[@burnski]
Banweald's smile faded somewhat as he began to speak. "Your second didn't deceive you, I do. Tensions are growing in Northumbria; Coenwulf will need not just men for the frontlines, but he'll need sound strategic minds for his court during wartimes." The lord cooly picked up a goblet of wine and drank from it, glancing to his sword-brother with dark eyes. "How have you been sleeping, Alfred?"[hr][@bloonewb]
The tangle-headed girl put her coin away. "Oh, no reason." Rolling thunder echoed in the distance, making the hairs on Mildemaer's neck stand on end while her whelp started to bark incessantly. She glanced to the sky, and the gray clouds of morning had brewed into pitch-black murk that threatened to burst at any moment.
"Would you like to come to my cousin's estate? I doubt many will want to trade during a storm."