Creating something new, day 11
Life as a murderer moves on & Duel law
I eat breakfast. Fastens my sword belt. Travel in to the town with Kari, Iselin, Ciara, Alith and Gunhild. They all refuse to leave me. I understand. We visit the ship. There is a dark red spot on the ground after the man's body. Don't know his name. They pushed the ship into the water this morning. Its in very good condition. Newly painted hull. The crew has great respect for me, and seems to have done their utmost to get everything in top condition. Hillevi says that the crew is six, because one didn't dare to be near me. We can sail with the crew we have.
Asks them to prepare for sailing tomorrow, get food and other things needed, but its apparently already arranged. Dry food and salted, so ready to cast off, but will be supplemented with some vegetables, bread and fresh water. Asta has taken a side cabin and I have the Captain's cabin. She seems really competent and Hillevi likes her. Everything starts to go a little easier again, and I feel a little more normal. Accept reality. Move on.
We visits craftsman Digraldi and he has even more respect than before. He has of course heard the big news: A fool caused and forced an unjust duel with Sejdmann Robert Arnesson, because he wanted to take Sejdmann's property and women. Told Sejdmann to do his worst with sejd, and Sejdmann just pointed with his cane. All of Borgarsandr heard as thunder like Thor's immediately struck the fool, and he was dead on the ground with half his back missing. Sejdmann mourned the man's foolishness, and that he doubted his power.
I just confirm that everything is true. And Digraldi did hear the bang. In a week everyone will probably say they heard it. Digraldi has finished casting everything, so I pay and load our wagon. Looks like fine workmanship as usual, and I thank him. I perticulary like the copper wire. Order parts for fifteen more monoculars, but with a nicer exterior with patterns, and since I now have screws, some extensions so they can be screwed apart if need be, for example if they are completely filled with water or cleaned from moisture. Order more screws as well, and I give him my sacrificed real M6 and M8 screws to make molds for threaded M6 and M8 rods. He marvels at their excellent finish, and seem to feel slightly awed by their quality.
We visits the jeweler and picks up Ciaras necklace. Its beautiful with almost color matching ribbon with gold thread, and it will suit her. She's worth so much more than a silly necklace. They all are.
Place an order for many glass lenses for prism and straight monoculars, and better ready-made glass filters for sextants.
Easy to convince a leather worker to make finished covers for the monoculars that are water protected, and make pretty straps for them. Include lens protection caps. Buy different kinds of leathers. Remember to order a nicer carrying strap for my Boomstick. It so deserves it. My Boomstick saved my life.
Buy a couple of beautiful wooden chests with locks so I can store and transport more things with me, and Iselin and Ciara get to choose one each as well. For their own possessions. They're so happy when I give them their keys.
Visit a stone craftsman and trying to see if he have slate and chalk. There is a masonary guild, but thats not what I require. I need more writing boards. He doesn't really have anything at home that fits, but can arrange dark gray-blue slate and I ask him to make them as flat as possible on both sides, thin and get them mounted in wooden frames. Prefers rectangular models but the shape and exact size are unimportant. Ten in about 25x35 cm, and three large in 60x40 cm format. He doesn't see any problems as its pretty much roof tiles except the flatness, but it will take a couple of weeks together with 50 chalk crayons in little finger diameter. I explain that the chalk crayons are to mark on the slate board and he understands what I mean, as they use similar to mark where to grind or cut stones. He's apparently missed its usefulness as a notepad. It really annoys Kari that it's already known.
The last visit today is to bladesmith Olafr and he has finished two knives and his own. Still very beautiful craftsmanship. He's shaping the swords and will then make the last six knives. He's proud when he sees me carry my sword and my Boomstick. In the future I must always carry my sword outside my home. In this world, threats exist everywhere, and I need to get better at preventing them, responding to them and taking action before I have to kill again.
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Once back at the farm, we pack and prepare for our trip. Pack down the IUDs and their tool first, as it would be foolish to forget them. Same with the updated drawings for my island mansion. I pack tools and some materials to work with, including glass, brass and parts, leather etc. Include Paper, books, inks and pens to draw with. The slate boards and chalk for the same reason. As well as the maps, two North arrows and my own monocular, and my Midgard binoculars. Then the ship compass, sextant and parts for another sextant, and the parts for ring sundials and a large sundial. I don't plan to use everything, but who knows what might happen or what delays might occur? Almost forgot the ventilation grilles to the basement.
