I am focusing on making an antenna cable from thinner copper wire, building a feeder line and setting up the antennas, since I also mount the simpler loop antenna. This ground is also bedrock and bad for radio, and there is no huge copper roof to use. It is 'only' 45km as the crow flies to Ackerek's mansion, but it will be interesting if this works and how the antennas affect the signal. After all, the NVIS signal has bounced up in the ionosphere and travelled many times further and become greatly attenuated on the way, so there is a huge signal loss that I can't do shit about, which is called path loss in English. Only after that does it affect minimizing loss in the antenna, antenna cable, the radio's input filter and amplification. So the strongest possible signal is amplified. In most cases, minimizing losses and tuning are most important in combination with receiver sensitivity and selectivity. Then comes pure transmitter power, and the difference between 0.5 watt or 32 watt is smaller than many people think even in direct line of sight contact. The general rule is that it takes 4 times more power to reach twice as far. So 0.5 watt to 32 watt gives about 8 times the range - not 64 times - but attenuation in terrain makes a bigger difference so it's not sure that the signal is good enough and get that reach. But power can make the difference from a weak noisy or chopped up signal that is barely decipherable to a signal that is weak but clear. The good thing about going with NVIS sky bounce is that I don't have to care what the ground is in between.

There is a small awkward chamber of not even four square meters that is suitable as a permanent radio room here in the B-mansion, as the chamber has a small narrow glass window that lets in light, and where I can pull out the antenna wire. There is an accessible roof a few meters outside which makes antenna attachment easier, and I can attach the loop antenna close by and that way access its tuning strings. Alith help me move out one of the shelves that is in the new radio room, but keeps another and I find a small desk-like table with two drawers in one of the bedrooms and a couple of chairs that we move into the radio room. I've heard that the others have returned to the B-mansion and said hello to a couple, but everyone knows we're going to test the radios, so they avoid disturbing me.

It's a bit early but when the time starts to approach everything is ready enough and I start listening with the headphones. About half a minute apart, I send two short signals followed by a long, pause and repeat the same signal. To say I can hear my heart beating is no understatement, but the headphones also block out some ambient noise. This is so important, both for the future and for my own confidence. Iselin and Alith sit dead silent on chairs next to each other.

After only few attempts, I hear the same code repeated. Kari has started broadcasting, and I feel a huge relief that I hear something. She must have been sitting in front of the radio waiting. So I reply, and immediately I get the same thing back. It works and the others understand when they see my smile and activity, and seeing Iselin's face is its own reward. I ask Kari to send signals so I can tune my antenna, and I slowly move the tuning knob until the signal is strongest and clearest. I try muting the signal and still hear it fine but scan to find the strongest point, and I feel my smile grow as I switch back to full signal and switch to the speaker. Iselin and Alith are curious as hell, and we hear the tones from the speaker clearly. Kari finishes her transmission and asks me to transmit so she can also tune her station, and we switch back and forth a bit with simple tests. I am glad the squelch works too, because even if it's a bit too slow and mess up Norse code, the squelch can be on until you actually start listening, and then it turns off. At least it keeps the person monitoring the radio from listening to noise, and as a bonus it also minimize power consumption as the speaker isn't making white noise.

We start sending simple messages back and forth and the wonderful tones are heard beautifully, both in sound and how they sound in 'softness'. It was worthwhile to do some smooth CW switching. I don't bother to replace and try the loop antenna, because I just want to keep using the radio. Iselin takes a photo of me after filming a bit, and takes a photo of us kissing beside the radio while Alith fetch the others. The room is immediately packed and they stand inside or look in through the door; everyone is quiet and can hear the Norse conversation back and forth, and I write down on a slate what is being said. I send the code for us to go into voice mode which Kari confirms. So I adjust the microphone and switch to AM mode, and Iselin whispers that the camera is recording. Deep breath.

"Kari. Kari. Kari." There is silence for what feels like eons.

"Kari listening. Shift." Kari's voices comes out clearly from the speakers even if it's a little low, so I turn up the volume on the radio and the speaker.

"Hi Kari, this is Robert calling Ackerek. You can be heard clearly. Shift."

"Robert. You can be heard clearly too. Shift." I can really hear the joy in her voice, and that it is Kari who is talking.

"Kari, we now have the first real radio conversation in Alfheimr history. Shift."

"Robert. I know!" It's quiet for a while, and Kari has a hesitant voice when she comes back. "I don't know what to say. Shift."

There are some giggles and relieved laughs behind me.

"Kari, you're doing a great job. Iselin is bouncing on the chair beside me so I'll let her talk next time. Shift."

I push the microphone to the side so it is in front of Iselin. I will take care of the radio, and we hear Kari's voice: "Iselin, can you hear me? Shift."

Iselin takes a deep breath and begins to speak. "Kari, this is Iselin. I can hear you clearly. This is amazing. Shift."

