Beowulf - Curse of the Dreygurs - Chapter 22

Between a Rock and a Hammer

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Chapter 22

Several days later, as the morning awoke; Beowulf and his men entered the village of Hagustaldes ea. The small town comprised a few wattle and daub buildings along with small huts which were homes for the villagers. Located along the river near an ancient stone bridge, the town nestled against a long-dilapidated wall, still taller than any of the buildings. The thatched roofed buildings looked comforting in the morning’s cold frost.

The villagers of the town were sullen and unwilling to talk. Even the words of Beowulf, translated by Leofe, who promised them no harm, failed to impress the people. An old hag, sitting on a bench outside of a small mead hall, openly derided the Geat’s words. Leofe gave him a sarcastic grin while she told Beowulf of the curses the old woman cast at him.

Hrethric, a Dane, who joined Beowulf early that year, jumped down from his horse, pulling his dagger from his belt. He swore at the old woman, telling her he would remove her tongue for talking against his leader.

“Stop,” Beowulf shouted at his thegn. “You cannot make people love you by threats of their death, especially if they can’t understand you.”

Laughter broke out at his joke. Hrethric shoved his dagger back into his belt, sullenly taking his mount away. Beowulf gave a thin smile as the old woman continued her cursing in her native language.

It appeared they preferred dreygurs over armed strangers riding with Angles.

Beowulf ordered Sigibert and Ecgberht across the river to look for any signs of the Brythonians. Then he split up the remaining thegns. He sent several upstream and the rest of them downstream to follow the banks of the river to look for signs of the dreygurs.

Beowulf rode out onto the bridge, stopping at the top of the arch, which gave him a strategic view of the river plain. In the distance, he could see his men slowly moving through the countryside. However, his mind remained on the hægtesse, called Verch. Leofe seemed so sure the queen caused these monsters. If so, that would implicate Appa and the queen. Still, it made no sense to Beowulf. He disliked how the gods played games with him and his men.

The sound of hoofbeats brought Beowulf from his thoughts as Glappa and Weohstan rode up. He asked them about Appa.

“He is traveling with those thegns heading upstream,” said his brother. “I spoke with him about his journey, and I’m sure he’s no longer under a spell. He mentioned he would make amends to your men. I saw him give a gift to Ecgberht as a gesture of his goodwill. Appa explained that a pack of wolves took down the horse of his thegn. He even mentioned meeting a woman who said she was part of woodcutters within the forest.”

“A woodcutter’s wife wearing fine linens of white,” said Weohstan. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Neither have I,” said Beowulf, looking over at Glappa for a comment. The Angle remained quiet. There was an unspoken agreement that Glappa believed his brother to be lying.

“I cannot accuse someone if I have no proof,” Glappa reluctantly stated. “I’ll keep him close to me.”

“Very well, I thank you for this assistance.” Beowulf told him. Glappa nodded, then rode off to find his brother. Weohstan stayed, asking why the man refused to send Appa away.

“You’re the one reminding me about deference to the kings. I cannot send Appa back alone. The shame of accusing of leaving an ally in enemy lands might turn Ida against us,” he replied thoughtfully. “If I force them both to leave, then I’ve dishonored Glappa and the king. We cannot risk having my relatives becoming our enemies.”

Beowulf turned his mount around, leading them back to the village. The Geats monitored the local men who remained aloof, glaring at them. Weohstan noticed Leofe coming out of a tannery shop. He pointed her out to Beowulf, who stopped. He slid down from his horse and walked over to the woman.

“It appears you have a use as a translator in these lands. Should I ask for you to give your oath to me?” He smiled at his joke, but Leofe raised an eyebrow.

“The great Geat says I must ally myself with an enemy in my lands,” she said. “Since I’m but a dumb woman, I must learn more about how your generous nature helps me.”

Taken aback by her sarcasm, Beowulf’s eyes turned dark.

“It was not the Geats who asked you to join us,” he reminded her. “As for women, most I’ve met are quite intelligent. Even a few who are natural leaders, scheming to attain power over their men and their tribe. Most seem to know what they cannot get through force; they achieve through their wiles.”

“You have a cynical view of women,” Leofe told him. “Perhaps it is not a cut and dry as you believe.”

“Perhaps,” admitted the warrior. “But I’ve not seen it.” He took her by the arm and led her away from a group of villagers darkly eyeing them. “Given the looks we are receiving from these locals; you should not risk yourself walking alone among them.”

At first, she thought he was joking until she looked up, realizing the man was concerned about her safety.

“This is a great day for me. The great Beowulf is worried about my safety,” she told him with a laugh.

“Don’t mock me,” he told her as his temper rose.

“No, you’re correct, I shouldn’t. It was a noble gesture,” Leofe agreed, thinking about the Geat’s concern. She took a quick look around to make sure no one overheard them.

“I was teasing you. But you needn’t worry; the villagers don’t consider me a traitor. They believe you have forced me to come along,” she continued. “I talked to several of them, including the old hag. She doesn’t like your men, and she distrusts you. However, they have little meat, so I traded some of your meat for information.”

Beowulf laughed at her.

“So, you told the old woman you would give her our supplies,” he said. “As I said earlier, women achieve through their wiles.”

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