(no subject)

[athelstanthescribe]

It's almost time to leave their little hunting cabin and go back to the town, much as Athelstan and Ragnar might wish they could stay... but Athelstan's dog is nowhere to be seen.

Athelstan stands in the doorway, looking and calling for him, and finally he reappears, carrying something in his mouth.

"Fiachra? What have you got there?"

He crouches for a better look, frowning as it strikes him that doesn't look like a deer bone...

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"We'll sacrifice something when we rebury him down in Kattegat, among people," Ragnar says. "A young male goat, for example. The blood will wash off enough of the duty Earl Haraldsson placed him under."

A young male goat -- strong but expendable, like this poor boy.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Good. You know what needs to be done. I can select the goat, if you like."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Yes," Ragnar says.

He starts gathering the thin bones onto his leather jerkin, very carefully.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan kneels down and begins to help him, handling the bones with tender reverence.

"Do you remember his name?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"... Bjarni," Ragnar says. "I think."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Bjarni", Athelstan says softly. "It'll have to do. No one should be buried without a name."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Lagertha would have known for sure," Ragnar says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps some of the survivors from the village will remember."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Yes," Ragnar says. "There are still some left that we can ask."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"And at worst, we can bury him as Bjarni."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"At least, he will be buried, and free to go to his afterlife," Ragnar says.

On top of the gathered bones, he gently puts the skull.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And there's a chance of Valhalla for him?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"He did die a warrior," Ragnar says, as a way of saying yes.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"It's in the gods' hands, of course, but it's good he has a chance."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Yes," Ragnar says. He carefully goes through the loose earth and the gold, to make sure they have all the bones.

"Now, coin. Can you put some in your belt pouch? I will as well."

[athelstanthescribe]

"There's always a bit of room in there, in case I find something..."

He wraps the boy's bones in the jerkin, then reaches for a handful of coins.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar picks some as well -- a not so small fortune, in fact -- and then starts carefully covering up the rest of the hoard again.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan joins the effort, sweeping carefully with his bit of wood.

"If it hadn't been for Fiachra, he could have been here forever."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"He deserves a treat when we get home," Ragnar says. "A fresh, juicy animal bone!"

[athelstanthescribe]

"And he'll get one. Won't you... oh, where's he gone now. Fiachra!"

There's an animal scream from the wood, and Fiachra reappears shortly, looking even more triumphant, with a freshly dead rabbit.

"...shall we let him keep that one?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar laughs.

"Yes, of course!" he says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"For this day's work, he's earned it." He looks at the dog and says simply, "Eat."

Fiachra doesn't need telling twice.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar stands, and wipes his hands on the bottom of his trousers.

"Come here," he says to Athelstan, holding out a slightly less grubby hand.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan takes his hand without caring if there's dirt on his, and steps closer to him.

"At your command."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I know you are," Ragnar says. "Until the very moment you're not because you know better, but then you're right, as a rule."

He pulls Athelstan close and smiles down at his face.