# Stephen the Eater — The Sundering Flood character guide > Stephen the Eater in The Sundering Flood by William Morris. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Stephen, the Eater **First appearance:** 0025-xxv-stephen-tells-of-an-adventure-in-the-camp-of-the-foemen ## Snapshot Osberne's long-armed, quick-witted friend from Wethermel, who shepherds, scouts, and schemes with equal ease and never needs telling twice. ## Who they are Stephen the Eater is the loyal companion who sends Osberne down to the waterside on a free day with a wink and a hint to wear the scarlet coat, and who later slips past a Baron's warder by whistling a merry tune and calling himself a minstrel. He moves between sheep-hill and enemy dyke with the same unhurried nerve, catching strangers by the coat and cracking jokes about florins and hats. His resourcefulness keeps Osberne's ventures alive when they most need a friend who thinks on his feet. ## Relationships ### [Osberne Wulfgrimsson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/osberne_wulfgrimsson) _friendship_ Osberne and Stephen the Eater are steadfast friends and fellow warriors, sharing adventures and a deep mutual trust. ### [Goodman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/goodman) _social_ Goodman and Stephen the Eater know each other as fellow villagers and occasional companions in Osberne's circle. ### [Hardcastle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/hardcastle) _rivalry_ Hardcastle and Stephen the Eater are enemies, often in conflict due to their opposing allegiances. ### [Osberne Wulfgrimsson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/osberne_wulfgrimsson) _friendship_ Osberne and Stephen the Eater are steadfast friends and fellow warriors, sharing adventures and a deep mutual trust. ### [Osberne Wulfgrimsson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/osberne_wulfgrimsson) _friendship_ Osberne and Stephen the Eater are steadfast friends and fellow warriors, sharing adventures and a deep mutual trust. ### [Goodman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/goodman) _social_ Goodman and Stephen the Eater know each other as fellow villagers and occasional companions in Osberne's circle. ### [Goodman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/goodman) _social_ Goodman and Stephen the Eater know each other as fellow villagers and occasional companions in Osberne's circle. ## In the story ### [VIII: The Goodman Gets a New Hired Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/viii-the-goodman-gets-a-new-hired-man) A new hired man at Wethermel, tall and flaxen-haired, a heavy eater who befriends Osberne and encourages his hunting. ### [IX: The Bight of the Cloven Knoll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/ix-the-bight-of-the-cloven-knoll) Advises Osberne to go to the waterside and wear his scarlet coat, hinting at a special encounter. ### [X: Osberne and Elfhild Hold Converse Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/x-osberne-and-elfhild-hold-converse-together) Osberne has an inkling that Stephen is his friend in a special way beyond the rest of the household. ### [XI: Osberne Shoots a Gift Across the Flood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xi-osberne-shoots-a-gift-across-the-flood) Smiles and nods to Osberne as he leaves Wethermel. ### [XII: Of a Guest Called Waywearer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xii-of-a-guest-called-waywearer) Proves a loyal companion, teaching Osberne smithcraft and crafting gifts for Elfhild; serves the guest Waywearer with care. ### [XIII: Steelhead Gives Osberne the Sword Boardcleaver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xiii-steelhead-gives-osberne-the-sword-boardcleaver) Sent by Osberne to saddle the horses. ### [XIV: The Gifts of Steelhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xiv-the-gifts-of-steelhead) Present at Wethermel when Waywearer's messenger returns the horse; gives Osberne an ouch earlier that day. ### [XV: Surly John Brings a Guest to Wethermel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xv-surly-john-brings-a-guest-to-wethermel) Trips Hardcastle when he attempts to kick him, then is defended by Osberne's diplomatic words. ### [XVI: Hardcastle Would Seize Wethermel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xvi-hardcastle-would-seize-wethermel) Supports Osberne, squints fearfully, and hazels the field for the duel. ### [XVII: The Slaying of Hardcastle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xvii-the-slaying-of-hardcastle) Assists Osberne, confirms Hardcastle's death, and digs the grave. ### [XIX: The Winter Passes and Elfhild Tells of the Death of Her Kinswoman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xix-the-winter-passes-and-elfhild-tells-of-the-death-of-her-kinswoman) Advises the goodman to live less niggardly and helps improve conditions at Wethermel. ### [XX: Osberne Fares to Eastcheaping and Brings Gifts for Elfhild](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xx-osberne-fares-to-eastcheaping-and-brings-gifts-for-elfhild) Helped Osberne kill two bears, contributing to his earnings. ### [XXI: Warriors from Eastcheaping Ride Into the Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxi-warriors-from-eastcheaping-ride-into-the-dale) Chosen by Osberne to ride with him; later tells the Knight captain tales of the Dale and Osberne's valiancy. ### [XXII: Osberne Takes Leave of Elfhild](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxii-osberne-takes-leave-of-elfhild) Receives Osberne's bow and wonder-shafts to bear; rides with Osberne and the other men down the Dale. ### [XXIV: A Skirmish with the Baron of Deepdale in the Marshes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxiv-a-skirmish-with-the-baron-of-deepdale-in-the-marshes) Cries out taunts from the marsh and captures a good knight full-armed. ### [Stephen Tells of an Adventure in the Camp of the Foemen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxv-stephen-tells-of-an-adventure-in-the-camp-of-the-foemen) Disguises himself as a minstrel to infiltrate the enemy camp and gathers intelligence on the Baron's weak defenses. ### [XXVI: They Bring the Baron Into Eastcheaping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxvi-they-bring-the-baron-into-eastcheaping) Uses his minstrel disguise and cunning to gain entry to the Bastide and assist in the capture. ### [XXVII: They Parley from the Walls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxvii-they-parley-from-the-walls) Reveals himself as the minstrel who beguiled the Baron; offers friendship and is chided by Osberne for mocking a captive. ### [The Baron of Deepdale Makes Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxviii-the-baron-of-deepdale-makes-peace) Receives a gilded white ox from the Butchers' guild, which he vows never to slay, keeping it as a token of friendship. ### [XXXII: Foemen Among the Westdalers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxxii-foemen-among-the-westdalers) Brings the alarm, participates in the parley, and fights valiantly despite taking a shaft in his side. ### [XXXIII: Osberne Seeks Tidings of Elfhild](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxxiii-osberne-seeks-tidings-of-elfhild) Stephen is grievously wounded in the battle and lies sick for two months before healing. ### [Osberne Seeks Counsel of Steelhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxxv-osberne-seeks-counsel-of-steelhead) Osberne talks with him often; Stephen is recovering from his hurts and is thought to possess hidden lore. ### [XXXVII: Osberne Takes Leave of Wethermel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxxvii-osberne-takes-leave-of-wethermel) Is chosen by Osberne to be left in charge at Wethermel and accepts the role. ### [XXXVIII: Osberne Parts from Stephen the Eater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xxxviii-osberne-parts-from-stephen-the-eater) Rides with Osberne to the bent and shares a loving farewell, expressing deep affection. ### [XLVI: Osberne Enters the City of the Sundering Flood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xlvi-osberne-enters-the-city-of-the-sundering-flood) Not directly mentioned in this chapter, but is a known companion of Osberne; excluded due to lack of evidence. ### [Strangers Come to Wethermel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/liii-strangers-come-to-wethermel) Rises to welcome the strangers and later asks them to share a tale. ### [A Friend at Need](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/lxvii-a-friend-at-need) Summoned by Osberne to gather the men of Wethermel for the impending fight. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/stephen_the_eater - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters