OOM: Returning Eunuch

[bigarmy_strangepants]

It is late in the day, and Ragnar is lounging in his room, talking to Athelstan.

He could spend eternity just talking to Athelstan, and then an eternity again with all the other Athelstan-related things.

But they never run out of things to talk about, it seems.

"... will turn seawater into potable water, like making salt, just the other way around," he is saying.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes, he might like that. Should we put an engine in it for him to improve, or let him start from the very beginning?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Just a small longboat, like the one we sailed to Ribe in?" Ragnar suggests. "One of Floki's smaller, older boats perhaps?"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods. "He can do what he likes with it, then."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Put in whatever machinery, and make whatever adjustment he feels like," Ragnar says. "It should be really entertaining for him."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And I should think he needs it. Rae told me he suffered something very bad recently, though she didn't go into detail."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"He told me," RAgnar says. "Enemies caught him and tested a drug on him that turned him into a berserker against his will. Now he needs to go and take down those enemies before they do more damage with that substance."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Do you think he'd accept help with that?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I asked," Ragnar says. "Of course. He said he has to do it alone."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Of course", Athelstan echoes. "And there isn't much we can do without his consent."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Especially as his world is full of machines and fire-weapons," Ragnar says. "And we have axes."

[athelstanthescribe]

"We could learn to use those. Or they might not see axes coming."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Still, I don't think we could invade his world without his consent." Ragnar says. "And yes, we could learn, if he let us."

[athelstanthescribe]

"That's the biggest problem. Everything except his consent can be worked around."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Just so," Ragnar says. "In the end, we can only give him what he is willing to accept."

[athelstanthescribe]

"We'll just have to see how it falls out."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Exactly," Ragnar says. "He knows we are willing to help, and we can tell him again when we get the compasses."

He stretches a little, touching his cheek to the sleeping Sinric's golden hair before leaning in to kiss Athelstan.

"He helps so much. He understands us."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps he might allow us to do something other than fight for him", he says with a nod. "Whatever help he may need."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We can offer when we get the compasses," Ragnar says, "and make it clear we mean it."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Make it clear how, that you haven't already tried?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I have," Ragnar says. "But it might be clearer if we are two."

Pause.

"Also, I hadn't thought that our contribution might not include fighting."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan shrugs.

"He's already said he doesn't want to involve anyone else in that."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Which is why I arrived at 'No way to help him'," Ragnar admits.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And you might be right. But you might not be."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"And that's another reason I'm no good without you," Ragnar says.

He stretches.

"Come here, and let's sleep as well. It's getting late."

[athelstanthescribe]

He shifts a little closer, trying not to wake Sinric.

"Yes, it's probably time we did."