OOM: Carlotta in Gotland, part 2

[gotland_npc]

Athalwin burst through the door to the long-house, all alone even though he set out with William, horses, and cats.

"There was a door on the barrow-hill!!" he shouts. "William went inside, and took the horses and Myrrh and Horus! And he said it means the place is still there, and the king is still there, and Adalgoth ---"

Pause.

"--- may stop worrying now!"

Pause.

"And he said he'll be back to visit us. I'll miss him! And I'm sure Rauthgundis will be bawling now, when she hears!"

Everybody that was within the house, is staring at the child now.

Comments

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta almost drops the iron she was using on the tiny frock Molly has been borrowing. Fortunately Molly herself is strapped to her front, so is safe from dropping.

"Is it still there?"

[gotland_npc]

"He went in and then there was only the barrow-hill again!" Athalwin says. "And he says it means it's still there, else it wouldn't be there, would it?"

[fiery_ring]

"If I may be excused please, I need to see if it's still there..." Carlotta says, putting the iron down safely and hurrying out.

She runs up the hill, holding Molly's head carefully...

But the portal doesn't seem to be there. And although she's relieved that things are better at the bar and that Teja is alive, part of her sinks again when she realises they're still trapped.

[gotland_npc]

Adalgoth has followed her at a distance and comes closer when he sees that, indeed, the portal is not there.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta sighs, and kisses Molly on the head.

"Don't worry, we'll find them one day." she says gently.

[gotland_npc]

"I hope you will," Adalgoth says. "I hope you will find your way home, with your little one; and I hope that one day, the king will find his way back to us. The children would miss him, most of all Hilde."

Almost as much as Adalgoth himself.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods.

"You have been awfully kind to us." she says. "But I worry for our future. Even if we get back, how will I explain it in my world if she has grown much?"

[gotland_npc]

"I know not," Adalgoth says. "Do others even notice such details of a baby that is not theirs? I know that the women always go 'Oh my dear, you have grown so much!' when they meet a child they know, but is that truly what they see, or only what they will ever say, just because?"

[fiery_ring]

"The women I live with might. And the ones in my circus who have babies a little older."

[gotland_npc]

"Indeed," Adalgoth says. "So we must hope that soon, a door appears for you, before she can grow much and start sitting up, or crawling."

[fiery_ring]

"She smiled today." Carlotta says. "I think. Or she might have been passing wind."

[gotland_npc]

"It is, in any case, a wonder to behold," Adalgoth says. "I remember when little Myrtia first smiled, after we had feared, in the beginning, she might not make it, nor her sister. But they both did, and they learned to smile at us. It is a great gift of nature."

[fiery_ring]

"They're such bonny little babies."

[gotland_npc]

"Oh, indeed they are!" Adalgoth says, proudly. "And not so little any more: - one must take good care that they do not tear everything to the ground, before their steps become more certain, and they can more than toddle."

[fiery_ring]

"There are many here to keep an eye on them. Like in the circus."

[gotland_npc]

"Indeed," Adalgoth says, "and as there are two of them, I sometimes feel it needs every single pair of eyes in the house, including the cats, to keep them out of trouble."

[fiery_ring]

"You're a good Dad." Carlotta says.

"I never saw my father when I was little. My biological father, I mean. After he found me, he was still so often away at work that boarding school was the only sensible option.

I loved St Clare's, for all I had trouble settling in at first. But I don't feel that I know Father well. His Highness has been more... there for me, as a Dad.

I want Molly to know her Dad. But the war made all our plans dreadfully messy."

[gotland_npc]

Adalgoth has been listening to her.

"William went home," he says, "so Teja should at least be safe, and so is the inn between the worlds. Eventually, it will reclaim you both. But whether that war will give your man back to you in one piece, none can tell. That is the way with wars. But I hope it will -- little Molly should have her father, no matter how much other people care about her, also."

[fiery_ring]

"Thank you." Carlotta says quietly.

"Is there a war on here, now?"

[gotland_npc]

"No," Adalgoth says. "Those young men that wish for fight and adventure must go elsewhere. War is not adventure, in my experience; but let them find their own truth of it, before they settle here and live out their lives in peace."

[fiery_ring]

"All the young men were sent to war in my world." Carlotta says. "And the enemy comes to drop explosions on civilians."

[gotland_npc]

Adalgoth nods. "It's not honourable, but in all-out war, the enemy spares nobody. I've seen it, too."

[fiery_ring]

"That's why I ended up here rather than at home. I was running for shelter." Carlotta says.

[gotland_npc]

"So little Mollay and you, going home, will have to return to that war?" Adalgoth says.

Disapproving.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods.

"I don't know how we'll get out the door. We'd have to step right into the blast from the explosion."

[gotland_npc]

"Cannot the king make you a shield?" Adalgoth says.

[fiery_ring]

"We could stand out the way, but the blast will go through the bar."

[gotland_npc]

"Might not the king and all his wondrous friends think of a way to help against that, also?" Adalgoth says. "Else, you would have to stay, and all your family would think you died in that fire, with Molly. Which you are welcome to do, but would not wish for."

[fiery_ring]

"I will have to try." Carlotta says. "I just don't want to get Molly or anyone else killed."

[gotland_npc]

"No, indeed, you must take good care, and if there is no way to return to your world, you will always be welcome in ours," Adalgoth says.

[fiery_ring]

"Thank you sir." Carlotta says quietly.

[gotland_npc]

"Now, come with me, back to the house, so you will both be warm again," Adalgoth says. "I am sure the women will have some hot tisane for you, also, as women that are nursing like to drink."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods, and follows him back.