New Edit: Chapter 30: Sif

Chapter 30: Sif
Two days later, the Elders placed Ragnarsson flags and a shield with the Falcon symbol in a ritualistic ceremony into the Caves of Extinct Clans and had the alcove bricked shut. An Elder smashed my Grandfather’s signet ring with a hammer on an anvil and tossed it into the ocean. The Ragnarsson clan was no more.

After the Ceremony, Hogun took me downtown again; he explained that a lawyer had come to open my grandfather's last will.

The building where Hogun landed the floater had three floors and was made just like our burg out of big square hewn stone blocks and Duro-Crete, but the windows were much larger than in the traditional buildings and there was a round company Logo etched into the glass of the automatic door. A stylized version of the Ragnarsson Sigil. Next to it the words: Ragnarsson Inc. Inside was wall to wall carpet, a modern looking hover desk and behind it, a pretty looking woman with her hair open and cut much shorter than any woman I ever saw. Her hair was shorter than mine. She wore a traditional dress, blue with a white apron but her skirt barely reached her knees instead of the floor length kind I knew. She smiled at us. "Good Morning Mr. Olafson. The others are already waiting in Conference Room one."

Hogun nodded. "I know where it is."

We entered an elevator and it lifted us to the third floor and Uncle Hogan led me through a wooden double door into a room with a large polished steel and glass table that was shaped like a spear head and around it leather upholstered hover chairs. Two men were there, both quite obviously Off-Worlders, as they wore suits like Mr. Walters and their faces were beardless. My heart dropped as I saw father and his wife sitting there as well. I wondered what Gretel was doing here, whatever this was it was men's business and not for women. Had my father changed that much and did she really have that much power over him?

She even spoke before anyone else. "Must this abomination be here? The very presence of this failed abortion makes me sick!" She looked towards Isegrim.

One of the Off-Worlders sat directly opposite them at the narrow end of the elongated triangle shaped desk. The other was sitting to the side and Hogun made me sit across him. The man at the small end said. "Yes he must be here, Ms. Olafson. You on the other hand may leave as your presence is not required in these proceedings!"

"Oh yes it is! I want to know how much we get! As it seems that most of the old bastard's riches are in bank accounts and not on Nilfeheim!"

The man ignored her now and turned to me."You are Eric Olafson; please place your hand on the little device that is sitting before you."

I did do as he said and put my hand on a glass plate that was there. After a few second a beeping sound could be heard and a voice said: "Analysis complete. DNA is one hundred percent identical to the sample provided and it can be concluded with an error margin of less than 0.001 percent that this is indeed the grandson of Erik Gustav Ragnarsson. Sufficient to open all Seals placed by deceased."

The man smiled completely business like. "I am David Silverzweig, your grandfather's personal legal adviser and despite all rumors that lawyers can't have friends, I was proud to be among those so designated by your Grandfather. I am here to open his last will that was drawn following all Union Laws and by witnesses. Your Grandfather was of sound mind and this is so attested by the Psych Examination attached to these documents."

An Ultronit box in front of him snapped open all by itself and he took a PDD from it. Again he paid no attention to anyone but me. "If you have any questions at any point say so and I will try to explain everything to you. The gentleman next to me is John Cue and he is a Federal Police Detective, asked here by me to be a witness. He is also here to make sure the rights and laws are upheld." The last words he directed towards my father!

Father snorted and grinned."This is only a fancy off world office. We are still on Nilfeheim!"

The lawyer sighed. "I am painfully aware of that. But now let us proceed."

