It's afternoon and we are rapidly sailing along the coast. Ciara bring forth Jalida and Elvira while I sit on the bench outside the corridor, and I show that they can sit down beside me, which surprises them and which I now understand. A simple slave girl sitting next to her powerful master, yadda yadda. They're probably worried that its the first step in forcing myself on them, and it's quite likely that they expect it as part of their life, which is tragic, but oh so common. I have understood that it is more or less expected that even a low status free woman may need to endure sex with a powerful Lord or Storman, if she wants to continue to be in his households service. This damn world. I ask them to introduce themselves, and tell me a little about themselves. If it's true they know the language from where they came, and if I pronounced their name correctly etc.
Elvira and Jalida are a slight distorsion of their real names depending on the dialect of the speaker, but it's close enough, so nowadays it's their name. Elvira is not unexpected from the western part of Iberian Peninsula, and I guess north west considering the nature she describes and the mountains inland and less heat, but apparently Jalida is just a week south, opposite the Great Strait to the mountains and the sand even further south, which I interpret as northern Africa. I'm still surprised there are such similarities in geography, nature etc, between Midgard and Alfheimr, and at least Jalida's description seems to make it clear that the geography is frighteningly similar even that far away, because I think she partly described a city on the Rock of Gibraltar. Its a distinct geographic feature.
They come from two different kingdoms, where the people from south invaded north four or five generations ago, which is probably 80-100 years, and there are still wars between different kingdoms or powerful towns that flare up a couple of times per generation in different areas or the whole region. It is interesting because as far as I know, it was around the 700s-800s that the Muslim nation expanded north and ruled over the Iberian Peninsula. I have been there and seen relics and other things, and I liked the nature around the moor castle in Sintra even though it was constructed later. But they have of course already talked to each other about this when they both learned Norse, and there is no bad blood between them, partly because they both only heard about the wars that took place between where they live. They themselves have not really experienced war. Elvira have seen men marching to war and heard about forced recruitment, and Jalida saw the smoke in the distance, and heard it was the city on the Rock of Gibralta burning and saw refuges. Coastal towns get raided, plundered and the raiders leave on their ships. The whole huge peninsula sounds quite unstable, and it seems like they're just gathering strength for a couple of years before attacking.
They're both from poor families. Elvira is 17 and Jalida think she turned 18 a couple of weeks ago, and they have been slaves for three summers, when they where given as debt payments to local nobles.
Damn. They were sold or given away as 14-year-olds by their parents.
Their parents might not have had a choice, but still. Both were resold to the same merchant who traveled north along the coast, and along with many other slaves they were taken to a slave market across the sea a couple of weeks after Elvira came on board, so I guess England or France, and there they were bought by a merchant who took them and some others to probably Denmark. They didn't understand the languages or know the countries through which they traveled. Most of the time they also spent tied up under the deck. They couldn't even talk to each other except a few simple words, and speaking got you beaten. They increased in price as they have come further and further away, and were bought by Storman Jönis who lives a couple of day trips south out of Borgarsandr, where they spent two years. They became Jarl Naeswulf's possessions just a couple of months ago, again as debt payments, even though they're no longer 'untouched' and their value has fallen.
They are careful when they confirm that yes, they are no longer 'untouched' as Storman Jönis took them to bed a few times, and apparently one of the nobles and a couple of the slavetraders forced them to use their mouths before that. Some type of leather piece was forced in on one side between their jaws, so they couldn't bite even if they dared. I reassure them that it doesn't affect how I look at them, and I only feel sorry that they had to experienced it. I won't have sex with them in any way, as I try to honor my women.
They've apparently already been told so a couple of times from my sambos and guards. They also know that I'm trying to set up a learning center to gather knowledge, teach it and spread it. Create amazing things and sell them. That I hope learned people will come a long way to share knowledge and bring knowledge home. That I'm a Furst, and my Academy is my own Furstdom, and I have no Jarl or even a King above me. They served and were on the outskirts of the feast yesterday, and overheard conversations, and then of course the staff talk to each other, and Jalida knew she would be given to me even before we arrived.
I confirm that I need some maids for my mansion, and that that life probably will be better than almost all other maids in the north. There will be general maid chores such as cooking, serving food, cleaning, washing, tending the garden and animals, and possibly translation or interpretation if we have long-distance guests. I go on to say that I don't like the whole idea of slaves and have a suggestion for them, and I want them to consider it, but that I appreciate if I get their decision before we arrive back in Borgarsandr in a couple of days. It's their own decision, individually, and I want them to think about it at least until tomorrow.
I give them two options. The first is that they may continue to be my slaves and will serve my household, but they must swear to keep and protect our secrets. I have no plans to sell them, and they won't spend time in my or guests beds, and I will not allow anyone to rape them, including myself. Should they want to go to bed with someone out of love, or just for sex, it's okay as long as they don't get pregnant, and if they ask for permission before. I have a sejd that helps women avoid pregnancy. However, they should not take this as I want them to go to bed with me or guests.
The second option is that they swear allegiance to me as my maids for the rest of their lives, and must protect our secrets. I will then free them so they're free women who work for me. They will be able to have their own lives outside their duties, and in the future marry and have a family if they ask for permission before - but they will probably live on the Academy's islands for the rest of their lives. They will receive a small salary and as they are free women they have the protection of the law, and no one can force themselves on them without consequences.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
In the future, I may release them from all service, no matter what option they take, but it will take many years of faithful service, and they must protect secrets for life, no matter what.
I continue by saying that most of the comming week it will be easier service and just help my women. If they want to talk to my anyone, they can of course do so.
