(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

[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."

[thewidewideworld]

"Already it has been quite bountiful. I thought perhaps I could take some to Miss Seddon. She might be able to include them in one of her baked creations."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh, I'm sure she'd love that", is the immediate answer. "A cherry pie, perhaps, or something more imaginative."

[thewidewideworld]

"She has such a gift for baking wonderful things." He offers Athelstan his hand as he rises. "And for the kindness of her company."

[athelstanthescribe]

He takes it and stands in turn.

"Most certainly. She's always been a good person to talk to."

Not least because she understands, in depth, what he's going through.

[thewidewideworld]

"That she is," He nods, surprised to find a wicker basket waiting at the base of one of the cherry trees.

"I think perhaps the bar approves of the idea."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan blinks at it, then laughs under his breath.

"So it would seem."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric laughs warmly and collects the basket. The fruit hangs low and full, easy to reach. Sinric reaches up to gently pluck the bright red fruit, offering them to Athelstan.

[athelstanthescribe]

He puts each one in the basket, careful not to be too rough and bruise them.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric pucks them carefully, only taking those he can reach. "I wonder perhaps if I should climb up and get those higher, leaving the lower ones for others."

[athelstanthescribe]

"If you feel able to", Athelstan agrees, "why not?"

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric considers for a moment before carefully tucking his gown into his belt. He slips off his shoes and reaches for the low branches, pulling himself up into foliage.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Just don't fall", Athelstan warns. "If you break your leg, I would have to leave you to fetch help."

[thewidewideworld]

"I'm quite safe, but thank you. The branches are strong and easy to grip." He leans down, carefully offering Athelstan a handful of cherries.

[athelstanthescribe]

He holds up the basket to receive them.

"Did you have much chance to climb trees as a child?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Sometimes. In the palace gardens and then the week we spent out in the woods for Constantine's birthday. We had rather a lovely time, playing in the trees."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You went out there with tents? Or just slept under the trees?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Oh, we had tents. Rather large pavilions in fact." Sinric smiles, ducking in and out of the branches. "Even when running away, Constantine did it in style."