Hostages at Forthbrond [Early April 3010] {Dunlending/Eored}
Sept 17, 2018 18:05:14 GMT -5
Post by Beorhtric on Sept 17, 2018 18:05:14 GMT -5
Keep quiet? Athelstan, who had been ready to tread lightly after Swithin’s lead, fell stone still. Dunlendings were loud. Dunlendings used battle cries that came from depths of darkness! Wild! He swayed upon his feet, frown ever increasing. Were they not supposed to infiltrate? To make them think they were wild too? The wild was not quiet.
He looked to Swithin. “Quiet isn’t—” The man’s words halted, and his eyes widened. Swithin was gone. One way, then the other; Athelstan’s green eye darted in either direction, trying to fight the swimming sensation in his vision to spy his company’s bright red hair.
Not red! The mud! The Eored man groaned to himself.
“Athelstan!”
“Oh! Swithin!” The man exclaimed, his voice carrying a little further than either man would have truly wanted. Immediately the Dunlendings beside the river looked toward him, standing high and open above the reeds. “Dunlendings!” He cried, his face setting stern as his hand flew recklessly to the hilt of his blade. “Watch out!”
The men, three in number yet with the ferocity of a pack of wolves, immediately took off, drawing longknives and axes from their belts as they went. “Ye maggot h’rseman!” One spat, the sound dripping with saliva as he bellowed. “De horn, Mal!” He added over his shoulder. The smallest of the men reached for the ruddy horn that hanged at his belt.
“For the Eorlingas!” Athelstan answered in kind, and he threw himself forward in reckless hurry, wondering what would become of his lovely blonde lady waiting for him at home should this truly be the end.
--
"Did...did you hear that?" Bear hissed to Balder as they slinked through the shadows.
For a moment both men paused and listened. "...No. What do you think it was?"
The man frowned faintly and shrugged gruffly. "Probably trouble, if it was anything. See that cottage? The fire's on."
Balder nodded silently. "Let's take a peek and see who's home, shall we?"