OOM: In Gotland with Bodhi and Galen

[ostro_goth]

 It is the very height of summer now, so the fields are turning golden, the young animals in the meadows are nicely grown and running around when they are not stuffing their faces with the abundant grass, and the people are busy in the gardens and in the workshops and among the granaries.

One of the children points up at the procession coming down the barrow-hill, and then everybody is running up to meet them.

Comments

[ostro_goth]

"From the song!" the new child says, reaching up to pet Kyber.

[imthepilot]

"From the song Adalgoth wrote? Yes. It was very kind of him to write our story into a song."

Kyber is lapping up the attention. So very much!

[ostro_goth]

Myrtia and Valeria are petting him too, cooing how nicely he has grown, while another tiny boy -- little Totila, who has grown nicely as well -- declares Galen looks like a proper hero.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi smiles over his shoulder to where Galen is chatting. "He is a proper hero. And so is Teja. They both saved my life, only in different ways."

[ostro_goth]

"Teja is the king, and he died on the fiery mountain so all others could come here and make us!" Myrtia declares. "He is a big, big hero, with his axe and his harp."

[imthepilot]

"And Galen is the hero who was forced to build a terrible machine but was brave and sneaky and put a trap inside the machine so other people could break it."

[ostro_goth]

"We are going to hear the song again!" the kid from the neighbouring farm says, excitedly.

[imthepilot]

"I hope so. Galen and I bought enough food for a feast. Maybe Teja and Adalgoth will sing for us?" More honey candies are passed around. Bodhi's more than okay with spoiling the children.

[ostro_goth]

"A feast! A song!" the children exclaim, excitedly, while the whole horde wends its way towards the farm buildings.

"First everybody finish their chores of the day!" says Liuta, who is reaching them now.

[imthepilot]

"Liuta." Bodhi greets her with a smile, reaching out to take her hands. He looks a lot healthier than the last time they saw each other. Healing in body and soul.

[ostro_goth]

"You look really perky," Liuta says, smiling at him. "Your cats and your friend have done you good."

[imthepilot]

"Thing have improved for me. Since the last time I was here. Partly because of your help." He looks over his shoulder to where Galen's follow with Teja and the others. "And partly because Galen arrived."

[galen_erso]

"I heard a lot about you all," Galen says. "I'm so glad to actually finally meet you."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi reaches back to take Galen's hand, squeezing softly. He seems less afraid here. More confident.

[ostro_goth]

"What is for dinner?" Hilde asks, taking the goblet from Teja, whom it has reached by now, and offering it to Bodhi?

[imthepilot]

"If Liuta approves, I have whole feast of food." He takes the goblet with a nod of thanks and sips the wine. "Thank you. For your welcome."

[ostro_goth]

"I do approve," Liuta says, while Hilde babbles, "Yes, but what food?"

[imthepilot]

"I bought pies, roast meat, salads, bread, vegetables." Bodhi rattles off a list. "And drinks too. All from my- from the place I grew up."

[ostro_goth]

"Pies, pies, pies!!" the little girls chant -- those seem to be special treats.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi chuckles and ruffles their hair. "Well, someone will have to help me unload."

[ostro_goth]

There are so many calls of "Me! Me! Me!" that Bramble looks a little disapproving.

[imthepilot]

"Gently now. We don't want to frighten the horse." He looks to Galen for help to unpack his equipment before the children swarm.

Turning back to the children. "How about you clear a place to put it all down and I'll start opening everything up?"

[ostro_goth]

"Let's bring out the tables, and don't forget your chores!"

That's Gotho, coming out of the house with a few folding chairs already.

[imthepilot]

He smiles to Gotho. "I think maybe I got carried away with the treats and distracted them."

[ostro_goth]

"All about your business," Gotho orders the younger kids. "Bodhi will be here when you are done. Witichis, Alaric, you bring the trestle tables. Hilde, start laying the table and don't forget the good goblets we brought from Birka. Wachis, please go for more chairs. Thanks -- chop-chop!"

Everybody obeys like a well-trained army. Gotho, the only one without orders, keeps helping Bodhi to unload.