!'
She blinks, offering him a cold stare, 'Perhaps it is because I listened to father and Master Arewe, unlike you.'
Saexwyrd says, 'And what good did that bring you?'
Faerhild says, 'Well...At least I tried.' She bites her teeth together, looking away from him.
Saexwyrd says, 'You want me to try to? Is that it?'
She lookd back at him, 'Yes, it is what I ask of you. I do not understand why you stepped out of my way when I set Regnwald free. You accepted my departure yet refuse to aid by any means.. no matter how little.'
The serving woman dared to come down a step, to check on the two, it only took a glance to know, she should disappear right away, unnerved by Saexwyrd's anger.
Faerhild frowns, growing slowly irritated as well in this rare occassion. Not for her brother's behaviour but for the throbbing pain in her wound.
Saexwyrd 's face grows red as his ire is further poked. He shouts at her. "Aid you! Aid you! Now you accuse me on top of it! Aye I should have stopped you! Call me an idiot for that! I thought of us two -you- were the wise one! But now.... You did not even speak to me of your plans. You did not even ask for my advice. You bolted like a thief! Aid you! What could I have done? Call out at good Forlaw men to go against the Reeve ? But no! You did not want my help acting like the proud whelp you've always been!'
Faerhild regards him wtih frozen calm as he starts to shout, replying in an unnaturally constrained tone, "I did not ask your advice, for I did not wish to put you into that position to which I have placed myself. I wished to risk only my name and my future. Even Aeschere I plead to stay behind. I do not ask for you to betray the Reeve, but can you not speak to the Witan? Are they all as stubborn to see no hope as the Reeve is? And please...could you stop yelling, everyone outside will hear."
Saexwyrd stood silent for a moment, that was his attempt to stop yelling. He continued in a quiet tone at first, that rose slowly but steadily again, failing at calming down, as always. "Talk ... All I do is talk, talk talk. I talked alright. And last I did, the Reeve told me, should I speak another word, he'll send me from his side. He threw me out of the Meadhall for the night! And maybe he was right and I was wrong... Or maybe talking is not what I should be doing!'
Faerhild considers him with calm, finding some wisdom in his last sentence, 'Perhaps father or Cynegar could talk in your behalf? Or Leofholm? He spoke in my behalf. The woman casts a glance across the room, appearing briefly absent in her thoughts.
Saexwyrd spoke out of breath, after his fit of anger. 'The Reeve ordered Dunfast to empty... nobody is going that way anymore it seems...'
Faerhild says, 'Why did he order that? Where did the men of Dunfast go?'
Saexwyrd says, 'The village is not walled Faerhild... it is easy prey for the orcs if they have numbers'
Faerhild says, 'Yes....these are the places we should use as baits. We know the enemy, how it moves, how it thinks, where it strikes. Master Arewe always said that in this knowledge lies the key to our victory....If we hide inside walls.... we are not using any knowledge to our advantage. Instead we sit blind, awaiting for our deaths.'
Saexwyrd says, 'You're too young to know of such things Faerhild... Let men who know better decide of them.'
Faerhild glances here and there swiftly as she thinks, pausing to glance at him with a faint frown, 'This is what I have learnt from men who know better.'
Saexwyrd says, 'There's no hope with you... We might as well have been lucky this happened, you'll have to stay home now.'
Faerhild stares at him for a moment in sad silence.
She speaks eventually in a silent tone, 'You should return to the Reeve's side.'
Saexwyrd felt her stare sting, finding himself again caught within a familiar vicious circle of emotions. He frowns. "I will get you to your bed first, it should be ready by now."
Faerhild frowns lightly, looking away from him, "I do not wish you to touch me after you have yelled at me and told me you find luck in the fact that my guts are torn along with my future. The servant will aid me. Please go." Her gaze fixates on the ashes in the hearth, darkly stubborn.
Saexwyrd looks around suffocating in the room, finding himself helpless against the source of his anger. He then as stubbornly leans over to pick her up against her wishes and carry her upstairs.
Faerhild winces away from him, yet does not struggle, allowing him to pick her up. Simply for the fact that she had promised Master Leofholm she would not open her wound and distract him from his other patiens. She frowns, darkly discontent that he used his health and strength to decide for her, "If I ever get better, I will make it my future to punch you."
Saexwyrd curiously enough laughed at that, maybe not considering her much of a threat, or maybe recollecting previous attempts. "I promise I will let you" he said rather affectionately, carrying her up the stairs. He set her down by the bed as gently as his crude nature allowed.
Faerhild presses her hand against his face as he lays her down, like she had done when they were small children, "You will regret those words one day." She looks away from him, in her pretend pride while she lays under his eyes. Even if she found something homely and safe in his laughter.
Saexwyrd looks down at her and the fear that subsided creeps back into his heart, as her words are spoken. He leans over to kiss her forehead and murmurs what could be considered an apology. "Don't be mad at me."
The woman sighs softly, shifting her gaze back upon him to hold his gaze firmly, "How could I? When even in your worst moments, or especially then, you remind me of her...." She smiles widely, her gaze briefly longing as she thinks of their mother.
She draws in a heavy breath of air, "You should go, for your promise to our Captain." She outreaches her trembling fingers to squeeze his hand in a wordless sign of trust.
Saexwyrd nodded at her and mustered a quick smile before rushing away, mostly to hide his face from hers. His boots could be heard running down the stairs where they paused. It would then take a while before the creaking sound of the old door would reach her ears.
