Alfheimr Renaissance

I see Hillevi waving to get attention, and not unexpectedly, Robert just calmly says that they can wait, until I persuade him that we will meet up at the glass maker instead. I don't want Robert waiting and watching this conversation. Hillevi looks happy to greet a friend, but I have known her for many years and see the facade she has put up. We greet and walk until we're more secluded on the pier. Open and nothing to hide, but no one will hear us among the sounds of the harbour, the wind in our back out over the water and the seagulls screaming.

"Miss Alfgeirsdotter, nice to see you. You are all right?"

"Hillevi, we've known each other for so many years that your mask is obvious to me. We're private enough here, and as long as the impression seems right from a distance, just use my name. How are you and Gunhild?"

Hillevi relaxes a bit but keeps the mask while she draws a discreet deep sigh.

"We've been so worried for you, Kari. Has Sejdmann tried to force himself on you or made any indecent proposals? Gunhild has barely been able to sleep and tried to focus on chores the last few days."

"Sejdmann Robert Arnesson hasn't made any indecent remark or behaviour towards me, and if he didn't needed my knowledge, he would have kindly but definitely preferred to see me return to the castle. He seems more uncomfortable and suspicious of me, which I understand. I'm an intruder who disturbs the sphere he has created around himself, and he has secrets he obviously doesn't want me - or anyone else - to know."

"It's not right that the King forced us to leave you isolated on the farm without protection against such a man. We swore an oath to the King and to you, to protect you and your virginity. An oath that our service to the King now prevents us from upholding. I don't understand why we were forced to leave you; it would be better to show your worth by having guards. I apologise for being presumptuous, but you know how I am. Have you made the King angry or disappointed? It's been a few years since the last time."

"As far as I know, the King isn't angry, disappointed or annoyed with me, and don't worry. I'm convinced Arnesson won't do anything indecent to me, and he won't try to bed me. The last days I've learned a lot about him and the women around him, and I think most have got the wrong idea about him. They see a rich powerful man who surround himself with women and he avoids men. But it's not because he has sex with them and doesn't want other men to intrude. You saw Ciara; the red-haired slave with the pretty red dress and a silver pendant in her neck ring? Everyone would take her clothes and pendant as an indication that she is his bed slave, but he has never had sex with her and she has never been in his bed. Yes, I know it sounds funny, but prepare yourself for bigger shocks. Much bigger shocks.

Sejdmann agree with Freya and the right to say 'no' is sacred and absolute, and they've discreetly made it clear that they will take offence if anyone suggest he would force himself on a woman. He won't even accept bed company from someone he suspects might have been forced, and he apparently have sent naked free women away. Ciara is fanatically devoted to him, but he refuses to have sex with her because she is his slave and as he sees it, she can't really choose to say no. He doesn't love or lust after Ciara, but it is obvious that he cares deeply for her, and have commanded her to eat well so she will be healthier, and just to make her happy he sometimes gives her a little chaste kiss on the cheek or a hug, which makes her shine like the sun. But nothing more than that.

The other woman, Iselin, is probably a free neck he released. She is in love with him, and it's at least partially answered, and it only strengthen her faithfulness that he's the best future she could have, but they have sex from time to time - when Iselin manages to persuade him to reward her. He is so controlled and careful that he seem to avoid to even suggest that he wants sex with Iselin."

Hillevi is silent for a while, and after she looked around, she hesitantly asks;

"Maybe Arnesson is the kind of man who prefers men or boys instead? He's a Sejdmann so he might want to be taken as a woman?"

"No. Definitely not! Don't even joke about it! ... although I don't think he would take offence. He'd probably laugh. I don't think he even noticed some of the slaves or free men who work on the farm, but he has noticed the women who come with the food, and if Iselin walks by or happen to press her bossom against him?

I've seen how he appreciatively looks at me. I've several times caught him looking at my cleavage or body. It's entertainingly easy to bend forward to look at what he has written and just 'happen' to give him a nice view of my breasts. That is partly why I'm dressed like this, with a pendant that draws his gaze to my breasts.