He put the PDD on the surface of the table and suddenly my grandfather appeared. The lawyer got up and made room for the projection to sit down and it did! It was a disturbing experience to see a dead person come to life like that. Grandfather looked at us all as if he was still there and I constantly reminded myself that it was only a Holo. He spoke. "I am Erik Gustav Ragnarsson. Clan eldest of the Ragnarsson Clan, and the Owner of Ragnarsson Inc. and all its subsidiaries listed under section B of the appendix. I recorded this last will in the presence of three witnesses and after the required Psych evaluation. While I am bound by my heritage and my origin to the traditions and laws of my home world Nilfeheim and must dispense my possessions, my name and home according to these laws, I am under no such constrains to my possessions I was able to gather away from that world. If you see this recording I am dead and I was not able to see my Grandson come to age and do this in person. I know you are all here now, Eric my beloved Grandson who I failed in many ways, Isegrim the man who killed my lovely daughter guilty of murder by Union laws but protected by our sacred ancient rules and traditions and you, Hogun Olafson who I know to be one of the fairest and humblest men I had ever the honor to get to know."

"Can we not simply spool forward through that entire dribble? We all know Eric gets it all and since he is a child we will take good care of it." Gretel interrupted.

<p class="MsoNormal">The projection had stopped and Grandfather was sitting there like a statue. The lawyer glared across the table. "This is a legal procedure and if you interrupt this once more I have to ask you to wait outside."

<p class="MsoNormal">"You can ask all you want little beardless excuse for a man. I do as I please and the only man I listen to is my husband!"

<p class="MsoNormal">The lawyer did not lose a beat and smiled. "I am the executor of this estate and have the full and legal rights to have you removed, but by all means stay as we must discuss the whereabouts of the funds in account 4535-84854. I might add that bank fraud and the illegal withdrawal of funds of an account from a Federal Bank are federal offenses.""

<p class="MsoNormal">She blinked and raised her chin. "Isegrim tell him where he is and that he has no rights on Nilfeheim!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Father glared at her. "Hold your peace or I shall remove you from this room!"

<p class="MsoNormal">She snapped her mouth shut but her eyes glittered at him with unveiled fury and father seemed to shrink away from it!

<p class="MsoNormal">The lawyer tapped the PDD and Grandfather became animated again. "Eric my grandson. I have failed you. Failed to protect you and failed to avenge my daughter. I am ashamed of this. I have failed to act upon my own promise to get Isegrim arrested while he was on Tyson's Planet because Tyson was and is our best customer and I could not even look in your eyes as you asked me that question. You told me of your desire to leave Nilfeheim and perhaps join the Fleet. Or you may stay on Nilfeheim and take your rightful place by challenging your father and defeating him. I saw your fight as a recording and I have sent an old friend and master to train you. He reports to me how well you progressed already. You carry Mördaren already and after you completed the Ancient Challenge, you can do whatever you decide to do. I said I will be proud of you regardless what way you choose. Therefore all my companies and Holdings have been sold by now and by David Silverzweig my lawyer whom I trust as he is also a very dear friend. I had him sell that as it would have been a burden for you. Companies need constant tending and supervision and I did not want to force you to be a businessman. If you want to be one there will be enough funds to start a company of your own. I have willed that all the proceeds of these sales and all funds I have amassed to be yours when you are sixteen. You won't be without means as you have Account 4535-84854 were you get your allowance from and it holds 4 Million Credits as this is the legal limit a minor can own. Again the money is yours and your father can not legally get to it unless you give it to him on your own free will.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Now we come to the interesting part of my last will." Grandfathers projection actually turned to Isegrim as the computronic that guided the projection most likely knew where he was sitting. "My dear Son-in-law. You have lived on the big foot ever since I, through my daughter, provided you with wealth. I thought long and hard to limit your access without breaking any of our laws and customs and without sacrificing my will. You see my friend David here is a lawyer, a very special one I might add. He specializes in analyzing the legal system of alien cultures that join the Union and ever since I returned to Pluribus, he is actually studying our own ancient Book of Sacred traditions and he found a wonderful way to get my revenge on you after all and from beyond the grave so to speak. I know I am dead but if there is such a thing as ghosts I will be present there in spirit to see your face!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Father's face was one big question mark as he leaned forward.

