thewidewideworld | (no subject)

Sinric comes into the sheltered courtyard, seeking somewhere to sit and think a while. It has been a strange few days. He meant to come quietly into to city, make a place for himself at one of the taverns singing for his supper and board.

But drawn in by the intellectual debate of the young men and the flourishing palace school, he’s caught out by his old tutor who recognises him - Alcuin, the new emperor’s favourite.

And now he finds himself lodging at the palace school, the centre of attention he never wanted here.

But the courtyard is cool and quiet and he sits down, letting himself have a moment to rest. Not noticing the young boy at first.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

athelstanthescribe

"What does he want?" He shrugs slightly in answer to the question. "To learn all I can."

From:

thewidewideworld

"He has not say I suspect he wishes me to advice the Emperor." Sinric sighs tiredly. "I have served three before him. One in Byzantium and two in the far east, beyond the Silk Road. But I am tired of such intrigues. I would be glad to live a simple life and sing for my supper."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"You could disappear into the city", he suggests. "It wouldn't be easy to find you again."

From:

thewidewideworld

Sinric smiles warmly. "I may yet do that." He leans back a little, breathing the warm air and the scent of the river. "It was good to speak with my old praeceptor but I don't wish to be bound to another court."

He smiles softly to the boy. "Would you cover my retreat if I went?"

{ooc: last one of the night for me. Lovely to thread with you again!}

From:

athelstanthescribe

He looks uncertain.

"I would. If you helped me to know how."

From:

thewidewideworld

"Not yet, little one." Sinric offers Athelstan his hand, squeezing gently. "When the time comes, I will slip away into the city and go my own way. Perhaps you can tell them you saw me go the other way?"

From:

athelstanthescribe

"I will. If they ask me."

People don't always ask him things.

From:

thewidewideworld

"Thank you, sweet Athelstan." Sinric smiles. "I think I shall have to talk with this Charles the Great before I slip away. What shall we do to pass the time till I'm sent for? Shall I teach you a song?"

From:

athelstanthescribe

"Yes, please!" he says brightly. "What sort of songs do you sing?"

From:

thewidewideworld

"Many kinds of song. From hymns to bawdy tavern songs. From the very far east to England and many places between." Sinric gestures expansively.

From:

athelstanthescribe

"Teach me one from the east?"

He doesn't think the brothers would like him learning bawdy tavern songs, even if he already knows one or two.

From:

thewidewideworld

Sinric things for a moment before selecting a children's song, the song of the crane wife. An easy, repeating song with hand gestures as the woodsman finds the crane in a snare and frees her, but plucks a feather from her wing and so bids her to him.

From:

athelstanthescribe

After a little while, hesitantly, the boy joins in.

From:

thewidewideworld

He repeats the song with an encouraging nod, shifting his pitch to compliment Athelstan's voice best.

From:

athelstanthescribe

His voice is still child-high, and absolutely pure.

From:

thewidewideworld

Sinric smiles warmly and nods, encouraging him. They sing the song through together.

"Well done. You have a beautiful voice." He praises genuinely.

From:

athelstanthescribe

He beams, not having quite internalised modesty yet.

"Thank you."

From:

thewidewideworld

"Would you like to try another?"

From:

athelstanthescribe

"Yes, please."

From:

thewidewideworld

Sinric hesitates. He wants to sing the Northumbrian lullaby Athelstan taught him but that would lead to complicated questions. And he can feel the threads tangling and stretching enough.

Instead he sings the hymn that was his beloved Constantine's favourite. It was antique and out of fashion but soaringly beautiful. And with the loss and longing behind it, achingly sad.