Kin-War
A kin-war rages in the south-east of East Geatland where King Wiglaf seeks to bring to battle those of Beowulf’s gesiths outlawed at the Folkmoot. It is said that at least four of them, Leodmar One-eye, Frethi the Fox and the Godasons, Gyric and Gyrth, have banded together to defy their outlawry and raise a force to meet Wiglaf in battle. They have made common cause with their kin in that district and have sought the aid of wild Small-landers to the south who are happy to join any cause that gives them leave to burn Geatish halls and take Geatish women, cattle and silver. Indeed it is thought that many of the Small-landers are using the strife to raid on their own account and have little to do with the outlaw gesiths.
It is not only in the south-east that the breeze carries the smell of burning and the cries of murder and strife, for many it seems, throughout the lands of the East Geats, are using the absence of strong rule to revive ancient feuds and long-dormant claims.
The Stockney Raid
From Stockney, the ancient Wic, where folk from all over the White Sea draw up their ships over the summer to trade in peace, comes word of a great raid by the Eowan. A pirate fleet of well-manned craeft and chiules crept north up the coast from their island stronghold and did glide silently out of a dawn mist to fall upon the beached ships with hot fire and cold iron. Many Geatish shipmen there did die and those of other folk who had come to trade on the beaches. Most were completely unprepared for battle, relying as they had for so long on the peace of the Geatish King. Many ships were burnt and others dragged off, their bellies stuffed with slaves and treasure, by the Eowan sea-thieves. Many are saying that this is a great shame upon the Geatish folk, that their King that he cannot protect his realm and keep his peace. There are calls for revenge on the Eowan and their Witch-Queen, Ymma, who it is said led the raid herself.
In Uppsala
In Uppsala King Eadgils of the Sweons makes no open moves against the Geats but does nothing to discourage raiding by his people by their own account. It is said that he sends spies into our lands to understand what is in the hearts of Wiglaf’s thegns and ealdormen and pour their poison in their ears and silver in their kists should they nod at the words they whisper. It is said that he has offered ships and men to Wihtgils, Geatish ealdorman of Stokeney to take revenge upon the Eowan – for Sweon traders as well as Geatish ones were slain and their goods and ships damaged or taken.
Wights and Witches
All around wights seem more active. Pukels and Merelings grow ever more reckless in their raids on Geatish settlements. A band of Merelings reived the village of Meresedge in the Aefter Earre time and slew the priestess Lyra Goldentongue when she pursued them, though a band of Geats found them at length and avenged their folk. It is said that they even make alliance with human witches and warlocks. In the spring one such, by the name of Raedmund, was slain by heroes fighting at the command of Thegn Brihtwold, but there is word of others. In particular it is said there is a haegtesse – a witch – up near the Sweon border who draws about her Pukel and Mereling allies and raids Geatish folk to the south with great savagery.
Terror reigns on Bardsey Island where it seems a Wose stalks the night, snatching folk from their beds and dragging them off screaming into the night. None can stand against it as it vaults palings, breaks doors and pierces roofs. It siezes who it will, ignoring all but the most keenly struck blow.
Waylendings
Meanwhile it is said that the Waylendings in their island fastness in Long Lake are troubled by a lack of good iron coming from the Southern Uplands. They seek experienced warriors to discover what has happened to their sources and the traders who used to bring it.