<p class="MsoNormal">Four Elders entered as if on cue and sat down as if rehearsed and only then did Grandfather speak again. "By your own admission in the presence of Elders did you reject Eric's right to be recognized as warrior and of age after he had slain two Tyranno Fins."

<p class="MsoNormal">"You can change your mind now. Accept him as a warrior and of age to our customs today or insist he shall remain until he takes the Ancient Challenge."

<p class="MsoNormal">"What is this?" Father asked looking to the Elders.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You are a clan leader. Make your decision, but remember you grabbed the arm of the Arnske Clan leader in front of many witnesses and recognized him to be your son, first born and heir."

<p class="MsoNormal">Gretel actually whacked his arm and screamed at him."You did what? I let you out of my sight for a little while and you acknowledge that accident? It is Lothar! My ... our son that is heir to all!"

<p class="MsoNormal">The Elders gasped."What is this? Have you forsaken our traditions? Is a woman ruling the Clan of Olafson?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Father's face became red with rage and perhaps shame? His hand dropped to his whip and it uncoiled. He backhanded Gretel with his left, this time without restraint and she was swept off the hover chair.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Elders now stood. "Answer the question and make up your mind. Do you recognize Eric as your firstborn and honor the pact you made only yesterday?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Father also on his feet growled. "Yes he is my firstborn. I neither care for him nor do I want him alive after his sixteenth birthday but I shall hold my end of the pact with the Arnske clan. No mortal wound shall be inflicted on him from my hand or with my blessing until he comes of age. I do not however recognize him as a warrior. He is a snot nose runt and nothing more!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Are you certain and is this your will?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Odin be my witness it is!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"None of Eric's decisions have any value or meaning then?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Father clearly sensed there was something afoot, but he could not back out. "Nothing my son ever uttered has any meaning. Not in the Olafson Clan, not in the world. It is I who speaks alone. He is of no consequence."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I am glad it was you who put it that way, and by Odin you evoked and by the Elders, you will be held to this word. Should you break that pact or kill your son before he is sixteen and you challenge him as an adult, the Circle of Elders will declare you Ydrgedan and not fit to be seen among men. Ydrgedan have no rights and no status and can be killed on sight by anyone anywhere and not allowed to have possessions."

<p class="MsoNormal">Father was quite obviously distraught by all this. "Why is this brought up?"

<p class="MsoNormal">The Elder rose also to his feet. "Since his words have no meaning, then his decision to grant you the control over the Steiner clan cannot stand. Then he is unable to speak as an adult and cannot accept or give what he has won in the challenge against the Steiner Clan. The Steiner Clan will remain as it was until Eric reaches his sixteenth birthday and only then can make the decision to give it to you or keep it. That he had given it to you is null and void. You are hereby instructed by the Circle of Elders to release all that was Steiner.

<p class="MsoNormal">Grandfathers projection laughed! "I am no arguer but I just know what you have decided!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Father howled in rage and lashed out against the projection first with no effect and then was about to go against the Elders! The Policeman however pulled a dangerous looking blaster weapon blindingly fast and aimed it at Father; the shimmer of the focus field before the barrel was clearly visible and a sign the gun was armed and charged. "Sir I must insist to restrain yourself from any further act of violence or I am forced to take action!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Father shivered with rage. "Hide behind your weapon coward. This is Nilfeheim!"

<p class="MsoNormal">The Elders were calm. "Do you wish to challenge one of us Isegrim?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Hogun also stood. "Raise that whip or a hand against an Elder and I will break your neck!"

<p class="MsoNormal">I was certain Father was backing down because of Hogun and not because of the blaster. "No!" He shouted and lowered the whip. "I will not Challenge an Elder!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Challenging an Elder was considered the most dishonorable thing a man could do. The Elders would be able to choose a champion for each of them as old men were not expected to stand against a younger man and the Challenger would lose all rights to be a member of Nilfeheim's society, lower than a Low Man should he survive the fight.

