It's noon and I stand on the terrace and watch Kari come storming up the shortcut between the road and the courtyard, her pace forcing Jane, Caecilia and Bodil to half-jog behind, and what I think is the new women from Borgheim. The rest of the day will be an interesting. Ciara still wants to keep me fairly isolated from potential illness, but that's not going to happen, so I might as well meet them in the main hall.

  After she gives me a hug and a few kisses followed by another hug, Kari disappears up the stairs to Haera. Jane just kisses me, hugs me, and quietly whispers in my ear; "Shagged?"

  I whisper back, "Loudly," so she gives me a little tighter hug, a kiss on the cheek, and take her bag and head to her room. Gunhild is talking to Hillevi and Bodil, and Bodil draws attention to them, when she exclaims in surprise and a little too loudly, "The morning too?" before she catches herself, looks around and sees me looking at her, and Bodil finds the barometer and weather data incredibly interesting. Social sex might be okay, but given that Haera was just The Queen and married to a friend and will be staying here for a few months, it's a bit different given how quickly we had sex. Bodil and Hillevi don't have quite the same liberal attitude as many others in the house, but without underlying circumstances it wouldn't have happened either.

  It's fun to see Gisela, Frida, Soma and Birna reaction to Thrymheim's interior design, windows and pretty floor. In front of Iselin and the guards I officially free Gisela from being a slave after she has unhesitatingly and enthusiastically accepted the agreement, which is similar to Jalida and Elvira's, just different purpose. And probably time limit. In poor but understandable norse Gisela says that she was treated well by the others and they did not make her feel like a slave, but is happy to no longer be a slave. Frankly, that is an impressive language improvement in less than two months. She must have practised a lot and I give her and Frida credit for that. At least she is not impossible to teach. Gisela and the others are shown to the attic of the wing. We have two rooms available, but there are many of them so they have to share the larger room. Given how they have lived together for a couple of months, it will probably give some sense of security to stay together. They hardly have any possessions that take up space anyway, and when they see the room and Elvira enthusiastically starts to show and explain to them it and how live here truly are, they look so damn happy.

  There is a lot to unload from the ship, not least all that Olafr brought along, plus stuff from Digraldi and iron and other things from my Trading Empire. I suspect there will be much more from Digraldi next time the ship return from Borgarsandr. Olafr is eager to show me and Alith that he has finished two different tactical tomahawk style 'battle axes', and he wants Alith and the other guards to try using them and throwing them, because he doesn't know which one is the better for a shieldmaiden like her, and what she thinks of the balance. Alith beams when she realises it was a secret project and a surprise, which Olafr just gave away a little too early. Well, it is what it is, and I was going to have them test the axes anyway. I hope it can be a nice all-round weapon and tool for future soldiers. Something that is good in combat, both against soft targets and different types of armour, and works acceptably for survival in forests.

  The plan is to give each soldier a tomahawk style axe and a good outdoor knife, but some will get something like a Fairbairn-Sykes dagger or stiletto dagger, but those daggers are only good for combat, and basically quietly neutralising enemies, preferably from behind. Would a larger, more modern combat knife be better than a utility knife and a combat dagger? I don't think so. Especially not when opponents will often wear leather armour, chainmail or even plate armour. The bodyguards like something like a regular outdoor knife for everyday use, and future soldiers etc will be used to similar. An F-S combat dagger with its thrusting blade and grip can cut, but is meant to be held much like a fencing rapier to make deep stabs through thick clothing. A classic medieval stiletto is better at pure penetration and can be narrow enough to penetrate and shatter chainmail rings, with protruding hand guards for parrying, but it can barely cut.

  I've already given Alith and the bodyguards various simple throwing spikes and throwing stars aka shuriken. I've even given them a chakram just so they will know what it is. Throwing spikes and stars is something that can be simple and cheap craftsmanship, especially the throwing spikes, although these are fine craftsmanship and good steel. If they need to be used for distraction or damage, chances are the thrower will not get back whatever was thrown, so something cheap have its use. But it is easier to practice and get good with good stuff, then use cheaper. These have good weight and size so they are more likely to penetrate and do damage than lighter small 'Hollywood' things, and the throwing spikes are actually a decent 'multi purpose' tool. Good tapered wedge tip and sufficient length to be a decent stabbing weapon, especially with a slightly contoured grip part that is easier to hold and get consistent indexing when throwing. Throwing spikes can be used as ground anchors, for simple climbing, wedging, ice picks or similar, without damaging or using up the primary weapon or knife. The flat throwing spikes have holes through the grip end to be able to hang them up on a nail for storage, but that can also be used to attach something like a fuse or similar to be able to light something on fire, or just attach a thin rope to be able to pull a throwing spike back.

