Dre-8-.odt



<--- Drei-7-.odt --- Drei-9-.odt

Chapter 21: Sugar and Spice

Chapter 21 Sugar and Spice

Sif and I had hatched our plan and I was supposed to meet her on Monday right after school. Dreadful for what I expected at home I waited for Hogun to pick me up, but he seemed pleased with himself as he showed up and climbed into his floater." Your father has allowed for you to stay with me again for a while. You don't need to go to the burg."

I sighed relieved and told him about father's strange behavior and then about the visit. He threw his hands in the air in a resigning gesture. "The Arnskes are about as traditional as they come. I think they don't lift an arm before checking if it is traditional." He then grinned and looked at me."But they are loaded and from what I hear that Sif girl is one good looking girl."

"I didn't see too much of her she wears a Veil all the time."

He leaned closer, winked with his right eye and said." The face doesn't matter so much. It's what's below her chin and above her hips that counts. Well I do like hips of course as well. If you know what I mean."

Then he became serious."Your father is feeling the pinch, you know. He now sends Greifen to the Exchange to do his business and since he has no longer access to any bank accounts. He uses Harkun. Of course neither Harkun nor Greifen have the same Credit rating and every spare part and everything else he needs has to be paid straight away instead in invoice. He depleted the Nubhir farms to raise cash but a farm will only give so much and then it needs to grow and that takes time. It won't be a cozy Longnight this time."

We reached Bifrost and he was about to land."I guess it is upon me now to teach you about how Fangsnappers and Human Babies come to be."

"No worries Uncle Hogun we had that in School."

"I am glad. This was one subject I rather not talk to you about, so how about some Blue Finner Steaks?"

I was supposed to meet Sif two days later at the Space Port and I was nervous. I never actually had gone to the Space Port that was only a few clicks outside of Freikstat. Sif was right, she had told me that the actual space port would be empty and it was nearly completely deserted when I arrived. It would only change when the Post ship came or the monthly space bus arrived. There was a Mc Donald's and an attached small shopping mall. The space port was different from any place I had been before. I almost felt as if I had left Nilfeheim already. It was well lit, had shiny gleaming floors. Floating Advertising signs for businesses and Hotels in town. I did not even know we had a Hotel. To my surprise I found a sign advertising Hogun's Inn and it declared Miner friendly prices and hefty food portions. No wonder there were miners coming almost every weekend. Then I saw my first real robot outside of Virtu, a humanoid shaped machine pushing a floor cleaning machine across the already spotless floor. As deserted the Space port was, the Shopping mall was not. While I saw no men, there were many women and girls and all seemed to be Off-Worlders as none of them wore traditional dresses. I passed the Entrance to the mall and kept on going into the main Arrival and departure area and stopped at a row of big viewports that reached from the high ceiling to the floor From here I had a good view of the landing field It was a wide smooth Duro-crete area and it glistened wet from the recent down pour we had. A huge gray shape stood at the far end on landing struts, it stood next to the freight transfer center. Out there were more robots and they loaded that ship with containers. Sif found me there and also looked outside." That is a freighter, they loading it with fish, Fanger Furs and ice."

"It's a Meteor Type VI Freighter." I said." 800 meters by 400 meters. Accelerates to 120 kilometers per second to the square. Manufactured by De Noir Ships."

She laughed brightly."I never figured you to be a tech geek. You sure know space ships it seems."

"I signed up for the pre entry program for the navy Academy and they gave me a few books and Virtus on space ships. One day I want to command a ship and fly all across the Galaxy." I turned and was very surprised. She wore a black mini skirt, a clingy blouse that showed her perky little breasts quite clearly and over it a short fur jacket. Her hair was combed straight back into a single tail on her back. I only recognized her because of her eyes. She giggled even more as I was standing there staring at her. "Do you like what you see?"

<p lang="en-US">"Very much so! How come you are dressed that way? Will you not get in trouble?"

<p lang="en-US">She still smiled." I doubt my father would even recognize me this way. After all proper girls wear veils once they turn 15 and only drop it when they get married." She made a gesture that incorporated the space port."This is where most of the girls after school hang out, drink coffee, and go shopping. Wear the latest fashions of the Galaxy and gossip. Not all women and girls are as tradition minded as the men believe we are. It is an open secret right under their noses. Most men know about it, of course none of the old traditionalists. When they do come here, they think we are Off-worlders."

<p lang="en-US">To say I was totally floored by that was an understatement. "I never knew. I too thought they were Off-Worlders."

<p lang="en-US">"You reacted just like any other proper Neo Viking responds. They ignore Spacers and Off Worlders and feel so much superior to them."

<p lang="en-US">"I seen Pluribus during a Virtu excursion and I seen the battle ship. It is them who are superior."

<p lang="en-US">She nodded" I have been on a tour to Pluribus as well and I think no one could possibly ignore seeing that battleship. But let's go to the Space Bus lobby. It is completely deserted and no one will be there and we can get you in a dress. Having a male Viking, a Celebrity Hero of an Old Clan would not be good."

<p lang="en-US">The Space bus lobby had automatic doors and she swiped a little card over it and they parted. "The lobby of course is only for passengers." She pointed at the card." This is an old ticket but the door doesn't know that as I have disabled the date section."

<p lang="en-US">"You sure know your way around here."

<p lang="en-US">She was still smiling. "I come here whenever I can, and so do others who are not as tradition minded. Especially those who are less favored by the old traditions, namely women and girls, you are not even the only guy who comes here dressed like us. There are quite a few who secretly date that way. This is where I got the idea for it in the first place."

<p lang="en-US">The lobby consisted of rows of conformatic chairs, a few Serv matics and a robot attended ticket counter. The robot greeted us."Welcome to Gray Lines Space Bus Services. Can I be of assistance?"

<p lang="en-US">Sif shook her head."No robot. We are waiting for inbound passengers."

<p lang="en-US">"Very well, Ma'am. The next space bus scheduled to arrive from Holstein Planet is due in 74 hours and 12 minutes" With that the robot lost interest and powered down again.

<p lang="en-US">Next to the passenger bath rooms stood two big shopping bags and she took them. "I prepared a few things for you." The she opened the door to the Washrooms and said."Human Females."

<p lang="en-US">A voice responded." Human Females acknowledged. Bathroom facilities adjusted to selected species." The bathroom changed from white tiles to pink, more mirrors appeared and several bathroom stalls rose from the floor.

<p lang="en-US">She motioned me to follow her and inside, locked the door and handed me the bags. "Here is a dress and the other little things we use. As soon as you are in the dress call me and I help you with the rest. The fleshy things are artificial boobies to define your chest area the proper way." I blushed she giggled some more and went outside before the stall. While I tried to get into the dress and the frilly things women wore underneath, she was talking to me and I learned that she was well educated, at least as intelligent as Yngve and that she had a mind of her own. "I never knew girls would think that much!" I said while stepping into the skirt.

