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]

"The things they've come up with in later times."

He'll never cease to find it amazing.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"So," Ragnar says, reaching out to stroke Athelstan's lower leg and foot, "Jay is putting three of those into barrels to take on the voyage, so if we run out of freshwater, we still won't die. It hasn't happened to us yet, but it's a danger if voyages get too long. It makes getting there yet a little bit safer."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Every little helps", he agrees. "One can go on each of three boats, unless you're only bringing one."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"One for me, one for Rollo, and one for Floki," Ragnar says. "They know about this place, after all."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods. "So they can think of something to tell the others, if it comes to that."

[thewidewideworld]

There is a soft sound from the half open door of Sinric's private room. The sound of someone dropping heavy boots and dragging themselves around the room.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Yes, that was exactly..." Ragnar was saying when he hears the noise.

"Sinric?" he calls.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric peeks his head around the door, caught halfway in the action of undressing. "Beloveds. I didn't expect to find you-" the rest gets lost in a heavy yawn.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Well, since you have", Athelstan suggests, "come in."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Yes, come here," Ragnar says, extending his hand. "Snuggle between us, and fall asleep while we talk of machines from the future."

[thewidewideworld]

"One moment." He sheds the rest of his clothes and changes into a robe. He pads in to join them, his bare feet silent on the deep rugs. "I've missed you both."

He takes Ragnar's hand and let himself be pulled closer.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Were you gone very long, this time?"

As Sinric experienced it, he means.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar pulls him close so he comes to sit on the bed as well, then leans in to kiss Sinric's cheek

[thewidewideworld]

He purrs softly at the kiss, turning to capture Ragnar's lips in a loving brush. "Not so long. Only a couple of weeks but they have been long and tiring weeks."

He turns to offer Athelstan the same kiss.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan leans into it, keeping it more or less chaste.

"A lot of time on the road?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"You were going to treat with some warlike tribe when we talked last," Ragnar says. "Dis they make trouble?"

He pulls Sinric closer to make him comfortable.

[thewidewideworld]

Chaste the kiss may be, but no less loving from Sinric's behalf. He lets Ragnar guide him to snuggle between them, his limbs loose as he sprawls so he's touching them both, anchoring himself to his beloveds.

"Not war-like trouble. Their leader, Jaliar is a cunning man who plays at being a barbarian but just as clever as any I've known. He demures and delays, and every night throws wild parties for his honoured guests. I think he hopes that hung over and tired, Yan will make some mistake to his advantage." He yawns again. "And all the while I dance and sing and keep Jaliar's eyes on me so he doesn't notice that Yan isn't drinking."

[athelstanthescribe]

"What does this Jaliar want from the negotiations?" Athelstan asks.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Yes -- why does he think Yan wouldn't give it to him?" Ragnar adds.

[thewidewideworld]

"I wish I knew." He sighs, breathing in the scent of them both. "If I did, I could help Yan arrange it. His... diversions have been wonderful. I've never seen any so skilled at archery or hawking. But his scheme is working - we're too tired to divine his plans."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan shakes his head.

"That sounds more than a little ominous."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"If they were honest, he could just say what he wants to happen," Ragnar says. "After all, you came for negotiations. That usually means each side is willing to cede something."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric lolls sleepily, head tucked against Ragnar's chest, reaching for Athelstan. "The trade was set by the Emperor and the Great Khan. Only the terms need setting. But he will give no indication of what he desires." He yawns again. "After I've had tome to rest and regain my wit."

[athelstanthescribe]

"That would suggest his terms will be difficult." He takes Sinric's hand. "But there's time for that."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"You can keep thinking out loud at us," Ragnar says, "and we can talk about it until you find out what it is, and how you'll go about providing it so each goes home feeling he has won."

He leans to kiss Sinric'smcheek.