Borgarsandr, day 14

The Kings decision

After the usual morning lectures with Kari, I was polishing the third monocular and Ciara and Iselin was sewing a couple of monocular pouches in stiffer leather with a neck strap and belt loops - when out of the blue, a royal messenger escorted by a couple of guards, showed up and announced that King Aeriksson has made his decision about the Academy, and wished the whole party would come to the castle in the afternoon, and if possible that Sejdmann Robert Arnesson could bring the agreed goods. The King would also appreciate seeing something of what Sejdmann Robert Arnesson recently built. Kari Alfgeirsdotter would follow them back, but should leave her things as her agreed time to help Sejdmann isn't over yet.

After I of course said yes, I talked to Kari who confirmed that it was unusual how the messenger conveyed the message. More a meeting with an equal than someone who was far below the King and who needed to know his place, which is a good sign. So Kari quickly made herself slightly more neat and changed into other nice clothes. Her simplest everyday clothes seem to be the fine clothes for many others, but she would probably look divine in fishing nets. Maybe worth challenging her in the future. As I said goodbye to Kari, she leaned forward and whispered that if it goes completely wrong today, she wanted to thank me anyway, and almost begged me to ask for her hand if she isn't given, then she gave me a quick kiss on the lips to the surprise of at least one of her guards. Kari is understandably worried, because a lot is at stake today. A 'No' will only lead to me continuing to search for a home elsewhere, or perhaps return to Skiringsalr much richer and can start building my Academy there. For Kari, her future will be decided in a few hours.

We ate, washed and tidied up and put on our fine clothes. I prepare the maps with a leather strap around like a string, pack down the north arrows and take with me one of the monoculars I built. The second best. Hopefully all the nice cloths from the seamstress guild should be ready, so Bodil rode and picked them up with Ciara while we bathed in turn. Also got Ciara to pick up my gold ring from the jeweler who was finished, while their new jewellery wasn't. Have another thing to thank Kari and Iselin for arranging a nicer set of clothes for me. They seem to understand I prefer gray and dark natural colored clothes. As long as I don't wear a hat, staff and robe, I probably won't be called 'Robert the grey'.

I feel a certain uneasiness as we sit on the wagon as it gets closer to the castle. Anything might happen and we need to be prepared for that. I have tried to warn the others, and I really hope shit doesn't hit the fan. Don't think it will, be I really don't know. As we enter through the castle gates, I'm reminded that with nice clothes, propper hair style and so on, all the women around me are a very beautiful sight.

Alith and Bodil both look good in matching fine new dresses with spears, shield, axe and dagger in the belt, with necklaces and in Bodil's case also ears ring in gold. Bodil's hair is gathered in small braids and Alith's hair as usual in a larger braid, but in a complicated pattern.

Ciara is a beautiful sight and her purple-blue eyes are almost mesmerizing with her dark green dress with black embroidery along its edges and its wide collar, and some black lacing on the arms. She's still way too skinny but it has only been a few weeks, and she at least looks much healthier.

Iselin undoubtedly takes first place in a dark blue dress with gold embroidery similar to the one Ciara has, but with a nice discreet pattern in the fabric. I may be a bit biased, because my heart rate always quickens when I see her, and dressed like that my heart doesn't want to slow down. She has also been a quick student of Kari and give a completely different impression. Not in the natural effortless way Kari does, but give her six months or so and they will give the same impression. When Iselin wants. Kari seem to do it without thinking, but Iselin doesn't. Kari has also taught her a bit about discreet make-up around her eyes, which she also applied to Ciara.

Ciara is strangely enough the one who is calmest, she just stands there carrying the rolled up maps with a calm face. No worries. No expectation. No curiosity. To some extent it helps calm me down. We hardly wait at all, and it can't be more than 5 minutes before we are called in, but it really surprises us all when Alith and Bodil are allowed to keep their weapons, and we soon walk through the royal great hall. There are people here, just like last time, but no crowd. More like the nobles or councilors who always hang in the Kings vincinity, advising or perhaps witnesses to the king's decision. There are some who seem to cast admiring or planning glances at us. I'm the least elegantly dressed, and my only piece of jewelry is my pimpy gold ring. Let the show begin!