<p lang="en-US">I heard her make strange sound and she actually opened the stalls door. Her eyes sparkled and it looked as if she was angry but the expression vanished and she said."It is not your fault; you are a product of our society. Do you think your mother was thinking less than your brute of a father?"

<p lang="en-US">I stopped and almost dropped the skirt." I never thought about mother that way at all. I never had a chance to really talk to her."

<p lang="en-US">She motioned me to turn around and she fastened the thing that held the artificial breasts." You never talked to girls, had no sisters and no mother." No wonder you think of females as if we were of a different species."

<p lang="en-US">"I did talk to Midril but she never talks about anything that isn't really related to the kitchen and such."

<p lang="en-US">"This is called a bra by the way. If you get comfortable enough in your secret identity I show you what girls off planet wear instead of these ancient uncomfortable holders."

<p lang="en-US">"There are so much more items to a woman's wardrobe than a man's. It's quite confusing."

<p lang="en-US">"Ah you get used to it. One day you might use the knowledge gained today to undress your bride. Much of these garments and pieces are meant to actually keep women in their place. You can't go hunt or dive in these dresses and of course it would hinder you to fight."

<p lang="en-US">I wished I could tell her about Siegfrida but I had to keep my word.

<p lang="en-US">The dress she had chosen for me was of a deep maroon color with nice bronze colored metallic shimmering seams and borders. It had wide flaring sleeves. The white soft belly fur of Nubhirs was used to seam the sleeves and the collar of the overcoat. I found the tight white stockings quite exciting and loved the silky softness. She pressed a thing that looked almost like a Derma Patcher on my face. It was black and had the letters CC in gold o it. The thing even felt similar to a Derma Patcher but whatever it did took only a few moments. She observed the result with a critical expression on her face, nodded and placed a wig of dark brown shimmering hair on my head. I noticed her nose and found it quite exciting and when she concentrated she got a little on the ridge of that tiny nose of hers. I wondered why I would find such a thing exciting.

<p lang="en-US">Sif nodded and said." You look much better than I even thoughyou would. No one will ever recognize you like that! She left the stall and gestured to the mirrors." Judge for yourself. The Chanel Box did wonders to your eyes!"

<p lang="en-US">I could not believe that the tall girl in that pretty and quite regal dress was indeed me. That device had put make up on my face, shaped my eyebrows, my lips felt and looked thicker and bigger and shimmered in a color matching the maroon of the dress. The few tiny whiskers I had on my checks and lips were gone and so were the three acne spots I had this morning. Long rich colored hair surrounded my shoulders. She handed me maroon colored gloves and placed a thin brass circlet with a maroon colored veil. It was thin and flared and moved with every breath."

<p lang="en-US">The shoes were a bit tight and she simply used my sword to split them at the heels." It will do for now. We are going to get you a pair that fits at the mall."

<p lang="en-US">She then stretched her arm holding my sword." I teach you to be a girl. Will you teach me how to use this?"

<p lang="en-US">"Yes I will."

<p lang="en-US">It was of course prohibited for a girl to learn and use a sword. Siegfrida told me that the women of the Vikings of old were trained and knew to use the weapons well, but the Elders of this world decided, that it was better to exclude women from that so they would accept their subservient role better. Some clans allowed their women to train with the knife and a few allowed the use of a Spear because the Elders could not really argue against the image of Valkyries but women were not even allowed to touch a sword, and a woman caught doing it was to be sentenced to death.

<p lang="en-US">She balanced it before here and said." We always say it is just an extension of the phallus and they use it to intimidate but actually holding one, you can feel its power. This is the famous Mördaren is it not?"

<p lang="en-US">"Yes."

<p lang="en-US">"It was made on Earth so I heard by a famous sword maker and it supposed to have mystical powers. Did you notice any?"

<p lang="en-US">"No I have not noticed anything. Other than that it is really, really sharp!"

<p lang="en-US">"You killed the Steiner boy with it?"

<p lang="en-US">"I wish I had not done that! It was not his sword but the one from the Olafson Clan."

<p lang="en-US">She placed the sword back in its scabbard and helped me gather the things and we deposited it all in a rental locker in the Space bus terminal. She then said." You do look very nice, but you walk like a Fangsnapper herder in Longnight furs. Put your feet in front of you as if you walk an invisible tight rope!"

<p lang="en-US">She taught me the entire afternoon how to walk and sit down. The only witness to our efforts was the Robot in sleep mode.

<p lang="en-US">We met at the airport as much as we could and she became my new best friend. She was different than Ygral. To my surprise, she was not afraid of much. She was neither hysterical nor stupid, like Hogun and all the other men claimed woman would be. The women's bathroom of the Grey Lines space bus terminal became our secret lair and she learned quickly. She was not as enduring and strong but what she lacked there she more than compensated with speed and agility. She could flex and bend her body in ways that made me hurt just looking. Equally she was my teacher and I learned to cross my legs, bat my eyes, walk the way she wanted me too and use my arms and gestures differently.

<p lang="en-US">"You pass well, no guy on all Nilfeheim would take you for anything else than a pretty girl, but women are much more observant, especially when it comes to potential rivals. Women don't look at other women like you men do. A false move and the wrong gesture can give you faster away than a bad fitting wig or sloppy make up."

<p lang="en-US">It was past Yuletide and the New Year was well on its way. After school after fight and heritage class I would train with Richard or help in the Inn, but Uncle Hogun would let me go downtown whenever there was not much to do or when Richard wasn't there. He never asked me what I did downtown and I was glad. I knew I would have told him as I did not want to lie, especially not to him.

<p lang="en-US">As I went to the Space bus lobby. I had my own ticket card to let myself in and I knew Sif would be there as she had send me a short message to my PDD, I checked with the robot to make sure no space bus was scheduled, opened the rental locker and retrieved my alter egos things and went to the bathrooms to become Freya, as I called myself. I could hardly wait each time to shed my boring troubled self and step into my alter ego. Everything girls had seemed scented and soft. There was scented lip color not only in a thousand different shades but equally as many flavors. There were perfumes and body washes and hair products and crèmes that turned the skin instantly a soft as silk. It all mixed into an invisible aura, along with whispering fabrics, shiny satins and lace into an invisible aura that seemed to lift my very being. As Freya I forgot about father and I could close my eyes and would not see the face of the Steiner Kid. Freya could laugh and smile and giggle about the silliest things and there was no guilt doing it. There were so few occasions that caused me to laugh as a child. I could remember each time. Back when Greifen gave me a Nubhir Wolf puppy when I was six, it lasted only a few days. Father found out about it and killed the helpless creature in the cruelest fashion by squeezing the yelping and screaming creature between his fists, throwing it in my face and told me that I would never enjoy anything as long as I lived. He had taken away all toys I had and given them to Lothar and forbade me to have any and promised servants and clan members alike severe punishment for giving me things. But now I could laugh and even cry and did not feel ashamed about it.

