The last of the light was fading when Osbald called a halt to our practice. A tall figure with thick chestnut-brown hair and beard had not penetrated my consciousness, he had been studying the pair of us at our pretend warfare. That much was clear from the conversation ensuing after his call.
“Lord Ecgwulf! A word if I may!”
A head taller than me but thin as a hoe and slightly curve-shouldered, nonetheless, the fellow had a force of character conveyed by his sharp, piercing gaze. Those hazel eyes fixed me now in assessment from head to toe.
“Goodness,” he said, “after that display, far rather you were a friend than a foe.”
“I know not why we should be either. I just clapped eyes on you for the first time,” I said, disregarding what I supposed was meant to be a compliment.
“One so youn
