Read Online Beowulf's Return (Tales of Beowulf) by Tim Hodkinson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tim Hodkinson
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behind their
leader, splitting the defenders ranks completely in two and surging up the
beach to higher ground.
A horn blared out a
loud signal from further up the beach. As one, the defenders disengaged and
fell back from their assault. Beowulf and his men took the opportunity to
regroup and formed another shield wall, this time they were higher and with the
advantage. The defenders peered at them over the tops of their shields but none
of them advanced.
The sound of hooves
crunching on pebbles made Beowulf turn around and he saw mounted figures coming
down towards them. This was no cavalry attack however. Only one of the three
horse riders was ready for war. He was a large, broad chested man like Beowulf
who sat tall in the saddle. From under a magnificent, gold covered, visored
helmet his white hair spilt across his shoulders and a long beard the same
colour cascaded down the front of his burnished mail coat. His shoulders were
wrapped in a heavy fur cloak. All his equipment was of the finest quality and
in his gauntleted right fist he bore the huge gilded war horn that had
signalled the cessation of hostilities. Beside him rode a young woman in a deep
red, fur trimmed cloak and long, linen dress. She was striking in her beauty
and her long blond hair cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall. The
third rider was a middle-aged man wrapped in a dark brown, hooded cloak who
wore no armour and bore no weapon.
"Beowulf!"
the helmeted rider called. "Is it you? It is good to see you my
nephew!"
Part 2
A blaze crackled in the fire pit at the
centre of the great feasting hall of Hygelac. Rich tapestries adorned the
walls, slaves hurried around, laden with dishes while musicians played tunes to
entertain the dining warriors. Beowulf's men sat on benches beside the long
tables, filling their hungry bellies with meat and fish, all washed down with
ale that came from the best vats in the King's kitchens. Their wounded were in
a different building receiving treatment for their injuries. Now the men sat
alongside the warriors who only that morning they had been locked in deadly
combat with. Now the beer and fellowship meant that all that was being
exchanged were jokes and songs.
It had all been a
terrible mistake. Hygelac, the King of Geatland and Beowulf's uncle, had
explained the situation as they travelled from the beach where the battle had
taken place to his royal burgh , the fortress and dwelling of the King,
his court, his thanes, servants and the many others who supported to royal household.
The Geats had been expecting an attack and when the coastguard spotted a
strange ship approaching they had assumed the worst. As they passed through the
countryside, the settlement that surrounded Hygelac's royal compound and now in
the great feasting hall itself, Beowulf noted plenty of signs that his homeland
was not a country enjoying the peace and prosperity that had prevailed when
left it several years before. Bands of warriors, armed and ready for war
patrolled everywhere. Even the peasants and merchants they passed were all
armed in some way. Several times they passed through settlements and villages
that had recently been destroyed by fire. The only sign of the former
inhabitants were some freshly dug grave mounds. Even now they were in the
feasting hall of Hygelac at the centre of the burgh , Beowulf noted that
the King's men were far from relaxed. As the afternoon darkened into evening
the doors were shut, barred and a squad of warriors remained armed and on guard
by them. Those men who sat down to eat at the benches also drank their ale, but
drank it sparingly. This all made Beowulf uneasy so when the opportunity arose,
he had pulled Weohstan aside and told him to order his own men to do the same.
At the top table, set
on a raised platform at the head of the room, Hygelac the King apologised to
his nephew for the third time. Hygelac was a proud man, and Beowulf appreciated
what it must take for his to say sorry
leader, splitting the defenders ranks completely in two and surging up the
beach to higher ground.
A horn blared out a
loud signal from further up the beach. As one, the defenders disengaged and
fell back from their assault. Beowulf and his men took the opportunity to
regroup and formed another shield wall, this time they were higher and with the
advantage. The defenders peered at them over the tops of their shields but none
of them advanced.
The sound of hooves
crunching on pebbles made Beowulf turn around and he saw mounted figures coming
down towards them. This was no cavalry attack however. Only one of the three
horse riders was ready for war. He was a large, broad chested man like Beowulf
who sat tall in the saddle. From under a magnificent, gold covered, visored
helmet his white hair spilt across his shoulders and a long beard the same
colour cascaded down the front of his burnished mail coat. His shoulders were
wrapped in a heavy fur cloak. All his equipment was of the finest quality and
in his gauntleted right fist he bore the huge gilded war horn that had
signalled the cessation of hostilities. Beside him rode a young woman in a deep
red, fur trimmed cloak and long, linen dress. She was striking in her beauty
and her long blond hair cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall. The
third rider was a middle-aged man wrapped in a dark brown, hooded cloak who
wore no armour and bore no weapon.
"Beowulf!"
the helmeted rider called. "Is it you? It is good to see you my
nephew!"
Part 2
A blaze crackled in the fire pit at the
centre of the great feasting hall of Hygelac. Rich tapestries adorned the
walls, slaves hurried around, laden with dishes while musicians played tunes to
entertain the dining warriors. Beowulf's men sat on benches beside the long
tables, filling their hungry bellies with meat and fish, all washed down with
ale that came from the best vats in the King's kitchens. Their wounded were in
a different building receiving treatment for their injuries. Now the men sat
alongside the warriors who only that morning they had been locked in deadly
combat with. Now the beer and fellowship meant that all that was being
exchanged were jokes and songs.
It had all been a
terrible mistake. Hygelac, the King of Geatland and Beowulf's uncle, had
explained the situation as they travelled from the beach where the battle had
taken place to his royal burgh , the fortress and dwelling of the King,
his court, his thanes, servants and the many others who supported to royal household.
The Geats had been expecting an attack and when the coastguard spotted a
strange ship approaching they had assumed the worst. As they passed through the
countryside, the settlement that surrounded Hygelac's royal compound and now in
the great feasting hall itself, Beowulf noted plenty of signs that his homeland
was not a country enjoying the peace and prosperity that had prevailed when
left it several years before. Bands of warriors, armed and ready for war
patrolled everywhere. Even the peasants and merchants they passed were all
armed in some way. Several times they passed through settlements and villages
that had recently been destroyed by fire. The only sign of the former
inhabitants were some freshly dug grave mounds. Even now they were in the
feasting hall of Hygelac at the centre of the burgh , Beowulf noted that
the King's men were far from relaxed. As the afternoon darkened into evening
the doors were shut, barred and a squad of warriors remained armed and on guard
by them. Those men who sat down to eat at the benches also drank their ale, but
drank it sparingly. This all made Beowulf uneasy so when the opportunity arose,
he had pulled Weohstan aside and told him to order his own men to do the same.
At the top table, set
on a raised platform at the head of the room, Hygelac the King apologised to
his nephew for the third time. Hygelac was a proud man, and Beowulf appreciated
what it must take for his to say sorry
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