<p lang="en-US">As I opened the doors to the bath rooms, Sif already waited for me and we hugged each other. As always she felt so lovely and I realized how much I actually cared for her." I think you need to graduate today and we go to the Mall together. My friends want to meet Freya."

<p lang="en-US">I didn't feel all too good about to meet three other girls who I was sure could look through my disguise at any moment. "Against the believes of men. Women can keep secrets and these are my best friends. You can trust them too. They won't say anything and the best disguise you can have is four girls accepting you."

<p lang="en-US">It was as if I walked naked with a big blinking sign on my head into the Shopping mall attached to the space port. The outfit she had selected from me was not a floor long dress with over coat and several underskirts. This dress barley reached my knees, Over it a leather jacket that only looked good on girls, the kind where sleeves were much longer than the rest and. I liked the boots and the heels but wished they would not make such a racket walking over the polished floor. Sif's skirt was even shorter but she didn't seem to mind at all and I did not either. She laughed and said." Deep down all girls are exhibitionists. We like to show what we got, its part of the entire attraction of the opposite sex part that is part of us since man crawled out of caves back on Earth. Here on Nilfeheim it is somewhat suppressed but not completely and out there on the big worlds, anything goes. She padded her own butt." I think I have a nice ass and those darn formal dresses we got hide everything. This tube skirt on the other hand rises more than eyebrows if you know what I mean!"

<p lang="en-US">"No actually I don't, but I think you are right. Your behind is very nice!"

<p lang="en-US">Her eyes glittered with mischief." My Aunt Liz taught me a lot, she lives off planet like your grandfather did and she doesn't mince words or talks around the issue when I am alone with her via GalNet. She says you need to celebrate your body, be aware of it."

<p lang="en-US">She interrupted her lesson on her philosophies as we reached a place with little round and square tables and filigree looking chairs, before a business with the name: Java Paradise. A new scent I had never smelled before wafted out the open door. Three girls sat at one of the square tables. The whole area was separated from the main concourse by a hip high wrought iron barrier. Sif approached that table and made an inviting gesture "I want you to meet my best friends. The tall blonde is Astrid, the one with the red mane is Elnna and the brunette listens to the name Hedda." Then she turned to them."Girls as promised my new best friend Freya."

<p lang="en-US">They all had smiles on their faces, except the girl with the bright red hair, separated in the middle into two voluminous pigtails. She wore a black shining veil up to her nose. That obscured her lower face. She had her eyes made up with thick black mascara and she looked wild and exotic. They all however greeted me friendly and Sif told me to sit down. "I am ordering us all some coffee." The Girl Hedda said. "I know what the others have but what would you like, Freya?"

<p lang="en-US">I kept my voice as low volume as possible and said." I never had any coffee. I have what you have I guess."

<p lang="en-US">The masked girl surprised me as she actually put her black gloved hand on mine." Don't be embarrassed we all know, but I am surprised how well you pass. I would have never guessed. So relax enjoy this little off world oasis on this hell hole of a planet like we do."

<p lang="en-US">Hedda nodded." It was all new for us and I never heard of coffee before I came here. Proper Nilfeheim women drink Seaweed Berry tea or perhaps a glass of Kelp wine. Not this decadent off world stuff."

<p lang="en-US">Astrid pointed to the store."Yet almost every one of the proper women come here to buy coffee and the delicious Sweetmeats they sell here."

<p lang="en-US">Hedda's fingers flew over the table top menu."I ordered you a Terra Kenya blend latte. That's Coffee with milk and my favorite.

<p lang="en-US">The atmosphere made me relax and I learned that girls giggled every minute and knew much more raunchy things and stories than even Sigvard who always had dirty jokes and comments. They could at an instant almost hysterically scream about something trivial and discuss hair for hours. I had never thought one could actually make a conversation about hair for more than two minutes. Yet I enjoyed it greatly. Only Elnna was a little less animated and Sif explained her black outfit and the wild hair to be part of the Ultra retro Emo Revival fashion scene. It took Elnna almost an hour to explain to me what an Ultra Retro Emo is and I still had no idea what she was talking about, but it had to do with death, dark or negative emotions, depressions and something she called expression of Angst. Not even she knew what that was exactly. However she explained that this movement expressed itself with masks, wigs and retro look fashion. Most surprising was the fact that they all came from different social levels and Astrid was the daughter of a Low Man, but since girls and women for the most part had absolutely no say in anything they tended to care less about social forms. Of course some of the daughters and women of High Clans often felt they were something better. And when they came here to the mall and shed their traditional dresses, all social differences were ignored. It was as Sif put it an unwritten rule of the Mall. No girl or woman hanging out would use her last name or clan association.

<p lang="en-US">Once in a while a Neo Viking would find his way into the mall, to buy something they could not get in the more traditional outlets at the Exchange or in town. Since they were here to get something they ignored each other and what they believed to be off world girls.

<p lang="en-US">I found a new favorite drink. Coffee was unlike anything I had tasted before and it was my new favorite taste.

<p lang="en-US">They simply took me in their middle and I never knew how fun it was to go shopping browsing or to go to a real Entertainment Virtu.

<p lang="en-US">This time was like a dream. I did not have to go to the burg, except on those occasions I was officially invited to the Arnske Clan or when Sif visited our Burg for the first time. She came accompanied by her father and Isegrim put on an almost sickening show of false affection. Even Gretel found words of praise and as father told Litfas Arnske about his troubles with the Union bank, without of course mentioning the real reason, Sif's father immediately insisted that father took a sizeable advance on the dowry along with a new Hunting Sub. He actually put his hand on my shoulders as the Arnske flyer disappeared into the clouds." This develops nicely and you did well today. You kept your mouth shut and only opened it appropriately."

<p lang="en-US">If Hel's slimiest demon of the lowest pit had put its claws on my shoulder, it would not have been as disgusting as I felt as he touched me.

<p lang="en-US">Sif of course knew the truth but she said her father would never listen to her anyway. She was his daughter, but nothing more and since she did have an older brother. It was he who got all the attention. She liked her brother and she was certain he liked his sister, but he was now so more important as he was about to take the ancient challenge.

