[Memory] Swimming Lessons at the Tower pt II

[Andros]

“Oh” Andros said simply when Hakon went on about how thrilling grappling with other men is. He felt a little silly for not picking up on it sooner. The way he still grieved Heinrich as if they had been more than comrades in arms, his total indifference to married life, it was obvious Hakon preferred men.

Andros is perceptive. You don’t get to be Village Headman if you can’t read between the lines. Sometimes you arbitrate a dispute and you see something the participants don’t. Maybe the real source of conflict is that one neighbor has been secretly in love with the other’s wife for 30 years, but today they’ve gotten into a fist fight over who’s turn it is to muck out the shared stables. If you can see the real story behind the facade people put up, you can successfully manage your community. And here in the water, Andros has seen through Hakon’s facade.

It didn’t really matter. Andros felt a little sad for him. If Heinrich was his lover or if Hakon simply loved him from a distance, that made his loss even more tragic. On the other hand, perhaps his inability to marry was no great loss. In any case, if he chose not to advertise that aspect of himself, that wasn’t Andros’ business. Another thing you learn as Village Headman is when to keep your insights to yourself.

What was Andros’ business was Hakon’s swimming, which was progressing quite quickly. He should have expected as much. The man spent his life training for god-knows-what. He was fit and strong and coordinated. If he could smash a mage’s head into jelly, he could paddle around a pond.

Andros shook his head to get that bad memory out, then stood up in a shallow spot to watch Hakon move. He was a little awkward at first, but he was almost graceful after a few minutes, kicking himself around the pond rather quickly and using his arms. He really was progressing very well.

“You’ve got it, lad. And fast, too. Let’s take it up a notch. I want you to stand up and then put your face into the water, looking straight down. Just hold your breath as long as you can and then stand up to breathe. When you’re used to it, lay down to float and then flip over onto your front. Leave your face in and stand up when you need a breath. I’ll hold you if you like.”

[Hakon]

One long leg went down almost reflexively when Hakon received his instructions. He worked through what Andros wanted of him.

"So I'm to practice proper swimming, I think," he surmised from his trainer's instructions.

He remembered how Andros moved through the water, as though he were crawling along on all fours. So far, he hadn't been doing that, although what he was doing was certainly swimming in that he was moving through the water, after a fashion. He could tell he was not getting a lot of efficiency from his movements, though. He was moving his legs like crazy and not going very far. If this were a river with a nasty current, or some kind of lake, he could tire too quickly. So it would be better if he learned to do things as Andros did with his back to the sky.

He stood in the center of watering hole at its deepest point so that he was submerged to his neck. He took a deep breath and then stuck his face under the water. It felt weird, and a little scary, but with his legs planted in the silt at the bottom of the river, he wasn't too worried. Certainly, he could not drown as he was. He repeated the process a few times.

He looked over at Andros, a sheepish smile on his face.

"I'm sorry to say, I didn't quite follow your instructions for what comes next. I'm to float but on my front this time, instead of my back? And then put my legs down and stand up when I need to breathe? Or did I get it backwards?"

[Andros]

Another side of Hakon was showing itself as he learned to swim. He’d been rather dour the first time Andros had met him, very serious and very dedicated to the task at hand - which Andros appreciated since Hakon got him his stuff back. On his last visit to the tower they’d gone riding for the afternoon with one of the Maroon Horsemen to babysit and hadn’t talked too much.

But today a part of Hakon that was joyful, almost boyish was on display. He’d be grinning, visibly proud of his accomplishments when he was doing well, then bashful and literally blushing when he needed help, then back to grinning when he was praised. It reminded Andros of instructing his grandsons and younger cousins at various tasks, which brought a wistful smile to his face.

He thought for a moment of the son he’d lost in childbirth along with Elena. Andros never got to have a boy of his own and wondered if he would have been anything like Hakon. Well, he’d never have been a giant, that’s for sure. And he’d have learned to swim around the same time he learned to walk. But Hakon was honest and very devoted to his work, and you could do worse than having a son like that.

