OOM: Uppsala

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Inside the tent, it's murky and a bit smelly, and full of rather drunk people lying around and laughing.

"Athelstan, pour your friend a drink," Ragnar calls from somewhere in the middle, waving at the people entering.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

That gets a look somewhere between startlement and panic.

"But you know I'm no warrior."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"But you know," Ragnar answers, with a fond smile, "that the gods need men who aren't just warriors. You'll learn to hold your own easily enough i that is needed; as for the rest, there are things you are very good at nobody else can do."

[capture_eternity]

Dorian sips his mead and tries not to grin.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Does that mean you'll teach me to fight?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Of course, if there's the need and we get the chance," Ragnar says. "The gods willing."

[capture_eternity]

"You'll be a proper Viking in no time!" Dorian says, laughing.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'm not tall enough to be a proper Viking", he says, amused. "But then, neither is Arne."

[capture_eternity]

"Just take a longer axe," Dorian says, grinning.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"It's not quite that easy, my Frankish friend," Ragnar laughs.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps I should practise with Arne", he says more thoughtfully. "Or Bjorn, before he gets tall."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"A first, maybe," Ragnar says.

[capture_eternity]

"Later, you can graduate to full-size opponents," Dorian says.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan makes a face at him.

"Yes. In due time."

[capture_eternity]

"In the end, you'll learn to fell giants," Dorian says.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"He can do that by other means," Ragnar says. "our Athelstan is clever and valued."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps." Athelstan takes a drink. "Perhaps I could fell giants, I mean, not the other."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I'm sure you can do the other," Ragnar says. "Whatever the 'other' is."

[capture_eternity]

"You're very capable, Athelstan," Dorian says. "I mean, from what I've seen of you so far."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I know I'm clever", he says matter of factly, "is what I meant. And capable at many things, but... not others."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"You're capable at enough important things to make your value very obvious," Ragnar says.

[capture_eternity]

"See!" Dorian says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Then tell me, Ragnar", he says, looking directly at him, "what you'd have me do. I know you didn't choose me for household chores."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I'd have you do the things the gods tell you to do, which I can't ask you to do because I don't even know myself that it's those I need you for," Ragnar says. "We will both know what it is when it's time."

[capture_eternity]

Dorian looks impressed, but also slightly shifty, as if he was wondering whether he ought to be somewhere else while this doubtlessly important conversation is happening.

Also, he wonders if Ragnar has the slightest idea about the things his harmless little ex-monk has apparently been up to in Milliways.

[athelstanthescribe]

If either of them minded Dorian being there, they wouldn't be having this conversation.

"...all right", Athelstan says after a moment, looking away. "You know I'll do it, you only have to tell me. Or they do."