Alfheimr Renaissance

Female complications, day 2

The feast continues

Sejd

Jane joined us for breakfast and we pretended everything was okay. I have to talk to Jane again in the future, about several things, but not during the feast. The weather has turned cold, especially during the night, but the guests are Norse, so that it is a little cold walking here from the various houses doesn't really matter. They expect the winter to be cold and dark, and houses to have cold, drafty sections, so the pavilion as a party venue works very well for them. Even with a bit of cold draft, the pavilion if quite hot and even gets a little too hot when there are a lot of us here and both fireplaces are lit. Hillevi have discretely whispered that there is no smoke or problem down in the secret panic room bunker, even when the pavilion's fireplaces are lit, and those fireplaces also works fine and quickly gets the bunker warm and cosy. Still, I'm glad that I got them to make a roof over the short stair section down from the mansion to the pavilion, but it would be better with some kind of side protection, so a bit of stretched canvas will keep the wind and snow away and make it more sheltered, and some sand will stop the stone stairs from being slippery ice. In the future, I'll make sure that the stairs gets proper temporary walls just like the pavilion, because any other solution is simply ugly. A few steep canvas roofs will also be tied up to keep the path to the greenhouse from being too snowy.

The greenhouse doubles as an excellent outdoor space and makes for interesting discussions, and with both hatches open and the fan running at night, the waste heat from the boiler room keeps it at a better temperature. To be able to be outside but inside and warmer at the same time, feels enormously luxurious for everyone except me and Jane. See the snow lightly landing on the glass, melting and dripping away while there is greenery all around them. None of the elves have experienced something like it before. Jane and I have. Krosp definitely appreciates it, and have his own spot in the corner where he can overlook the nature below, while being protected from wind, rain and cold. There is just the issue with trying to prevent Krosp from pooping in the flower pots. Of course he prefer digging a hole inside the greenhouse when it's snowing or slush outside, so simple wooden lids are being used, and we're trying to teach Krosp that it's not okay. But it is hard to catch him in the act, and like all cats he completely deny any association or responsibility when poop is found. I might have to ask Ciara to keep her eye on him and catch him a couple of times, because Ciara seems to be the only person Krosp truly respect.

Unn loves the greenhouse and understands how much better it will be to keep plants alive all year round, and how plants that cannot survive here all of the sudden can. Unn is completely fascinated by the possibilities that a greenhouse provides, and has already started saving silver to buy glass windows to build her own proper greenhouse, and to make it cheaper for her, I will let her 'buy' some of all the glass I will order. After all, I have plans for a truly large greenhouse south of the Academy, and with all the other glass, her greenhouse will be a vanishingly small amount. Unn is really looking forward to the coming years and experiments with greenhouses, fruit walls, and try using some rock walls as natural fruit walls.

If I'm interpreting Caecilia correctly, I think she's actually interested too, because they've been talking a lot in the last few weeks, and Caecilia has gotten involved and listens attentively and helps, but that so do Kari and Iselin. Or it's just a sign of how socially smart Caecilia is because she knows I value the greenhouse and what it produces, which she of course understand. I hope it's because Caecilia finds the subject seems interesting, as another interest and hobby beside music and painting might distract her from thinking about sex so much. I don't think that even as a teenager my mind was that sexually focused. It feels quite ironic that I wish my courtesan were less focused on sex. My life have become so strange.

Frankly, everyone loves the greenhouse because we already have significantly more vegetables and more variety in our diet than the common winter-hardy vegetables that grow in the vegetable garden by the barns. Both Jalida and Elvira look forward to vegetables they recognise from their childhood and the dishes it enables. Of course, the maids or the guards are not allowed to eat much of the greenhouse's luxury goods, as it is mainly for me and my sambos, Jane and guests, but everyone takes that for granted. They're slightly surprised to getting some, but that is because it grows quite quickly in there, and the staff has Sunday dinners that are a bit more luxurious. Generally their food is luxurious and better compared to what many of them have lived on previously in life, especially during the winter. They even get some snacks, as things like honey or sugar candied nuts with a bit of salt or buns aren't particularly expensive, and something I'm happy they've managed to do well and tasty enough.

