[Nogrod]

After advising a handful of soldiers how to joint the planks and to measure the levels for an outhouse for the soldiers Stigend had been searching for suitable wood from the great pile of logs and planks Athanar's residue had brought in as a gift from king Eomer to replace the crude steps and railings from the Hall to the second floor when Thornden had called him to join a court of sorts. Stigend had no clear idea what it was about or why he had been called for. But he clarly had no choice. A lord's call was a lord's call.

Couldn't Garstan go? he asked himself walking towards the hall as he had been busy trying to get a picture from the pile as to which planks and logs could could be used and where. But he immediately realised that Garstan was finishing the firewall at the kitchen - and that sure was more important at the moment. But still, why him?

He rubbed his hands dry and somewhat clean into the back of his trousers and wiped the sweat from his forehead and cheeks with the sleeve of his working-skirt before entering the hall.

Just at the doorway he caught this new sergeant, Hilderinc - a man he kind of liked at the outset - with Scyrr. Unlike many of the newcomers, he thought he knew Scyrr better the man deserved. He didn't like him at all. He reminded him of the men of his home-village who were tough and hard, and despised, even ridiculed everything strange, like Modtryth, especially if they were drunk which was not seldom.

Thornden rushed in after him and waved his hand for him to take a seat beside him. Stigend nodded and took his seat still wondering what he was doing here.

But he had guessed it right. It was about Scyrr - and he had actually heard soldiers talking about him earlier the day. Some had said he had insulted both lady Saeryn and lord Eodwine gravely while others had claimed he had being framed by lord Eodwine and Saeryn and that there was a conspiracy of sorts involved. He had phfft the conspiracy theory, but seeing he was chosen into what seemed like a jury of sorts actually made him raise an eyebrow. Glancing quickly around he found five Mead Hallers and only four of the newcomers...

As soon as Scyrr opened his mouth his doubts were washed away though. He couldn't stand the man, and how he spoke of lady Saeryn. He would have risen up and beat him right there were there not all the noble folk around who seemed to be able to listen to him and his manners just like that. Had he been able to beat him... that was another question, but it didn't cross his mind right there and then.

But slowly he realised lord Athanar wasn't going to defend Scyrr either but was actually quite rough on him. That disturbed Stigend who had thought everything ran along the party-lines between the ones with power... He sure had met some lazy and self-important soldiers both in the ranks of lord Eodwine and lord Athanar - and some of the men on both retinues were good men as well. Like contrast Aforglaed with Hilderinc - or Raedwald with Scyrr... or Javan with Raban - that thought made him smile, he liked Javan actually but was just a bit concerned of his influence on his own children - and he had been so pleased when the old Raban had been called to educate him. If he'd just get Cnebba interested in armoury as well... that would be good...

Suddenly lord Athanar's cold voice rang in his ears: "Which actually isn't your concern either Scyrr... or since when do you think sergeants should advice lords in their domestic matters?"

Stigend felt ashamed. He had totally lost anything that had been said the last minute or so while thinking to himself. Now lord Athanar turned towards Eodwine like he was waiting for him to say something. Like all the others, Stigend froze to hear what he had to say.