"Iselin, we are a whole day's sailing apart and we can talk with these wonderful radio boxes Robert built. I hear it is your voice. This is beyond amazing. I have just given Gunhild the earpiece so she can hear and talk. Shift."

I wave Bodil forward since she deserve to be first on this side after her job with radio parts and the headphones. The microphone is pushed to a free place so that everyone can come forward and try while I continue to manage the radio. I tell them to just speak calmly at a normal conversational level.

"Gunhild can you hear me? This is Bodil. Shift."

"Bodil! I hear you! I really hear you!"

There is silence for a while, then we hear Kari breaking in. "Gunhild has finished talking but forgot to say shift. Shift."

"Kari, it's good you're doing it for her. Jane and Alith are excited about saying something and I'll let one by one say something now without switching back to you."

"This is Jane. Robert, you're a nerd, but a wonderful nerd. This is Bloody Awesome! Radio in the Viking Age! And I just said the first English words over proper long distance radio!"

"This is Alith. I just wanted to say something too, but it feels strange talking into a wood and brass box and know it can be heard so very far away. Shift."

It goes back and forth like that, with nothing really to say, but everyone wants to try and it's conversations at a distance. We are 'only' 45km from each other and this is absolutely wonderful. It works fine before the sun have set, and as we continue to talk the signal conditions gets slightly better. Ciara surprises Kari by playing a simple piece for us on the harp, but with the microphone close to the sound box, it transfers well enough according to Kari and Gunhild. Once we finish, I tell Kari and Gunhild to try to have a nice evening, but we can talk a bit tomorrow at sunrise too, because I want to try changing the antenna and stuff.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

This is so worth celebrating. Iselin took pictures and filmed as I asked her to, and Jane did too, and I hope Kari filmed a little. Jane will sketch this in the history book. It was probably the first real radio conversations on Alfheimr, and also music playing via radio. Jane is confused by references to Norse code, but facepalm and starts to laugh when I tell her I named the morse code system to Norse code. She really loves that, but the others don't understand what's so funny about it. Eventually I explain to Iselin even though she still doesn't really get the humour. If you need to explain a joke, it loses a lot, and she don't get the context.

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The joyous atmosphere for radio is not made worse by the fact that all residents of B-mansion get to try out clogs, and they each get a pair. I make it clear that it's not something they have to use, but it's an option I want them to try and feel free to give their opinions on, good or bad.

Jane is so smug when she proudly shows the other women her two pairs of high heels with 8 cm stiletto heels that she finally got made for her. The reaction is not what Jane expected, and Jane loudly complain and call the other women barbarians and philistines, who do not understand the greatness of high heels. I can only agree with my sambos when no one buy the concept of stiletto heels, and everyone agree they are completely impractical, and will sink into the ground and be dangerous to walk around in. Alith seems to like the idea of gaining the height but thinks the shoes are utterly useless and life-threateningly bonkers, although everyone is impressed when Jane shows that she can jog in them and dance, and Jane looks awfully good in her slim Midgård jeans with her stiletto heels. Not something seen in this world before, and the heels also work well with the slim tight dress she also had made for her and want to show off. Many of the women appreciate and understand the dress, and of course Jane looks damn good in it too. Apart from the ones with slits, I've not seen anything like that here, and the slit dresses are nowhere near that red tight dress she had to lace on, with one slit freeing up her legs enough to walk. Jane definitely isn't wearing a bra or panties under her dress, and Jane have a satisfied smile and is smugly pleased that I noticed. I should be used to it, because almost everyone goes commando.

Damn, when Jane is flirty and playful like this, it's hard to see Jane as just a friend, but I'm afraid of losing our friendship and disappointing the others. Thank Gods I already have several sambos, but damn hormones and the devil on my shoulder. The question is how much of Jane's behaviour is her true self? Maybe it's just normal flirting that isn't meant to be anything deeper, or deliberate seduction to mess with me. Both seem likely. What does Jane really think and feel about me?

The others have not noticed my thoughts, but Jane has changed tactics to justify high heels and get them to embrace stilettos greatness. Her explanation hits home when she say that beside the gain in height and to some extent different body profile, if you can wear shoes like these and a dress which is restricted and impractical to move in, it is a sign of wealth and prosperity. You can have such impractical expensive clothes and shoes specifically because you are rich, and you don't have to do any work in it, and your home have good nice floors that allow you to walk in such shoes.

Show, don't tell; female edition.

Iselin's protests that Jane shouldn't wear outdoor shoes indoors, ends immediately when Jane explain that her shoes are primarily for walking indoors and feeling sexy in, because they don't work well outside in nature where all other shoes work. Stiletto heels are inside shoes. The third pair with a slightly lower and solid wedge heel actually seems to appeal to Alith, and they're not completely impractical. No stiletto heel that can get caught in dresses, and the small step in the heel makes the feet stay better in stirrups. I believe that was a big reason why heeled shoes were created and heels are still found on, among other things, cowboy and riding boots, and low heels are something everyone can see a use for.

