7 Revelation

The two men looked at eachother, then at me. Before they could say anything, I said "Hurry up, I will meet the King at dawn." and set off through the woods. The dog seemed to decide that I was in charge, because he moved to my side, and trotted along next to me. I could hear the two men trailing behind.

"... how is it that we've been captured?..."

"Hell, I don't know... but as long as she goes back to camp I'm no gonna question it.... besides, I'm no keen to get my nose broke again by tha woman."

"Aye, fair enough."

We walked in silence for some time. As the sky began to lighten, I asked, "So tell me exactly why you disbelieve Gregor?"

Broken-nose hesitated, then walked a bit faster to catch up with me. "Gregor has always had a bit o' problem with ale. Especially back then, he would off'en be found sleeping instead of bein' on watch." He shook his head. "In those days, Frode was in charge of most the men. He lit Gregor up somethin' fierce fer sleepin more times tha' I kin count, see. The night before the old king died, Frode said he was goin away fer home. Said he wanted a bit o' tha quiet life. An off he went just like that. Ol' Gregor got rightly soused, and was prolly still tha way for his night watch."

Broken-nose lapsed into silence. He shook his head sadly. "On the next morn, King Hrothgar found his father dead." He looked at me with sorrow in his eyes. "He were only a child then. An now he had to be King. When the he was questionin' everyone, Gregor said he had seen Frode sneakin out o' tha kings room late that night. To hear him tell it, Gregor figured that Frode had some last-minute business with the King. Said 'cause Frode was a trusted man, He'd no thought to question it. But that made Frode the last one to see the good king alive. And since ol' Frode warnt there to tell no different, that's the story that stook."

I considered this quietly for a moment. "What do you think really happened?"

Broken-nose rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I always figured that someone heard Frode was goin away, and knew the old king wouldna be guarded well. Ya see, yer father was the best with a sword I've ever seen. None dared to come creepin' into tha castle with him abouts, outa fear for their life. An I bet they caught ol' Gregor sleeping on watch, and murdered the old king in his bed."

The shorter man nodded his head. "All the men thought somethin' like that, but Hrothgar was only a boy. An we din know how to tell him how things was. Hammond was the King's third, after yer father. He took over raisin' the Boy-King. An' he seems fine lettin' Frode take the blame." The two men shared a telling glance at that. I decided not to push the matter, but I filed that information away.

I decided to change the subject. "What are your names?"

"They call me Svend," said Broken-nose.

"An' I'm Birger," said the short one.

"Svend, Birger, prepare to tell the king what you have told me today." I decided to push my luck with them. "As my captives, you must obey this directive."

Birger looked at me askance. "How do you propose we do tha' now. Just walk up and say, 'helooo King, we've been captured by a mere chit an' now we must tell you that we think Gregor's a liar?' It'll no work."

I stopped short and faced him. "That's exactly what I expect you to do." I said, poking him in the chest. He was roughly my height, so I looked him dead in the eyes.

With irritation he said, "Now I know yer sayin' we're yer captives an all, but we're no really. Ye don' get to be sayin what I'll do or no' do."

My temper flared at that and I decided to teach him a lesson. I swept my leg behind him and knocked him off balance. As he tried to regain his footing I bopped him on the nose with my right hand and disarmed him with my left. He landed on his ass holding his nose.

Svend doubled over laughing. "I told ye ol' boy. The lass has a way about her!" He continued to chuckle as he held his hands up to me in defeat. "I've already had me nose broke once this week ... I'd like to avoid it happen twice." While his hands were still up, I disarmed him too. During this whole exchange, the dog had been wagging his tail like this was a fun game we humans were playing. Not a particularly good guard dog, I thought.

With two swords, I went to put one in my scabbard, then was forcefully reminded that I only wore my chemise. My slightly damp chemise.... The wet linen didn't seem to leave much to the imagination. I blushed deeply and glanced at Svend. He noticed what I was looking at then suddenly got very busy helping Birger to his feet. He whispered something to the other man, then they both turned around. Svend took off his tunic and Birger removed his scabbard and belt. They both wordlessly dropped the garments behind them and started chatting to eachother about the weather. I rolled my eyes but was silently thankful that they both were being such... gentlemen.

Svend's tunic only came down to my mid-thigh, covering most of the chemise that came just past my knees, but it covered all the important bits. Birger's belt was a mite too big to fit properly at my waist, but it didn't slide all the way down my hips. Close enough.

When I was more modestly clothed, I said, "Right now, prisoners, forward march."

The sun was just barely clearing the horizon when we made it back to camp. The mountains caused deep shadows in the morning light.

I walked the two men in front of me at the point of the sword, their hands held high. I think they did this mostly for effect, because I had not directed them to do so. Birger's bloody nose also lent us a certain air of danger. The dog walked beside me, tongue lolling out of a happy grin.

The women and children were already up when we walked into the center of camp. They all stopped what they were doing to stare at me. I loudly announce "I have come to see the King!"