Lawman Filison watches as his unexpected guest takes his backpack and walks away. A Sejdmann, and probably a very very powerful one. Who has even heard of it? Sejd is exclusively for women to perform - never men. To even suggest a man does it, is a gross insult in most cases, and he was worried when he asked if his guest could Sejd, but the man just calmly nodded and answered yes as it was obvious and he was proud of it. Both he and Völvan Asvor are convinced that the man came here with Bifrost three days ago. No one has seen or heard anything of that magnitude since several generations ago.
Sejdmann Robert Arnesson must have used Bifrost to get to Alfheimr. The question is from where? He has round ears and is apparently very hairy over the whole body according to Astrid and Lova, so he might have come from Midgard which should be close according to what the Sagas tell about Yggdrasil and the nine worlds. But Midgård should have primitive hairy humans, and from what have they seen so far of his equipment, clothes and staffs? Not primitive at all, and very very impressive craftsmanship and quality, and according to Astrid he hides much more in his pack. Like glass behaving as cloth.
Merchant Danr who is a visitor and the most widely traveled among them, and have seen much of the world, couldn't even identify the material on the backpack. But when his backpack is in such excellent quality and without the slightest variation in it's intense green hue? With some small nice red embroideries and weird black buckles? Who has it on their pack, and then carries it by themselves? Who has excellent quality thin purple clothes under normal clothes? Purple. Which is terribly expensive. He have several. Not to mention his black shirt and short pants. So very black and in perfect quality like everything else.
Who embarks on such a journey alone without a weapon? No sword, spear, bow or even an axe - just a knife of incredible quality, and a pair of magic walking staffs marked with runes. How can metal not weigh anything and change its length that way, and what was that black material? Sejdmann can obviously afford the absolute best, so the only reason he doesn't carry excellent weapons and travels alone? Because he don't need it. He knows Sejd and that Sejd is Mighty.
Sejdmann Robert Arnesson must be both powerful and rich, and you don't want to annoy such a man. Either he came here by himself using his own Sejd, which is a really scary thought, or he is sent by the Gods, which is even more scary. Probably the last one, because he managed to show up exactly the same day as Merchant Danr is here, and that only happen 4-6 times a year. The same day. And Merchant Danr's home town and final destination is exactly where Sejdmann wants to go. It must be the hand of the Gods in play here. In any case, it's better to help Sejdmann Robert Arnesson get to where he wants to go, than stop him. It's so good that Merchant Danr thought the same and offered to let Sejdmann go with him, but he's probably afraid that the gods will throw storms, malice and bad luck in his path if he refuses.
I need to reward Merchant Danr for his goodwill and kindness. It's my duty as a Lawman, and I can give him some extra animal skins as a reward, but it's worth it. Especially to quickly get Sejdmann out of here. Keep Sejdmann Robert Arnesson away from Gudfridr, since I know she's too cunning and careful to seek Sejdmann out tonight. Had I not been coming home...
I know my wife well enough to notice how she looked at Sejdmann even though Sejdmann himself seems to ignore it, but he must be used to it. He's the big topic of conversation in the household, and it would surprise me if Sejdmann have a couple of very willing bedmates tonight.
But who can blame them? A man so blessed by Freya, Sejdmann status, powerful, obviously rich and prosperous. Tall and such strong beard growth. Apparently charming and confident enough in his own strength and competence that he sets off on such a journey with a large heavy pack without servants or slaves carrying it for him. He will not lack female company in Alfheimr.
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Lova shows me back to the room and I put down the backpack and get ready to go to bed early and really sleep. I need it. I have no idea what it will be like to sleep on the boat or how seasick I will be, so I better get a good night's sleep. Calling the previous nights sleep poor is an understatement. So I take the bag with toilet articles from the side pocket on the backpack and try to ask Lova where I can brush my teeth and piss and shit and after an awkward moment and gestures Lova smiles and show she understand and takes me to an outdoor toilet. I really need to remember the words for toilet and so on.
They have no toilet paper but there are peeled wooden shavings, much like a planer make, and a bucket with used shavings, as well as a bowl of water with something else in it, which doesn't look that fresh. Better than nothing, but I use my own toilet roll to wipe myself and rubbing alcohol after I leave the toilet. I need to avoid getting sick, and I'm simply not used to the bacteria they have here. Lova shows me to the bathroom I washed in, so I brush my teeth and wash my hands, before she finally shows me back to the bedroom again.