Jane puts me in the spotlight when she gets me to admit that I think what she is wearing looks good, because anything else would be a big lie. Jane is discreetly showing Iselin a few pictures of her Midgård shoe collection on her phone, so I also confirm that it is common with heels for Midgård women, and collecting shoes is a big interest for a lot of women.

However, I am impressed with the craftsmanship. Of course it easy to see that these shoes are made here and not in Midgård, but they are impressively well made in thin shaped leather with even small stitches. Apparently, Bodil has secretly helped Jane make wooden templates for her feet, as well as a simple prototype that the shoemaker could use. According to Jane, it's a steam-formed, laminated wooden sole with red-dyed leather on the bottom, since that for some fashion reason is important. The top half of the heel is in dark wood while the bottom half is in brass and it narrows down to the tip that is approx. 8 mm in diameter. It's a nice contrast between the goldish metal, dark wood that has been oiled darker to match the leather on the top and overall the shoe goes nicely with Jane's skin, black hair and red dress. I am not a shoe person, but it looks like really good craftsmanship, especially for being made here. I understand that Jane is very happy with the heels and praised the shoemaker, and it probably couldn't be done much better, although she has a few things she wanted him to do differently and she wants a couple of other designs. These are after all basically prototypes. Jane obviously like the she can get hand-made heels, and that they are probably the first in this world.

Jane wildly objects to some of my suggestions due to 'Fashion Sense'. She has one and I don't, so I should just shut the fuck up when it comes to shoes and clothes, which Iselin and Caecilia obviously agree with when Jane, with my help, manages to explain what 'Fashion Sense' means. Even Ciara and Alith nod in a matter-of-factly way, which feels like a small betrayal. Is it really so wrong to want discreet practical clothes without a lot of embroidery and jewellery or stupid fur accessories? That I think a truly magnificent dress isn't actually worth a horse or three? Honestly, all of Jane's heels combined are dirty cheap compared to a single one of those dresses, and Jane now has a small substitute for all her dearly missed Louboutin's, Blahnik's, Choo's, etc, etc.

Just a few minutes later, I see Iselin very carefully walking around in Jane's other pair of high heels with a big smile - even though they don't quite fit and Iselin doesn't care - so I guess high heels are here to stay. Especially when I recognise Iselin humming Rihanna's 'Umbrella'. How many times has she actually listened to that song? Shit. I know Iselin was impressed by Rihanna's shoes in the 'Umbrella' video, or just Rihanna as a whole. I had to copy all the Rihanna songs I had to the little MP3 player. In retrospect, it has become obvious why she liked Rihanna, and Iselin have continued to notice clothes and shoes when we watched movies or she have seen pictures. In the end, Iselin is soon a Furstess and our home will be her domain, and if she want a pair I don't really care. Both Iselin and Jane look sexy, but the shoes won't show under the common long dresses, but feeling sexier and more confident makes them a little sexier, and I don't mind letting Iselin wrap me around her fingers.

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After supper, Caecilia plays music for us. She is really good and seems to know many pieces of music, and it is funny how she switches between Alfheimr music and Midgård music.

I have talked to my sambos about it, and we are willing to give Åsa a chance to manage the new inn by the Laxlanda ferry. Honestly, her eagerness to be of service gets on my nerves, and she's a bit bossy with the others. I believe Åsa will make an effort not to disappoint me, and at the same time it will probably become more harmonious here, although Elin can come along to help and act as support for Åsa, and will continue to teach Åsa to read-write and count.

Of course, Åsa is overjoyed by the incredible responsibility and future life, and the others seem a little jealous. I really hope they don't think it's a reward for her annoying behaviour, and try to act the same. Guess I'll have to make that understood once Åsa leave. She and Elin will take a couple of horses with them from the B-mansion and head there tomorrow morning. Iselin and Kari have arranged dresses, clothes and shoes for them and other staff there, as well as banners and lots of other things for the interior so it is beautiful and nice, plus pillows, mattresses, blankets and so on. Then everything they can think of that a household needs in practical things and for cooking, as well as food, mead and some wine. Iselin has arranged for everything to be shipped to Laxlanda with a ship that leaves tomorrow.

We've told the staff here about the wedding and that we want two of them need to come with us to the mansion for the next month. Of course, everyone wants it even before Åsa's offer, so we have a draw to decide which two it will be, which is won by Ima and black Shakini. I give Frida and Gisela the task of trying to get Gisela to learn the language reasonably well in the next few months over winter, and to improve reading and writing for everyone. I will need people who can read and write, even if it's just as an assistant to someone who can't.

Iselin doesn't have to work hard to convincing me that we should celebrate radio communication a little more intimately. She is a sensual sight in her new Fashion Teddy she proudly shows off. I should really give Jane a bonus for designing different types of underwear and sleepwear; it's so worth it just to see Iselin in it, and Iselin loves it.