(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{Continued from here}

Sinric heads down the stairs and out into the gardens, a wrap pulled around his shoulders and his hair still damp. He breathes in the scent of approaching evening as if committing it to memory before turning towards the lake.

He has no idea which way Athelstan might have gone but the lake always seems like a good place to start.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods.

"It was further away, and perhaps Byzantium and the English kings had little to offer each other."

[thewidewideworld]

He tilts his head and considers. "I suppose. England does seem very self-sustaining. And I'm sure traders carry the luxuries that could travel the distance."

[athelstanthescribe]

"That, they always have. Though the nature of the luxuries has changed."

[thewidewideworld]

He cocks his head in question. "What sort of luxuries?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Metals and stones of kinds not found in Britain have always been in demand. For crafting."

[thewidewideworld]

"Ah, I hadn't thought of that. Silk and spices, yes but I hadn't thought of metal and stone. Precious stones?"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"Amber from the Baltic, and so forth."

[thewidewideworld]

"Oh, of course! I hadn't thought of that. I recall amber is very popular with the Varangians. Amber and bright glass beads."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It's a beautiful stone, and with no other use than for jewellery", he agrees. "But, as I understand, not terribly hard to come by where it is to be found."

[thewidewideworld]

"Where is it found? You mentioned the Baltic sea."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Mainly there", he says with a nod. "In other places, sometimes it washes up out of the sea."

[thewidewideworld]

"Stone from the sea." He smiles with soft wonder. "No wonder it is so prized."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Above gold, in some places."

[thewidewideworld]

"Perhaps I should trade some of my Nippon coin for some amber to trade in the Vengi Empire."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It is always better to have something accepted the world over", Athelstan agrees. "Which your Nippon coins might be, but only for their metal."

[thewidewideworld]

"Kamino furnished me with plenty of currency at our parting. I can afford to exchange a little with the Bar for other trade goods."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You might find it very well worth your while."

[thewidewideworld]

"Is there anything I can bring you from Vengi in trade?" He asks, "They make deeply beautiful textiles."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I hardly know what to ask for." He shrugs. "But whatever it is, I can keep it here until it's safe to take home."

[thewidewideworld]

"Then I shall find something for you, something of beautiful and of use."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I shall be glad of it for both." He smiles slightly.

[thewidewideworld]

The evening air has a slight chill to it and Sinric feels his skin rise in goose-bumps. "Do you want to head in, or shall we walk a little?"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan glances at Sinric's arms, feeling the chill himself.

"Are you all right to stay out a little longer?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I'd be glad to say out with you." He smiles warmly. "Shall we walk in the cherry orchard? I can take some in to share with others."

[athelstanthescribe]

"All right", he agrees. "It should have been a good crop this year."