<p lang="en-US">Hedda, so I learned was the daughter of a free man without clan association, who was the manager of Silver Falcon Mining. The company my grandfather founded and Mr. Silverzweig sold to an Off world Corporation. Her mother worked at the local branch of the Union bank. And they considered themselves the "New Nilfeheim". Her parents had nothing against Hedda going to the mall and or bringing home friends. Since she lived in Outskirts actually not far from Hogun's Inn we often went there for the afternoon and I could change there. I would use the Longnight tunnel that connected the houses to a second front door underneath the surface. Most houses and all businesses had a basement level with a second front door that would be used when the snow was pilling up to the roofs during the long winters. It was more practical and less dangerous than digging snow tunnels as it used to be done. It would still be 15 month before the first snow and the begin of another seven Years of long night and the tunnels were deserted and officially closed, Hedda had given me the key code to a basement room meant for storage but empty, where I could keep my things and change unseen and undisturbed. I also could leave her house unseen and emerge at one of the never used emergency exits in the sea wall and walk to the Inn. I usually took a short swim before I went home to get rid of any scents not proper for a Neo Viking Warrior,

<p lang="en-US">One afternoon we sat in Hedda's room. Hedda got lots of money for allowance and had a sizeable wardrobe. One of the favorite past times was comparing outfits, talking about Virtu Show stars and music.

<p lang="en-US">Elnna took her mask and red wig off and somehow I was certain I had seen her before and dismissed the idea since I had no contact to any girls before this happy time. She said to me." Would you do me a favor?"

<p lang="en-US">I shrugged and nodded."Sure if I can."

<p lang="en-US">"I love diving and fish hunting but girls are not allowed to do that or own a spear gun. Could you buy one for me at Nils Supplies and show me how it's used? Nils won't think twice if a guy buys one."

<p lang="en-US">Hedda said." I got a flyer and we can go to my Uncles rock. It has a secluded overhang and since he has not yet the money to build his own burg it is empty and no one but my family is allowed there. I too would love to learn how to use a harpoon."

<p lang="en-US">"Harpoons come in lots of sizes and varieties. Usually quite expensive, but I got a few different models stashed away at Uncle Hogun's Boat shed. No need to buy one from Nils."

<p lang="en-US">Elnna said." Do you have a Cape town 313 or something like that?"

<p lang="en-US">"You sure made yourself knowledgeable, Cape towns are not bad, but they are made by an off world company and as good as much stuff from Off world is. When it comes to harpoons and spear guns you want something that works in our cold oceans. The mist and moisture can freeze to ice outside the water and your gun won't release when you're under water. I got a Friesenheim Trishot I gladly give you, made by the Friesenheim clan. They also make the Slayers and you can rely on those."

<p lang="en-US">She sighed." All a girl can do is look up catalogs. Where would we get such experience?"

<p lang="en-US">She looked at me out of her blue eyes framed with tick black mascara and long lashes and I could not shake the feeling that I had seen her somewhere before.

<p lang="en-US">Perhaps I stared a little too long and she said." It's the mascara; want to try how it looks on you?" And before I could really say anything she unfolded her make Upper and placed it over my face.

<p lang="en-US">Sif got caught in the spirit and placed the red wig on me. "There you go; you look like Elnna's twin sister now!" I found the look as exotic and combined with the black PVC face mask very mysterious. I forgot all about Elnna and that strange feeling of déjà vu when I looked in her eyes."

<p lang="en-US">I had brought the girls spear guns and explained them how they work and how one was used and reloaded. I told them the difference between exercise, hunting and explosive tips for Rock sharks and other larger prey and warned them that these could not be used against Tyranno's or Three-Finners. Not that they would run in any Three Finners up here, but an occasional Tyranno was quite likely. All four girls were eager to learn and decent swimmers but it appeared to me they spend maybe too much time at the mall as they seemed to still learn to be underwater and really dive and learn how to return in stages from deep dives and not simply swim back up. I had my hands full to keep them below until and explain to them in hand signals that rapid decompression was quite dangerous, even though we did not use our lungs directly.

<p lang="en-US">Somehow we never went again and I was too absorbed being Freya to notice it.

<p lang="en-US">Time flew and in less than a week there would be summer break again, and in another 15 month Shortsummer would be over and the Planet would prepare for the seven long cold years. How much had happened in in just one year? I went to Hasvik, the Grandfather I meet only twice in person dead and burned, his House and name no more. I had discovered so much more about our planet and society and I had killed another human being. My visits to the mall and my female friends became less frequent. Sif would not call as much anymore and explained that the girls wanted to get ahead in life and concentrated on the their grades and the big tests before the school year ended, so it came that we sat there at the mall and our favorite table at the Coffee place. Elnna and Hedda browsed a fashion magazine while Astrid looked over their shoulders to occasionally brush over an image to call up the Holo of a hair doo or a shoe. All the girls liked shoes but Astrid was not exaggerating when she said she was addicted.

<p lang="en-US">Sif suddenly snapped her fingers and said. "Elena do you have that mask of yours with you?"

<p lang="en-US">Elnna took it out of her hooded sweater pocket and handed it over with a question mark on her face. Sif said. "Quick Freya put that on!"

<p lang="en-US">I was as puzzled as her about that, but did it and just in time as a voluptuous woman, with Harkun behind her rushed by and into the Coffee shop. It was Gretel! Harkun remained outside and tried hard not to look at us, but as Lothar my brother strolled by. He stared at us and I was glad Sif was so quick thinking. Gretel barked from inside the store."Harkun, don't ogle at that Off world garbage and get your behind in here to pay the bill!"

<p lang="en-US">Dutiful he went inside. Lothar decked out in Olafson red and expensive fur picked his nose unabashed and kept staring at us."Off World Garbage!"

<p lang="en-US">Sif said loud enough:" I think I am harassed, let's call Port security!"

<p lang="en-US">Gretel came out the store like chased by a hungry Fangsnapper, grabbed Lothar by the hand and said." No need to bother security. It is a local custom. You Off worlders are so easily offended." Then she actually waddled as fast as she could to the malls exit. Sif knew of the warrant and Gretel was quite aware of it as well, as it became evident. As Harkun went by, following his mistress with a box of Sweet meats. He grunted ."Don't let me catch you girls outside. I would have to teach you a painful lesson." He laughed cold and left

<p lang="en-US">Elnna said silently. "The next time I see Harkun or anyone from that household him I kill!"

<p lang="en-US">I was about to ask where she knew Harkun from. When Astrid interrupted me before I could say a word." I think it is time for you to leave now, Eric!" It was the first time she used my real name when I was with them and it was like an ice cold shower. I felt exposed and betrayed despite the mask. Hedda first gave Elnna a withering look and then said to me." I am sorry, Eric but Astrid is right, I don't want you to be with us anymore either!"

<p lang="en-US">This came so sudden and unexpected, and my outfit suddenly felt heavy and wrong. I got up Elnna turned her head away from me and Sif had tear in her eyes and her chin trembled but said nothing. "I do not know what I did to you, that caused this but if I offended I am sorry. Don't worry I won't stay where I am not wanted." I left. Strangely enough Sif had me met them here and not at Hedda's house. As if they had planned this. It was a Thursday and the Space Bus would arrive at midnight, still the Lobby was deserted and would not see any passengers until one or two hours before it arrived. I was stunned by the sudden rejection and changed back. What felt like a part of me was suddenly a disguise. Before I felt a little euphoric every time I became Freya, now it was as if I had woken from a surreal dream. I was almost done when Sif appeared and she said." It is not as you think it is. There are things we did not tell you and I can't tell you. It is better for you if you don't know. We did not want it to end this way, but it had to end. Maybe we will meet in private in the future and I can tell you why we did what we did."

