(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{from here}

Sinric waits quietly in the light of the doorway, his eyes down until he heard Athelstan's footfall on the stairs of the veranda. He rises to offer Athelstan his arm. "You should come in where it's warm."

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh!" He mocks a look of fear. "Then I should be thankful I'm not healed yet."

[thewidewideworld]

"Hmm." Sinric growls playfully, kissing Athelstan's neck. "I'll let you off lightly this time."

Neither of them could suffer to be wrestled or held down but the joke is fun.

[athelstanthescribe]

As long as it's playful words, and he knows Sinric would never take it further than that, he can joke about it.

"Thank you for your mercy, Lord Sinric."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric falls into giggles ar that, unable to keep a straight face. "Lord Sinric?" Even the sound of it is ridiculous.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps it's a prediction. Perhaps you'll come back from the Far East a high lord of their empire."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric giggles again and settles down at Athelstan's side. "Decked all in silks and those soft little slippers with the pointed toes?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"You'd look wonderful. And who knows how men become lords there?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I do not. I shall have to ask Yan now that I speak his tongue better."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Is he in the palace now?"

[thewidewideworld]

He shakes his head. "Fortunately he and his father are due to our court soon. I was afraid I would now see him before the time came to go on campaign with my lord. We have much to plan."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Where do you think would be a good place to meet him?" Athelstan asks, propping himself on an elbow. "Between Bulgaria and his home?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I do not yet know. I have much to study of the maps found here. The greatest and most common path to the Silk Road leads through Constantinople and I fear to risk that. I may have to travel some way around to meet the road outside Leo's reach."

[athelstanthescribe]

"In another land altogether, if you can. You will take care, if it's wild country with any danger of bandits?"

[thewidewideworld]

He nods. "I have given that much thought. I will bring what I can here in the way of treasures and coin so I need carry on me only the smallest part. Castor has offered to teach me the ways of the knife and bow but if I carry no weapon, I am less of a threat."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods. "And dress in a man's clothes. If they take you for a woman..."

He stops there, remembering the attack.

[thewidewideworld]

"If they take me for a woman, they will use me as one." Sinric finishes, fully aware of that risk. "But they may do that anyway. But I know how to make a man beg for me, how to charm. If it comes to that, it will be on my terms." There's an edge to his voice, an edge of steel under his soften.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan studies him, then nods.

"Do that. Then they won't hurt you - and if you charm them enough, perhaps they'll even see you safe on your way."

[thewidewideworld]

"These are the weapons I know best how to weld. And I am safer with those than any other."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods. "A man who raises a sword or axe without really knowing how to use it, may find it turned against him."

[thewidewideworld]

He nods minutely, trying very hard not to think about things like that. The future is far too uncertain and he knew just how spoilt a cage raised bird he is.

[athelstanthescribe]

"...Sinric?"

He's not sure what he said to bring on the silence, those thoughts being part of his life now, but he'll let Sinric explain - or choose a new topic - as he prefers.

[thewidewideworld]

He licks his lips, slow to answer. "I have lived my whole life in the palace, pampered and loved. Until Leo-" he cuts himself off a moment. "I hadn't know cruelty or hardship. I want to be a traveller. I want to see the world edge to edge but-"

He drops his eyes. "I have much to learn. And I know that some of those lessons will be harsh."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I wish I could teach you these things without bringing you harm", Athelstan says softly. But he knows he can't.

[thewidewideworld]

He shakes his head and leans in to kiss Athelstan sweetly. "I'll find my way. I have to. Somewhere in a place called Ribe, Ragnar will be waiting."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And we know that you'll find him. So one way or another, you do survive."