<p class="MsoNormal">The lawyer and I were the only ones that remained seated. Gretel had not moved from the floor since Hogun hit her. Silverzweig had never lost his smile and simply activated the projection again. Grandfather stopped laughing and said. "So go back to my Burg and enjoy and squander what I willed to Eric on this world as I know you will, but all that is not of this world is out of your reach. The final part of this recording is to be played to my Grandson when he turns sixteen. I wish I could have been there in person my grandson and if you can forgive me it will make me rest in peace. He slammed his hand on his chest raised his hand towards me. "Receive my blessings. If there is a beyond and Halls of Valhalla, Eric, I will tell your mother how proud she can be of you and maybe we will see each other again."

<p class="MsoNormal">The projection vanished and I had to fight hard not to cry.

<p class="MsoNormal">Gretel silently appeared from under the table with a split lip and sat in her chair. The lawyer took the PDD and replaced it in the box. "The combined proceeds of the sale of all possessions and interests of your grandfather amounted to 2 billion Credits. The money was placed in a secure savings account that can be accessed with your Biometrics and signatures the day you become a Union citizen."

<p class="MsoNormal">Gretel blinked and despite her bleeding lip she smiled. "Did he just say 2 Billion Credits?"

<p class="MsoNormal">The lawyer nodded. "Yes this is what I said." He then nodded to the policeman."I am done. You can take over now."

<p class="MsoNormal">The policeman looked straight at Gretel. "An investigation was opened after Hogun Olafson and Mr. Silverzweig noticed the allowance account given to Eric showed some unusual activities." He then turned to me. "Eric as you know your grandfather has given you an allowance account and the maximum withdrawal for a minor is 20,000 credits a month. In my investigation I noticed you made those withdrawals in regular intervals since you are five years old. Now lately you withdrew the sum of 2 million credits all at once. Can I ask why?"

<p class="MsoNormal">I was totally surprised. "I have no account. I never had any money at all."

<p class="MsoNormal">Hogun nodded. "He doesn't even have money to buy himself a piece of gum or an extra lunch at school. He did not know about the allowance account."

<p class="MsoNormal">Gretel spat."Liar! I gave you your money every week! What do I know what you have done with it"

<p class="MsoNormal">The Policeman turned. "I doubt Eric purchased dresses and cosmetics from GalNet sources, placed bets on adult only gambling sites or purchased furniture or a hunting submarine. I further doubt he wrote that permission document you produced to withdraw that money. The bank accepted the document as it was validated by its father and mother. However the mother of the boy was already dead at that point, so it is a forgery."

<p class="MsoNormal">"You cannot arrest me! I am his stepmother and I can do whatever I please with my stepson's money."

<p class="MsoNormal">The Lawman sighed. "You are correct that I am not able to arrest you right now, as the last Representative of this world managed to have Nilfeheim exempt from direct Law enforcement activity on Nilfeheim ground 40 years ago."

<p class="MsoNormal">Mr. Silverzweig, the lawyer added. "In order to protect these planets traditions, Erik Gustav was able to get Nilfeheim a special status. While this is a Union World, no Union Law can be enforced on its surface, except at the Exchange, the School and the Space Port as these are considered Union ground. However since no one speaks for this world now, I will make it a point to have this status revoked, it is a foregone conclusion that this is only a matter of time and Union Police can enforce Union law."

<p class="MsoNormal">The Elders said. "It was said yesterday. We only now begin to understand what Erik Gustav really did for us. There is no one who could replace him!"

<p class="MsoNormal">The policeman looked to Gretel. "However a standing arrest warrant is issued for both of you and you are barred from opening or owning a bank account. All your current bank accounts and credit assets have been seized and frozen until that day this case will be heard by a Union Court."

<p class="MsoNormal">Isegrim pounded his fist on the desk. "How am I supposed to do business if I cannot sell my products?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"You may appeal this at the next Union court and in person. There is one on Helgoland only a few light years from here. It's a simple matter; you go clear your charges and a Judge will be happy to reinstate you. Of course you could be found guilty and then the whole citizenship thing won't really matter to you."