I put the toilet bag back in the side pocket, straighten the backpack against the wall, and take off the t-shirt while I turn around to thank Lova for everything. Lova isn't at the door. Lova lies smiling in bed under the blankets with a seductive and expectant expression, obviously naked because I can see one of her breasts, and her dress hangs over the chair next to the bed.
Oh, crap! This will require all the self-control I have.
She lies there smiling and expectant as she alternates between looking at me and my body. Focus. Deep breath. I can't go to bed with a maid sent here by her master or mistress. Focus. Deep breath. Ignore the feeling between the legs. I look Lova in the eyes and shakes my head while I say "No". No matter how hurt she seems to be, or how intensely she nods 'Yes' with her head, I must try to keep to certain principles. Sleeping with a maid who may have no real choice is one such principle. It's too damn close to rape. I shake my head again and say "No".
It's so hard to shove a really lovely and beautiful woman out of bed, especially when she slowly and very naked steps out of bed and I just stand there and quickly close my eyes. Do not think of her body. Deep breath. "No, and I mean it." I hear the floorboards creaking as Lova slowly walks across the floor towards me. I feel her naked body pressing against mine, her breasts pressed against my upper body, and how she confidently moves her hand over my body and kisses my neck. DAMN! Focus! Breathing deep through my nose only makes me smell her.
Her seductive voice whispers in my ear; "I feel something that doesn't agree with Sir." which is so true and her wandering hand doesn't help at all. FOCUS!
"Lova. No." I take her in my arms and gently push Lova aside, pick up her dress and give it back to her while I avoid looking at her. It's with a deep sigh that she accepts. Once she has put the dress over her head, I turn around and she have such a hurt expression. Walk up to her, give her a kiss on the cheek, and tell her that she is so very lovely, and that I wish we could spend a night together, but I can't.
"I bled a few days ago, I won't have children." she says, shrugging a little, and I freeze. That was another thing I didn't consider - no condoms here. Crap. It's not like I brought any. I feel my shoulders drop; "I can't." Then I kindly lead her out of the room and close the door.
Fucking hell - that was hard. Literally. I'm honestly a little pissed at my self-control.
It will be difficult to fall asleep in the near future, and I can just forget to lie on my stomach, but I take off my pants, and crawl under the blankets. When I lie there in bed, it's hard to not think about Lova's naked body and what could've happened right now. It would have been so nice. Fucking self-control. I try thinking of something else. What happened in the last few days. Avoid thinking about those at home. It's been a very long day with a lot of adjustments. Today I learned that I'm no longer on Earth. That I'm surrounded by Elves. That for some inexplicable reason I seem to be attractive to some of them. Which is both good and bad. Hard to let go of thoughts about Lova and her body, but eventually I fall asleep.
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I wake up early in the morning, thankfully no sun looking in through the window but it's bright outside. It's Astrid who gently wakes me, and she have placed a tray with breakfast on the table. Really good breakfast. A bowl of meat and vegetable soup that is steaming, freshly baked bread, click of butter and some cheese, and looks like some jam too. Big mug but it is not mead, seems to be lingonberry drink. Zombie Robert is a bit sleepy but I thank her, and I see she also has a washing bowl with water, soap and a towel. She herself seems to have wet hair, so I guess they wash quite often. Very positive. After a few minutes I have washed myself and sat down to eat. It goes slowly because my brain hasn't woken up yet, and the outside seems foggy and a little dreary through the window. Morning fog? Astrid is standing by the door but seems to feel uncomfortable, and I just remember that I'm only wearing underwear when she starts talking.
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"Lova asked me to apologize for her behavior last night, and hope that Sir didn't feel insulted that she is just a lowly maid without status. Lova didn't think that Sir would be so faithful to his wives. All three of us who helped Sir bathe yesterday would have liked to have accompanied Sir during the night - we have no men of our own. But the bed is small, and Lova won our raffle to be alone with Sir. We apologize if we have insulted Sir's honor."
What??
They had a raffle who would go to bed with me alone?
They are not forced by Filison or his wife?
Well... Shit. Lucky I didn't know that yesterday. So I put down my spoon and turn to her.
"Astrid. It's divine providence I didn't know that yesterday, because then Lova would probably have been here now, but I think that in the end I would have disliked myself if she had spent the night in my bed. It was so very hard ... I mean difficult enough to reject her. It's difficult to explain and I don't know the language well enough, but it's not her fault or her status. It's my rules. But I would appreciate answer to a few questions?"
