Tosra & The Auction, day 29
Legacy
Apart from the fact that I'm sore and stiff after the mornings jogging and weapons training, again, there are no major problems with upgrading the carriage with a trip meter, seat belts and drum brakes, and I remind everyone how they work. We will see how it all works in the long run, and how the brakes work after the brake pads have been worn in. But its not difficult to 'persuade' the guards to take the summer carriage and drive around a bit in the flat and steeper parts to test the brakes, and they will use the new simple waist seat belt. The can also make sure the trip meter works as it should. Extra brake pads along with basic tools, and a slate board with chalk to record info if needed, have been stored along the axe, spare parts and other things in the storage space underneath the driver's bench. There's even work gloves.
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Rikvi and most women are very fascinated by the prototype hand-cranked meat grinder. As most other things I do, its in brass and very shiny. Well, no the cast surfaces. I can only hope that the brass doesn't change the taste too much. We will eventually know, but I have very limited options, since they're basically brass (mostly copper), bronze (mostly copper) or copper. Cast iron would be nice.
What the meat grinder have ensured is that there will be more meatballs, patties and burgers in the near future. And sausages. Lots of sausage, since I made a sausage nozzle. I repeat my warning to push anything into the meat grinder with their hands and fingers. I've made it square and quite narrow to stop it and there is a wooden block for that. To show what will happen, I shove a couple of carrots down in the grinder and say that fingers will not be whole again after that. Use the wooden block, and make sure there are no children close by when its used. Someone who use a bit of force on the crank might not be attentive, especially if one cranks and another feed. I show how they unscrew and clean all the parts. Housing, screw, crank, locking ring, sausage nozzle and mesh plates. I look forward to meat patties with gravy and onions, but suspect a hell of a lot of sausages will be made.
The grater, cheese slicer and root vegetable peeler are other 'inventions' they have already started using, but the meat grinder is much more advanced, and it is quite high-tech compared to a knife. Above all, the cheese slicer sees use each morning. Ciara just love bread with a spread of honey, and a thin slice of cheese on top.
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Late in the afternoon, Caecilia informs me that two messengers has arrived looking for Kari Alfgeirsdotter, and is carrying a document roll in a durable leather with end caps. When I get there, Kari is already waiting, surprised and impatient, because the messengers are sent by Storman Skarde, with the message that Kari should open the document together with Sejdmann Robert Arnesson.
We sit on the sofas in the meeting room, with the others hovering nearby or beside us. Kari recognizes the name Skarde, but can not place it. Jane snaps her fingers and starts to stutter looking for words, gives up, and in English say that it is the old man at the autumn feast, the one with the white hair who got the chair.
Kari rolls up the document and starts reading aloud, but quickly finds it really difficult to read. It's a proclamation from Storman Skarde and his legacy. If the document is read, he is dead, and he hopes Odin forgives his sins because they are many, and he has never forgiven himself. Kari Alfgeirsdotter is Storman Skarde's granddaughter and main heir. Kari pauses and cries as she tries to read. As long as Skarde was alive, he couldn't recognize her as his granddaughter, and it was a constant pain the he wasn't even able to see her.
I have Iselin make everyone leave the room, so it is just the two of us and I hug Kari while she cries. After a while, Kari asks me to continue reading even though it won't be fluent, because she can't do it herself. So I read.
King Asbjörn Aeriksson and Queen Haera can confirm that this is true, and they have taken care of Kari at the castle since she was a child and made sure that Kari got a good education, and have taken it upon themselves to find a good man for her, and he hopes this will happen if it hasn't already happened when this is read out. A copy of the document has also been sent to the Royal Castle's archives. Skarde regrets he couldn't give Kari anything in life, but he can at least do so with his death, as his sins die with him.
In addition to a list of properties with specific recipients, everything else Storman Skarde owned now belongs to Kari Alfgeirsdotter, and Skarde deeply regrets he can not even give her her real last name, but it is not his to give and she shouldn't look so it stays buried with him, but she should know that her mother and father wanted her.
The document is signed by Skarde, with his housemark and signed by several witnesses with their housemarks. Underneath it all is written a note in a more scrawling style, directly to Kari, and it seems new and less official.
Kari. My beloved grandchild. It was a coincidence we met at the autumn gathering. I just wanted to try such a wonderful chair and talk to the mysterious Sejdmann Robert Arnesson. When you were introduced to me, it was hard to stay silent and keep my joy hidden when I saw what a beautiful and stately woman you have become. It made me pleased to see you as the concubine of such a good and nice man as Sejdmann Robert Arnesson, and you both seemed to really love each other and be happy. I wish you the best future, and that you have many children and live happily ever after in the gleaming mansion across the water.