<p lang="en-US">I handed her the bag with the dress and the things." I understand. What I did is wrong and I am somehow sick and I don't belong with you or anyone. You are right it had to end I guess. Tell the others thank you for the time we had, I was happy and carefree for the first time in my life and I thank you for keeping my sick and twisted illusion up for so long."

<p lang="en-US">She cried and I felt I did something terrible, without really knowing what caused it." I am so sorry Eric. You will never know how much. And yes I care very much for you and Freya was more real than you want her to be. Please don't hate me. If things were different I would have gladly married you!"

<p lang="en-US">"You deserve a real man not a joke like me. Whatever I did to hurt, forgive me I did not do it on purpose."

<p lang="en-US">With this I let her behind and left.

<p lang="en-US">It was a bleak time and I did get a message from Sif on my PDD, but I deleted it. It was unnatural and I was afraid of myself the most. I liked being Freya way too much. This had nothing to do with a rouse or a trick as Thor did, but it provided me with tingling pleasure and that was wrong.

<p lang="en-US">I concentrated on my final tests, worked harder at the Inn and focused on my training with Richard. Everything to make me not think about Sif and the last weeks. Everything to forget and push Freya into the back ground and it seemed to work.

<p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom:0cm;font-style:normal">Chapter 22: Mother

<p lang="en-US">Chapter 22 Mother

<p lang="en-US">It was the last hour of our last school day. Mr. Walters handed out the final grades and said." This is the last time I am doing this for you. When you return next year, Mr. Flensburger will try to pound some knowledge into your thick skulls. I am going to be transferred to another school, still on Nilfeheim but they thought I be best suited to try my hand on the even wilder Neo Vikings of the South Pole."

<p lang="en-US">He then shook everyone's hand and said a few words. When he reached me he swiped my grades into my PDD." Your grades have improved, but there is much room for improvement."Quieter he added." It is sufficient for the Academy Pre entry test however so keep it on this level, good choice and good luck Mr. Olafson."

<p lang="en-US">I was only a little surprised that he knew as he was a frequent guest at Hogun's and I was sure he and my Uncle had talked.

<p lang="en-US">He dismissed us and we went down in the basement past the Cafeteria where Fight Class would take place. Our Instructor was of an Eastern Clan that was far enough away not to have too many ties with the ones in our region. Balder of the Darken Clan and he was especially proud of his first name. It was very rare that someone was named after the Gods. As no one felt they could live up to the name. No one I knew had the name Thor and it was taboo to be called Odin, but I knew a few girls named after Loki. I myself had chosen Freya for my alter ego and thinking of that made my mood sink to the bottom.

<p lang="en-US">Balder was a fair fighter and well skilled in all traditional weapons. Due to my training with Richard I was without being self confident way past his level and he admitted that freely, but there was no such thing as wasted training as Richard would say, while he passed out wooden swords and padding he said as he came to me." Go home Eric Olafson. There is nothing I can teach you. Gunter Eikson has returned to their rock already and won't be here until next period, so there won't be any swimming and diving."

<p lang="en-US">"I don't mind training, Sir."

<p lang="en-US">"You train too much in my opinion. It is worthy of praise for a New Viking to excel at these skills, but you're turning not even fifteen yet, fighting should never be an obsession."

<p lang="en-US">So my school year ended rather un-ceremonial and I had no real plans for this summer break, but I had not heard from father or any orders to return to the Burg.

<p lang="en-US">After an extended swim, I went back to the Inn. Uncle Hogun was not there and Hein one of his helpers said he went to the Exchange to get fresh fish and other supplies. I actually met Aunt Freydis who was as usual in a hurry to leave. She wore her blue dress and the white apron. She had a basket with her things on the counter and smiled with her rosy face." Oh good my favorite nephew, just the person I need."

<p lang="en-US">She had never talked to me much so I was surprised but came closer."What can I do for you?"

<p lang="en-US">"Oh I am about to fly out to the Bredenbergs. Snøfrid is soon delivering her first and it's going to be twins. She is a delicate woman you see and in this case I rather rely a little more on Med Tech than usual. She took two devices out of the basket. This is a Sterilization field generator and this one is my Medical Expert PDD. I use it but it has to be updated somehow and I don't know how. Without the PDD the Field Generator won't operate. I had to hide my surprise to learn my simple aunt was using a SII Gynecology Expert Advisor. Not that I had ever seen one but it said so right on the housing."Let me have a look, Aunt Freydis. I am no real expert in Off world things as you know but I can give it a try."

<p lang="en-US">It was a wonderful and somewhat frightening tool as it, when activated showed Holos of various reproductive processes and problems my appetite for a nice piece of fish was suddenly gone. It combined a variety of scanners and med sensors and finally I found, all you had to do is ask the device to go into the self diagnostic and upload cycle.

<p lang="en-US">It connected to GalNet via Uncles console and I was absorbed in deleting the entries on non human races as I was sure that was not needed and added a few things from the wide catalog of related subjects. It took only a few minutes and wanted it to hand it back to her." All done, Aunt Freydis. I set it to automatic update so this won't have to be done again." She was no longer standing there but by the door arguing with a drunk who wanted to get more and she refused him, saying the Inn wasn't open for business. Hein came from out the kitchen where he was scrubbing the floor. Without Hogun to compare her was neither weak nor small. I didn't feel alarmed or anything. This sort thing happened more often than not and the drunks usually went their way. But the voices became louder." No woman and no low man can refuse my will! I got up just to see better and try to find out who it was, when Hein screamed."Nooo!"

<p lang="en-US">Aunt Freydis stumbled back and fell to the floor. She was clutching her stomach and the man in the door held a long skinner knife!

<p lang="en-US">I crossed the distance in no time and knelt next to her. She was alive but was losing a lot of blood." Hein load her into the flyer. We need to get her to the Hospital very fast!"

<p lang="en-US">The man growled."Let the wench die! I am a Lord and require mead! Serving me is all you concern!"

<p lang="en-US">It was one of the men who had held me while father beat me to an inch to my life. I did not remember his face or his growling voice at first, but kneeling by my Aunt I recognized the boots! He recognized me as well and roared laughing while he kicked me! Oh how delightful, Lord Isegrim will reward me for every bone I break!" I avoided the second kick and said." You are still but a lackey in the House of Olafson and I am for ill or curse the first born. Stand now or be spitted by Mördaren!"