<p class="MsoNormal">Mr. Silverzweig said. "I had about enough of you anyway and I think you need to leave."

<p class="MsoNormal">Gretel blinked and said."We got nothing?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Father pushed her out of the door."We got less than nothing thanks to you!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Hogun was very quiet as we returned to the Inn.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Uncle Hogun is that not a good development?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes Eric it is. I enjoyed every minute of it. Yet there are things that needed to be said that have not been said and I am bound by my word to remain silent."

<p class="MsoNormal">He then took me by the shoulders and looked at me with the most serious expression in his face. "Eric, your father and your stepmother are much more dangerous than you know. He has promised not to kill you, but that does not mean he cannot seek to hurt you very badly. He lost much today and he has to send servants to do business at the Exchange and have someone else to open and maintain a bank account."

<p class="MsoNormal">"He might be afraid of the day you are old enough to challenge him and he will try to find a way to prevent that!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"I won't be there. The day I turn sixteen I will be on my way to the Academy."

<p class="MsoNormal">"That is your plan, Eric. Plans don't always work out the way you like and there are still 4 years to go and that is a long time for something to change or go wrong."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I have you to watch over me. Have I not?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes Eric. I will do my best, but he is your father and he can decide to call you back to the Burg anytime he chooses and I cannot do much when you are there."

<p class="MsoNormal">Father did give me a trashing when he called me home that evening. Two of his men grabbed right after I came through the gate. Each one grabbing me firm by the arms and laughing, in the middle of the courtyard father spoke with a loud voice: "This is for making a fool out of me, for causing me shame and losing business." Gretel stood in the entrance of the High Halls, wearing once again a red dress, this time she also wore a veil covering her most likely swollen lips. Lothar stood before her she had her hands on his shoulders. Tyr stood behind them but more out of curiosity I was certain. He too was much ignored but never got any bad treatment. Father had Harkun strip me of my clothing and went through my pockets. He carried the Credit strip I got from Hogun to father and also gave him Mjörden. The fists of the men held me tight and without mercy. "Let me go you servants! This is my sword! Grandfather has given it to me!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"All that you think is yours, misbegotten Whelp, is mine and you shall learn now what it means to defy me. I will break you and make you squirm for mercy and I will do that every day. Let's see what is left of you when you turn sixteen. I won't kill you as promised but perhaps you decide to end it yourself."

<p class="MsoNormal">He did not use his usual whip but an arm long leather tube filled with sand. It was so bad that even Gretel finally turned her face away. I could no longer feel anything but a wall of pain. They doused me with cold water several times, like through many layers of thick pillows I heard Gretel say."Don't kill him! Remember the 2 Billion!"

<p class="MsoNormal">The men let me go, I could not walk or stand, and he had broken my legs. They let my lie right there on the cobblestones and father came close and said. "This is where you belong at the bottom of my feet. Anyone who comes to help you will receive the same treatment!"

<p class="MsoNormal">I passed out, but woke many times during the night and the pain did not subside. I could no longer see my eyes did not open. It was the longest night of my life so far. I did hear boots as they came across the yard. "The school flier is here. Shall I tell him to leave?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"No put him in. So we have a witness he left the island alive." My father said and then with some concern in his voice. "He is alive, is he not?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Someone touched me."Yes I feel a pulse but it is weak and his left eye is gone."

<p class="MsoNormal">"He doesn't need to see. I promised him to be alive, not in what manner!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Someone else came and said. "The Clan Leader of the Arnske Clan wants Eric tonight to visit their burg for the first official courting."

<p class="MsoNormal">They picked me up and dragged me. I could hear the gate open and the humming of the School flier. Dietmar's voice gasped in horror. "By the gods! What have you done?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Utter no words in my present, Slave of the Off-Worlders. Take this carcass and take him to that cursed school. He is alive, no other word was given!"

