I visit the guardroom and as hoped Bodil is there. So in front of the others I update her contract to the same as the others, which of course she has been expecting me to do as Alith and the others have already spoken to her. Then I give her the glasses to try, which Bodil was not expecting. She has tried my sunglasses before, but at first she doesn't see any real difference as she looks around, except that everything is yellow. It's when I ask her to look closely at the text that she reacts. How easy it is to read and she moves the book closer as she realise how small details at close distances she can see sharply. Bodil thinks I spend way too much time on her vision, she was used to and it has worked well to do handcrafts even at almost arm's length, but she now understands the difference. We test the lenses for each eye by asking her to try to focus as close as she can see the books letters sharply with both eyes open while I block the vision in one eye with a dark piece of leather in front of the glasses, measure the distance to the book and then switch. It seems to be good enough and basically the same focus so I guess the glasses are adequate and accurate enough to be a prototype. I help Bodil make the final fitting and show her how to carefully apply pressure, what affects what.

  I inform her that the glass is yellow because it was the best clearest glass, because just like in a pair of binoculars or spyglass telescope, the colours will scatter and that will cause eye strain and headaches, so limiting the colours helps. If she gets a headache from the glasses, stop using them and rest her eyes for a while, because in the long run it can increase the problems she already has, and now in the beginning there can definitely be problems before her eyes get used to it. But they're mainly for when she reads-write or do close in work.

  All the bodyguards have gathered, and all my sambos, and I present the finished glasses with a leather case for them with its cleaning cloth. Ciara has helped me with it, and has embroidered 'Bodil' on the side. There is even a belt loop on the back. It is hers, and a pure gift from me. Bodil is really happy and grateful, and looks forward to using them. I inform everyone that eyes change as we age so it is likely that I myself will have glasses in 5-10 years or so, so she will have good company, and certainly not just from me. Poor eyesight is something they know many Elves have or get as they age, as of course the eyes get old just like the body, and they see born with vision issues as something caused by the gods. Either a punishment, or a wish for a future profession.

  I inform them that I will give Alith, Gunhild and Hillevi a present too, but it has been hard to figure something out. Alith confirms she has known and tried to come up with suggestions, but it is really hard, especially since things like corrective glasses are completely unknown to them. How can they suggest things they've never heard of?

  At least I can tell Hillevi that I've been working on a pair of glasses for her too, that they will make her see better at a distance and I will need her help with tests and fitting. I have prepared presents for Gunhild and Alith, but they will have to wait a little longer. Gunhild jokingly complains to Alith that they have to wait when it's already prepared, but a rather grumpy and not joking Alith replies that Gunhild should try knowing about it for a couple of months. Perhaps I shouldn't put off their gifts much longer. After all, they're already done and hanging here, they just don't know it. I think they'll forgive me once they get the gifts.

  Eventually everything is off the boat and stored in the basement etc. I get help from Caecilia, Alith, Gunhild and Iselin to lift-hoist most of my stuff up to my attic storage, which is a lot. The stairs are steep and a bit stupid to carry things up or down on, but the simple hoist with a basket I made and installed last fall works fine to winch up or down things. It feels so much better to gently hoist wooden boxes with sawdust for sulphuric acid filled vessels than to balance on the stairs, and heavy things like the cast stuff become really dangerous too. I can't help but blame myself for not installing proper shelves and such up here. This space was already quite filled with stuff and project parts, and it looks messy with things on the floors and piled on top of each other. Yeah, I'll need to make shelves, but it's not hard.

  Alith and Gunhild like the tomahawk axes which can be a good all-round axe for a warrior, and this is a world where axes are common and different axes have different uses. This culture have so many names for different axes, just like with different ships, that I've hardly bothered to learn them. Karvi, Snekkja, Skeid and Drakkar, is just different types of what I call a Longship, and Knarr is basically a few oar pair cargo version of a Longship. And they count the oar pairs too as well as length, to differentiate sizes and such. They like the specific word I've used, tomahawk, so a 35 to 50 cm long one handed axe with a back spike that is primarily for combat and multi purpose warrior use, is now a tomahawk. Gunhild likes the heavier and longer one that gives more power in the blow or spike penetration, while Alith likes the lighter and shorter one that feels faster and more agile, and is nicer to have hanging from the belt. Both work as intended, but tastes are different. One has a crowbar head at the top, but we don't know how useful that is. They will use the axes more, and let the other bodyguards try them too for different purposes, to see which one is most suitable and what improvements can be made, and what length of shaft is most suitable. The ability to more easily carry or conceal the axe on the body will partly dictate the length and size. We might just make two; a large and a small.