Hakon stopped in his practice and asked for instruction, knocking Andros out of his reverie. Was it really instruction he was after, or a helping hand? Andros gave him both. He put a hand on Hakon’s shoulder and pushed him gently backwards towards the water, helping him to float again.

“You’ve got this. You’re doing great. I’m going to help you flip over now. Put your face in the water, just like you did a moment ago, then when you need to breathe you can just stand up. It’s shallow here, even I can stand. Do it a few times, then we can have some lunch. I’m famished.”

[Hakon]

It was nice here, in the water. It was also nice here with Andros. Hakon couldn't quite articulate why. It was like most of his life he was wearing a suit of armor, and right now, in the watering hole, he got to take it off. It wasn't just the literal act of taking his clothes off, either. He felt at ease.

He continued practicing floating with Andros, this time with his head under the water but not too far from the guiding hands of his teacher. It was reassuring to learn from someone who was so gentle. His instructors in the tower had not been harsh, but they weren't warm in the same way that Andros was. He continued going through the motions as directed, learning how long he could hold his breath underwater (not as long as he'd hoped but long enough that it surprised him) and also learning that the silty bottom of the river was home to a few very small fish, which made him smile.

After submerging and standing several times, he stood up as directed and started to move toward the edge of the pool. If Andros said it was time for lunch, then it was time for lunch.

"We could, I suppose, return to the tower. That would be more economical, I think, and more prudent." Then, because he apparently had a wild hair to prolong their engagement, he added: "if you insisted, however, that we go elsewhere, there is a public house further along the road. I have never had occasion to eat there, but the Scarlet Watch seem to enjoy it well enough. Good schnitzel, apparently. In either case, I wanted to thank you for doing this for me, Andros. I feel much more at ease learning knowing that I am doing it with someone who grew up knowing how."

[Andros]

“It’s my pleasure, Hakon,” Andros responded with a smile. “This is more fun than another day on the road.”

The morning had gone by so quickly. By the sun, it must have been past noon already. Andros had been enjoying himself, and the time slipped away. It was good to spend time with a friend.

Andros was a sociable man. When he was in a tavern he had a host of buddies for the evening. When he spent the day selling in a village, he chatted with everyone, picked up juicy gossip, and usually getting invited somewhere for dinner. But that’s not the same as making a real friend, someone you get to know and trust and see regularly, not just someone to drink and exchange a story with. He had plenty of real friends on Mikronisi, of course, and his family around him. But here he’d been lonely and hadn’t even realized it. Apparently you can spend your evenings drinking toast after toast with friendly strangers and still feel alone.

Yes, he decided. He’d need to make regular stops here to reconnect with Hakon, and he’d need to make closer friends wherever he went too. After a few circuits of eastern Radenor he’s have good friends in every tower and village. That was his goal.


Andros followed Hakon out of the water, shook himself off and then laid down in the grass on his back to dry off in the heat of the day. Once he felt dry enough he put on his loincloth - fine linen, a luxury for him - and a light, sleeveless summer tunic, he hopped on his horse.

“The tavern sounds excellent. My treat. You earned it. I’m proud of how well you did.”

Without giving Hakon a chance to deflect or dismiss the praise, Andros grinned at the younger man with a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Race you? Youth versus experience. Mount up, then count us off.”

[Hakon]

When they got out and dried themselves with the sun and grass, Hakon couldn't help but grin. He felt revitalized. There was something so nourishing, so restorative about male bonding like this. He wished he had the opportunity to do more of it. Perhaps, in time, he would. Hope was an unusual emotion for the Guildmage, but he'd had a good afternoon and he had gone from being unable to swim to knowing enough that he could acquit himself well should the Warden require a demonstration. On this day, many things felt possible. He was not quite sure why. Swimming, wrestling, sparring... there just was no peer and no equal to such activities.