Robert, let me once again thank you for the chair; it has been wonderful and has already given me a lot of enjoyable moments. I know you will keep what you said and that in the future Kari will become more than your concubine, although I doubt I will be alive to see it. I'm sorry that the inheritance won't let you prove that you are marrying Kari out of love.
Kari, know that I always saw you as my little princess, but I couldn't give you a kingdom, until after my death.
- Storman Skarde.
Kari sits curled up in my lap, hugging me tight and crying as I finish. She is not a stately noble woman right now, just a young woman who has just found out a bit about her family she's always wondered about, but also that she is alone, as everyone is dead. Kari is just a bunch of emotions and tears and continues to hug me and cry.
I'm not as shocked as Kari, and while she is crying and we are holding each other, I can not help but think. Kari is rich. She is certainly a Storman due to her new properties and 'nobility' even without a special title, and King Asbjörn has known about it. It cast a new light over why he sent her to me as a teacher, and that he said she would be an excellent Furstess, as it was probably not just for her skills and knowledge. Kari just became a very attractive wife in the eyes of others.
I don't think it was a coincidence that Skarde visited us at the gathering. He must have known considering that King Asbjörn gave Kari to me before so many witnesses, and how famous my name has become, and how many we have been introduced to and for how long ago. I know that people know of Ciara and Iselin, and they were unknown in this region before - Kari wasn't. Skarde had twenty years and he already knew her name, the letter leaves no doubt about that.
Considering how Skarde was those weeks ago, and as far as I can remember, he didn't react at all to the presentation, he must have known, and sought us out now that Kari had a man. He wanted to meet her, but must have given his word or been prevented in some way, and pretended it was a coincidence.
Considering how he seemed to be in very good physical shape for his age, as he could get out of the deck chair without help, Skarde may have been killed because he met Kari, and he must have known but didn't care. He really seemed to suffer that he had no family, so obviously there must be something really bad that happened since he did have one.
Kari asks me to read the whole document again. She wants to hear it and get a confirmation that she didn't hear it wrong. I read the document once more to Kari, and after more tears she then manages to read it for herself.
The extra text Skarde wrote was important. It isn't enough for him that he made Kari his heir. He wanted her to have a personal contact. Something more. Skarde also wanted me to know that he wish for us to get married within a year.
It hits me when I read it again, and I find myself staring at the document. The last line. And I methodically work my way through the thoughts to confirm the wild leap my brain just did.
Something really terrible must have happened that made Skarde unable to see Kari, unable to admit they where family, and it seems to have been a punishment. Something he was forced to do. But what could be so awful that he is prevented from seeing his granddaughter? Something made him distance himself. Either to protect her, or because he was forced to. Why does Kari need to be protected? Of course if she is his last heir, but it doesn't seem to be such an enormously important inheritance, just big, but there are many Storman, and King Asbjörn didn't mention anything about this to us. Skarde may have had enemies, someone else who would inherit, but he shouldn't have written the inheritance as he did saying she is his only family. But if so, why was Skarde killed after we met three weeks ago?
Clearly a punishment that Skarde really didn't like, where he was forced to give up Kari to the King, and he can not tell Kari her real name because it must be buried with him. Kari's real name is important. Skarde's own name is not that important, so her mother's or father's name from Skarde can't be that important either. The other parent must be important. Really important. But if Skarde had a son, then Kari could inherit the name and it should be possible without problems because Skarde says she is his granddaughter. But the mother of a child is always known, while the father may be unknown. So if Kari is his daughters daughter, who is the father?
It's the last sentence that bothers me. It feels weird. It doesn't have the same flow as the rest, and it's not just because I'm bad at runes.
Kari, know that I always saw you as my little princess, but I couldn't give you a kingdom, until after my death.
I think I know who Kari's father is. I don't think it's King Asbjörn, because he should have been able to recognize an illegitimate daughter, or at least not have her grow up the way Kari did. It was after all 23 years ago and I know that he has three children, two concubines and a mistress, but only one wife since the other died. He's also had the unfortune that a couple of children died growing up. But King Asbjörn seems to care about Kari, more than just someone who grew up in the castle, and much more than the other girls who were brought up as Kari. I remember that Kari, as part of my lessons, told me that King Asbjörn had a brother who died twenty years ago or so, and who have a daughter. A daughter who may be younger than Kari, and no sons.
What strikes me is the structure, and that some words can be camouflage and padding. It feels like something a man would do when he knows he's going to die, on just Kari's copy of the will. As a last clue or 'Screw you' to the one who forced him.