The others pack a lot too, but I have the most with quite a margin. Not unexpected, by anyone. Hillevi returnst to the farm to pack and I ask if she would like to stay and guard here while we're away. So I don't have to bring all my stuff. It should take about 1.5 week, and she can try to see it as a little vacation from the rest of us. She havn't changed her mind about an IUD, and I would prefer if someone guard here. She's happy to accept and wants to make sure that I know they really like to be in my service. I can give them orders, but I always ask if they want to do something. She appreciate that I care about what they think, and listen to suggestions. Just ask her to not let anyone into my room while we're gone. Hillevi return to the town to replaces Gunhild, so she can pack.
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Think about my sword, and if I can carry it more comfortably. I will have to carry it all the time during our trip. A shoulder strap, a baldric, could help take the weight, and its probably a working but slightly uncomfortable idea, so maybe I should try hanging the sword on my back instead, even if it means I have to design a new sword scabbard to be able to draw it faster. It would also be nice to not need two hands to draw, as I pretty much need my left hand to hold the scabbard in place, although beltloops can be used, if I have pants with them. The normal pants here have a string.
Eh, fuck it. I'm going with RPG style for now.
I try hanging the sword over my right shoulder, but as expected the sword is too long and its not practical when I draw with my right hand. Try to hang the sword over my left shoulder instead, so I will have a longer draw movement and be able to draw the sword more easily. As long as I hold the scabbard with the left arm so that it doesn't move, it works perfectly fine. I can even use the scabbard and belt as it is. I just don't like to draw from my left shoulder. The sharp sword edge feels too close to my face, but I have to practice drawing anyway, so I try angle the blade so the flat wide side is towards my face and with enough practice I'll get used to it. Try tying the sword belt to the beltloops on the right side. Seems to help prevent the sword belt from slipping around, and makes it easier to pull. I'll make a better and quicker solution with a buckle. I have some from my backback. Hell, I have simple finished loops with 10mm quickrelease buckles to hold my hikingpants to my boot lacings to stop them riding up. Not much use for hiking, but excellent when crawling around, especially with suspenders.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
The guards look at me funny when I try different combinations and practice, but they accept that it is easier to carry and less in the way, even if they think it looks weird.
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During the evening meal, I thank Kari and tell her how much I appreciate that she took charge and brought us back to the farm after the duel, and that she took charge of the household when I wasn't in a state to do so.
After the meal and in the privacy of my bedroom, I listen to Kari's sad confession of failure, guilt and shame, and I forgive her and thank Kari much more intimately and thoroughly so she knows she's forgiven.
I gather them all and I give Ciara her concubine necklace with the nice amethyst that matches her eyes, and then I give Ciara her own knife after I dried her eyes and she has stopped hugging me. Kari gets the star sapphire necklace, and she seems to think I planned it before she became my official concubine, and its only good that I get small victories in her eyes. I presents her with her own knife as well, and she really appreciates it, even if she still feels unworthy. But it makes her feel a bit on the same level as Iselin, more than just its value, and these are my first expensive gifts to her.
Later, Kari goes through the law with me, but there's probably some obscure parts she doesn't know or think about, and she really fear being wrong or missing something important. But who the hell could tell and explain every law a country have to someone else?
The Law here feels damn primitive, but men have it easier because they can use duels for a whole bunch of things, although duels can be a more ritualistic variant where the fighters take turns striking out blows or using blunt wooden weapons, or fighting unarmed. First Blood duels are special.
The most common duels are serious insults and disputes where both sides have a legal basis; as two brothers who both have the right to inherit their parents, but the inheritance as a farm or ship can't be divided, or it might happen if brothers doesn't tolerate each other and the parents die without declaring infront of a Ting who the main heir is - as daughters doesn't count, and they should have been married off, otherwise they become their brothers 'property and responsibility'. A man can have a champion if the man is old, weak, injured etc, which is an advantage for me. Sejdmann are unmanly, so I can have a champion, but shouldn't have it when my masculinity is questioned. As a Furst, I can also use that my high title will leave few considered worthy to fight against me personally, but its better if most consider me a good duelist, so its just not my title. But I can use it against everyone of lower status, and they all wish I do so until further notice. Gunhild and Alith are the best duellists.
A good thing is that the law was changed a few generations ago, so it is no longer possible to challenge a man at random to take his property or women as profit, especially if they have nothing to loose, and a man who demanded First Blood duel three times without strong legal grounds probably will be namned Niding by a Ting, and branded. Niding means that the man has no honor, automatically loses disputes, and can't duel, participate in Ting, inherit, marry, etc. I can imagine that that limits skilled warriors from dueling for everything, or forcing an unnecessary duel for profit. Only the King or a Jarl can revoke and clear Niding status after the person in a public way has earned it, and only during a Stor Ting so the change becomes known and spread, and it gives that Nidingen the right to publically receive another branded addition to his Niding branding that declare this. Should that person become Niding again, he will be executed. His chances in life are over.