Astrid has become wide-eyed and responds quickly: "Of course Sir."
"I saw your eyes on my body yesterday, and it felt very appreciative and increased my self-confidence, but it's difficult to understanding why you all want to have... sex with me. What makes me so desirable?"
Astrid is obviously surprised, and kind of speechless and shocked that I don't understand.
"Sir is obviously a man of great knowledge and wisdom, who is well nourished, healthy, clean, tall and rich. Sir has skilfully and confidently come over the mountains with a great a heavy pack where few goes - alone without servants, and Sir is accustomed to travel in difficult nature, and Sir came here with Bifrost. We all saw it a few nights ago, and Sir's sejd is mighty. Sir have a very impressive beard and his whole body is covered with hair! Sir is much more masculine than any other man we have ever seen!"
"Body hair is manly?" is all I can think of, and Astrid eagerly nods.
"Odin and Thor have nice big beards. The male Gods have beards or moustaches and hairy chests and arms, but men around here have only small beards or moustaches. Freya, Siv and the other Goddesses obviously don't have hair like that, just like me. And such a hairy body... we've never seen it before."
She stands with an almost dreamy look, before continuing.
"Sir confirmed infront the council that Sir is a Sejdmann, like Allfather Odin. I apologize and ask that Sir doesn't take this as an insult..." Astrid cautiously and hesitantly continues after I nod and make an affirming gesture. "Usually it's only women who do sejd, like the honorable Völva Asvor, although some craftsmen have to do a bit. In a lot of places in the country side it's still considered... feminine." Astrid looks uncomfortable and seems to study my face carefully, which doesn't react much while I try to understand what she says, so she continues quickly but still a little insecure. "Freya is the goddess of love, sex, sejd, war and death!"
Everything at once? Wow. It's with conviction and a little humour followed by obviousness she continues.
"It's mostly Freya who use sejd among the gods, and even Odin have respect for her power and it's Freya who taught Odin! Freya's husband Od have disappeared, but it's a given that Odin is her husband Od hiding from her power, but he's the only one who comes even close! Freya obviously prefer wise learned men with powerful sejd, instead of men like Thor. Völvas and other female sejd users worship Freya. Powerful women as our lady worship Freya. Shieldmaidens worships Freya. Such a prosperous man as Sir with such a beard and body without scars, and who's a Sejdmann must follow Odin himself and be blessed by Freya! It's something we havn't heard of before. All women who have Freya as a role model and worship her for their work or dreams will be drawn to Sir like bees to flowers!"
Huh...
Not what I expected to hear. Ever.
It's with a neutral voice that I hear myself ask: "So powerful women, warrior women like shield maidens and sejd women will be attracted to me?"
Astrid nods eagerly, gets a little red in the face and says softly "Not just them..."
I'm starting to understand this world a little better. It's not good to be considered unmanly due to magic - sejd - and that women will want to go to bed with me can lead to unexpected problems, but what heterosexual man would complain about being coveted by beautiful Elvish women?! Especially the kind of intelligent and confident women who appeal to me? Dangerous, and not exactly what an older slightly overweight nerd expects to be; attractive. After a few minutes of thinking, I realise that Astrid is still looking at me, and what can I say other than;
"Astrid, thank you very much."
I turn around and slowly eat the food while I think, and the food has started to get cold when I eat the last and lean back in my chair. I havn't noticed that Astrid have stepped up behind me until she puts her hands on my chest, and they slide slowly down the front of my body as she leans forward and with a sexy seductive voice whispers in my ear;
"Sir may not want to go to bed with any of us, but Sir is going on a long journey and it's a tradition here that wives or lovers take care of their husbands well-being before a trip. Sir have no woman or wife here so why not let at my mouth taste a bit of Sir's masculinity as a thank for the information. I can see and feel that Sir's ready for it." ... and I can feel her hands caressing my chest and further down. That part of me have already given it's clear opinion.
Deep breath... Okay... I guess in the future maybe I need to be prepared for this. I hope it never goes so far that I take it for granted. Astrid is right, it's going to be a long journey and it's unfortunately years since I was with a woman... but sadly I can't. A couple of deep sighs later and it really takes a lot to say it and requires every ounce of self-control - but I put my hand on her lower hand and gently lifts it away.
"I really, really appreciate your offer Astrid, but I don't think it would be right when I said no to Lova."
My pride and self-control give each other High Fives and I make a relieved sigh. But my pride and self-control accidentally headbutts each other and knocks each other out when Astrid kisses my neck, smiles and replies:
"If it eases Sir's conscience, I can fetch Lova when I leave the food tray, so both our mouths can taste Sir's masculinity."