<p lang="en-US">He did stop as I stood there, the sword drawn and I said."Hein you take my Aunt now to the Doctor by all haste. He will not stop you. This is a coward who hides n corners, stabs women and kicks those helpless to defend."

<p lang="en-US">I actually had to raise the sword against Hein." Do as I told!"

<p lang="en-US">He struggled with her body but carried her out the door. The lieutenant of my father's clan still eyed the sword and then his knife. From the outside I heard more voices and the usual rough laughing and talking when a bunch of men had a too much to drink and felt they has to prove to the world how strong they were. Another man in Olafson red stuck his head in Vanslow what is keeping you? You said you be right out with a tankards and bottles!"

<p lang="en-US">His name was Vanslow he backed up to the door. "Get the others in here. The Lords mistake is here holding a sword against me! The rewards will be great if we report to Isegrim we have wiped this offensive stain from away for good!"

<p lang="en-US">Four more came in and they all were armed. No sword, but knives and axes.

<p lang="en-US">"You dare stand against me? What is it to see five in my Clan's colors drunk in the light of day, trespassing and wounding women? This besmirches the honor of my name and it will not stand! Go then and report to the Lord what transpired and you shall indeed get your payment."

<p lang="en-US">Even I could not believe that this happened with my evil father's knowledge. I was full of rage but tried to keep myself calm as much as possible. Much had bottled up inside me and I suddenly felt eager cut them up in little pieces. Mördaren no longer was a sword but felt like an extension of my own arm. I could somehow feel its very tip, its eagerness to drink blood, but then there was a scream like I never heard before. Uncle Hogun appeared on the kitchen door and seeing him in like a raging giant thunder across the room was a sight I would never forget." You have hurt my wife! You have dared to hurt my wife. You will not see another day!"

<p lang="en-US">A heavy stone wood table in his way kicked away so hard it shattered in thousand pieces as it collided with the wall. The five men were pale as corpses, when a sudden crack stopped my Uncle in his tracks. One of the men held a small off world weapon! Uncle Hogun looked at the smoking small hole in his chest, and then kept on going! The man fired again before I had a chance to reach him. Mördaren severed the man's arm holding the weapon. There was nothing that held me back. I was afraid to look back to look after Uncle Hogun and all my anger, my pain found release. Until a voice reached me through the red veil that had lowered before my eyes and really came to my senses. Four of the five men were dead, not just dead but it looked as if a wounded Fangsnapper had torn them apart! My Uncles body laid face forward on the floor not moving and I saw the two black holes in his back. The man who had shot him knelt by his own arm and simply shivered and rocked back and forth. Two Elders out of breath, Hein and Class and father himself stood at the door. I still held Mördaren and pointed it at father." You triumphed over your brother by sending drunkards to harass his wife and wounding her. There he lies shot by one of your best men, who like a coward used a gun! You want me dead and gone now is the time father, I am here come and face me!"

<p lang="en-US">Father trembled and his hand on the whip." You cannot challenge me yet, Whelp!" For some reason this all seemed to amuse him!

<p lang="en-US">"It was no challenge. I will avenge my uncle and you need to shoot me to stop me!"

<p lang="en-US">Uncle Hogun groaned."Don't give speeches Nephew! Get me to the bloody hospital!"

<p lang="en-US">Hein and Class as well as I and even father helped to load Hogun onto the bed if his own flyer.

<p lang="en-US">Aunt Freydis wound was actually much more severe than Uncle Hogun's as she had lost a lot of blood. To him the Weapon beam did much damage, but instantly coulderized the wound channel and prevented bleeding. Thanks to his body mass, that no live giving organs were seriously burned he did not go into shock. According to the doctor it was wound shock that usually was the cause of death when hit by an energy beam. It was strange to see Uncle Hogun in the Re-gen tank despite all his might, he looked vulnerable hooked up to all the hoses and see the spidery arms of machines prod and poke him.

<p lang="en-US">Aunt Freydis was already gone and on her way to the Bredenbergs. The doctor shrugged and sighed. "Nothing short of actual death will stop her from performing her duty."

<p lang="en-US">I also learned that there were always two Elders on duty so to speak, to act and speak law in times of dispute and in a way we did have a police force now. They were already alarmed by another Inn keeper and on their way to investigate and called father to rein in his men. No word of explanation was given by my father why they were drunken so early and causing ruckus.

<p lang="en-US">The one who had lost his arm was also treated but he would have better been dead. The Elders had preserved his old arm still holding the weapon and they would find him guilty and he would be sentenced to death. Even though father repeated he had no knowledge of the weapon the whole thing did not reflect well on the Olafson reputation. Yet in all this father not once seemed concerned and kept grinning whenever he saw Hogun. He kept completely ignoring me.

<p lang="en-US">By the time Uncle Hogun came back from the Hospital, Hein, Class and I had the place cleaned and looking as clean as before, well almost, Pit was trying to mend the completely shattered table with Bondmaster Stick and fix, but he had a long way to go.

<p lang="en-US">Uncle Hogun kept the Inn open and everyone wanted to know the story and everyone seemed to know a bit and knew more than what really happened. The general consensus was that they celebrated a big catch and went celebrating without Isegrim's knowledge. I did not stay around to hear more and helped in the kitchen. It was very late when the last guest left and Uncle Hogun waved me over to the family table. He was sitting by a mug of warmed ale; he liked when he did not feel well or when he wanted to sleep fast. "Sit for me a moment. Uncle Hogun was very serious and he finally spoke. "I saw the footage of the security sensor and you saved my wife's live. No question about it. Later on you saved mine" He sighed and I began to get a strange feeling in my stomach I knew I would hear bad news once again." You faulting me for what happened aren't you?" "Eric I love you like I would love a son, but you are not my son. I want eventually raise my own children. I don't care if they are sons or daughters, first or last born. I want children and I only want them with one person and that is you're Aunt Freydis. No you did not cause what happened tonight."

<p lang="en-US">He pushed the mug around as trying to find the right words. I got up."Do you want me to leave Uncle?" "Sit down and listen!" He snapped and I saw he was immediately sorry for that. "You weren't even supposed to be there. I cannot prove it, but Aunt Freydis was the target all along. The One carried a gun to stop me in the first place, he never fired on you. It was meant as a show of force . Someone we both know wanted to show me that he could get to me if I ever opened my mouth or interfered again. You getting older and by the time you reach the age, Eric you will be very rich and your word will make and break not one but many clans. There are oaths taken and vows made for and against that day, and everyone who thinks they can twist fate or events to get a share, will do so."

<p lang="en-US">He spoke hastily unlike his normal settled self. "They wanted to kill Aunt Freydis tonight and perhaps me too. They know you need to live, but that does not hold true for your friends. An old friend will soon arrive and take you to the south for the summer break and there you will be out of reach for them. When the summer break is over Eric, you must return to the Burg or find another place. I alone would stand behind you, but it is for the sake of my gentle wife I must choose and I am sorry Eric but I must choose her over you."