"Sejdmann Robert; Welcome." greets the King. Ah, Robert. Not Arnesson. Time to be bold and use what Kari though me.

"King Asbjörn; Thank you for the invitation." I say and bow a little, and there are a small but noticeable increase in the background murmur, but the King looks pleased.

"What elegant company Sejdmann Robert has."

"King Asbjörn, let me have the honor to present my fiancée Iselin Vigdisdottir, my concubine Ciara Mawr, and Shieldmaidens Alith and Bodil."

They curtsey as I present them. Both Iselin and Ciara are extra happy as they has been confirmed as my fiancée and concubine before the King of the Northmen, and Alith is bursting with pride. Confirms that she's someone special, and not just an ordinary nameless guard in the background.

"I guess what Miss Mawr is carrying are the agreed maps."

"King Asbjörn is correct." An attendant walks forward and receives the maps and shows them one by one to the King, who signal him closer before they're handed over to a maid.

"Sejdmann Robert. It looks like excellent work, and I like their simple clear information without embellishments or decorations. Intended to be used, and not to decorate someones wall. I look forward to testing the maps."

"King Asbjörn will discover that it is easier with these. The agreed North Arrows." I take out the small bundles of fine fabric and show the north arrows, one in each small package, tucked in a simple flat leather pocket with a belt loop. Again, the same attendant comes forward and receives the arrows, shows them and demonstrates them after I have given the same admonitions as usual about handling and care.

"I've heard that Sejdmann Robert has had a couple of active weeks, and has been doing things that I think his desired Academy would do more productively. Have there been any interesting successes from that?"

"Yes, King Asbjörn. Time has been short and its mostly been the first tentative steps together with craftsmen from the city. This is one." I pick up and show the prism monocular. The funny shaped brass thing doesn't look particularly impressive. No engravings on its body or flashy inserts, not nicely brushed or excellent work. Just some brass parts with a leather neck strap and some glass. Quite ugly. People are interested but not particularly impressed.

"This is a 'Kikare', of a type I call prism monocular. It's for better viewing from a distance. Can I demonstrate by the open windows over there?" The king nods and I go there, while he signals to one of his councilors to attend. I go to the window, look at the houses in the distance and quickly set the focus. Then I hand over the monocular.

"Look through the Kikare on the other side of the castle wall and the houses over there like I just did. Its important that the eye ends up close and exactly right. Take your time and don't be afraid. I can hold the Kikare for you, but steer my hand where you want to look."

The man curiously looks through the monocular, but doesn't touch my hand, until he makes an exclamation and backs away. Then he gently takes my hand and really starts looking through the monocular. Amazed. He looks through the monoculars and outside, and I show him how to turn the focus to see sharper. Its entertaining to see his reaction, and the others in the hall who become really curious and speak what he sees, and the man just try to explain with phrases as "Everythings closer" and "Its bigger, with a beautiful shimmer". After a couple of minutes he reverently thanks for the demonstration as he looks on the monocular in awe, and I ask if King Asbjörn has anyone else he wants to try.

"Yes." Then he gets up and walks forward, so I hand over the monocular and he looks through as he saw me and the other man do. The King's eyes fly open and he too looks in amazement through and beside, and try holding up his hand in front. Closer and further away, playing with his fingers and try to focus. He's definitely not stupid, but curious, experimenting and observant.

"Truly a powerful thing. I can see many uses for this...?"

"Kikare. Prism monocular. Kikare mean that it magnifies what you see and you 'kikar' through it, and prism is the shape and how it does this, and monocular just another word for only for one eye. Kikare is useful to identify people or banners at a distance. See what really happens further away and makes you see details better, see the little bird more clearly and be able to identify landmarks at sea at a longer distance. This is one of the things I plan to manufacture and sell from the Academy, and improve. Clearer image is a difficult improvement, the craft and appearance is another but much easier improvement. I just didn't have enough time to make something pretty, and the first of something never is. Function before form, although this could be made prettier with a lot of work engraving and polishing."

The king smiles at that as he stands looking at the monocular in his hands and look at more things. He turns and looks at something much closer inside the hall, so I remind him to turn the eyepiece to focus and he contentedly looks at a couple of guards at the bottom of the hall who seem a little worried.

