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Eodwine had asked his open ended question of Thornden on purpose. Leave a big enough opening for the young man to walk into with that which is real about him ... unless he be a deceiver, which is most doubtful of a king's man. Thornden's reply did not displease him. His kindly thoughts for the lad's health boded well. Nor did Eodwine doubt that Thornden could be firm at need. However, he wanted to hear more about the man's thought as to the role of steward that he had described to him. He was just about to ask him when Særyn came and introduced the lass Kara, and boldly described to him a job she saw that needed doing, and her intentions to do it, so it please him. It did, though she needn't know that just yet.
Eodwine smiled to himself. There was much more about that lass than met the eye, to be sure. There had been a tone almost of command, and Thornden had noticed it as well, though it had surprised him, taking it as being beyond her place. Eodwine wondered if it truly was beyond her place, or was she now taking a place that was beneath her? He would keep an eye on that now and then, for no other reason than to please his own curiosity.
"A moment more, Thornden," Eodwine said and was about to turn to the lass Kara when he glanced at the table where sat his foster daughter, Gudryn. She seemed very happy this morning, and that pleased him. The young man, Gárwine, who broke his fast with her, was trading words with her, and she was smiling. Sudden thoughts of suitors and betrothals flitted through his head and he felt almost ill with the prospect of such matters. With a mental shake of his head he put it out of his mind and turned to Kara, standing before him somewhat ill at ease. He smiled kindly.
"Good greeting, Kara. Særyn speaks on your behalf. What work would you do here if given the choice?"
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