The man I murdered had fought in two First Blood duels before, but on good legal grounds, and won both times while he seriously injured his opponents. So no suprise that he felt self-assured. I should probably be happy that the outcome makes my position as Sejdmann more secure, because as the only known Sejdmann, there are already rumors that only an fool challenges a Sejdmann in a duel. Only a fool challenges a man who so clearly walks through life with Freya on his side. The Goddess of War and Death.
It's more of a problem if a woman is one party in a dispute or duel, and if it's too gross for a fine or the fine can't be paid. She can choose to use a champion, or fight herself. A man must endure a certain amount of milder and more subtle insults from women, including Shieldmaidens, but if a woman really grossly accuses a man in front of witnesses, the man has the right to demand First Blood where the woman's husband, brother or son may be a champion, and has the right to demand to be champion. Which is one reason why dissatisfied wives who are forced into marriage can be problematic. However, the woman's husband may choose to divorce his wife before the duel, but this may offend the woman's family because he says she and the alliance arn't worth fighting for, and the brother or son may renounce the relationship, which affects their reputation and inheritance.
One problem, however, is if the woman's husband, brother or son is away traveling, because the duel can't be postponed for more than a year, and the accused can demand that the duel must take place within three months.
If the woman shows up but refuses to fight and lacks a champion, someone can lend her the fine or she will be sentenced to slavery for a certain period of time, if its a lesser crime. If the woman has any property of her own, they can forcefully be taken to pay the fine to the accused. If she loses the duel or lost via champion when it is a case of questioned masculinity, then the man should spend at least one night with the woman to prove his manliness to her and others. Even if she is married, as long as she has lower or equal status. And her possessions belong to the accused. Which can be a hell of a homecomming for her husband, brother or son.
Should the perpetrator not appear for the duel, the accused has the right to name this person as Niding and demand that person's property, and if it was gross enough to get the person sentenced to Niding / Nidambott if the person is caught and brought before a Stor Ting, Jarl or the King, and the right to brand the culprit on the cheek or shoulder. Either with the Niding symbol, or her new owner's symbol if it's a woman forced to Nidambott.
For a person to become Niding its bad, as the person basically becomes lawless, but it feels worse for a woman who becomes Nidambott. A Niding who knows and trusts some powerful person can try to place him/herself under that person's protection and have an okay life, even if it is absolutely the lowest on the social ladder. The Niding is of course still practically lawless, but there is a chance to do something very good and get back life and status, and that option feels a bit like the movie 'The Dirty Dozen'. But a woman who is branded Nidambott becomes, in principle, a branded life-sentenced property and slave without any rights, protection or opportunity to come out of that life, and a Nidambott's purpose is usually to work and have sex with those that her owners want for the rest of her life, and there is some expensive sejd that some Völva do that takes the woman's ability to have children.
A Niding or Nidambott who has committed a crime and is captured, is always properly tortured in public and suffers a very prolonged painful death in public. This is to prevent them from exploiting their lawlessness status for crimes, or that their owners exploit them for assassinations and other things. A Nidambott has an owner who can be sentenced to a fine or other if the Nidambott commits a crime, so in general they hardly have any freedom at all, unless their owners trust them very much. The Nidambott is often chained to a suitable place. If the Nidambott has young unmarried children and lacks a husband, these children become slaves to The Nidambott's owners, and can be used as pressure to keep the Nidambott under control.
I shouldn't even be surprised when Kari tells me that at least a couple of noblewomen are suspected of having got a woman they disliked to be convicted and branded as Nidambott. Quite simple really if the noblewoman can influence witnesses and Ting, and the woman has said a careless thing to someone else in front of witnesses. Then the noblewoman has hired someone to kidnap or drug the woman so she couldn't show up for a duel or defend herself, or lack a champion. After a suitable time, the woman has been 'caught' and brought before a court where she is sentenced to Nidambott. The noblewoman has then bought the Nidambott from her owner to torture her, or give her as a reward to slaves or be forced to have sex with animals as entertainment. Damn culture. But, sadly it could be worse.
I have a lot of questions, especially about edgecases, but Iselin and Ciara make us end the discussions and insist on joining me in bed, and Kari gives in. Ciara seems to feel a real need, and I appreciate the company even though it gets a little hot and crowded. I might need them there to sleep well, and what ordinary man would whine, even though we just want to sleep.