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Three-quarter of an hour later, I don't know who's most pleased of me or Lova when she shows the way down to the ship through the morning mist. It escalated.
After Astrid and Lova skillully got me to my first release after far too short but wonderful oral sex, Astrid started again while Lova seductively kissed my breast and whisperingly with her sexy voice asked if I couldn't let her appreciate a little more. I definitely wasn't a man with enough will, commitments or circumstances to say no. So she slipped out off her dress and lay down next to me with an expectant smile. I enjoyed tasting her body before I slipped in while Astrid kissed me and my chest. I felt like Astrid was being sidelined so I lay on my back and got Lova to ride, while I made Astrid sit over my face so I could satisfy her, which she definitely appreciated after the first shock of what I asked her to do, and what I intended to do.
Both they and I would have liked to continue, but it was time to go to the ship - as if nothing had happened. So far, life here isn't bad.
Before we reach the ship, I'm struck by the thought I'm human and everyone here so far are Elves. I have just had sex with two females outside my race, but they are not animals and it was between willing parties. How much is the genetic difference? Can I even have children here? Will they be healthy? Do I care?
Right now... No. Absolutely not.
But do diseases work the same or am I immune to certain viruses they have here, or more sensitive? Have I already received some kind of Elvish syphilis? I could managed to live in celibacy here, but will I have the will and self-control for it? The answer is so far: Up to a limit, and it seems like that limit will be crossed a lot if I'm really as attractive to women as Astrid and Lova seem to think. But the thoughts about diseases are quite unpleasant, and it would be better with and exclusive sexual relationship. The sight of the ship up close makes me drop that thread and I look at the ship with fascination.
Oh, Shiny!
The ship is painted with some dark color or maybe tar. Large single mast with a square sail. An upper rear deck with cabins underneath, which runs halfway along the deck. A few small windows on each side. A half-raised forecastle, with one staircase up to the forecastles deck, and one down under it. It looks like the crew's sleeping in the small space down there. There's a larger hole in the middle of the deck down to the cargo hold below, and there is a steep ladder down. No hatch. That feels stupid in bad weather for an ocean going vessel.
Lova kiss me goodbye on the cheek, and leaves with a smile, before I go onboard where Merchant Danr Fengrsen welcomes me and introduces himself again, which I also do with Sejdmann Robert Arnesson, and he introduces me to what I think is his second in command, Navigator Toke Frodesen.
Merchant Danr politely asks if we could use our first names as the trip will take a few weeks, and it will be easier than keeping to formalities, which I can only agree with, so I ask him to call me Robert, and I will call him Danr. There will be stops along the way, and some will be for one or two days. Food will be available as dry food, or cold soup and if I just ask one of the sailors I will get it.
Merchant Danr shows me the cabins and we walk along the corridor that is offset to the right (starboard side?) to his captain's cabin in the stern, which is a larger room. He shows me to a cabin on the left (port side?) of the ship and it's a nice cabin. Two beds with a wardrobe at the foot end on each side and with a small table and chair in the middle in front of the small window that looks like it can be opened. Nice! Very Nice!
There are three other cabins, similar to mine or smaller with bunk beds - each with their own window. The cabin next to mine is smaller with a wardrobe, bunk bed and small table and chair. Opposite on the other side are two cabins, one that belongs to the navigator with a single bed with shelves above and wooden chests below, and a table with a chair. The last cabin is only with a bunk bed without a table for passengers. These have the bed in the direction of the hull. I have clearly got the most luxurious passenger cabin, and even if I don't need two beds, it's nice to have space, and I put the backpack in the aft bed. I guess the ship stomps in waves so I'll be pushed against the wall, instead of thrown down from the bed.
I've been onboard for maybe a quarter of an hour, when the ship leaves the dock. I stand and look in over fog-covered Hildifjoer and discreetly take a couple of pictures with my compact camera on the village, the ship, and a selfie etc. It disturbs me a bit that I didn't take any pictures of Lawman, Lova, Astrid and the others - but I didn't want to show the camera. I don't know how my future will be, but it looks a little brighter and my next three weeks will be on this ship. I hope I don't get too seasick and the weather will be good.
My future is completely uncertain, but I just have to adapt and make the best of it. I can't help but admit it will be an interesting adventure.
Alfheimr; ready or not, here comes Sejdmann Robert Arnesson!