He was gratified by Andros' generosity. It was also good, because Hakon had not brought any money with him. He had just assumed they spend the afternoon swimming and then go home to a dinner in the tower. In general, he had little use for money, and only carried it during missions.

Hakon smiled. "I'm unsure my youth will help me in this endeavor, Andros, but if you wish me to compete, I gladly accept."

He mounted his horse with alacrity and looked over at Andros with a grin. He knew how to race, he was reasonably sure, but had never done it before on a horse. Only footraces as a boy, which he always lost unless the much older inhabitants of the tower let him win. He was old enough to know that they were letting him win and he hated that even in his victories, he was losing, so he stopped bothering to challenge anyone and just started training alone. Once he hit puberty, he steadfastly avoided such contests unless someone asked because he didn't want to be accused of being a braggart if he won or an oaf if he lost.

This was a horse race, though, so presumably it was different.

"One," Hakon counted. "Two, three, hyah!" He kicked his horse into gear.

He was fairly certain he would lose. He was no rider, and he was significantly heavier than his companion. It didn't mean he wouldn't have fun, however. He was grinning as the wind rushed through his hair, on his way to a tavern with a friend.

[Andros]

There was the boyish side of Hakon again. He looked so happy with the wind blowing his wet hair in every direction, a grin on his face, holding the reins tight. The dour, angry mage who’d mutilated Otho’s body was nowhere to be seen, nor was the man who came back from Daravin in deep, private mourning for his companion. His happiness was infectious and Andros smiled at him.

Andros was an excellent rider, though he never trained as a cavalryman or a horse archer. He had a talent with domestic animals, though, and that made up for any lack of formal instruction. They trusted him and tended to listen to him once they’d made friends. He was astride a borrowed mare from the Tower’s stable, quite a handsome, well-cared for beast. Very hospitable of the Guild to lend her out to a mere peddler. She seemed energetic and glad for an outing on the short ride to the watering hole and Andros guessed she’d be eager for a run.

He was right. Hakon was the first to give his horse a kick and get her started. He quickly pulled out ahead. But Andros leaned over and spoke gently into the mare’s ear, then gave her a sharp kick in the ribs and she tore off, quickly outdistancing Hakon by a few paces.

That’s experience. Skill. Talent honed over a lifetime. But unfortunately age got its say in too. After a few minutes of bouncing up and down as the horse galloped down the rough forest path, Andros felt a jolt of pain go up his back. A warning that if he didn’t slow down the ride would ruin the rest of his day and probably the next. He wanted to win, but he wanted to sit comfortably at the tavern more, so he sat up slightly. The horse took the hint and slowed its pace.

Hakon’s horse caught up quickly and they were soon riding side by side.

“My horse is faster but you need a younger ass to ride like that all day,” Andros shouted, laughing over the din of hooves. “Bend forward so you’re almost kissing her neck.”

He reached out and slapped Hakon’s horse on the hindquarters with a loud “HAH,” then watched it pull ahead of his own.

[Hakon]

Hakon was puzzled. Was Andros letting him win? The man had an advantage, but he didn't press it. Instead, he slowed down and said that the ride was a bit hard on him. The mage wasn't sure if the peddler was telling the truth or just helping him save face. For a minute, he frowned, until Andros gave him a tip on how to ride and then kicked his horse out of its trot. Hakon let out a whoop as he sped ahead, unable to stop himself from grinning. This day was climbing the ranks to be one he'd never forget.

He leaned in as instructed, and he wasn't sure but it did feel like his horse went faster. Certainly, he felt the wind going through his hair at a greater rate and the surroundings to either side seemed to be going by with more rapidity. It had been fun before, but this allowed for an element of thrills he rarely felt while mounted.