He's also not incapable of having sex, and he's apparently man enough to be able to satisfy two women at once, and keep at it for an evening or night, and he has had more than one woman in bed several times. Just not since arriving here. There are a couple of men in the nobility who have similar rumours, and you know how many women they are said to have had intercourse with, and how they are towards slaves and others. But I don't think they're close to Sejdmann if he wanted to, because if I have understood it correctly, he satisfies a woman both as a man and a woman does. He likes to use his mouth, tongue and fingers everywhere on a woman's body, like he just can't get enough, and he likes to crawl down between a womans legs, taste her vagina and get her to an orgasm with just his tongue and fingers, before using his manhood. But Arnesson avoids sex except in some cases, even with a willing woman, and I don't know why."

Hillevi have to take a moment to regain her composure.

"Truly a Sejdmann, but Kari; be careful how you tease him. Everyone has a limit. Snakes are dangerous to tease - they slip away, but can strike when you least expect it. If he has such self-control, it might be because he loose control if it goes too far. You have to be careful, especially when he drinks mead."

"That's another thing. He doesn't drink mead unless he is forced to, and seems completely uninterested in wine, beer and similar beverages as well. He prefer water, fruit or berry drinks or milk. The others drink mead or beer, but not him. So unfortunately mead, beer or wine won't be a way to make him more careless ..."

Hillevi raises her eyebrows when she in a far too loud voice replies; "Unfortunately?!"

I discreetly look around and make sure there is no one close, and that no one can see my lips before I speak again. Hillevi immediately reacts when I speak, because she has seldom heard this tone from me.

"Hillevi, calm down and listen carefully. I'm convinced that the King prevented you from guarding me as you have done for the past six years, and ordered me to sleep in his house, specifically for Arnesson to start to desire me, or rape me. Just to force Arnesson to bind himself to the King's service in some way, and you know that I have no real choice - I can't go against the Kings standing directives. So after token resistance I would let him, even though it might end up destroying the Kingdom. It is a horribly bad plan by the King, and I don't mean that I might become Sejdmann's concubine or taken every day - the King would consider it a very cheap price. We both know that unwilling wives or concubines are common, and I have no choice but to pretend to enjoy whatever my future becomes, and make the best of it. But forcing Sejdmann to do anything is a horrible idea.

I highly doubt that the King knows about it, but I know and have begun to understand why Jarl Myrun Skiringe immediately began planning to attract Sejdmann and his Academy to herself, but at the same time didn't dare to use the slightest pressure, influence or threat. The King should have used the same approach. Given what I've got a glimpse of so far of Arnesson's secrets - and he seems to have an insane amount of them - if the King had known what I already know, he would have made Sejdmann Arnesson a Storman and given him everything he wanted, and tried to given him at least one of his daughters in marriage. That would be a cheap price to pay for an alliance and friendship."

Hillevi is speechless, but makes a few entertaining noises in protest. I enjoy it for a few moments, before I silence her and continue.

"Realise that Sejdmann Robert Arnesson is extremely dangerous. His sejd is not mysterious predictions, ambiguous information about signs in bones and don't require the collaboration of all the women in a village, or the sacrifice of animals to the Gods in hopes of a better harvest. He is no Völva or Gothi, and something completely different from a Seerman. His sejd makes a small piece of iron from a thread always points to the north, and anyone can use it without any sejd or prayer. It just works. Which he made with short notice on a random beach in less time than you eat a meal, by calling down Thor's lightning in a small modified nail. He has completed the King's North Arrows without anyone even noticing.

He is a man who just picked up and held an ordinary white stone crystal in his hand and it shone up a hall with a bright white light. Between his hands. Without melting or burning. No fire, and the stone was as usual afterwards. He just made the stone shine. He just went ahead and did it without preparation, ceremony, sacrifice or any special invocation of the power of the Gods, because an unthinking Jarl wanted to see something mysterious and entertaining. Then Sejdmann Arnesson returned the stone, sat down and flirted with a maid. For him, it was a simple little thing he improvised, and nothing special, while everyone who saw it was in shock. For him, it really was just simple entertainment.

