Chapter 30: The Thing In The Hall

When they had both looked at it, Liam held it high. "See Wolf's sword, Thingbane," he said and Wolf heard the echo off the walls around them. He returned it to the scabbard and then in a move that surprised Wolf, the boy handed it back to him. "Keep it for me, warrior, until it is time for me to carry it with honour."

"Thingbane!" the honour guard shouted as Wolf accepted the blade back from the boy. The lad had planned it. His grin gave him away. Liam would be a great leader. The shout was taken up by the Weeds and the Duns too until the courtyard trembled and the vibration tickled Wolf's feet. He couldn't remember any battle being as loud.

"They don't shout for a sword, no matter how pretty," Gwythin stepped forward and took Wolf's hand. "They shout for you." She urged him to his feet and lifted his hand. The shouts grew louder yet. Wolf barely heard them for the wonder of feeling Gwythin's warm hand in his.

"Liam is likely to be a brilliant chief," Wolf said to her.