<p class="MsoNormal">I came around, but not in the school’s med room. It was the Hospital downtown and I floated inside a tank. I saw the doctor outside and heard him say. His voice was directly in my ear. "Well you got the worst behind you, I managed to save your eyes and set your bones, but your internal organs need a little more time. I am growing you a new liver."

<p class="MsoNormal">He smiled but the liquid I was in distorted it to a hideous grimace. "You should be out in two or three hours."

<p class="MsoNormal">I could not say anything, something stuck in my mouth and it would not come out.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Don't fight the machines, Eric. They are keeping you alive right now."

<p class="MsoNormal">I felt absolutely nothing. No pain, no sensations. As if my mind was totally isolated from everything. I did see Hogun and three white dressed shapes, most likely Elders standing there.

<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor said. "I cannot understand how a society like yours always claims to be morally so far above the rest, because you claim to have honor. Is it honorable to stand by while a man tortures his child? Do you want to know how often I have worked on that boy?" The doctor's voice became angrier. "I was a Battle field surgeon, but I have never seen wounds like that afflicted to a child. He was within minutes of death as they brought him here."

<p class="MsoNormal">"But he was alive?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes he was!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Then there is little we can do. He is the boy's father. He is bound by his word to leave Eric alive, but that is all."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I will personally appeal to the council to lift the special status this world has enjoyed so long. The day that happens I have all those child molesters arrested and those who stood by and did nothing!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"You are not of Nilfeheim. You do not understand!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Then explain it to me. Tell me what society allows such crimes? What honor is there?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"We are painfully aware of the limitations of our laws, but one boy's life and one bad father is not enough to sacrifice our Rules and traditions, but we are not powerless. Isegrim gave his word to the Arnske clan and he must uphold his side of the oath."

<p class="MsoNormal">I had no illusions what awaited me at the burg as I was flown back by Hogun and an Elder. Why they came along I did not know. I did not care either. They would leave and father would do the same thing again. I would have done the same as Dietmar did and stow away on a freighter but he told me, they would return a runaway minor to his planet of origin, as they did not want trouble with the clans they did business with. So all I could do is bide my time and hope I was strong enough not to give up and do as he wanted and give all to Lothar.

<p class="MsoNormal">Father awaited us in the Yard and he had his fists stemmed into his hips and growled. "You are not welcome here. Not you brother and not you Elder! I shall respect you but I do not have to suffer you in my own burg."

<p class="MsoNormal">"It is not your burg yet. Eric must turn sixteen and give it to the Olafson clan. It is willed to him. You are but the caretaker till then." The Elder said. "I am here to give you a stern warning and my very last. I am not here as Elder but on a personal errand. I told you I knew what Harkun did and I will check on Eric every day. Should he have so much as bruise and tells me it is from your hand? I will reveal it all! Now I expect you to hand Eric back his sword. It is his and no one else's!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Father nodded and lowered his hands.

<p class="MsoNormal">"What a sniffling weakling my First born is, crawls to others to complain instead of accepting his father's hand and will as it is proper."

<p class="MsoNormal">Hogun spat. "He could not even crawl or say a word. You will reap what you sow, brother. Evil as thine will not stand forever."

<p class="MsoNormal">Father actually called me and I expected the worst as I had to go to the High Hall. He sat in the big by the fire. "You are invited to the Burg of the Arnske Clan. You will behave proper and there will be no talk about what transpired yesterday. You will be at your best behavior."

<p class="MsoNormal">Gretel appeared next to him and sat down in the chair next to him. It was of course highly improper that a woman would sit in a Lords chair, and without asking for permission. "I am under no oath or obligation to keep you unharmed, you filth! Now I want you to draw 20,000 credits from your account. I am in need of new things!"

<p class="MsoNormal">I did not move or respond.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Your Stepmother has given you an order, now obey!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"I cannot, this account is frozen until a Federal court heard the case." Uncle Hogun told me to say as he anticipated exactly this.

