Gwawrddur’s distance saddened me, but my days were full, and my mind was swirling with the things I learnt each day and also worries about what the future would bring when we set sail for the land of Runolf’s people. Every night I fell into a deep sleep, but when I caught a glimpse of Gwawrddur’s tight-jawed expression, I wondered at his dark humour, and I missed the time we usually spent together as teacher and pupil.

My daily prayers with Leofstan went some way to fill that void, but it was not the same, and I feared I had irretrievably broken the bond of friendship that existed between the Welsh swordsman and me. One evening, when Leofstan and I had finished our Compline prayers and were walking up the gravelly path to the hall, I tentatively asked the monk what he thought was wrong with Gwawrddur.

“You confronted him with his fear of the sea, you say?” Leofstan asked.

As we drew close, the shadowed hall before us rang with the laughter, singing and riddling of the men. I halted, needing to have this conversation before we arrived and were swept up in the buoyant atmosphere of the gathering.

“I meant no harm by it,” I said with a frown. “I was shocked that Gwawrddur was frightened of anything.”

“Every man is afraid of something, Hunlaf, you should know this as well as anyone.” I thought of my conversation with Gersine on the beach and nodded. “Warriors are proud men,” Leofstan continued. “None prouder than Gwawrddur, I would say.”

“His skill with a blade is beyond compare.”

“And yet does he not seek to challenge himself? To find an adversary that will truly test him?”

“Yes, I think he hopes he might find such a worthy foe on our travels. That is partly why he will sail with us.”

“Only partly?” Leofstan asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Mostly, perhaps,” I acknowledged. “Who can say what truly drives a man like Gwawrddur?”

Leofstan started walking again and I followed after him.

“How do you think such a man as Gwawrddur would like the prospect of facing his fears?” he asked over his shoulder.

The answer seemed clear to me.

“Is that not what he lives for? To confront what scares him?”

Leofstan shrugged.

“To face other men, perhaps. He knows that with God’s grace, his skill, bravery and maybe a little luck, he can defeat any enemy. But what of a foe that can never be conquered, no matter how strong and skilful Gwawrddur might be?”

I nodded slowly, finally understanding what my old mentor was saying.

“I imagine such a thing would not sit well with him,” I said, glad of Leofstan’s wisdom.