<p lang="en-US">He then embraced me in his big arms and he cried." I am only physically strong Eric, inside I am big soft wuss and I it breaks my heart what fate and the gods have thrown on your small shoulders to bear, and I would gladly die for you, but I cannot ask my wife to do the same."

<p lang="en-US">I could not cry. My eyes remained dry but I wished I could have simply ended it all. I knew Hogun was right. This was no accidental stabbing. They could not have known I left school so much earlier, but Uncle Hogun's routine was the same and to watch the Inn until he left. Yes this sounded like a plan they came up with at the Burg. Hogun would lament the loss of his wife, or be dead as well, ambushed with an off world weapon. Without Hogun who was watching over my inheritance, my father would once again gain control over much and without Hogun watching out and three weeks of summer break he could have tortured me every day until I broke and did whatever they wanted. The more I was thinking about it the more it made sense. Uncle Hogun with all his strength was in mortal danger because I remained in his house. "I see what you see Uncle and you are right I can neither ask you nor Aunt Freydis for anything like that. I will not return to the Inn or ask you for help in anything. I am getting used to being dumped and not needed and the target of my father's evil and greed."

<p lang="en-US">"I am not dumping …well yes I do, but I have no choice."

<p lang="en-US">"I understand Uncle Hogun. I would not want either of you get hurt or live in fear because I am around. I pack my things now and leave right away."

<p lang="en-US">"You can stay of course till your new teacher arrives; he should be here in a few days."

<p lang="en-US">He then said."Eric this was not the first incident. It was the first you noticed. My Flyer suddenly malfunctioned, caused by a Harpoon charge wired to the Arti grav. I escaped by sheer luck. Jan and Hein almost died as they ate a fish cake send for me, it was poisoned. No one remembered how the cake came to be on the counter." He said."I hoped it would ease but no it got worse.

<p lang="en-US">"I have contacted Mr. Silverzweig and he is now in charge of your Off Planet accounts and all this and I have before the elders declared that I have no interest in controlling or checking over that what Ragnarsson was. I don't want to be a big clan leader. I want to be a simple Innkeeper and I must provide safety for my family first."

<p lang="en-US">I was sitting up all night in the Inn at the table. I did not know where to go or what to do. I did not want to go back to the Rock. I knew if I would go now, no one would ever see me again until I confessed or declared before the elders that I stepped back and accept Lothar as the real heir.

<p lang="en-US">Part of me thought it would be a good idea. I wanted to go join the Fleet. I could care less what Lothar had and what not, but having father wins after all this time. Triumph over mother, Uncle Hogun and everyone. No I must not give in! I would survive somehow and then kill them all! A dark cloud came over my thoughts as I sat there all by myself. Maybe I needed to be even more evil than my father. I killed four men and I knew without a distant weapon or a trick. I could kill the entire Circle of the cursed Elders, forget about the Loki cussed traditions and kill everyone in that cold rotten Burg. Not leave anyone alive, not the Servants, not the Low men, everyone who carried or was associated with that Odin spat on name Olafson!

<p lang="en-US">I barely noticed the old man that walked in the door with the first morning light. It seemed Uncle Hogun did not slide the bolt to lock the door, but he rarely did anyway. I sighed and expelled these thoughts. I could not be a criminal if I wanted to join the Union fleet."Go home old man it is way too early and we are not open. All rooms are booked." He was deeply shrouded in a Hooded Fangsnapper-fur coat and despite the thick coat appeared thin. He walked supported by a walking stick and his entire body was bending forward. I did not see much of his face but a few whisks of gray hair and a sharply hooked nose that stock past the furred brim of his hood. It was still Short Summer so I wondered why anyone would dress in a fur coat like at this time of year. He looked around and noticed me. Now I could see his face. It was the face of an old man deeply wrinkled, his chin covered by a thin ragged looking beard of a gray yellowish shade. His eyes had almost no color and had an enormous intensity to them. He reminded me instantly of the Ancient but it was not him. This man did not have the kind and warm twinkle in the eyes. His where cold as that of a fish.

<p lang="en-US">He walked towards the table reserved for Hogun and his family and sat down, completely ignoring me "Young warrior. A nice strong tea be nice, with lots of honey and a good helping of Vodka."

<p lang="en-US">"We don't serve guest that early and I don't even know if we have tea."

<p lang="en-US">"Oh you do, you do!" Was his answer.

<p lang="en-US">Before I could make it to the kitchen door, Uncle Hogun came out holding two steaming plates with breakfast. He saw the strange guest and said." Odin's blood. Egill Skallagrímsson. Is it really you?"

<p lang="en-US">The old man pushed the hood back." Of course it is me."

<p lang="en-US">"I bring you some special tea right away. You still drink tea right?"

<p lang="en-US">"I still do. Even at my age I still manage to hold a cup and drink tea."

<p lang="en-US">"So you are the teacher that is supposed to take Eric. I wondered who it would be; the Old Arguer was not specific."

<p lang="en-US">"He never is specific, that Old Geezer. He runs around pretending to be an Arguer and all he foretells are things he knows will happen!"

<p lang="en-US">"How old are you now anyway?" Uncle Hogun asked as he opened a locked cabinet under the counter and revealed a modern Serv-Matic and rows of spirit bottles, most clearly not of our world. The machine produced a steaming cup of tea in no time and my uncle poured a more than generous helping of a clear spirit in it and served it to the strange visitor.

<p lang="en-US">"I am not entirely sure but I think I am well into the fourth quarter of my fourth century."

<p lang="en-US">It was not entirely proper for me to simply burst out but I said." You are over 450 years old then?"

<p lang="en-US">He croaked a dry laugh."Indeed young whelp. This is not so unusual nowadays as I understand."

<p lang="en-US">Hogun said."Eric, this is Egill Skallagrímsson. He lives all by himself on a small rock in the Southern Strom Sea, and does that for a very long time."

<p lang="en-US">Egill declined his head."This is so. Some call me a Hermit. The Clan of Elders calls me the Holy One and some say I have mystic powers. Myself I am not really sure what I am other than an old man living all by him with a few peculiar traits and opinions." He sipped his tea and looked at me. So you are the young Warrior that made such an Impression on that Old Arguer last year." Then unfastened a stained and dirty looking little leather bag from his belt, nestled with the string closure and emptied what it contained on the table. Perhaps a dozen or so ivory colored rectangular things fell on the table surface

<p lang="en-US">"Ah yes, you are the Son of Isegrim and the lovely daughter of Ragnarsson." He nodded forlorn. His long, spidery fingers pushed the ivory cubes around and sighed." It is such a shame what he had done to her. There is so much movement and trickery going on that I am surprised to find you all alive!"