Kari, know that I always saw you as my little princess, but I couldn't give you a kingdom.
Kari might be a Princess, and King Asbjörn's niece. She might have inherited a lot from Asbjörn's brother, which might be huge landownership. But that doesn't explain everything, as why Skarde seems to be punished and can not say it. But if Skarde, for example, tried to help Asbjörn's brother in a coup for the throne, and get Asbjörn out of the way by accident or illness, but couldn't be punished for it visibly or officially... then I can understand if Asbjörn forced Skarde to do so, took his only granddaughter from him and made it so that Kari couldn't inherit and why Kari was brought up they way she was. Kari said that Asbjörn had a reputation for making brutal short-term decisions, which no longer seems to be true if it ever did, but Asbjörn's punishment of Radgeirrson was interesting. It wasn't just to execute him, it was to suffer and experience the same pain he inflicted on others. To drag it out, and wait a day before it was executed.
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If my thoughts are correct, then it was probably a fight for the throne between two brothers, which no one seems to know about, and no matter what happened, Asbjörn's brother died, with or without the help of Asbjörn, and witnesses or evidence have probably disappeared. Skarde must have supported his brother or participated, and Skarde's punishment was to suffer for the rest of his life, without any contact with his granddaughter, where Kari was the 'insurance' while kept protected. As soon as Skarde made contact, even if it can be blamed as a coincidence - he dies. An older but healthy man, three weeks later. It just feels like a very improbable timing.
King Asbjörn is probably the same man as when he was young, he has only learned better control and to give a different facade and make long-term planned decisions. But Asbjörn does not hesitate to punish harshly and seems to be vindictive. Although it shouldn't affect Kari's inheritance as I doubt that Asbjörn will act against Kari, now that Kari is in mine. Asbjörn have too much invested in goodwill to me, and too publicly, and he needs the Academy to be a success and that we have good friendly relationship to get the most prestige of his decision. But Asbjörn is dangerous.
No matter what, that secret is still dangerous but I guaranteed that there isn't any evidence anymore, and here there are no DNA tests that would easily prove kinship, otherwise Kari probably wouldn't be alive. Asbjörn also needed Skarde's silence to bury the fight for the throne. It may be to give the public impression that the Royal lineage is united and strong or something like that. It was only a generation after Jarl Naeswulf's fight for the Throne, and that fight did involve blood. Skarde could have written all of this clearly, but it feels like something more is lurking in the background. Something we can not know. It could be that the knowledge would lead to a death sentence against Kari, or she would have an 'accident' or something. Asbjörn has probably kept his eye on Skarde so he couldn't change his official will, or he has done so, because it already provides too much information, and as it is written, Skarde could have added the last part to the top - about her real name - after it was signed. Skarde's personal message on her copy is obviously added afterwards.
Kari is probably a princess, and Asbjörn's niece. Asbjörn gave her to me because he cares about her, but also couldn't have Kari around himself or give her to someone who may, presumably, know about her father, and perhaps try to take the throne through her or gain too much power with the property. The Royal lineage may not be as united behind Asbjörn as it seems, which means that Asbjörn really need me and my Academy to be a clear win for him and his son. I have no ambitions for the throne, and have got what I want, and Asbjörn seems to make sure that we have a good friendship.
Damn.
This probably makes it more likely that they will try to get me and Princess Sefa married. If it is needed to boost the Kings Power and to be able to convince the public and the powerful that Prince Hagthorn is a suitable King with good backing, then Asbjörn probably won't prioritize to keep the Academy completely neutral.
I still can't say anything about my thoughts. It's not worth the risk; for me, Kari or my other company. Any inheritance from Asbjörn's brother is unimportant, and I doubt there can even be an inheritance as she has never been officially recognized as belonging to the royal lineage, and there is no reason for Asbjörn to recognize her now. On the other hand, he can gain more from pretending that he always knew about her inheritance and thus gave me a greater gift. Had Skarde died a couple of years ago and the inheritance had been the same and already known, Kari would have been an incredibly valuable concubine to give to someone, and a very desirable wife for most. Her sworn oath to the royal lineage is also important, but that is and oath she has been freed from.
If Kari starts thinking about this - which I have no doubt that she will - I think she will come to the same conclusion. Damn, I should get Jane to swear to never say anything about DNA, but she will wonder if I ask her right now in association with this letter. I have to give Jane a reason in the future when she doesn't link it to this event, such as I have to methodically and carefully release some medical information, but that it will be written down and saved for future generations.
