athelstanthescribe | (no subject)

"And yet", he says with a faint smile, "they have their own plans."

"They do," Ragnar says. "Even if it's just for their entertainment, like men watching a cock-fight. So they're setting me against Jarl Borg now, and after that it might well be King Horik."

"And neither of them", Athelstan says softly, "is an old man past his best like Earl Haraldson."

"They're raising the stakes," Ragnar says. "It wouldn't be fun otherwise, would it?"

"I suppose not." He glances sideways at Ragnar. "At least you won't have to face it alone this time."

"No," Ragnar says. "I will have you, and Floki, and the entire range in-between."

"And all your warriors, and Lady Lagertha", he says with a nod.

"Exactly those," Ragnar says. "It also means the stakes get higher, of course. Not just for the gods betting on us."

"If you fail", Athelstan agrees slowly, " - perhaps not against Jarl Borg, but certainly against the king, the consequences will be heavy."

"For all of us," Ragnar says. "Which I can't allow."

"So it's try to avoid the situation... or don't fail." He studies Ragnar's face. "I know which you'd choose, if you could."

"While the gods are busily herding all of us to where I don't want to go," Ragnar nods, "laughing into their mead all the time."

"I'll be here", Athelstan says suddenly. "If - when - you free me. You know I won't leave, don't you?"

Ragnar stops again, and turns to him.

"I hoped so," he says, "but in the end, it has to be your choice -- to stay with us, to go to the gods, to leave for a chance at your old life."

"Then make it my choice." It's quiet, but intense. "Give me my freedom, so I can prove it to you. My old life is gone, along with everyone in it."

"I will," Ragnar says. "As soon as I return from that Jarl Borg job."

He makes it sound as if he'd been asked to clean out somebody else's latrine ditch.

Athelstan blinks, with the beginnings of a blinding smile.

"Really? Well, I'd better get on with learning to fight, then."

"You should," Ragnar says. "You'll be able to hold your own, at least, by the time I get back. I'll be a while."

He sighs, making a face thinking of that metaphorical latrine ditch. It's a long one.

"It's a long way to Gotaland", Athelstan agrees. "And that's if the negotiations don't drag on."

"Which they will," Ragnar says, "as reportedly, Jarl Borg isn't quite in his right mind, and might even have overshot his wrong one. Somebody to tread quite carefully but firmly around."

He grins at Athelstan.

"You'll have time to train and get it right."

"I learn fast", he says with a grin in return. "Who will you take with you?"

"Rollo," Ragnar says. "Maybe Floki. Perhaps even Björn, if he really, really begs me not to be left behind because he's a man now."

He grins again.

"He won't be able to help you learn to fight, in that case. On the other hand, you'll have him out of your hair."

"He hasn't been so bad lately", Athelstan offers mildly. "Perhaps he's coming to like me after all."

"That would be sensible, because you're here to stay," Ragnar says.

"He's halfway between boy and man", he points out. "Sensible doesn't come into it."