I am already planning to build a larger and free standing greenhouse as part of the Academy grounds, but sooner or later we will build a garden south of the mansion, but probably also east and down to the road. It will be ha heck of a lot of work to make a wall on the cliff, then carry up soil etc, and the garden will have a funny shape, and be in several terraces due to differences in height and the shape of the cliff and rock. Not optimal to have a garden on top of a cliff, but if the soil is thick enough, it will be fine, because there is always gravel, stone or rocks somewhere below the topsoil, regardless of where it is in the world. It's more a matter of fertilizing and watering, and the garden won't have standing water if done right. If I'm really smart and doing it right, a larger drainage tunnel could be made under the center of the garden that collects the flow from small side tunnels. A drainage tunnel big enough to at least crawl through with the excuse of being able to keep the tunnel clean, and as a 'bonus' it can be right outside one of the escape routes, so the drainage tunnel becomes an escape route. No-one have been told the last bit, but everyone agree that gardens on the cliff would be good and would make Thrymheim nicer and more protected. That name Thrymheim will definitely stick, because everyone but me uses it.

However, there is food and snacks I miss from my old life. Chocolate would be nice, but potatoes are what I miss the most. Why hasn't potato plants been transported over from Midgård if nature is changing places? Frankly, that might simply be answered by what nature have switched, as there isn't any potatoes growing wild in places like Hardangarvidda. And if a patch of potatoes had ended up here, it's unlikely to be where people are farming. Also, the Elves wouldn't start growing potatoes without someone telling them it's safe, because the plants resemble poisonous plants. How would they know the potatoes hidden in the ground is safe? How the hell am I going to be able to find any potato plants that have survived the trip here and survived in the wild? Unfortunately, that is incredibly unlikely. I miss potatoes. I just have to be happy for what greenhouses, fruit walls and so on will make possible.

In a year or so when there is suitable labour available, we will build some simple terraces for cultivation on the mountain side, just to try it and show it, and Unn's explanation to Myrun has got her interested and I have told her details. Cultivable land is scarce in some regions of Norway, especially land that is reasonably flat, and terraces may be a possibility. There is generally plenty of stone. A lot of work to make terraces, but it only need to be done once and then just maintained, so Myrun will do some experiments outside of Skiringalr. Pretty much everyone is more or less a farmer, so most people are interested in my planned streamlining and increased efficiency in farming and animal husbandry, as well as increased production.

Food is life.

It feels like our guests are all over the place; mainly the pavilion but also the greenhouse, the meeting room, the sofa on the mezzanine, the second floor sofa, the attic, etc. Add the guests maids and guards and there are a lot of people in all the public areas. So while the Risk tournament is going on pretty much everywhere, behind closed doors up on my bedroom attic we have a sejd meeting with just me, Unn, Liv and Gauthild sitting in a ring on the floor. Alith and Gunhild stand guard outside the bedroom door and make sure we are undisturbed. All three are impressed with my stained glass windows depicting Odin, Freya and Thor. They see my attic as a small private temple to the gods and so worthy of 'Thrymheim' in general, but they don't know I have hidden away some stuff in the unused attic space towards the courtyard.

The first topic of conversation is the greenhouse, healing herbs and so on, and I inform them that I have already sent the first request with my merchant ship which is far away to the south-west, which I apparently forgot to tell Unn who perks up and gets happy. The fact that I'm more interested in vegetables and spices doesn't really have anything to do with it, but possible specialist herbs and healthcare plants is something I want for the future, and that could absolutely lead to more future greenhouses in other places. The topic switch to IUDs, and that many more women now have them. Unn is proud and shows her own handiwork and that she makes them, and she use one herself as Liv helped her during the fall auction when they talked about it. Unn has also spread the knowledge to the woman who took over her old residence and region, as Unn bought what she needed in Borgarsandr while returning home after the Tosra gathering. Apparently, rumours have spread in this region, and several women from the mainland and surrounding islands have been here seeking Unn about IUDs without me noticing or hearing about it until now. As far as I'm concerned it's just positive that the ferry makes it easier for the women from Orusingen to travel here, and soon from Tosra and Mosra as well, which is something that is appreciated.

