Page 24 of The Warrior and the Monk

As he left the blacksmith's forge, he was so caught up in his thoughts that he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going. He walked straight into someone—strong, solid—and looked up, startled.

"Pardon me, I—oh, Disa," he said, recognizing her immediately.

Disa grinned down at him, her arms crossed, standing with an air of authority. "Well, hello, Wilder! What are you doing out and about?"

He held up the basket, explaining, "Helping Frode with his work. I have three more people to visit."

Disa raised an eyebrow, studying him for a moment. Then, with a small smirk, she said, "You’re a right conversationalist, now."

Wilder felt his cheeks warm slightly at her teasing. "Frode taught me," he muttered.

Disa raised both eyebrows. "It’s only been a week!"

Wilder shrugged, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "I didn’t have much else to do. Either I sulked in bed or learned the language and some medicine." His words were matter-of-fact,though there was an undercurrent of something else in his voice—an acknowledgment of how difficult this transition had been.

"A good thing, too," Disa said, smiling broadly. "Because I want to talk with you."

Wilder frowned slightly, not sure what to expect. "My work—"

"I’ll come with you!" Disa interrupted, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "I can show you where everyone lives, and we can talk as we walk. I’m really curious about you."

Though Wilder hesitated, something in her energy made it impossible to refuse. So, together they walked through the village, Disa introducing Wilder to each person they met with a great smile and a hearty "This is Anders’s husband!" She wasn’t shy about the title, and as they moved from house to house, she peppered Wilder with questions about himself.

"What did you do at your monastery?" she asked, glancing over at him curiously.

Wilder took a deep breath, considering how to explain. "I was a novice. A novice does everything that others do not want to do. I took care of the laundry, the cleaning, the cooking, and the animals. But sometimes I got to read," he added, thinking fondly of the scriptorium back at the monastery. He struggled for a moment, trying to find the right word. "A place with books and scrolls. I stayed there to read."

Disa’s eyes widened slightly, clearly intrigued. "You enjoy reading?"

"Yes, I like learning things," he replied simply, glad that he could at least explain that much.

"More things than language and medicine?" she asked, a teasing note in her voice.

Wilder laughed, shaking his head. "Yes. Anything, everything. I love to learn."

Disa grinned. "You’ll learn a lot, Wilder. You’re still quite young, aren’t you?"

Wilder was momentarily taken aback by the question, but he quickly added, "I am twenty-two."

"Ah, I remember when I was that age," she said, looking a little nostalgic. "I’d been in three battles—well, one more of a skirmish—and I’d had a tumble with a shepherd. Nice, strong legs." She stared off into the distance for a moment, clearly lost in that memory.

Wilder blinked, unsure of what to make of the last part. But he didn’t linger on it for long. "But you’re still a warrior," he said, trying to understand her position.

She gave him a knowing look. "I don’t need to give up my sword for every handsome man I want to bed." She winked at him, and Wilder wasn’t sure whether to be shocked or amused.

They continued walking, and after a while, Disa’s tone shifted. "What do you do when someone wants to marry?" she asked curiously.

Wilder frowned, trying to find the right words. "I don’t understand," he admitted.

"You know," Disa said, tapping her fingers on her chin, "when someone wants to marry, what’s proper? What’s the tradition?"

Wilder’s face flushed slightly. He didn’t know the words for courtship, or any of the customs related to marriage. He stumbled through his explanation, "Spending time with your—" he hesitated, then continued, "Your friend. And exchanging gifts. Flowers, food, and, um, jewelry."

Disa seemed satisfied with this answer, though her eyes narrowed a bit. "He did that, though. Anders did." There was something in her voice that made Wilder uncomfortable, as if she were testing him.

"It is before marriage," Wilder clarified. "To know if you want to marry."

"I see," Disa said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Do you also have a ceremony?"

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