"Like the maps, made to be used, more than art. Approximately how many different things like this 'Kikare' has Sejdmann Robert planned to do and sell?"

"King Asbjörn, I don't know. It takes time to do each and some depend on other things and tools that must be done first; if you want to forge, you need a forge and the tools, not just the iron. I will have to make the forge and the tools as well. But most likely there are dozens of different things within the next few years, and hopefully hundreds over my life, but many things won't be a luxury item like this. I plan on improving wagons, farming tools and so on too. There will also be more special things at the Academy itself, since all constructions arn't suitable for sale, have limited use outside such an environment, and many are just complicated tools to make useful things that can be sold. Then it depends on how fast an Academy gets started, and what craftsmen, materials and alchemy I get hold of and can produce. It is a long way to walk through unknown terrain and obstacles, but I can see the goal on the horizon far away, but I also know that there will always be another horizon when I get there."

"Thank you for the demonstration. Sejdmann Robert has fulfilled his part of the agreement and it is my turn to fulfill mine."

The king hands back the monocular and return to his throne, and on the way he signals to someone and I return to my company and put down the monocular. Several servants arrive, and I'm shown to a side table where scales are set up. A 10 ounce weight is placed on one scale and prepared sacks of gold are poured into the other bowl, one by one, showing that they contain 10 ounces each, before being poured back into the leather sacks. 10 bags. 100 ounces of gold. 2.8kg gold, worth 800 ounces of silver, enough to equip 20 warriors with weapons, chainmail and a horse. 400 cows. 130 female or 65 male slaves. When I have confirmed the sum, the King walks forward and we make an arm grab that confirms the deal. The gold sacks are placed in a wooden chest with a lock and I signal Bodil to come and get it, which she does with reverence.

"Sejdmann Robert, you are an impressively wise, knowledgeable and now rich man, and I look forward to future discussions, meetings and business between us. I have decided that my Kingdom will benefit from such an Academy, especially in the long run, and that it will also attract merchant and scholars from all over the world. But just as you said two weeks ago, the Academy affects its surroundings for better or worse. One to two days trip north from here along the coast is the small village Lysesund, and in the sea west of it are the two large islands of Tosra and Orusingen, and infinitely many smaller ones. In the same protected waters there are many more islands, but there are a couple of islands called Ackerek lying next to each other that each is a handful of mantal. On these islands there are a couple of farms, the farmers lease the land from the Royal family."

One of the maps that the King just bought from me, is rolled out and he's very pleased as he points to the two small islands west of Lysesund. Then he signals to that attendant again how starts to read out a prepared proclamation. It is more or less exactly as I suggested. The two main islands, and some small islands and shallows within 300 fathoms, about 450m, measured from the shores of the two main islands - will in the future be known as the Academy's land and it will become its own little Kingdom with me as ruler. No longer a part of the kingdom together with its residents. The Academy may protect itself and its property and ships with warriors and guards in its service. The Academy has the right to have ships larger than 30 ells length, about 15 meters, which have the same rules and neutrality as my islands if they are marked with the Academy's future banner, and they have free movement inside the Kingdoms water. So those ships will be sovereign territory, and floating embassies.

Should any third party attack Academy's islands, its property or its ships, the Kingdom will assist with up to 300 men; quantity depends on severity and need, until the situation is resolved. The Kingdom's law is copied to Academy's property until I have written down a new law book in two copies; one book for the kingdom's register in the royal castle here in Borgarsandr, and one available to everyone on the Academy's land, or until the Northmen Ting next spring when the Kings decision will be widely spread and this agreement read out.

Goods from Academy property that are imported into the Kingdom, except for food, should preferably go via the village of Lysesund on the mainland, where there will be a tax and customs official. All imports to the Kingdom, except food and gifts, receive a toll of 1/20 paid by the buyer, and are required to be reported by the people of the islands to the Kingdom's official in Lysesund within 3 months. So if each 20 ounces of silver worth of goods, the Kingdom earn 1 ounce, ie 5%. Goods may be exchanged for goods, but the common price applies to toll calculation for the kingdom.