Gauthild has been a bit unsure about IUDs, and hasn't made any herself yet because it's not her type of sejd, but she has sent several women on to Unn, and seems to get along well with Unn. From what I understand, Völvor are more spiritual, rituals, rites and divination, while Fjölkunnig are more 'earthly' with medicine, healing, dental care and being midwives and so on. I'm just lucky that so far no one has been seriously harmed by the IUD, and only a couple have had problems and taken them out, at least as far as we know, and no unwanted children. Unn giggles as she say that her biggest referent has been Kari, who has been very concerned that all the women, maids, guards and so on in my vicinity has gotten IUDs, but also several women on the island. My sambos were unanimous that IUDs are definitely a free service to all women in my Furstdom, and it have been taken advantage of. I should be grateful and reward Kari for that, and it's just positive that the islanders are more grateful to Unn and me. There has been more sex on the island's farms, and Unn has received fruit pies, bread and other things from grateful women, and fish, meat and chopped firewood etc from grateful men. Sure, almost everyone wants to have children, but sometimes it's not practical because of work or just the time of year, and their culture says that children will be healthier etc, if they are born or created at certain times of the year. Then there are those who won't be able to get married, as well as older widows who think they are too old for a pregnancy.

Unn also says that there were many women who approached her during the morning before I got married after that memorable night, and Liv smile as she says that she too was approached. All three were in the orgy, and the conversation change to that subject, like Liv impressed saying 16, so I feel a little calmer. They notice I am embarrassed and uncomfortable talking about it, so they respect that we drop the subject. Sejd women may be very comfortable talking about sex, but I'm not, and I shouldn't be surprised that sejd women are extremely open, outspoken and liberal when it comes to sex and sex toys, children and the realities of life. Especially between themselves, and I'm currently included as one of them. Which is a bit flattering. Incredibly few men are.

We talk about medicine, care and sanitation. Disinfecting instruments and washing hands, and how to be careful, how to dry, etc. Be careful with blood, even though it goes against some of their principles, rituals and religion. I remember the conversation about allergies and I carefully guide the discussion on this by saying it is important the instruments are made of certain metals and it is best to store water overnight in copper vessels etc. When they ask why, I tell them how the body reacts to certain metals such as lead and why copper is used in the mansions water pipes and storage tanks, so they themselves come to the conclusion and insight I want, and I can answer questions with examples. It quickly becomes a very serious discussion and topic, but they can all see the value of describing it differently - and the value of trying to spread the knowledge - and I promise to involve Unn for future testing of metals if I succeed in doing so. I'll need someone who is sensitive and gets a rash, so if they know or hear of someone sensitive, let me find out and please send that person here, male or female, and preferably the jewellery or object that gave the rash. But if someone is allergic to bees or animals, they now know why, and have a learned a new word and concept. I also share what Jane said, that women can be allergic to semen, which is definitely taken seriously. Fate and the gods can be cruel.

As I think about how to get nickel and separate it from objects, I also think about chrome. If chrome could be obtained then I should be able to make and sell stainless steel, which would be better for surgical instruments, and they would definitely have been interpreted as magical if the instrument didn't rust. I have been outside the Kemi mine in northern Finland, which I believe is the largest chrome mine in Europe, and it is worth sending an expedition there. Maybe already this summer. It will probably be very difficult, but every kilogram of pure chrome can become 7-8 kg of stainless steel, and that is enough for many small knives and tools. And there can also be chrome based colours for Jane. I will need to train some explorers with skills in surveying, geology, etc. Besides stainless steel, I should experiment with plating to prevent rust, although gold or silver plating is hardly optimal in most cases even if I get it right. The bling factor and how other interpret it, is bad enough, but some might want to steal it too. And there is the camouflage issue for some things. And the wear issue.

