Tosra & The Auction, day 31

Iselin have realised that her bedroom is on the other side of the attic wall from my workshop room, and she would really like a secret door in between, but I have told her that I am not particularly keen on it due to security, and there is limited space where it is possible to put such a door due to the attic stairs, the southern part in the workshop is open from floor to attic roof, and there are steam pipes. But Iselin really wants a secret door, and have started processing me so sooner or later it might happen. It can honestly be done with a security type of door that is always locked and locks itself, but its harder to hide it, so I have to think about it. Something like a Narnia wardrobe might work on Iselins side, but it's not optimal. What Iselin really wants is a secret door 'somewhere', so I might have to get creative up to the attic or something.

The carpenters have delivered the first batch of wooden covers for the copper radiators, and an unexpected advantage is that the cover makes it easier to dry clothes and other things on and against the radiator. More airflow, and avoid direct contact. The maids hang most of the laundry out on the pavilion, where it is very airy but still hanging beneath a roof, and the laundry even gets sunlight for a few hours as it hangs at the south end, especially now in the autumn when even the midday sun starts to be low.

During winter they can hang stuff indoors in both the laundry room, sauna and bathrooms, and if it is more urgent to get it dry, there is several radiator with cloths lines inside the laundry room that can be set to higher heat, but it can get unpleasantly warm inside if the window is closed and they wash with hot water. Heat and humidity. Lovely. However, the maids don't complain about it or that they wash much more often than usual, because it is a warm laundry room indoors, with hot water, and they are under a roof all the time even when they go out to the pavilion to hang it up. Most people wash clothes in cold streams or buckets, so they don't complain that it can be 'too hot'. Since a while back, the maids have started to make their own soap production because there is a high consumption here, and we have ash from the fireplaces that they filter and cook with animal fat and salt. They have the time, and they're experimenting with adding a little different fragrances and herbs to the soap to make it smell better, especially for the lord and ladies. So far that is the only use of the pavilions fireplaces. It might be a good idea to distill some 'rose water' or other perfumes come next summer.

My and Jane's Midgård clothes, however, they wash more carefully and differently, and for mine use the detergent I have with me, but those cloths don't get used much and washed even less. Elvira is so proud to be given the honor of being the only one washing them, and I don't think she's pretending. I have given Jane permission to wear her Midgård clothes whenever she wants, but she seems uncomfortable in doing so, and only does so occasionally.

It hurts deep in my soul when Iselin asks if my proposal to her is because Kari inherited, so I can marry Kari faster, or for the upcoming visit of the Royal family with Princess Sefa. So I am honest and answer that it didn't affect, just reminded me that life is short, things happen and I still think in Midgård's pace and longevity, which makes Iselin turn stiff.

I explain that I decided to propose to her after the murder in the harbor, when I understood that as just a free woman she has no legal right to my property, and when I was drugged a month later by Radgeirrson, it only made everything clearer and more urgent. If I seemed to be dying, I would have quickly married her. So she, Kari and Ciara would have split my inheritance three ways. I also made the decision to ask Kari to become my wife some time after. I would've married Ciara if she wanted to be my wife, but she prefer to be my only concubine. They deserve to be married rich women, and I want to do my best for all of them. I've just been distracted and spent far too much time trying to figure out how to make the proposal more special, because she deserves the best I can do, and deep down, I'm an insecure man, and I was afraid that she might say no.

Iselin kiss and hug me while I continue to explain that last night I realised that it is less important to make it special - the important thing is to ask and not postpone it any more, and about a month after our wedding, I plan to propose to Kari to get married a week before the spring equinox, even though I would have preferred to let Iselin be my only wife for much longer. I think Kari wants to be my wife, but after thinking about her new situation for a few months, it is possible that Kari might want another life, without me and us. The King gave her to me as a concubine, but she isn't forced by law to continue to be so for the rest of her life. She isn't some prisoner or slave. It is just disrespectful to the King and me, but she can basically mitigate that with a large gift she can now easily give. She can leave and marry another man, and now she will be coveted on a whole other level than she was before.

Iselin hasn't thought about that, but smile when she says it's just my inner insecurity again, because Kari loves me above all else, and I shouldn't doubt that Kari will say anything other than 'yes'.

I hope she is right. I ask Iselin if she wants to find and inform her parents, and I will give her silver to buy them free and release them. If they don't wish or cannot stay where they live, then I can give them somewhere else; I own plenty of land in several places, and if they and Iselin want, they can live here on the island for the rest of their lives so they don't have to work or farm land and keep animals. Unless they want to. Iselin wants it. But the other island - not this one. So we decide that Iselin will take the ship on a journey after the Auction and the Royal family's visit, but first we have a Borgarsandr shopping trip to do.

After talking to my sambos, the maids Elvira and Jalida, and the cook Rikvi, we decide to give the two new employees employment until further notice. Farmhand Hrappr, 19 years old and the maid Ida, 16 years old. Not unexpectedly, they are both happy and relieved. Both about getting the job, and since they have probably started to get used to their life here, which is more luxurious than the farms they came from.