A couple of days ago I saw the same man completely carefree declare he needed a lazy day, and then he went and bathed in the sea when it rained. Barefoot over grass and gravel through the rain, like a child in a man's body and he didn't care how the world looked at him. He lent a 'rain protection' cloak to his guard Bodil just so she wouldn't get wet. He just casually took out a small package, not much bigger than my fist, and unfolded a garment larger than a blanket that became a form of cloak with a hood. Thin as a hair, of weird fabric and quality I have never seen even in the finest dresses with strange patterns in green, brown and black. Then they left. I could easily see Arnesson all the way to the beach. But I lost Bodil several times. Without trying, Bodil became invisible in that rain cloak, and she was completely dry when they returned, as if she had been standing indoors, and the rain beading on the surface quickly dried, most of it had just run off. When Sejdmann says 'rain protection', he means it, and he himself was soaked. But happy.

Why has no one ever heard of Sejdmann Arnesson before? Most people seem to miss that he have round ears - not pointed - but he doesn't draw notice to them even if his hair is short, and those in his company know, but doesn't say anything and change the subject. But I've been able to put together small pieces of information, and it tells a frightening Saga. A true Saga.

Sejdmann Arnesson seems to have just walked down from the high mountains up north a couple of days after the colored sky a month ago; speaks very weirdly; lack knowledge that every child should know, but understands several languages I have never heard about; he can read and write better than anyone, and I don't think there's anyone in the Kingdom that can compete in using numbers - he is just not used to our language, runes and numbers. He have round ears and a lot of hair on the body. So much hair everywhere.

Sejdmann Robert Arnesson isn't an Elf. He used Bifrost and comes from another world, perhaps Midgård.

Everyone saw his arrival here in Alfheimr and clear proof of his mighty sejd - we just didn't know that it was him. Everyone knows something special happened, but no one has known what, and we both know the rumour that a Völva told the King that when the Gods use such incredibly powerful sejd, no predictions can interpret the signs or say what happened. That was Sejdmann Robert Arnesson arrival in Alfheimr. Such lights are usually weak and during winter nights and usually far north, when and where the barriers between worlds are weaker. But in the summer? Have you ever heard of anything like this except in Saga's, fairy tales and legends? It has been so many generations since the last time, that it is legends. Many generations ago since someone with truly mighty sejd did the same thing. Could do the same. How many have not lived in this world since then? Normal people just can't use Bifrost, all the Völva and Gothi agree on that. Sejdmann Robert Arnesson did."

Hillevi is just staring at me, completely in shock. I know that feeling, it hit me quite hard too, but I was alone when it did.

"That just begin to explain the mystery that Sejdmann is. Yesterday I came here to shop with Iselin, Ciara and the guard Bodil - the other guard Alith was vomiting and stomach sick. He'd given them all an ounce of gold to buy clothes for, because he thought they should have more and nicer clothes, even the guards. One ounce of gold. He gave Iselin one and a half ounces of gold. Sejdmann Arnesson thought he was alone for the next few hours, and he didn't want me there with him. I came up with an excuse and hurried back a short while later and silently sneaked back in. I had poured sleeping extracts into Alith's water - you know the same trick that noble women sometimes give their husbands - and she slept and snored lightly in bed when I returned.

Sejdmann thought he was alone, and I heard faint music from his room that can't be explained, voices that spoke in languages I didn't recognise or understand and all sorts of funny sounds. There's a small loose wooden plug in the wall boards between the rooms that I was told about, and I saw him have things on the table in front of him and standing among them something I can barely describe. It was like a window into some amazing reality, and he could move around the window without the back of the window showing the same thing. The frame and back was black as the night. Thank goodness that pure shock made me silent. I don't want to know what he would have done if I had been discovered. After watching and listening in shock for far too long, I silently returned the plug and left, and later returned with the other women and pretended as nothing. I had too, and that was hard.

