(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{from here}

Sinric takes Athelstan's hand and leads him through an almost invisible door and down a couple of seemingly perfectly flat hallways that somehow open out onto the rooftop and a little flat terrace with a view of the eastern sky.

Sinric clearly spends some time up here because the spot is furnished with a daybed big enough to lay on or for two to sit together comfortingly and is draped with soft furry blankets of a cloth unknown in their time.

He helps Athelstan to the daybed and sits with him, setting the flask aside for now. The stars are still clear in the sky, even as dawn smudges the horizon with warmth.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"It's silly - I don't even know her name - but I believe in that moment in the marketplace, I did. It was the first gentle touch I'd felt in our world for weeks."

[thewidewideworld]

"There is nothing silly about it. I felt the same for Castor. I had been home a month and was still weak and skittish. There was a reception, I don't remember whom for but the hall was full of strangers and solders and the smell of male sweat and wine. It was too much and I started to shake."

"Castor saw me and took my hand. He lead me away to a courtyard where it was quiet and cool and bathed my forehead from a fountain till I stopped shaking. No word passed between us but I felt such love for him in that moment of simple kindness."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I could find her", he says on an impulse, " - to be her friend. But she'll have gone away into the quiet of her convent, and perhaps it's best left alone."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric lets Athelstan come to that decision on his own, still massaging the meat of his hand.

[athelstanthescribe]

"If it brought a taint on her... no. I must not."

[thewidewideworld]

"You saved her from the pain and indignity of a burning brand. And she was grateful. There is no taint in that, regardless of what other men may see."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Other men and women. Her sisters in God... If I meet her again, I'll be glad of it, but to seek her out..."

[thewidewideworld]

"Then let fate guide if your paths should close again." Fate, not God in whom Sinric has no trust.

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods. "That would be best. There can be no blame in a chance meeting."

[thewidewideworld]

"So may men see it but I doubt it was chance. This place has taught me to doubt chance. Perhaps she is destined to become a great woman of the church, or a saint, or a queen. And you have protected her path."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And helped her away from a brutal man, at the least. I like that thought."

[thewidewideworld]

"Even in the darkest hours, you have brought light to another." He kisses Athelstan's hand softly.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan strokes his face.

"Maybe there'll be more such chances, while I remain in Wessex."

[thewidewideworld]

He smiles and nods, glad to see Athelstan feeling some hope.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And whatever the king wants of me", he says softly, "I have to think perhaps there's a way I can use it to help Ragnar."

[thewidewideworld]

"That would be wise. His protection and favour may be a boon to you until Ragnar brings his ships." Sinric nods.

[athelstanthescribe]

"He's interested in the culture of the Northmen. General questions only, so far, nothing that could be a betrayal to answer."

He's not sure what he'd do if the questions took a different turn.

[thewidewideworld]

"For that, you must be on your guard. He may seek knowledge to overthrow Ragnar's raids."

[athelstanthescribe]

"So I've thought", he agrees. "I take no drink when he questions me, Ragnar taught me that, and watch my words."

[thewidewideworld]

"In vino veritas." Sinric nods sagely. "You are very wise."

[athelstanthescribe]

He smiles wryly. "I learned it the hard way, when I was young and naive."

[thewidewideworld]

He grins. "Did Ragnar get you drunk and take advantage of you?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"He did!" Just not sexually. "He plied me with drink and questions."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric giggles. "I can't imagine to drunk. You would be adorable." He settles on the daybed, tucking his little feet under him as the sun rises.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I came here when I went to seek my bed. Tripping over my own feet."

He curls beside Sinric, taking his hand.