Scarburg Meadhall - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Firefoot · 09-20-2011, 05:35 PM

Scyld didn't know how to handle children well; the younger they were, the worse he was. After being sent to work for Sorn at ten years old, he'd never spent much time around children, which had made for a lonely childhood.

So his instinctive reaction was to reply shortly to Javan, to tell him that theirs was not talk meant for children. But Scyld had been around long enough to learn (mostly through observation of others) that Javan had a bit of a stubborn streak and didn't take well to being told off. There was a good chance that he would become even more bothersome if he wasn't told what he wanted to hear and then put back to work.

“Eodwine got back this morning, a couple hours ago,” Scyld said, “and we were discussing it. Now, if you could unload those stones just over there, where the wood is being piled – and sort them by size, too.”

He turned back to his chopping. Between the level of discomfort that the men's conversation had reached and the presence of the boys, he strongly suspected that nobody would be talking about anything more interesting than how the sheep pen should be laid out for a while.

Folwren · 09-23-2011, 07:47 AM

Although there was much for Saeryn and Eodwine to talk about, they did not speak at great length at that time. Eodwine was weary and Saeryn knew it. Now that they had come to understand one another in the issue of eorlship, her womanly instinct to care for him came to bear. She put him to bed, assuring him that there was nothing for him to do, and that any greetings he had failed to make this morning would be able to be made this evening at the feast that they were giving in his honor.

Once she had seen that all his needs had been cared for, she returned to the kitchen, and then she and the other ladies set to work to prepare the feast she had mentioned to Eodwine.

When the letter had arrived announcing his coming, Athanar had said that his coming would be a celebration. He ordered that one of the cattle be slaughtered and fresh meet served on the day of his return. Breads were baked, and fruits and vegetables stored in the cellar below were hauled up and prepared in all sorts of dishes. There was never an idle moment for the people in the kitchen, and the day passed more quickly than they desired.

When the early dusk fell, and the men came to shake the descending cold from their limbs, all was prepared. The hall blazed with firelight from torches, candles, and the blazing fireplace, and the tables were laid and prepared for a heavy burden of food.

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09-20-2011, 05:35 PM	#1
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	Scyld didn't know how to handle children well; the younger they were, the worse he was. After being sent to work for Sorn at ten years old, he'd never spent much time around children, which had made for a lonely childhood. So his instinctive reaction was to reply shortly to Javan, to tell him that theirs was not talk meant for children. But Scyld had been around long enough to learn (mostly through observation of others) that Javan had a bit of a stubborn streak and didn't take well to being told off. There was a good chance that he would become even more bothersome if he wasn't told what he wanted to hear and then put back to work. “Eodwine got back this morning, a couple hours ago,” Scyld said, “and we were discussing it. Now, if you could unload those stones just over there, where the wood is being piled – and sort them by size, too.” He turned back to his chopping. Between the level of discomfort that the men's conversation had reached and the presence of the boys, he strongly suspected that nobody would be talking about anything more interesting than how the sheep pen should be laid out for a while.

09-23-2011, 07:47 AM	#2
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Although there was much for Saeryn and Eodwine to talk about, they did not speak at great length at that time. Eodwine was weary and Saeryn knew it. Now that they had come to understand one another in the issue of eorlship, her womanly instinct to care for him came to bear. She put him to bed, assuring him that there was nothing for him to do, and that any greetings he had failed to make this morning would be able to be made this evening at the feast that they were giving in his honor. Once she had seen that all his needs had been cared for, she returned to the kitchen, and then she and the other ladies set to work to prepare the feast she had mentioned to Eodwine. When the letter had arrived announcing his coming, Athanar had said that his coming would be a celebration. He ordered that one of the cattle be slaughtered and fresh meet served on the day of his return. Breads were baked, and fruits and vegetables stored in the cellar below were hauled up and prepared in all sorts of dishes. There was never an idle moment for the people in the kitchen, and the day passed more quickly than they desired. When the early dusk fell, and the men came to shake the descending cold from their limbs, all was prepared. The hall blazed with firelight from torches, candles, and the blazing fireplace, and the tables were laid and prepared for a heavy burden of food.