[Nogrod]

Suddenly all, at least all by the smaller fireside, nearer to the river, were alarmad by the stomping and neighing of a horse from the direction of the Great river. As Sythric turned his head with the others, he could see the figure of Osmod making his best with a strange horse - seeing who’s the master, principally - with one of the Wulfhamer girls checking out the result near them. It really was a show-off - even probably not intended as such.

Osmod, my dear boy! I already called you a man! And what are you doing now? Giving a show to a strange young lady about your horsemanship, while we really should be thinking about what to do! Leadership, Osmod, leadership! Now we would need it more than ever. We oldies shouldn’t do it, for we will have a company of miles to win in front of us. And we need all capable men and women in, wholeheartedly with this, not some grumpy oldtimers going on telling others what to do. It’s not a party then... C’mon Osmod, come to your senses! Or maybe this Brand-fellow could do it?Unluckily he seems to think very badly on me, and with reason, I must admit.

Simultaneously he heard footsetps approaching, and turned around. It was Athwen, who was coming to the fireside, clearly now following the match between the man versus the horse too, as she walked on. Their eyes met for an instant, and Sythric just had time to react with a symphatetic smile. Poor girl. Your life has just taken a direction anyone of us would fear as their worst nightmare! Athwen passed between him and Leod and addressed Dorran, clearly wanting to be of help. Sythric watched the two for a while – and then looked back to Fion, who was resting further from them by the greater fire, with a teacup in his hand, looking just nowhere in particular.

“Dorran!” He called, nodding to him as he raised his gaze towards him, “I am very much taken by this delicious fish you have produced us, master Dorran. If you know some fine ways to make chicken, I could provide us all with the next meal, for I found four chicken from Scyffold and have them with me. So maybe tomorrow... And if you need help in it, let me be the one to volunteer, I also know one or two things to do with chicken! We could exhange our ideas and have a perfect meal?” With that, he opened a wide smile, but as he met the eyes of Athwen, his face revealed a more serious attitude – although he tried to encourage her with his compassion. This is so wrong, that people so young have to endure things like this! Sythric felt the teardrop forming in the corner of his eye. He wiped his face hastily and turned again towards Leod.