As my mind have wandered their topic have moved on to sex toys, and I'm surprised that all three use them. But I understand it as soon as Liv reminds me that it's hard for women who do sejd to get men who even dare to touch them, while it's the other way for me as the only known Sejdmann. So of course they all know about sex toys and use them.

Liv is not alone in being very impressed with my collection of creations used during Stag Night, and especially when none of them actually look like a penis, and my willingness to use them on women. Liv stands up abruptly, lifts her dress and proudly shows her plug to the others. I get embarrassed and want to bury my face in my hands, but the others look at the plug with fascination and are curious, especially when Liv takes it out and shows it, and the plug is passed around. They consider it a fine and expensive gift, and they appreciate how much silver and imagination I put into women's enjoyment. I just get more respect for it, and they ask if I've done something similar for men. I realise I haven't even though about that. There are simpler things there too, but I won't mention that some men would have appreciated the creations I made. They are amused that I am so focused on the pleasure of women, but don't even think about other men. Very manly of me.

We keep talking about sex toys and as long as they are made of metals, glass, etc, the sex toys will always be too expensive for most women, and those women won't have much choice but their own creations of wood or bone. Making them out of clay without glazing is a bad idea. I advise to at least try to use some such oil that makes a hard fine protected surface for furniture, although I do not know if the oil might be bad in the long run, if it is used on a plug that is worn for a long time because the substance can be absorbed into the body. I don't even want to think about having an allergic reaction in such intimate places, and it scares them too. I make sure Liv understand to limit how much she wears the plug.

They jokingly lament that there are no more Sejdmanns, and Liv makes subtle gestures to Unn who just sighs and dreams away, before she recovers to the others laughter and our shared embarrassment. The embarrassment grows for both of us when I realise that I technically took Unn's virginity, because Stag Night was her first time with a man. I just have to apologise for not knowing and not giving her a better experience. Unn who is fairly good looking, and at 31 years old is middle aged here, has never been with a man before, which is telling for how men avoid sex with sejd women, especially where she grew up in the middle of Sweden where the population and gatherings are often larger than the coast and inland of Norway. It's also telling of how strongly many sejd women believe that sex with them should be voluntary to not be an affront to Freya, and several believe that it is wrong to seduce a male slave. So, more people who can never find out what I think about the Stag Night.

At least I know what all three of them want for the future if I need to give them more gifts, because they discuss their favourites from what they tried, and they sure didn't mind entertaining themselves when I was occupied with others. It annoys me that I didn't realise that sejd women who are the ones who are called upon for everything from sickness, ailments, childbirth, etc, and who worship Freya, the goddess of sejd, love, war, death and sex, should have a different view of sex. I already know that at least Liv sees sex as more or less like a ritual where you worship Freya, especially if there is a sejd woman involved in the act, and definitely if there is both a sejd woman and a sejdmann involved.

I don't believe in any religion, never have, and even though I went to the church's pre-school as a child, I just refuse to believe in God. There are too many logic holes and idiocies in Christian religion, and even as a 5 or 6 year old child I apparently asked uncomfortable questions that got them to ask my parents to keep me at home or use a normal daycare. I never had an imaginary friend, but others had and was told it was a bad silly childish thing, and apparently I saw God as the same thing, and wanted clear answers, and wouldn't shut up. When I was the first in my family to refuse to do Christian Confirmation, relatives visited and tried to talk me into it, and even tried to bribe me with promises of gifts, which honestly annoyed me because it proved to me that faith wasn't important. Only that I did the Confirmation. So I refused. I definitely had principles and was stubborn even at a young age.

I've mostly ignored everything religious and such things that my sambos and those around me do, but I try to avoid sabotaging their faith. I like that Kari barely seems to believe in gods, while Iselin believes in them, but doesn't really worship. She hardly calls out to Freya anymore when we have sex, because she has realised I only care about us both enjoying ourselves, and she tends to lose the ability to say proper words when the sex is really good, or her mouth is busy. Ciara is obviously religious in her own way, but never prays that I've noticed and it doesn't affect our relationship.