<p class="MsoNormal">He grunted a curse and she huffed and left. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his anger. "Now I shall teach you about the Arnske Clan. It is important you remember all I teach you!"

<p class="MsoNormal">So it came that for the first time in my life, my father would teach me something. He went into great detail and made me repeat it often. He was surprisingly calm and as he finished listing the important dates in the Arnske Clan history and I repeated them he said. "They are almost as wealthy as the Ragnarsson clan and their Clan Chief has the allegiance of twenty Old Clans. His voice is heard through his father in the Circle of Elders. Nine Subs they own and twelve surface ships. They own vast herds of Fangsnappers in the south."

<p class="MsoNormal">He put his whip to the side and leaned forward. "Twenty two Clan leaders have vowed ligeance to you at your Grandfather's funeral. The Steiner clan will be yours. If this union comes to be as I have sworn it will, along with our Allies the Olafson clan will be the first clan to assemble 48 Clans with one voice and only 154 Old Clans remain. Do this well and give me control when you turn sixteen and I shall not forget that you are my first born."

<p class="MsoNormal">I wanted to tell him what I was thinking about him and his false trickery and Loki inspired words. That even if he decided to raise me to my rightful status and treat me like his son, there was nothing he could do to wash mother’s blood off his hands. For this reason alone, I would seek revenge. However I said nothing at all.

<p class="MsoNormal">He nodded. "I am hard but I keep my word. So tell me the twenty most important battles the Arnske Clan had fought."

<p class="MsoNormal">I was invited to the Burg of the Arnske Clan. The Clan the girl Sif belonged to. As it was tradition, I would be allowed to spend an evening with the girl, under the watchful eyes of her parents of course. I haven't seen her since my Grandfather’s funeral.

<p class="MsoNormal">Even though girls had to go to Union school as well, here on Nilfeheim they had to go to separated classes. I did not know much about her. Father made sure I knew the history of the Arnske Clan as this would certainly be what her father would talk about.

<p class="MsoNormal">I did feel a little nervous about the entire affair, decked out in traditional garb. It looked ridiculously anachronistic, especially after I had learned about other planets and civilizations. I carried the sword Mjörden and the hasps that held my woolen cape bore the Olafson wolf seal as well as a skinner knife that was handed down through many generations of the Olafson Clan. The fabrics were rough and itchy, but I was allowed for the first time to wear leather pants for the first time. Only a proven warrior was allowed to wear leather.

<p class="MsoNormal">Sif and her family greeted me formally as Uncle Hogun dropped me of at their burg and I was led into the main hall. Sif looked especially lovely in a long dark blue velvet dress with long white sleeves, girded with a golden belt that matched the golden hair band she wore keeping her long blonde hair and kept a whisp of translucent veil before her face. She curtsied in a demure way, lowering her eyes in a very feminine fashion. Her mother may have been as lovely as Sif once but she obviously liked food and sweetmeats a lot. I was almost certain she was as big as Ragnar but only half his height. Never the less she had a friendly face and smiled at me as paid my respect to her and the Head of the house.

<p class="MsoNormal">For the next four, however I sat with her father and four high clan lords, Uncles of Sif by the fireplace to talk and answer questions about the family business, our hunting subs, how many Tyrannos my family had caught in the last period and how the Ragnarsson fish farms faired. Father had provided me with that information and I was able to answer. I had then told about how I killed the Tyrannos, they were quite impressed by that. Then the Clan Chief started to tell me the history of the Arnske clan. He nodded pleased as I was able to tell him dates and names of fights and achievements his clan contributed to the history of Nilfeheim. "Your father has prepared you well and strict to our traditions so it appears, but then I expected nothing less from such an esteemed house. Once you completed the Ancient Challenge and our houses are joined through your bond with my daughter, your Clan will be among the most influential on all Nilfeheim."

<p class="MsoNormal">After this food was served and I was sitting next to Sif who barely looked at me during the entire time.

