Tosra & The Auction, day 42

Arildsdotter

During breakfast, Asbjörn declares that the royal castle needs to have a bit of renovations done, and Haera and the princesses nod softly and agree. Myrun says that her home are getting improved and larger windows, and there have also been a couple of fireplaces and chimneys installed, but she wonders if she can get a tour of the heating system before she leaves, which I of course agree to show her. Down in the basements boiler room, it becomes obvious that Myrun also wants to 'get her blood flowing and warmed up', as a thank you for the help, so it takes a little extra time to 'explain'.

I accompany Myrun and Liv to Myrun's ship, and Liv wonder if we can take a 'closer look at the brewery' on the way. Man, I am gonna need a couple of days to recover, but I have now tried three times with Liv, and time will tell if she becomes pregnant from this visit. The timing is better compared to her period, and Liv is hopeful while Myrun is a little jealous. Myrun doesn't seem to actually want to carry, give birth to and raise another child, but she kind of miss some parts of it. If Liv gives birth, I assume 'Auntie Myrun' will spoil Liv's child.

When they say goodbye, Myrun hopes that in the future, my wives will allow me to strengthen our bonds of friendship from time to time, and that there will be a nice new farm at Skiringsalr next year. Myrun is nice, in several ways, and even though I probably won't say no to future sex, it would be better if she got some kind of sexual relationship with another man - concubine or not. I would prefer to be her friend without any sexual pressure lurking in the background, and when I get married I should get permission from my wives to have sex with any woman other than my 'official', ie Ciara and Caecilia. It is not a legal requirement to get that permission and I wouldn't be breaking any wedding wovs if I have sex with someone else, but it is disrespectful to them and their status to not get their permission before.

I can only have sex with Iselin, Kari, Ciara and Caecilia. Poor me. How will I cope?

Asbjörn together with Haera want to talk to me and Kari alone and without guards, and we can guess what it's about so we, we close the doors and sit opposite each other in the meeting room sofas. Asbjörn breaks the silence:

"As the weeks have gone by, it has become clear that you really are the man I was hoping for, and I am very pleased with my decisions, both about the Academy and Kari. We've been thinking about trying to bind our families together through Sefa, but at the same time it has become clear that for you, love and the relationships you have are the only thing that matters, and it is probably best for everyone that you continue to be unbound to any family or clan. Your words the first time we met is proof that you understood that, and stuck by it. The weave that Freya created is truly worthy of her, and she and the norns wasn't finished with Skarde. A wise King follows the will of the gods."

Well, at least I don't truly understand the last part of that, but I'm glad they're not trying to persuade or force me to marry Sefa. She is charming and very 'not ugly', but for me totally uninteresting. I believe Kari, Gunhild and Hillevi when they say that Sefa is spoiled, bullheaded and bothersome in private, which seems to be true. Not surprised considering Sefa is a princess, and raised like that. Add that Sefa's social status and what it means for me and any children would just be a burden. I would also need to make her pregnant and preferably have two or three children, which would have been an unpleasant discussion to have with them if they had offered marriage, but I could perhaps partly and officially blame Radgeirrson for that.

"Kari, Robert. I received a copy of Skarde's new will and I am not entirely surprised; I just did not expect that Skarde would sacrifice himself to Freya like that, but I should have understood he would find one last way to be a thorn in my side. And maybe that was what was needed for Freya to welcome him to Folkvang. Giving Kari her inheritance was very cunning, on several levels, and rewards all of us for our participation in the Sagan."

Uu-uh, okay?! I try to act neutral as I don't understand all the cultural and religious nuances. It may very well be true that Skarde took his life or sacrificed himself, we just haven't thought about it, but if it means a final win for him against Asbjörn, I can buy that Skarde did it, and I wonder what the old will said. I doubt that Kari was the main heiress. It might have been Asbjörn instead as Skarde lacked close heirs. Who is Skarde's closest heir without counting Kari? Did Skarde have brothers or sisters?

"What Skarde wrote in the will is true, but what happened is buried and should not be brought to light, especially officially; it will not lead to anything good for you, the kingdom or us. Enjoy your life here, just like the both of you and Freya wish, because it's better than any alternative. It seems like I guessed right that at least Kari has thought and drawn conclusions, but officially I can not confirm any conclusions, but if you want and I get your words on what hints off stays between us, I can give a nodding yes or shaking no answer, but that's all."

My poker face isn't good, but my confusion over the religious aspect seems to have helped. We look at each other and I whisper that it is Kari's decision, and she thinks for a while and then take my hand and look at Asbjörn and she says;

"It was Robert who immediately saw a loose thread before I had time to notice it, but after I persuaded him to whisper it to me, I could only confirm that his thoughts might be correct. We havn't told anyone else, and we had not intended to say anything because we both understand reality and some things are better if they stay buried. But when a hint can be given, the question is; Princess Arildsdotter?"

Asbjörn looks at us and slowly but clearly nods twice with a small smile that grows contentedly, and he seems proud to actually be able to admit it, even though it will never be official. Kari closes her eyes, draws a deep sigh of relief and hold my hand, quickly whispers that she wants me to tell them about our marriage plans for both Iselin and her, and to invite them to both.

"Thank you. But that name has no future. Robert?"

"I here by officially invite you and your children to my and Iselin's wedding which will take place here during the Midwinter celebration. One month after that wedding I plan to propose to Kari and tentatively we will get married a week before the spring gathering at Tosra. Besides us here in this the room only Iselin knows about the second marriage to Kari, although several assume it, and I can not officially make an invitation to it yet, but we hope you can keep the week free. We have already talked about this between us, and Iselin and Kari proposed to adopt a tradition from Midgård. After the weddings they will be known as Iselin Robertswife of Ackerek, and Kari Robertswife of Ackerek. There is almost no family for any of us who can attend any of the weddings, and your invitation to both will be like friends, just like most others. No one will be able to guess that it is anything more."

Asbjörn and Haera just quickly look at each other before they happily accept, but I don't ask them what they're happiest for. I call in Iselin and they congratulate us and accept the official invitation to our wedding, and we give them a little more details about the event.