  So throwing spikes are better and more useful than throwing stars which are also more difficult to manufacture and much harder to carry well on the body. The advantage of a throwing star is that getting the right rotational timing is almost a non issue, because throwing a knife or dagger is generally a matter of correct rotation in relation to distance, but no-rotation throwing is significantly more effective in combat where distances rapidly change, and combined with other throwing spike advantages and multi use, it is a practical combination.

  Size is weight, and weight means more punch behind the tip, but a flat spike is less bulky to wear and easier to hide than something round, yet still being grip friendly and have a more durable tip. Similarly, Alith has shown how she can grab and stack two or three flat throwing spikes in one hand and quickly throw one after the other, although she needs a lot more practice to make it more consistent. So it is logical that the most popular throwing weapons are two models of flat throwing spikes. One model with a slightly symmetrical 'grip' at the back and another model that is back-heavy and more grip-friendly, and we have made both in 15, 25 and 30 cm length versions. A longer and heavier one gives better damage effect, but is more difficult to carry on the body, and for example 15 cm is just the right length to comfortably fit on the forearm even for a shorter person. I had assumed a more front-heavy arrow-like creation would be best, and they work well, but are more difficult to draw from holsters etc, and have less multi-purpose use. Of course, there will be more of Alith's and the others' favourite throwing spike model and length. Ryla and Agnes have been practising with throwing weapons since they saw Alith practising, and spent many hours doing it.

  Completely unexpected is that Ryla attached a long thin rope with a small piece of fabric from the grip end of the heaviest model and started swinging it around, basically like I've seen in some martial arts movies. She's been practising since she was a kid to do similar with an oblong cylinder or sphere on fire, and they have their fire dance that includes such elements and where the sphere hits targets, so she's practising to use it in combat. Since accuracy and control is damn important with something on fire, she is 'not bad'. Fire weapons might be intimidating to enemies, but I doubt it's particularly useful unless no matter if its fire or a throwing spike, unless it's a much heavier projectile, but if she wants to practice, I'm not going to stop her. It's quite a good show, even though we want to avoid showing how good they are at combat. Better the public doesn't know.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  They've unloaded what I'm most curious about, and Iselin, Caecilia, Jane, and Ciara join me as I inspect and check it out in my workshop.

  "Robert! Catch!" Jane throws me a rock. Okay? "Ovdhon bought a sack of those rocks, because they're magical stones that glow in dark." What? Radioactive!?! I quickly put the rock on the bench and take a few steps back. "Bwahahaha! Got you!! You should have seen your face and reaction! Thought they were radioactive, didn't you!?"

  Okay, that was mean. "Shit. Thank you for that adrenaline kick, my dear ?lskarinna. Well played. Evil, but well played."

  "Actually, I've tested and they're phosphorescent and a natural glow in the dark mineral that need UV light to charge, and they glow weakly for a few minutes until they've lost their charge. Light from a fire doesn't seem to work to recharge, so it needs UV. I know for a fact that there are lots of rocks and pigments that show some phosphorescent or fluorescence, but of course true modern glow-in-the-dark paint is way better. I don't know what that rock is, but if I remember correctly, Zinc sulphide with a bit of copper is the classic glow in the dark stuff, and Strontium aluminium is the modern version. My last Halloween project before coming here included lots of glow in the dark stuff, and I needed to know if it was safe to drink. So I found some info in my phone once I thought to look for it. You already know that tonic glows in UV, but a party needs drink variety. Me and Kari bought a small sack of those rocks, as you might find it useful for something. I've had Kari help me write down all I know of glow-in-the-dark stuff on these papers."

  Jane hands me some papers, which I will place in the archive. It's potentially very important information, and it's good that Jane realised that.

  Huh...

  I test charge the rock in the sunlight in the window, then cup my hands around the rock and press my eye against it to make it dark and yep, it glows faintly. It might be useful for something, but the question is how long it glows, and it seems pretty dim. But I know that modern version is so much better than old ones. But this could be useful if we crush it down to a powder and maybe paint it on something. Maybe with some separation and purification? Honestly, Jane's information on Zinc Sulphide and Copper is very valuable, because we should be able to manufacture and refine that. Is it or this mineral charged by higher energy radiation like x-rays? Or maybe an electron beam? Can I make some kind of X-ray plate with this or a future electron tube screen for oscilloscopes, radar or similar? It would be incredibly useful even if it is poor and has a long afterglow! I give Jane credit for the purchase and quickly explain my thoughts, which makes her pleased.