The cook Rikvi, who was only employed for a one month, has had it extended over the winter for a while now, which she was overjoyed at. She loves life here, and she loves the wonderful kitchen above all else - and it just gets better and better! She hardly complains about the prestige that comes with the work, although she is somewhat stressed because she knows she will cooking for the King, Queen and Princesses for a few days.

Kari reckon we can get a better cook, but me and Iselin have nothing to complain about, and Rikvi is learning a lot from Elvira and Jalida as well, with suggestions and ideas from me and Jane. It's more correct to say that I have nothing to complain about because it is about an 1800s kitchen with the limitation of medieval ingredients. I miss potatoes, and as an example we eat a lot more of peas and beans than I ever did, not to mention wheat base food, but we eat well. Most people only eat bread and drink mead, with a little soup and meat now and then. Much of what was late medieval European court food is also something I won't appreciate, especially not bird dishes like pigeon etc. Just because the animal flies and is closer to the sky and 'heaven', doesn't mean that the animal is 'nobler' to eat. Give me some good pork, chicken, beef, fish, vegetables and root vegetables with a little spice and preferably with some good sauce, and I am happy. Which Rikvi and the others learned. Kari, Iselin, Ciara and Jane might like wine and mead, but I prefer and water, milk or cider.

It's sad that neither I nor Jane have been enthusiastic about cooking, and we're both used to being able to buy ready-made ingredients, but we try to improve dishes over time. That I have a cooking book in PDF on my cell phone doesn't help much when a lot of the ingredients are not available, and temperature control, timing and cooking options are very limited. The latest experiment is with semolina to make pasta and lasagne. It will not be perfect, but it's different and edible. Of course no tomatoes, but minced meat sauce, spices, onions and cheese work well, and we are collecting information and improve recipes over time.

Iselin and Kari find it entertaining that I have the same principles for cooking as with other constructions and creative work, and Rikvi and the others have learned to use simple wooden measurements to give a more accurate amount in the recipe, and recipes are gradually written down and refined. Variants are tried and everyone get to give their honest opinion and lessons are learned. I wonder what Rikvi will think of my idea to eventually publish a cookbook, because it is to give away trade secrets like from any skilled craftsman, but at the same time advanced cooking is something that will be taught at the Academy. I can always steam roll her will, but I hope she will be proud to have her name on the cover page. As long as we methodically and slowly persuade and hammer in the benefits, the easier it will be. The more books in diverse subjects there are, the more valuable reading will be for the average person.

A little later I take farmhand Hrappr aside and tell him he is probably a smart man, but I will say it anyway so there is no doubt, man to man. He is the only man in the household besides me, and none of us wants to know what the consequences will be if he ever forces himself on anyone in the household. If it is voluntary intimacy between two people with someone on the staff, I don't have any issue with that, as long as it doesn't affect both of their jobs. But he should be careful to even dream of Iselin, Kari, Ciara or Caecilia. Should they try to get together with him or he learns that they are trying with another man, then he must tell me. Jane is also a close friend, although her private life is private and her own choice. I care a lot about them all. Hrappr solemnly swears that he will never touch them, and he thanks for the clarity and that I came to him as a man. He will not betray my trust, and is actually a little proud that he is the only man in the mansion besides me.

It's a bit possessive and jealous of me to prevent my partners from having sex with other men when I myself have so many women, but well, I'm guess I am selfish and possessive, and three of them have chosen me. At least Ciara won't let any other man touching her in any sexual way. It was not mutually from the beginning, but now I do have feelings for them to varying degrees.

Iselin and Kari both know what is required for the feast and the wedding and are enthusiastic about it. It will be an unusual event because I have no family here and not any men as close friends, and our wedding won't be an agreement between families. It will also be in the middle of winter when there usually arn't any weddings, except when it is improvised or it can't wait until spring or summer for some reason. Like a pregnancy. Winter might be problematic for travel and living arrangements etc, for all the guests, but it should be less of a problem for us with an ice-free sea route here, large comfortable mansion and relatively few guests. I appreciate that I don't 'need' to have a bachelor party, even though I think Iselin may have wanted a bachelorette party. None of them would have really worked here anyway, and it is not a tradition they have.

All my sambos are special when it comes to possible marriage because none of them will be alliances between families. As my freeneck born slave, Iselin has no relatives who can object to our wedding. Her fathers and mothers will doesn't matter. The same is true of Ciara, although her relatives in Alba would probably look at it differently. But, this is my Furstdom so it sucks to be them, and it's not like they seem to have even tried to find her. Kari is also special and lacks relatives who will admit to being it. It's against the Law for Caecilia to marry, so no Völva or Gothi will ever perform that ceremony. She can't even become a concubine. Not that she seems to want to be either of those. And I'm a human, without relatives in this world.