<p class="MsoNormal">After dinner I was given a tour of the Burg that concluded in the Trophy Hall. Every Burg and Clan had one and it was here were treasures and trophies of fights and old battles were displayed. I had to look at each piece and listen to the story how it ended up here. I did what was expected and feigned deep interest for rusted swords, dented shields and tattered banners and asked the expected questions. I had arrived at late afternoon and it was now close to midnight. Finally her father retired, left his wife in charge and went to bed.

<p class="MsoNormal">The fat mother giggled. "Now that the official part is over. I think you kids need to get to know each other a little better. It appears you are going to be part of the family in a few years time. I was not much older than Sif when my beloved threw his axe at my braids."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Of all the wonders and accomplishments of the Arnske Clan. I still can't believe you are Sif's mother. I thought at most you be a slightly older sister."

<p class="MsoNormal">The fat woman blushed and giggled very pleased. "I see you have a silver tongue. You too carry much of your famous grandfather's traits. He too was known to be loved by the women. Yet he stayed true to his wife." She sighed deeply. There was little, so I was told by Midril, Nilfeheim women liked more than sad love stories.

<p class="MsoNormal">She too got up and winked her eyes. "I will leave you for a while. Sif will show you to your room when it is time. I am certain I can trust you."

<p class="MsoNormal">I was alone with the girl who had said nothing at all until now. She now gazed at me. Her eyes above the veil gazed at me with a fiery sparkle and finally she talked. "I guess I will be your wife soon."

<p class="MsoNormal">I nodded. "It appears they made this decision for us."

<p class="MsoNormal">She actually sighed and said, "It is the tradition."

<p class="MsoNormal">"So it is."

<p class="MsoNormal">There was again a moment of silence. Then she said. "Are you very traditional?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"I have to. Everyone has to."

<p class="MsoNormal">She looked around as if to make sure we were alone and then she said, "I despise these traditions. It treats women like dirt."

<p class="MsoNormal">She then said, "I would love to just run away, but it would bring shame on my family, by not marrying you. But I dream of going away from Nilfeheim."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I do too!"

<p class="MsoNormal">She actually got up and sat a little closer."You do?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes I want to leave and join the Union Fleet and become a Starship captain."

<p class="MsoNormal">I could see the outlines of her mouth and she was smiling. "I will leave too. I think you are a very handsome guy and one day I might think about marrying and he would have to be much like you, but it won't be you." She suddenly realized what she had said and looked afraid. "Will you tell this to my parents?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"No, my lips are sealed. I will not tell but maybe I will see you one day off planet. What will you do?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"I got very good grades and our Teacher said I could go to a good College and study. I think I could become a doctor. I am not entirely sure yet and I am a bit afraid of leaving and disappointing my parents."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't care about my family. My father murdered my mother!"

<p class="MsoNormal">She nodded. "I know of that rumor and also that there is little that can be done because of the old traditions. Will you tell me what happened? Have you seen it happen?"

<p class="MsoNormal">So I told her and after I was done her hand rested on my knees and her eyes filled with tears. "I am so sorry. I am sorry I had you tell it." She handed me a delicate kerchief and her voice was soft. "Don't be ashamed of your tears. My mother will have fallen asleep in the kitchen after having another snack and my father really went to bed and never gets up for nothing before the sun comes up."

<p class="MsoNormal">I hastily wiped my tears I had not even noticed. "Sometimes I wish I was a girl then I could cry and my mother would still be alive."

<p class="MsoNormal">"It was not your fault." She then said, "I want to be your friend, Eric and we could meet much more often."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't think it would be allowed."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I can have girls over all the time. My parents do not check on those and you could be a girl for that time and perhaps even cry a little."

<p class="MsoNormal">"You are not serious are you?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Why not? The gods think nothing of it and no one will recognize you with a veil like this, so there is no danger."

<p class="MsoNormal">She could not know how much that plan of hers intrigued me.