The most religious seems to be Caecilia and I know she sacrificed a hen last fall during another event, and splashed herself with blood and drew with blood on her body, but it hasn't bothered me at all, as long as she doesn't expect me to participate or have sex with her where we were covered in blood. Caecilia do feel that we should have at least one public central statue each of at least Freya, Odin and Thor in the house where everyone can use them, but she loves my stained glass windows. Caecilia especially loves having a small ritual and greeting the gods with the morning sunlight illuminating the windows. Caecilia and Iselin like to sit in my attic at sunrise and watch the rays begin to play across the stained glass, and more than one morning after waking up in my bed, they have walked up here to greet the gods. And of course we've also had sex up here. Caecilia has her own statues in her room that others are welcome to use, although her Freya statue is twice the size of all the others, and extra beautifully carved. The guards also have their own statues, jewellery or brooches with Freya's symbol and a couple for Thor, Odin and others just like the staff, and so do Iselin and Kari. Besides me, Jane is the least religious person in the manor. She pretty much agrees with me about religion and faith, and is also totally in favour of faith being up to each individual. I've just ignored most of the religion stuff like it doesn't really affect me. It's something other people do. But it's only fair to admit that I've tried to bury my head in the sand considering how it do affects me. It bothers me that I have to involve myself with religion here. It feels so foul, since I don't believe.

Again, I have missed their whispering among themselves and they have made a unanimous decision that I, as a powerful Sejdmann who does so much for women's health and pleasure, and was able to give 16 women a good evening and night, will be initiated into some of the secrets of sejd women. I swear an oath to Freya to keep it a secret, and not talk about what's coming except with Völva or Fjölkunniga, and I frankly feels proud but uncomfortable, when they tell me about certain rituals sejd women perform in secret, or only with certain women who seek their services. Their seriousness and the rites they tell me about, makes me realise that I should have bloody sex with my sambos during certain periods where Unn or I should perform the actual sacrificial rite. I don't only have to respect the law here, but also respect and do the religious minimums, because even though there is freedom of religion and Aesir belief is not established in any book and is very open and individual, respect and credibility are lost if you don't worship the right Gods and especially the most important ones. I am The Sejdmann, so I need to show that I respect Freya and the Gods. Having a some pagan style sex with a partner or Caecilia a couple of times a year is acceptable to me, as long as it doesn't involve sex with animals. Apparently there are rituals and cures involving that for men. So much nope.

I'm really not interested in what seems more like almost ritual sex between me and sejd women - especially in the spring - where the desired outcome is pregnant sejd women. Talk about my decision to pretend being a wizard and Sejdmann has consequences I don't like. As 44 years old, Gauthild considers herself far too old for children, but Unn offers to try to use my sperm directly, if it is just intercourse that I don't like, in order to be faithful to my wife and other women. It should honestly work as long as it's quickly done, but the chance of insemination should be less. Don't know if insemination makes me feel any better about the whole concept, but maybe I could make a special dildo that squirts upwards into the uterus, or probably a similar method to inserting the IUD, because that is where the sperm goes, and it's best to be efficient.

I tell them that the overdose the Radgeirrsons gave me made me pee blood, and may have affected my fertility, but time will tell, and I choose to inform them of genetic compatibility as well, which comes as a bit of a shock to them and Unn seems disappointed. Liv confirms that all my sambos have known about it for several months, and it is a reason why Jane sought me out, but for the time being we're keeping it secret. Again I ask them to not sacrifice to Freya on my behalf, and I prove my faith a little by saying it's up to Freya if she wishes to see me have healthy children with elf women, or if my sejd has its price. The Gods might not like mingling of species. I tell them about my and my sambos agreement with Liv, and that so far it has not yielded results, which Liv is sad about. She really wants to get pregnant, especially with my child. Unn is obviously jealous of Liv, and is also interested in an agreement with me and my sambos, but that will have to wait. At least until the honey month with Iselin has passed, which at least puts that discussion on hold for the near future.