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

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"They translate the signs the gods give us," Ragnar says, "same as Athelstan here translates all the foreign languages other people speak. But just like it's possible to learn those, it's not all that hard to understand the gods yourself."

He takes a deep sip from his own cup of mead.

"When the gods have to make demands, it's too late; we should have paid attention long before that. They give and take; we ask and we offer, and just like merchants at the market, we strike a bargain and live another year without them taking too much."

[athelstanthescribe]

"If they're inclined to listen", Athelstan says softly. "But they have their own will, and sometimes there's no changing it."

[capture_eternity]

Dorian sips his mead, apparently not having expected Vikings to ponder that kind of questions.

"Life is fragile," he finally says, "I don't think there's anything that will ever change that."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Their will," Ragnar says, "sometimes reaches much further than we can see, and it's best for us to just drift along on the tide of the gods. However, if you think we're fragile, and that's that, then there's no reason to have any faith at all. Sometimes, it's enough to feel the currents of fate and listen for the gods to whisper to you that now would be a good time to start rowing."

[athelstanthescribe]

"The small still voice. They do speak, for those who can listen."

It's part of Athelstan's problem. He hears too many gods.

[capture_eternity]

"Perhaps I haven't learned to listen well enough," Dorian muses.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Sometimes I feel I'd have to plug my mind's ears shut to not hear those voices," Ragnar muses. "Perhaps I'm so used to them by now."

[athelstanthescribe]

"But look where they've led you", Athelstan says with a slight smile.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"To a very comfortable place so far," Ragnar grins, "but the path is far from finished."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Then perhaps there are still greater comforts in your future."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Or greater challenges," Ragnar muses. "One doesn't get comforts except by working or fighting for them."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods, coming forward to sit cross-legged on the floor.

"Unless one is very lucky, you're right."

[capture_eternity]

"I must admit," Dorian says, sipping his mead, "I mostly rely on being very lucky, and mostly, I am. I do like my comforts."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Until one day, your luck runs out, as it must with everybody," Ragnar says. "Even with Frankish merchants, the gods aren't infinitely patient. Or do you think yours is?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"The Christian God is", Athelstan says softly. "Except with unrepentant sinners."

[capture_eternity]

"At least in theory," Dorian says. "It doesn't guarantee earthly success, though, as not everybody can be equally happy."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I do hope you feel you've struck it lucky, Athelstan," Ragnar says, with a little smile, "but what did your fellow monks do wrong for your god to punish them so?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"All men are sinners. But martyrdom isn't a punishment... they sit in heaven now."

He believes it, but his feelings are complex on the matter of dying.

[capture_eternity]

"A definitely un-earthly kind of comfort," Dorian comments.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"It's much better to sit here, with you lot," Ragnar says. "So mine are the better gods because they've given it to me."

He holds out his empty cup and smiles hopefully at Athelstan.

"And now, you can make my happiness almost complete."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan eyes him, amused, and gets up to refill his cup.

"So easily made happy."

[capture_eternity]

"Can I have some more mead as well, please?" Dorian says, quickly finishing his cup. "This stuff is good!"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"The gods have already given me you, my earldom, this festival, and a nice big jug of mead," Ragnar says. "Combining that into utter happiness is easy."

[athelstanthescribe]

He glances sideways at him at that.

"You count me in it?"

[capture_eternity]

"You will be bridging the distance between him and the mead jug, after all," Dorian says, grinning. "Or is there more than?"