When it comes to weddings and marriages, there are many traditions, and a lot is symbolic as hell. In this region, the tradition is that the local Völva acts as the 'priest'. In some other regions there is apparently a man called Gothi. Clothes are much less important than hair, jewellery and weapons. Iselin needs a wedding crown, but as she will become a furstess, she will also need a real crown. And we each need a ring, but both the wedding crown and the design and appearance of the rings are almost unimportant, but they need to exist, and the wedding crown is often a flower wreath to associate with life, spring and fertility. Apparently they have talked to Jane so I think those things will be special, but it will be a surprise for me, and I have been informed that Iselin will order it in Borgarsandr. They just wanted my ring finger measurements so I made a simple ring in brass that fits, and Iselin also got one made. It's probably practical to have, so I will make ring templates for everyone.

Iselin and Kari have enthusiastically taken the responsibility to arrange all that is needed. I shouldn't be surprised that they want to be in charge, and as the ranking ladies of the household it is their job and they know what will be needed, and what to buy. It is the responsibility of the man's female relatives or women he already has - which is them and Ciara. Jane is getting a lot of mileage out of that I've literally been told that it is their responsibility, duty and tradition to arrange most things, and Jane enjoy reminding me:

"Robert. Your duty is to shut up, pay up and show up."

Jane can actually mime it, by pretending to zip her lips shut, rub her fingers tips together to show cash, and point at a fictive wristwatch.

They are also really enjoying everything because none of them expected to ever be able to get married, especially Iselin as a born slave never thought she would get married. Least of all with someone she loves, and certainly not someone like me. She didn't even have it as a dream until recently - it was too incredible.

I am not looking forward to having to drink honey mead at the party and having to get drunk for the first time in my life, but it is a legal requirement even though it's stupid. And Iselin is extra pleased that I am literally sacrificing a principle older than her for our wedding. My alcohol tolerance should be low, but I have body mass on my side. Then we will go to bed in front of witnesses, preferably six younger adult witnesses and we should have sex in front of them, but it is less strict because our marriage isn't an alliance between two families. A marriage alliance really only applies as long as the witnesses are alive and can confirm it, even though that tradition is now most important among more powerful families.

That Iselin and I have already had sex many, many times doesn't matter, because we have not been married. Alith and Caecilia were quick to stand up as witnesses and think we should have sex in front of them, so it really is official, which Iselin was just as quick to accept, but unexpected was that Ciara and Kari also think they should be witnesses. Iselin is looking forward to the wedding being as official and exact according to the law and traditions it can be, but I am not looking forward to the beginning of our wedding night, but I will be drunk so it will hopefully help. I really hope that intoxication does not affect my performance.

It has become more and more common for marriages to be written down in the Jarl's book of events in the region and reported on the next Stor Ting. Paper contracts that are preserved in the royal castle are a way to ensure that the families who allied themselves will uphold the agreement, and for more important weddings, a powerful Storman or Jarl from far away and who is not allied with either party, is invited as an impartial witness. The ruling King is not on good terms with all families who ally themselves, not least because that allegiance can cause the King to lose his position, so it is complicated. Kari believe that there is a good chance that in the future, I will be invited as an impartial witness to powerful alliances because I am powerful, no a part of the kingdom, and I am also a Sejdmann, so my connection to Freja is a welcome bonus as a guest and witness for the marriage. For many, it will also be a better idea for the Academy to keep a copy of such documents, and if I can make the Academy function as a historical archive for other nations, I will not complain.

I am oh so happy that in this region a honey month is not a tradition, ie that all the bride and groom drink for meals during the first month is that special honey mead, every meal, every day, and the marriage can not take place until they have enough of the drink. I think I know what English 'honeymoon' comes from. In Swedish it is called smekmånad (fondle month) which is quite self-explanatory. Swedish have a lot of words that are. But since I saw how Iselin seemed to be a little disappointed that we wouldn't have a honey month, we will drink some honey mead out the same cup every dinner for four weeks. It rewarded me with a cute smile and kisses, and what won't you do for the love of your life?

We discussed the guest and participant list. Kari, Ciara and of course Jane. Caecilia who is somewhere between maid, musician and guest in participation, but not at the table. Hopefully Iselin's father and mother. They consider it obvious that we will invite Liv and Myrun too, even though it feels weird, but powerful guests are good, and that I've had sex with them and are trying to make Liv pregnant, doesn't matter in the eyes of everyone except mine and Jane's. Myrun is an Jarl, and Liv is an important Fjölkunnig. We need to invite Asbjörn and his wife, which brings with it more maids and guards than just Myrun's. We should also invite Asbjörn's son Hagthorn with his wife, who is the future royal couple, but he has travelled to the eastern kingdom over the winter. We will still officially invite him. And of course the Princesses. Of course the most local Storman Jolfr Lum from Tosra also needs to be invited and he will bring a wife with him, but we can avoid the other Storman in northern Orusingen and inland. It is possibly that Storman Maurr will be invited. More men are needed, so on their recommendation I will invite Danr because we were travelling on his ship when we met, and we might include Hagan too since they like him. Digraldi, maybe Olafr and the builder Pedr also because they are important business contacts. Unn will be here and also needs to be invited because she is the local sejd woman, and Asta because she is important in our vicinity. So about 20-22 participants of which a third are men.