Hakon didn't know over much about horses as animals. He knew how to feed and water them, how to rub them down, how to put on and take off their tack, and how to ride. All of that was just the basics from being in the tower his whole life. He didn't know much beyond basic riding, though, or how to make a horse listen to him beyond faster, slower, and stop. Andros, he had a feeling, could teach him much if he would only listen.

He didn't bother looking behind him. There were no turns between the watering hole and their destination, and he was not going so much faster than Andros that this would be an issue. He let his horse have its head, and when it slowed down after a few minutes to its earlier pace, he didn't push it. A trot suited him just fine.

He arrived first, winning their race. Despite himself, it brought a smile to his face. He dismounted, tying his horse to a hitching post that had some water for her to drink, and waited for Andros to arrive. Once the man arrived, he planned to help him out of the saddle if he wished, and to assist in tying his horse up. Since he was getting a free meal in addition to the free lesson, it was the least he could do in return.

[Andros]

Andros wasn't far behind. He'd risked urging his horse on just a bit faster, knowing a drink at the tavern would dull the pain he'd earn doing it. When he pulled his horse to a stop in front of the tavern he was only twenty yards behind. Hakon looked happy, proud of himself and exhilarated. When the younger man offered Andros a hand getting off, he took it without shame and leaned on him rather heavily.

"Thanks, lad. I have many talents, but knowing my limits isn't always one of them." He stretched and groaned a bit as he felt the tightness in his lower back, then laughed at how much he sounded like an old man struggling to get up out of his warm chair by the fireside. "My father always used to say getting old is awful, but it's better than the alternative.

The tavern looked small and dingy, but this being the warm season they'd set up an outdoor kitchen and some tables under a tree. It was quite pleasant. Only one table was occupied, and that by a pair of old men (even by Andros' standards) who were playing a board game and sounded like they were bickering over the rules.

Andros took a seat and gestured over the barmaid, ordering two ales and two lunches. You don't get to pick your meal in a rural place like this. You just hope it's good.

"I didn’t used to be an ale drinker - never tasted the stuff until I hit Daravin on my journey here. But your Radenor wine is undrinkable, if you'll pardon my saying so. Too cold for proper grapes. I dream about importing the good stuff from Teos, but shipment by land across Daravin is too risky and even the sea route would be pricey. We'd have to see how thirsty your noblemen and guild wardens are I suppose."

[Hakon]

Hakon took no offense to the wine of Radenor being bad. In his mind, wine was piss anyway. A good beer or an ale, or perhaps a mead up in Northradica -- that was something simple and special and good.

"Wine is a Daravinian indulgence," he said with a bit of a scowl before lightening up. "In Jorikford, we prefer whieat beer and ales. Where I come from, in Northradica, there's mead. I think there are vineyards in Radenor that make ice wine, too. I don't like the stuff, personally -- too sweet -- but people who do like it pay a lot for it, Lords and Ladies and such," he said conversationally.

He realized that maybe he should not tell Andros something if he was not sure of its veracity.

"Or so I've heard," he clarified. "I don't have much occasion to meet with the finer folk unless they come to the tower for some reason, and few of them wish to do so. Even our patrons don't come by all that often."

Hakon wasn't quite certain how that relationship worked. He understood that the patrons paid for the stuff that made the tower run, at least in part: the food they ate, the clothes they wore, the stipend they earned. He also just did not overly understand the importance or function of money, beyond that it was necessary to buy things and used as a medium of exchange. He wasn't simple, just sheltered. He didn't want to admit that to Andros, however, because the merchant may find it patronizing or off-putting if he mentioned it. There were many things he was curious about, though, and some of it would make for pleasant enough conversation. So he deployed a question he'd wondered about Andros for some time.

"I do not think many people come here from Teos, Andros. I am no expert, but my understanding is that few people emigrate to Radenor, yet you did. What made you choose here? Were you so interested to try good beer that you left your ancestral home?" He said that last with a smile; hopefully it was clear it was a joke.