There will be many many small income streams that will become a rich waterway. Its also obvious and practical that it is the buyer who pays for the import, as the islanders can be honest, and the King's men can demand payment from their subjects, compared to the other way around, which isn't possible. Its up to me to put a tax on imports or exports to my Islands, but as long as I don't do it, it costs nothing extra to buy things from the Kingdom, so the silver goes there instead of elsewhere. The official tax and customs officer who monitors that everything is done correctly, will also act as an intermediary if the kingdom wants to buy something from the Academy if the King doesn't do it himself.

It is entirely up to me what the Academy charges for education or what prices the Academy sets for goods. The Academy may sell to whomever the Academy wishes, but the Kingdom has the right to match the cost and buy half rounded down, regardless of what it is, and its calculated between midwinter and midsummer, each six months separately. If, for example, the Academy wants to sell 9 North Arrows, the Kingdom must be offered to buy 4 of them. I suspects that King Asbjörn wants to ensure that they in principle can buy more than any other nation, but I can sell only one of something in each six month period to avoid offering it to the Kingdom.

Pure gifts are the exception to the rules, because they're an important part of the culture, and should I as the Academy's ruler, give an expensive unique gift to Jarl Skiringe, its iffy for the King to demand toll on it, not atleast since its value can be difficult to calculate. Especially when the same gift to, for example, a Jarl in another nation may not have any toll from his King, atleast until an agreement is hopefully signed with other nations. If I remember correctly Kari said that the closes King in the huge Islands to southwest, that I think of as Denmark, is a man named Magnbjorn. There seem to be a lot of bad history between him and King Asbjörns families. It will certainly be a future stumbling block if large expensive 'gifts' are exchanged to avoid toll, but gifts are tricky and its an important part of society here, so I understand that the King doesn't want to be forced to get involved. It may be better to accept a small financial loss to be socially smart, since those effected will be richer and more influential people.

More rules in the agreement ensure that the Academy cannot expand its land within the borders of Asbjörn's kingdom, but the kingdom can offer to increase and make additions to the Academy's property which is then covered by the same agreement, and the kingdom can never take anything away that it has added. Should someone in the kingdom donate land to the Academy or to me personally, that land is subject to the laws of the kingdom, and gives the rights and obligations that accompany the property. So would I personally buy land on the mainland, it's the same as anyone else owned it, so my farm outside Skiringsalr is counted as part of the kingdom with the obligations and rights it entails.

The king allows me to have some privacy so I can read through the Academy agreement, and Iselin and Bodil helps. It is concise points and clear. Not many pages or overcomplicated, and even easier because the agreement states the order in which everything takes place. First I personally get the land and they're namned Academy lands, followed by the title of Furst as the lands ruler, then the right to make new laws on this land, and rules about import-export etc, to finally the last part of the agreement that separates the land from Asbjörn's kingdom. I can foresee a small problem as I may be obliged to create and maintain a small force of warriors due to property in the Kingdom in the future, but according to the agreement they only need the same equipment that everyone else gives them and the Academy's Rulers or residents can never be called in to fight for the Kingdom due to land within the Kingdom's borders. Still, may be interesting future problems for another generation.

Of course I will say yes to this. According to the agreement, I will be a Furst, a title that King Asbjörn thinks is appropriate and is used by some rulers of small kingdoms to the south. Not a Jarl or a King and special up here in the north. A Furst without allegiance, with right to make laws and rule, with my own little fleet and army - basically a King in all but title. I won't call myself a King because it would be arrogant to compare myself with other Kings who rule great kingdoms, and I think that is one of the reasons Asbjörn chose to give me the title of Furst to make it clear to everyone; both within and outside the kingdom.

An interesting addition is that the Academy's ruler, spouses and children are allowed to bring their warriors on a journey in the kingdom as personal protection, and the ruler and spouses may also bring ten guards in the King's vicinity, which is a clear proof of Asbjörn's overconfidence in the future. Guess that's why Alith and Bodil weren't disarmed. The Academy's ruler with spouses is also considered foreign dignity and must be treated as such within the country. Should I die, the position of Furst of the Academy will be transferred to my spouse or heir or appointed persons in order, so I need to appoint some quickly for security reasons since the King of the Kingdom otherwise appoints a new Furst if there are no blood ties. The Academy will never return to the Kingdom, and will be separate for all time to come. Unless war bring the kingdom down or the Academy or something.