I suddenly notice that Kari is staring at me, and seems to have tried to talk to me. Her eyes are red and cheeks wet, but she no longer cries. Kari is staring at me, and I think she's already read my face. She knows me too damn well.
Shit.
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I was completely taken aback when I saw Robert's calm and controlled face. I had started to gather myself and just wanted to hear his soothing voice and words, but instead I saw his face. It really worries me, because it was so unexpected and he knows something. Something that is a threat or dangerous.
"Tell me!"
Robert looks me in the eyes, sighs, hugs me more and softly begins to whisper his thoughts in my ear. Slow but methodical, he explain his thought and my thoughts start to jump wildly between detached conversations, events and people. I see the game pieces line up; how my life has just been a piece in a game of Hnefatafl. I just stare at Robert and notice he's stopped talking, and I read the will again. Carefully. I read the last part two times, and I just get cold and numb inside. A void without thoughts. As if it is happening to someone else and I don't know what to say or do.
Robert hugs me and gives me a kiss, and I seek comfort in his embrace. Robert is probably right. Far too much line up with his idea, much better than he knows and I lean against my man and feel his safe and reassuring hug, and I start to whisper back:
"It is said that King Asbjörn's brother died quickly of illness, but that his wife had just had a child and six months later gave birth to a daughter. A daughter who is almost 2 years younger than me, and we have some common features now that I compare us. We're both tall, and so was King Asbjörn's brother. It's not logical that King Asbjörn's brother - the King's brother - only had his wife; he must have had several concubines or mistresses, but when I think about it I've never heard about a single concubine, mistress or lover. It's not normal. King Asbjörn rarely talks about his brother, but it is well known that King Asbjörn misses his brother, and wished that his fate would have been different.
I've heard the name Storman Skarde before at the castle, but I havn't really thought about it. Storman Skarde is said to have his home somewhere further north close to Elfrhamr, between the sea and Storsjön, and his reputation is a grumpy and evil old man who has dug in like a tick and rarely leaves his estate. So unpleasant that none of the Gods want anything to do with him, and have postponed to collect him.
There are always rumours about splits and alliances, more or less secret, and powerful families and lineages that don't get along. The royal lineage is hardly unique, but it is a lineage with many powerful men and women, spread over a wast area. The old king, King Asbjörn's father, tried to strengthen the family's connection to the western part of the kingdom, but it may be that he tried to make his part of the lineage more influential.
King Asbjörn has three children. One son - Prince Hagthorn who just got married for the first time - and I know that Prince Hagthorn tried to get me as his concubine a few years ago, but King Asbjörn flatly refused to even talk about it when he usually give his son something he really asked for. If we are cousins, King Asbjörn's reaction is obvious. It also explains why King Asbjörn may have really tried to find me a good man. His niece. Skarde's reference to it is certainly a peace offering to King Asbjörn.
My real name is probably Princess Kari Arildsdotter, and I have a half-sister who has been married to a prince across the sea."
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Kari's speech has become more monotonous over time and the shock is clear, so I just hold her and give her kisses she barely answers, while we continue to hug.
This means that Asbjörn is probably more dangerous than most people know. He is smarter than many people think and good at showing a calm and regal facade. We can't let Asbjörn know that we suspect, but the question is whether we can pretend well enough. If he asks, it may be better to admit that we guess, but don't care.
I whisper back I wasn't going to tell them about this yet, but she needs to know. In Midgård with its technology, it would have been so easy to prove that she and Asbjörn are related, even that Asbjörn's brother Arild is her father if we can get the smallest bone or hair from him or that her half-sister is her half-sister, but here it is completely impossible. It's called a DNA test, and the technique is used daily to solve crimes and identify people in ways she can't imagine, and it is common knowledge in Midgård that a drop of blood, saliva or hair can be proven to belong to a certain person. Just as Jane knew about genetic compatibility due to DNA, Jane knows this too, and how it is used and has heard about it many many times. It is that common. I have to make sure Jane doesn't talk about such things, but can't say anything about it right after this, because she will start to wonder. But it is best that Asbjörn never finds out that the possibility even exists. Kari agrees, because I've already gained a reputation for doing impossible things, and if Asbjörn suspects we know and I say something is impossible, but Jane says it may be possible because she might not understand how advanced technology it is? Its a stupid chance to take, even if the risk is small.
Kari sighs and says that our lives were so much easier before Radgeirrson's feast, and before her inheritance. Before we both became Storman. She has just received an incredibly large inheritance. She has found out who her grandfather is, and we have figured out who her probable parents, uncle and cousins are. She is probably a princess, and can't be happy about it, or even admit they are family.