Sejdmann Arnesson's sejd, things, knowledge and skills are beyond all explanation. I've never heard, read or seen anything even close. No tales from poets or bards have even touched on this, except in Sagas or fairy tales about the gods, but I don't think he is a descended God, because in our descriptions of them they blend in with us and are almost like us until something small reveals them, often afterwards. Sejdmann Arnesson is far too special, and he doesn't care to completely blend in or what we think of him. But I believe that only the Gods possess more knowledge, because it is as if Odin himself descended, and should Sejdmann Arnesson want power or just see someone suffer and die, I don't think anyone could stop him, or even prove he is involved if he want that. Accident, spirits or just like a lightningbolt from a clear sky - someone will suddenly be dead. As a punishment from Thor, who seems to respond as soon as Sejdmann calls, and who knows what friends Sejdmann has? He doesn't wear any Gods symbol, and doesn't pray to the Gods - but who would pray to their friends? The King and all his warriors are probably no more a threat than rabbits to a dragon if Sejdmann really gets angry.

Sejdmann Robert Arnesson isn't a resource to exploit and enslave. He is the most dangerous man anyone has heard of outside the tales of the Gods, and probably the hero in a Saga written and blessed by Freya, and the King and his advisers think it is a good idea to try to force that man to end up in a bad situation, or so he can be sentenced to become a slave - just so his knowledge and sejd can be used without paying for it. The King and his advisers are running towards the edge of an abyss without seeing it, because they're almost the hero's antagonists in a Saga written by Freya!

So yes, see Sejdmann Robert Arnesson as a snake, but not a copper snake, grass snake or a viper. Jörmungandr. He doesn't seem to have much temper, lust for power or greed, but if someone annoys him too much, I think most people will believe it's Ragnarök. The end of the world."

Hillevi just stares at me. As I talked she has become more and more shocked, and begins to realise what is really walking around in Borgarsandr, pretending to be a normal person in the crowd, but is actually something much more frightening. I make her react by bumping into her and pretending to point at something.

"That is why the King would probably be wisest to give him the land and Academy he wants, and take advantage of the opportunities it provides, as well as make Sejdmann Arnesson like the King and the kingdom, and get benefits that way. That is Jarl Skiringe's plan, and she probably hoped that the King had left so her letter would have reached him too late, and that Sejdmann would have return to her by free will, since she obviously want him as her man, and his company in bed. The King should distract and attract Sejdmann Arnesson with something shiny he wants, just not here in Borgarsandr, and absolutely not in Skiringsalr. That Academy will make everyone's life better and our kingdom so much stronger to have such an ally, because he is very kind and generous to his friends and people he cares about.

So, I mean 'unfortunately' that Sejdmann Arnesson deliberately avoids my charm, although we should all be grateful that he isn't a lustful, greedy man that takes what he desire. It may be a dangerous future, but it takes someone skilled and intelligent to be an attentive protector between him and the rest of the kingdom, and it need to be someone he want by his side, that doesn't have family or any other agenda. But such a man? Enormously powerful, rich, honorable, protective, kind, intelligent, generous, caring, tall, charming, masculine and who likes to satisfy a woman in every creative way he can think of? I will happily be his concubine or lover, for what woman wouldn't want such a man?"

We just stand there quietly for a few minutes and look out over the river, boats and the birds chirping. I let Hillevi escort me to the glass maker where we find Sejdmann Arnesson discussing glass and grinding with the master. He wants something special made and looks intensely at glass samples through a small black plate with blank metal and a piece of glass in it. I thank Hillevi who try to avoid showing how scared she is, and hope that the King gets the information from her.

