Early in the month of Aerra Geola came great wonder to the settlement of Gefnhame. For out of the winter murk and mists (the snows being uncommonly late this year) came striding figures of legend: the giant, Humfrith, with him his son, also Humfrith, his two great cattle-dogs and a huge bull-aurochs, led quite as […]
Archive | Deeds of the Geats
20 – The Merleking
It is early in the month of Aerra Geola and Aetheling Wistan and his fellow West Geat Tohrwulf, decide to take advantage of the unseasonally mild weather to go a hunting. For though winter should be in full swing and the snow thick on the ground, in fact it still lies but ankle-deep and the […]
19 – Blotmonath
It is late Blot-eve by the time Thegn Osgar-Lytelman and his companions return, weary and mud-spattered, from their pursuit of the Toad-nicor. Women chivvy them into bathtubs and lay out clean raiment, for some at least have leading roles in the celebrations to come. Gefndene is already thronging with people. Many of the valley folk […]
18 – Toad in the Hole
By nick.crouch@ncrouch.plus.com on March 28, 2019 in Deeds of the Geats, Eawulf, Herefrith, Herewulf, Lytelman, Stigand, Wistan
They came in the dark of the night. The mists of Winterfell swirled around the hall of Gefnhame to obscure the moon and make it all the harder for the Thegn’s night-wards to see the Mere-folk as they crept over the fence into the compound. It was the livestock in the pen, creatures awaiting the […]
17 – The Queens of the Summerlands
By nick.crouch@ncrouch.plus.com on February 14, 2019 in Deeds of the Geats, Hrothgar, Lytelman, Wistan
It is the last week of Winterfell and Thegn Osgar Lytelman sets out afoot to investigate a strange sending from the high ground south of Gefnhame. His companions are Wistan Wulfinga and Hrothgar. They return but a day later with tales so outlandish that most take them to be but flytings for the Blot feasts, […]
16 – Winterfell (Part II)
Word came to Thegn Osgar – called Lytelman – as he sat in his hall in Gefnhame, that a force of wights were mustering on his western borders. Tossing aside his mead-horn he summons men and horses forthwith – though the sun was already setting upon the grey, foggy Winterfell day – to ride forth […]
15 – Winterfell (Part I)
By nick.crouch@ncrouch.plus.com on December 19, 2018 in Deeds of the Geats, Eawulf, Herewulf, Lytelman, Tohrwulf, Wistan
Winterfell (Part 1) When night o’erstrips the day, the mantle of the Gods does fray, Now wights seek blood where men do dwell Now comes the month of Winterfell A Visit from Groar the Shopman One foggy night at the beginning of Winterfell there is a hail at the gate of Gefnhame and a weary […]
14 – The Bear and the Night-Walker
By nick.crouch@ncrouch.plus.com on December 19, 2018 in Deeds of the Geats, Herewulf, Lytelman, Tohrwulf, Wistan
As fruitful Weodmonath draws to its end Thegn Lytelman ventures forth from Gefnhame to greet his folk and return to them the hostages taken by the witch. Though the warmth of his welcome varies from steading to steading, all are pleased to see the return of their loved-ones and none challenge his right to style […]
13 – In the Dark of the Night
By nick.crouch@ncrouch.plus.com on December 19, 2018 in Cynewulf, Deeds of the Geats, Eawulf, Herewulf, Lytelman, Wistan
The mid-part of Weodmonath sees the Lytelman and his band ensconced in Gefnhame. The folk of the steading offer cautious welcome and seek to please their new masters. The two Sweon duguth, Sweyn and Svipdag, freed from the witch’s grasp, offer their strong arms and counsel to Lytelman. A group led by Eawulf is dispatched […]
12 – The Witch Must Die!
By nick.crouch@ncrouch.plus.com on December 19, 2018 in Deeds of the Geats, Eawulf, Herewulf, Lytelman, Stigand
It is Weodmonath, the warmest month of the year and the last of summer when a band of Geatish warriors meet at Brihtwoldstead. They are led by Lytelman who shows himself to be a man of substance and the leader of the warband by stepping forth and gifting Thegn Brihtwold with an armring of silver. […]