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After a while Kari has gathered herself enough. We've talked, and she has no idea how much Skarde really left her because the document doesn't mention any sizes. We have to send someone to figure it out and we need to talk to the messenger. Kari wants to visit the property and talk to the people, but if Asbjörn is really behind Skarde's death, it is better that Kari stays here and doesn't go on trips through the forests even with a couple of guards. And Asbjörn will come here in less than two weeks.
Iselin, Ciara, Jane, Gunhild and Hillevi are waiting in the library and extra room, and more arrive as called by the sound of me opening the doors. We can see the questions hanging unsaid. So I state that yes, Kari is Storman Skarde's granddaughter and he has left most of what he owned to her. Kari now knows something about her family, but doesn't want to talk about it. It is still a fresh wound and I ask them to respect her wish. Be happy for Kari but realise that she also just found out that her family is dead, and that she only has us, and she needs to mourn.
My careless words have gotten Kari crying again, and I hold her to comfort her. They all just silently nod at it and Jane hands a roll of paper to Kari. The sketch she made off Skarde. We now understand why he said we should keep the sketch, and that he wouldn't be able to enjoy it, before he happily left with his new chair. He knew and walked happily to his death. Kari unrolls and sees the portrait, and cries even more.
Iselin says that the messengers in the small guest room has other documents of the properties, so I ask that they give Kari a few minutes and then show them in here.
Kari receives the documents over the properties, and receives a brief summary from the messengers who say they were trusted slaves who worked for Skarde for two decades. Skarde had prepared so that his oldest slaves and his most trusted slaves were freed upon his deathbed, and several were rewarded with a small property. As Skarde's heir they have promised to help Kari to get to know her new properties, and get to know the people there.
Kari owns a mindboggingly huge property west of Elfrhamr, a long days ride north, and almost two days walking this time of the year plus a boat trip. The estate have a lot of animals and workers. In total, the inheritance is about 380 mantal, which is almost five times more than needed to be able to call herself a Storman. Far more than I own. Most are adjoined larger farms in a valley and a village that Kari practically own as she owns almost all the land in the area, and most work on her land. A copy of the will was read out in the village, and it has now become clear to people there why Skarde renamed the village 'Kariby' almost 20 years ago, basically Kari's village. Which makes Kari cry again after the shock of the inheritance's size.
Kari also has some scattered smaller properties here and there, including 22 mantles on the island of Orusingen, which is the huge island to the north, whose fields are leased by adjacent residents.
The messengers will return to Karis estate and Kari ask them to have everyone continue taking care of all the properties because right now, she just can't visit. In a month or so - or maybe more - but not now, which they understands. They seems quite pleased that Kari is so grieving, instead of being greedy and happy about the properties.
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After a late evening meal, Kari accompanies me to bed, and what she is wearing is flattering and seductive. She has really taken to Jane's ideas - which I completely agree with - that the right attire can be more attractive than nudity, and can feel more special. Just a finer nightgown is a luxury for most people, but what Kari is wearing is a very beautiful close-fitting modern looking mix of simpler lace and thin fabric with embroidery, and Kari says that Jane calls it a Fashion Teddy. Red and black with gold highlights really suit Kari, and she is rightly satisfied and feels luxurious. My compliments and the fact that I obviously like it make Kari proud and happier. But we just lie there in bed and hold each other. Too much has happened today.
I tell Kari that after the second time I almost died, I've been planning to ask Iselin to marry me this Midwinter, which I think Iselin will say yes to, which Kari snortingly confirms is a given. I've just pushed it forward with everything that's happened, and as I've tried to make asking more special and worthy of Iselin, which Kari makes another snorting sound too, although slightly sadder. I'll ask Iselin tomorrow. Later this winter, sometime after the honeymoon, I will ask her to marry me next spring, if she still wants to be my wife. Given how quickly and intensely Kari kisses me - and partly forgets her tongue again - I think it's a good sign of what Kari thinks of that idea. Kari's internal conflict that my second wife must be someone that everyone sees as a desirable wife, has now been resolved.
I may not love Kari the same way as Iselin, but I love Kari and she is special to me and I want her in my future life. I'm still thinking in a far too slow pace for this world. The tempo and stress in modern Midgård is higher, but here where people live shorter, grow up faster and everything takes a long time to do - the pace of life gets higher and I need to adapt. Postponing marriage or children for two years when you are twenty, is a much larger part of the time the elves have left in life and health, and the chance to see their children grow up. I understand Liv that really wants a child now, to just increase her chance to see her child grow up. Kari will be 23 years old next summer and I will be 37 years old.