Hillevi will talk to Gunhild, but their oaths might prevent them from informing the King. But I expect the King to have someone watching the farm, me, Hillevi and Gunhild. If he asks her, she is obliged to talk, and she will want to tell. If the King feels he has received information behind the curtains and forced it, then he will take the information more seriously. I didn't lie, and I meant everything I said, although I could have used other words. My report to the King next week will reinforce the impression, but I expect to find that the wind has changed before then. Offshore wind, away from the King, but with greetings and loaded for an enjoyable voyage. No one wants to be an antagonist in a Saga written by the Gods: That's when kingdoms fall and the world is reshaped. The King won't knowingly let such a powerful man fall under someone elses influence, especially not in Jarl Myrun Skiringe's bed. That will probably mean a change in the ruling family in the future. Considering what Robert apparently said when he gave the King his proposal, he must have understood a lot of this, and hopefully the King reaches the same conclusion, and I hope that Queen Haera will return in time to guide him. The difficult thing will be to prevent the King and Queen from finding some way to marry one of their daughters to Robert, or maybe both, just to stop anyone else from doing the same. That Princess Sefa's betrothed recently died might be taken as a favour of the Gods, so that she would be free to be married to Robert. Actually, it's better to hope that the Queen and Princesses doesn't return until after the King has hopefully made his decision to support the Academy and given me to Robert.

I'll just have to make sure I'm on that ship with Robert, but it can be difficult to do via Robert himself. Can I convince the King to give me to Sejdmann Arnesson, as part of the well wishing? Maybe, but Robert won't like it as to be forced to accept me goes against his principles, and it can hurt Robert's relationship with Iselin. He would probably suspect that I was at least partly behind it, and that leads to Robert disliking me and the King.

But being given as a concubine might work, if the King gives me as a valuable concubine for my knowledge and not for sex, as part of their business, so I can continue to teach and Robert can use my knowledge, although the King probably wants me to steer Robert away from dangerous thoughts or situations. It would be very rude to say 'no' to a gift from the King in connection with such an agreement, even if Robert doesn't want me, but I need to make Robert understand that I really wish to be his. A teacher and valuable friend who has no choice, but also wishes it, that Robert may feel compassion and empathy for, and it will be easier for me to slowly but methodically make Robert care for me, just as he seemed to care for all other women around him. A friend who will hopefully become a trusted confidant and lover, and in the future, perhaps even a wife if what they said is true, for the woman's desirability as a concubine or wife seems totally irrelevant to Robert. But it is extremely important that it doesn't threaten his relationship with Iselin, or push her away, and best if it avoid hurting Ciara too. He is far to protective of her, so much that it doesn't make sense. I need to prepare a foundation and as gradually as I can, build it up in the next few days.

I also need to come up with a way to make Robert understand that I, as his concubine, will be completely faithful to him, and no longer to the King. Even without an oath, I would have to be, because otherwise he will freeze me out for a long time, possibly forever, and I can't allow that to happen. He doesn't really trust even Iselin or Ciara, so I will have a steep path ahead of me. Robert doesn't seem to be a man who accepts betrayal or treachery, or forgets it. He might forgive, but not forget.

Maybe I can do it by an intermediary, just like with information to the King? Can I give any of the others enough information? Say I admit to Iselin I'm jealous of her that she's found a man like Robert to love, who loves her back? Tell her about how my lot in life is to be given to someone to strengthen an alliance, whose sole purpose is to give an unpleasant man pleasure and children, no matter what I desire. That there are no good candidates for me, and that I'm worried as my time is running out - which it is. 22 years old.

Tell her that Iselin is so lucky, and should do anything to hold on to Robert and never let go, because she will never find someone like him, not least because he seems to ignore her past. Iselin must have understood that already, but I can say that I hope to hear that Robert asked her to be his wife. It's like a Saga written by Freya, the Goddess of love. The slave rescued by the mysterious mighty stranger, who turns out to be the perfect Prince who gives her a happy life in wealth and honor, and makes her his Queen in his own little kingdom. Since that might actually happen, it makes it even more likely that Freya really is writing his Saga. How does my own story fit in that narrative? Would Freya consider me worthy? I need to pray to her.

Guess I just have to be bold, brave and honorable, and fight for my right to love, sex and a life with a good man.

It makes me happy to see Robert's fascination with everything. I don't know what he is about to make, but it will be interesting to see. I really wish to hear Iselin say 'Yes', preferably as a witness and be able to congratulate them.

... so that I might be able to say 'Yes' to Robert.