They don't seem to really believe me, because it sounds too good to be true, so I signal Ciara who is closest and ask her to answer their questions if they have any, and I give her a kiss on the cheek and go back to my deck chair up on the aft deck. They will agree to be freed. It's a very good option for them, especially in the short term, even if I feel like a villain. It is forced lifetime servitude no matter how other people look at it. Hell, most people also believe that a salary is totally unnecessary and pure luxury no matter how small it is. The salary is usually just food, housing and clothes with the occasional small gift. I can't pay them too much, because I have to prioritize Alith and the other guards, and my sambos think that 3 ounces of silver a year is just too much. But I prefer if I can buy Jalida and Elvira's loyalty that way, because more than others, they will be near us and hear and see a lot. It isn't even 1 coin per every other day, but it can be increased in a few years if they're worth it. They will probably not spend a lot of silver while they work for me, so it is pure income and provides a basis for their own family in the future.
In the end, they're slaves, and just becomming free is the life goal of most of them.
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Its not that hard for Ciara to make Elvira and Jalida understand how good and special Robert is. She answered their questions. She tells them that they are not the first slaves he will have released and given a wonderful life on his crusade to make this world better, and that Robert don't care about their previous lives. She was kidnapped from her homeland and taken as a slave, and had a life much worse than them. Ciara explain how good, powerful and manly Robert is, and as the only real light in this dark world, tried to give her hope and make her a healthy free woman with a bright future, and in the end he even fulfilled her dream of becoming his concubine - forever. It was the best day of her life, and since then her life has been filled with light and warmth.
Ciara tells them that just a couple of days ago, a beautiful and talented free woman temptress from far away, tried to force Robert to take her as his concubine and become the father of her children, so that she too could have a wonderful and comfortable life in safety, and have her children raised in luxury. Robert refused because he loves them, but he will still support her and give her a better life than she hoped, where she will do what she wants, which is to make paintings and other art. But she couldn't tempt him with sex or children.
Ciara explain that they have reached salvation, and Robert will keep them to protect them and give them a good life, and as Robert's maids, their lives will be better than most free women's, even if they chose to remain as slaves. They won't be worked to the bone from sunrise to sunset, day after day. They will be completely safe even as slaves, and never have to worry about someone forcing themselves on them. Slaves or maids doesn't matter; they are Roberts, and he will protect them and take care of them. He is a powerful and mighty Lord, with powers from beyond this world - but he carried his own bag, and made sure they rode on the carriage.
Should they in the future wish to be released from their servitude and have earned it - Robert will do so, and reward them. But they must be faithful to Robert and serve well. Must protect Robert's secrets. Must be worthy to serve Robert. Do not steal. Do not lie.
If they betray or hurt Robert in the future and its a lesser thing, they don't have to worry about Robert's anger, as he will probably just banish them from his land and turn his back - as long as they continue to protect his secrets. But they will learn that it is the worst punishment. Really understand what it is like to suffer deep in their soul, doomed by their own actions. To have reached salvation and fall from a bright life in Heaven, forever banish into the darkness and cold of Hell, knowing they deserve it. Their only glimmer of hope will be that they won't have to suffer for long, as Ciara will kill them for hurting and disappointing Robert.
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It is dusk, as we dock at a small village almost at the end of a large bay. This is the end of the voyage. The village and its harbor are guarded by a simple small fortress spread out over two small island. A wide moat and log palissade, as well as the long wooden footbridge with a drawbridge makes it difficult to attack even the first island, and a larger stone keep on top of the hill on the second island makes it a good fortress, albeit quite simple. If the defenders have lots of bows and arrows, making a sea landing against the second island will be hard too. No cover, and just rocks and grass.
The village isn't large and basically just a road with a few houses along one side, and I guess it is mostly a common natural harbor to reach the sea. According to Asta and the crew, most of the coast here is very shallow, with a muddy bottom.
It is no problem to anchor here for a couple of days, and it doesn't cost much since we won't be trading. Apparently this was where they anchored a couple of weeks ago when Iselin installed a couple of sundials, and she knows where we are going tomorrow. It seems that Radgeirrson own considerable property a couple of hours inland. It should be about 2 hours to reach Radgeirrson's farm, but it's getting dark fast. It's better to sleep on the ship than to travel there in the dark, even though the invitation made it clear that it was okay to arrive at any time, even in the middle of the night. I prefer to spend as little time as possible at Radgeirrson's feast, and we can arrive later tomorrow and the excuse that the journey took time. It will give us the morning to relax. We also kindly decline the young Lord Fludarr's invitation to spend the night in his fortress, primarily because I just can't stand to be social.
The farm we're going to visit isn't Radgeirrson's main estate; this is his summer place and estate halfway to his larger one in the south where he mainly breeds horses. So he can travel to Borgarsandr or back and spend the night in his own property. Talk about being rich and owning a lot of land, but it doesn't really take that much land to have a nice little farm in suitable places. I should probably get my own house in Borgarsandr for when we visit the city, and it is enough with something like a larger modern mountain cabin with a larger common room, kitchen, three bedrooms with double beds, bathroom and toilet. It will be so much warmer and cozier to have a house in Borgarsandr than to spend the nights on the ship. It will also makes it easier to avoid other people and we can have a couple of horses there and the covered winter carriage. My sambos agree with the plans, but are correct that we should build a bigger house or at least more luxurious house, if its in Borgarsandr. So maybe something like double or tripple a 6x4 house with two floors with a copper roof where I can do rainwater collection and so on. I really don't trust the water or sanitation in a large city.
Karis make sure we have an enjoyable and cuddly time before sleep arrives, and I suspect that the next day will be as exhausting as the previous one, so I need it.