  An unexpected gift is that my sambos give me three beautiful steel-trimmed and edged wooden chests for me to store silver, gold and important items and weapons when we travel. The long and flatter one is designed to be a medieval gun case for two or three firearms, and is long enough for hunting rifles with silencers. The other two are more normal in shape, and the smaller one is about 1/3rd of the large one and meant to be kept in the large one as an extra layer, or just used by itself. The boxes are of similar design and ornate. Last autumn I actually sketched out 'chests', ie transport boxes, and how they can be made more secure and fit for purpose, and these are based on that, and have things like conveniently placed carrying handles, sturdy loops for lifting, or like being able to chain them somewhere for safety, or give the gun case shoulder straps, etc. There is a recessed iron lip and edge all the way around the lid and opening to make it more difficult to push in a pry bar, and with some leather to make the transport boxes more waterproof. The chests are also special in that the locks are not installed. They expect me to want to examine the locks and perhaps modify them or make my own, and I have talked about locks with both a combination lock and key, for extra security. Kari has already ordered some extra chests for them, and she trusts the security and locks I will make more than the locks and wooden chests that store her wealth.

  It will actually be a bit of fun to make good locks for these, and I'm keen to make a secret alarm system on the largest one so a bell rings if the alarm system is not deactivated. Maybe with a motion sensitive mode if someone tries to steal it? Doesn't need to be more advanced than a piece of steel on a spring and metal ring around it, and a latching relay. Maybe also install an extra latch that is held away by an electromagnet? A hidden button on the outside can then activate the magnet and pull the latch away. Maybe one in each front corner that is linked together? I could make a variant of punched cards that are pushed into a slot. So many options!

  Using pneumatics might be better than electrics and a battery, and a small air horn would be nice and louder.

  Caecilia looks pleased as she gives me details of everything bought, ordered etc, and announces that the musical instrument craftsman has accepted my order. He really couldn't understand why some things had to be a certain way, but of course, with my reputation among craftsmen, it was no problem. When she said it's for stringed instruments that use sejd to create music, he had just stared at her and then promised it would be done as well and accurately as he can. He warned that the glue can't withstand higher heat and will come loose, especially under tension. One of the musicians at the wedding feast has told him about the incredible music that was played in a way they had never heard before, and there was an other worldly choir singing.

  Caecilia is so pleased as she continues to tell me things, and I feel proud and happy when I get that she really tries to do the job of being my personal assistant as well as Iselin did in the beginning. I give her a kiss. I know how she really wants to be rewarded, but I'm not the least bit eager for sex. Kari comes in, annoyed, angry and sad all at once, and Caecilia's smoothly stops talking and glides away.

  Kari stands behind and leans on me, chin on my head and arms draped on my shoulders, and I get a kiss on my head.

  "I wish you hadn't take Haera to bed last night, but it is, as it is. I understand that Haera wanted to experience how good sex can be, and that no other honourable man will touch her, and as Haera said; she has already been judged and wanted to take advantage of me and Jane not being here so we wouldn't feel uncomfortable. I'm not looking forward to having her here for several months, but the attic room is a good solution. She has sworn to Freya that she won't become one of us, and I believe she will try to not be a bother."

  I am not worried about that either. And it would probably be bad for my reputation, so both Haera and I will make sure there is nothing between us. I definitely have no interest in her other than the child she is carrying, and her future existence on the islands is an unnecessary complication I would rather not have. Iselin tells Kari about my thoughts on the glowing stones, and that cheers Kari up a bit, and gets her mind off Haera.

  Kari and Jane have of course noticed and appreciated the new wide security-coin belts in decorated leather that I hope can become standard for me, bodyguards and sambos. The exterior pattern and buckle design will change some to appear to not be the same, with future warriors-soldiers getting a simpler but visually similar to the bodyguards, but not the same secret features. The security-coin belt is two layers of leather, the outer being thicker and decorated, so there is an internal channel, and it will be possible to pull out a strip of gold coins from either side as an emergency payment. The security part is that I also intend to have a small metal file, tiny knife blade, a couple of lock picks and a garotte. Maybe a tiny flint firestarter. There may be a small push dagger in the buckle. Along the middle back of the belt, I'll try to have a flat dagger on the inside, but depending on use, clothing and how visible the back will be. Perhaps there will be an attached belt pocket with a telescopic baton or similar lying on the outside.

  I hope neither of us ever have any use for these belts, but it will feel better to carry it in everyday life.