To ensure Thegn Osgar’s return to Gefndene by the most direct route, Eorl Sighere provided two of his own Gesiths as guides. He also furnished the Thegn and his party with horses. To the surprise of the Gefndeners it took but two days to reach Gefnhame thus mounted. Before the end of the first day […]
Archive | Wistan
22 – Thunor’s Oak
As if repenting its mildness in the early part of winter, the weather of Aefter-Geolla was as furious as any man or woman of Gefndene could remember. The land lay so blanketed in ice and snow that keeping doors and compounds clear so that folk could mind their beasts in their byres and pens was […]
21 – Gromscatha
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 […]
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
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
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)
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
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 […]