I talk a little with the others about the agreement, and its interesting to see how Bodil reverently and vigilantly protects the chest with such an enormous wealth, and she's not alone in revering its wealth. No one has anything they see as negative with the agreement, especially Iselin and Alith gush over all the positive things. I would really like Kari's opinion and cool head, and it proves my need for her person and knowledge about this culture, but above all about laws and customs. After a while, the attendant comes over and asks if I have thought about it, so I nod and take the agreement with me.

"Sejdmann Robert, what do you say about my proposal?"

"King Asbjörn, this is a proposal I am happy to accept."

"Excellent."

Another copy of the agreement is produced and after I've checked they are identical, we both and three witnesses sign, I under 'Academy founder, Furst and Lord'. I keep one of the documents, and an arm grab finalize the agreement. Cheering and congratulations, and I now have my own little Island Principality. In fact, it has much more land than for example, Monaco or the Vatican City, and probably more than some island nations in the Pacific Ocean. Definitely higher above the waterline than many of them. The king takes me aside a little and asks me in a low voice;

"Sejdmann Robert, any questions?"

"Only one, King Asbjörn. Kari?"

The king smiles a little slyly, seems pleased and whispers that he isn't finished yet. Then he returns to the throne but doesn't sit down.

"Sejdmann Robert, its my honor as King to be able to support projects, either on behalf of my kingdom or personally. I know that you will use the riches you just earned to be able to establish your Academy. But I do not want you to do it alone. This kingdom will have great joy and benefits from your Academy, and as you said two weeks ago, a field must be sown and managed before it can be harvested, so the kingdom will support the Academy's construction for the first year. If you accept it, I will recommend a skilled master builder and several skilled craftsmen for stone, masonry, wood, carpentry and more, and add 60 slaves for general work. Shiploads of cement, stone, timber, tools and food will be made available and shipped there for its constructions. Sejdmann Robert has to decide with the master builder where it will be built, and what will be built. I expect it will be built fairly quickly."

"King Asbjörn, I am very grateful."

King Asbjörn gestures, and from the side Kari comes walking out with her guards, and she stands next to the King. Then he takes her hand and walks forward with Kari, and she lets her happiness show when he puts her right hand in my left hand while he say:

"In addition to the above, I personally wish to give Sejdmann Robert a precious gift. Kari Alfgeirsdotter as your concubine and two guards who want to accompany her to Sejdmann Robert's service, so they can continue to serve as personal protection to the end of the year, for both Miss Kari and Sejdmann Robert. Gunhild and Hillevi; I now release you from all oaths to me. "

What else can I say but; "King Asbjörn, a big thank you for such an excellent concubine, and allow me to give a simple unworthy counter-gift. Hope it will bring you joy." as I give him the monocular, to the King's surprise and appreciation. "The moon is interesting, but never look at the sun, it will forever damage the eye. There will be moisture inside in certain weather conditions, but the strap can be loosened and the monocular can be disassembled and cleaned and carefully dried. It's not that hard to put back together again."

Kari starts talking, because she has taught me that she too must declare her status before witnesses, and she beams when she proudly and loudly says;

"I, Kari Alfgeirsdotter, am now Sejdmann Robert Arnesson's concubine, and I am honored to serve my husband."

The king contentedly nods, bends forward and whispers towards us;

"Sejdmann Robert, I just hope you take good care of Kari, and make her happy. I believe you understand how worthy she is, and I'm convinced that she would be an excellent Furstess. Kari, I wish you a really good future, and I'm sorry it took so long to find a man worthy of you. I know you will serve him well."

With a smile, the King then goes back up and sits on the throne with the monocular in his hand.

"Sejdmann Robert, I wish you good luck for the future and hope we will meet many more times. Enjoy the rest of the day and evening. The day after tomorrow you will be visited by the master builder. The house you have lived in is at your continued disposal until the end of the year, and I look forward to visiting your Academy and Furstdome in the future. I expect it to be a very special place, and look forward to the comming years. Until next time, live well."

Understand that it's time to leave, so; "King Asbjörn, thank you for everything and may your future be bright."