Beornraed led his commander away from the soldiers' barracks as he began to reply. "Nothing from the town yet, my lord, but the day is yet young." He stopped walking to speak to Alfred more directly, now sufficiently distanced from the sometimes nosy young recruits. Beornraed seemed slightly tense as he reported to his superior. "There are more pressing matters than local skirmishes today, sir. Lord Banweald has requested audience with you, as soon as possible. Says it's urgently important."