<p lang="en-US">I wanted to say something. I wanted to ask what was going on and why this old man was talking that way, but Uncle Hogun gave me a stern look and placed his index finger on his lips, then shook his head. So I remained quiet and the old man kept pushing the little pieces around. "I never saw anything like this. We must talk young Eric Olafson. We must talk indeed and I need to throw the rune stones again for you, when we are at Skalil Rock, the pillar of Nilfeheim."He brushed the pieces back into the leather bag and then drank more of his tea.

<p lang="en-US">Into the silence Uncle Hogun finally said." What about me, Old Seer. Have you seen a son or a daughter of my own in your runes?"

<p lang="en-US">"I told you before that you need to take your wife and go with her to a doctor. You will never get a son or any children if you do not both go there. Once you done that I see a house full of children, sons and daughters too!"

<p lang="en-US">I never seen Uncle Hogun blush before but my giant uncle seemed embarrassed."It's something we Norse rather not do, talk to an off Worlder stranger about such things."

<p lang="en-US">"I expected you to be a little more open minded, after all you have been off world for quite a spell before you returned and got married."

<p lang="en-US">This surprised me; Uncle Hogun had been off planet! "

<p lang="en-US">Hogun spread his humongous hands."It's not so much me. I find it difficult to talk to her about that."

<p lang="en-US">"She is a Midwife for Odin's sake. She knows more about these things than even perhaps the local doctor. Take her to the clinic, no one on Nilfeheim will ever know. The doctors take their oath very serious. In such things the off worlders are even more traditional as we are"

<p lang="en-US">"I will follow your advice, Old man."

<p lang="en-US">"No you most likely will not. I am certain you will ask me the same thing when I return in a few years. But surprise me, proof me wrong."

<p lang="en-US">The Old Man got up started to go to the door and turned." What are you waiting for young Eric, are you not coming?" Hogun nodded."Go with the Old Wizard. He is the one you spending your summer break with!"

<p lang="en-US">Uncle Hogun handed me a back pack." In packed a few things for you and your other things will be safely kept." I simply I followed the Old Man outside I decided it was simply best to give up any questions and render all control over my life to others, but I did remember the Ancient one taking about this. As he did say he had arranged for my further education and visited Hogun in his guise as Arguer to predict all this

<p lang="en-US">Despite his advanced age he was quite fast on his feet and headed for the harbor. I had to run to catch up with him."Why am I going with you and where are we going?

<p lang="en-US">"You need to learn to ask one question at a time, young Eric. Once you receive an answer you might ask another."

<p lang="en-US">"I don't have to follow you either, Old Man. I might as well go back to the Inn, take my things and live somewhere by the Mountains. No one really cares about me. You are another old man who comes into my life and wants me to do things. I have no idea what it is or were we are going, but for one time I would like to know where I am going and what is expected from me."

<p lang="en-US">He actually stopped and turned."You do have the mind of your mother. She always was a very free spirit and she had a very sharp tongue you know." He wiped his nose with his sleeve," I know about your family as I know about almost all families on Nilfeheim. I knew your mother, her mother and her Grandmother. I know the Olafson Clan all the way back to Lothar Ironfist Olafson. I am not a Wizard mostly because I have no idea what a Wizard is supposed to do or know. I am living on my rock and unlike your Ancient Friend I was never hiding myself." He nodded."Yes I am supposed not to know about anything that goes on under Muspelheim. What is important that I am the Eldest, the one whose seat is always empty, and other Norse usually follow my command and advice. Even though I do not interfere with the Circle of Elder business on a daily basis."

<p lang="en-US">I was about to tell him where he could stuff the Elder business of his. I had enough of these self righteous men who thought they could run the lives of everyone. No one dared to question them but something made me stop. And he turned once more and nodded."Wise decision Eric the Warrior. You are wrong there are those who care greatly about you. That Old fool I told you about came to me twice in all my life to ask me to teach a young man. You see I am a Hermit by choice. I like being alone and having a snot nose around might not be my idea, but you see I care a lot about that Old Fool and he cares a lot about you. Which leaves you and me in the same boat, you don't like Elders and rather spend the school break in the Hills of Bifrost and I don't like company and rather join our mutual friend on his grand tour around Union Space. There was another person however who asked me to teach you a few things if I can, long before the Old man did and I gave her my word. So can we agree on that?"

<p lang="en-US">I nodded."I think we can, Sir, but do you say she?"

<p lang="en-US">He didn't seem to have heard my question and we had reached the boat slip at the fishermen's terminal. Only a sub was tied there at the moment. I couldn't identify the type and that was strange, like any other boy of my age I knew every Sub type

<p lang="en-US">And could identify them.

<p lang="en-US">He laughed." Yes I can see it in your face, young Olafson. You can't identify her."

<p lang="en-US">"No I sure can't. I never saw a sub with a tower that far back, and it has no harpoon turret either."

<p lang="en-US">"This sub is even older than me, but don't let that scare you. It is well maintained and has some surprising features. It has no harpoon turrets, because it is not a hunt boat but a war boat. Besides I hunt Tyrannos the old way and while you with me you will prepare for the ancient challenge and I will teach you all there is to know to mark the test so no one can oppose it."

<p lang="en-US">I followed him aboard the old submarine. "Did you really know my mother?"

<p lang="en-US">"Yes I did and I have something for you that might make this a memorable day for you."

<p lang="en-US">He fished something out of the inner pocket of his shabby coat. It was a single holo Pic print, rolled up. The kind they send out for Yuletide with a single Image on it. I unrolled it and the three dimensional picture of a young beautiful woman in a maroon velvet dress with golden seams. She held a small child in her arms. A voice I never thought to hear again said."I hope this reaches you in that lonely old tower of yours. Behold, this is my Firstborn, my son Eric. Promise me you shaggy old Wizard to teach him some of the things you know, and let him, when he comes of age, listen to your great wisdom. He is born into this beautiful but hard world. He is, as you well know son to a very hard father who will demand much of him, but if you teach him like you have taught me, my dear gone brother and my beloved father all the things about the ancient Rite of passage and the truth he will triumph so he can rightfully choose whatever path he wants to go. Happy Yuletide Old Man, yours Ilva Olafson." The woman kissed the child, the rest washed away as my tears in could not hold back dripped on the holo emitter. This was Ilva my mother! I watched it several times again, while the Old man had taken the sub under water and we were on our way. My mother had known him and he had trained Grandfather and her brother, the son grandfather lost in a Sub Accident. She had asked him to train me and not some chance meeting, not some person with ulterior motives, but mother and I as if she had spoken directly to me I would not just try my best to make grandfather proud. I would learn everything there was to learn about the ancient challenge and then demand to be tested before those cursed Elders. My revenge would not have to wait till I was sixteen. I would kill father and that brood infesting my Burg!"