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Fewer ears indeed! thought Eodwine. He smiled. "Very well, Degas. You show great wisdom and restraint. Let us continue with matters of court!" Eodwine turned to Saeryn. "Lady?" He had not yet heard nor seen a reaction from Saeryn as to courting, and wondered what was in her thought. He extended his right hand to her, watching her face for any indication. She seemed to be schooling herself. She allowed a slight smile to come to her lips, and placed her left hand in his right. He escorted her the few steps to the dais, releasing her hand when they had climbed the single step of the dais, and stood before the furlined seats. He turned to face the crowd, and she followed his example. He sat down, and so did she, exhibiting a quietness and demureness that he had not yet seen, but which pleased him, for it spoke well of her upbringing and her potential as Lady of the Hall.
But now to the business at hand, he thought.
He called for Æðelhild, who came forward showing some agitation. He asked her the same question that he had put to most of those of his Hall. She answered that she felt she had much to learn before she could feel at ease as healer of the Eorling Mead Hall, and asked to continue to work as an apprentice to Hrethel, the healer of Meduseld. Eodwine granted her request, which finally brought a smile to her face.
"Next I call Thornden to stand before me!"
Thornden made his way to stand before Eodwine - and Saeryn as well now - in his usual confident fashion.
"Thornden, I put to you the same question I have done with others. What think you of service to me? How have you fared as both steward and almbudsman?"
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