Welsh and English encampment, south of River Eamont, 927 AD
Welsh and English encampment, south of River Eamont, 927 ADIdwal and Hywel sat alone next to a campfire, chatting under the vast dome of twinkling stars only partially obscured by the spiralling smoke. The cousins, so new to each other, had developed a profound relationship in which Idwal could understand why his father had been so drawn to his handsome, dark-haired nephew. Like many of their men, Hywel wore his hair tied back in a ponytail, and his intense dark-brown eyes studied Idwal as if to search for a deeper meaning in his casual question.
“Tell me, Hywel, when did you become friends with Aethelstan?”
Deeper meaning could be found in the reply.
“I wouldn’t say that friendship has anything to do with my relationship with