  They both love what has been named the MB belt, since saying the Norse words for coin and utility kind of is a give away. There will be more made, especially for my sambos and I who will have several in different decorations and colours and buckles, and probably a slightly narrower belt too with smaller coins. So the style and using a belt will be common, but it won't look like the same belt. In fact, now that we've tried them, it's perfectly okay to wear 16-20 coins, that is either 0.5 or 1 ounce of silver or gold, and 16 one ounce gold coins will then be worth 128 ounce of silver. An ounce weight is an ounce weight, no matter if that weight is silver or gold, so 16 to 20 ounces of coins will make the belt a bit heavy and the dagger in the back etc even more so, but it will feel good to have it available. I might have a couple of silver or half ounce coins just to have some options. Iselin is looking forward to having a MB belt with secret weapon, tools and coins.

  The Seamstresses Guild have finished all the military uniform prototypes, and they will be extensively tested by the bodyguards, just as the first two have been. We have to test how they are in use, durability and how washing dulls the colours etc. There are a couple of minor issues we've already noticed where the seamstresses haven't fully understood my sketch and design, but that's partly my fault and most is good. The hood is supposed to be removable with overlapping U folds to let no wind through the bottom edge, and the strings out the back of the hood is to adjust how much the hood falls down, but when I look at the drawings, that is completely my fault. I know how things are supposed to work, and I have a lot of experience with modern clothing, principles and design solutions, which the seamstresses don't have, and these uniforms have so much more complications and stuff than common garments. But it will be possible to cut and re-sew the prototypes by hand.

  The horse blankets has also been made so the bodyguards will see how it fits the horses and how much difference a camouflaged rider and horse make for detection. This applies to both winter nature and more verdant summer nature.

  My wife and women surprise me with a few small gifts, including two more pairs of new indoor shoes for me to wear here or in the workshop. The first pair are basically sandals with a quick lace system so they are easy to take on or off. I have often used the wooden clogs in the workshop to avoid chips and splinters from metal work, and the wooden clogs also work outdoors, and there have been more of them made for themselves and the staff. But indoors I most go barefoot without socks, just as I did in my apartment in Midg?rd, where I didn't bother putting on shoes to fetch something from the car outside, which was through the basement and across the gravel. Barefoot all year round, and it was more mud or snow that determined whether I bothered with shoes, although a short walk through snow or smaller puddles is no problem.

  So I have sometimes had cold feet, which has been unappreciated by my sambos when I crawl into bed, which is one reason why they have happily accepted me lying with my feet outside, although they have wondered how my feet, legs and arms can be so damn warm when I have gone barefoot in a t-shirt and shorts. Ciara, on the other hand, doesn't like it when I lie with my feet outside the bed and on my stomach when she shares my bed, because her favourite position is me on my back and her cuddled up against me with her head resting on my chest.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  The new sandal will be used, and quite possibly the other shoes too, which are a pair of 'fluffy slippers' in fur with big felt claws, and obviously something Jane is the reason for. She has made similar ones for herself and all my sambos, but some have rabbit ears or looks like a cat etc, and they've all gotten a pair of 'sexier' slippers-shoes too.

  When I ask Alith if she likes her wedge heels, she give me a sad disappointed look, because I obviously haven't noticed that she often wears them. I just shrug my shoulders and say I'm sorry I wasn't more attentive. She's still short even with her wedge heels, but I cheer her up when I half whisper that it's not her footwear that catch my eye, especially not if I'm looking at her from up close.

  There are a lot of corsets, and Alith, Bodil, Hillevi, Shakini, Elin, Ida and Rikvi get their corsets. When I think back, I wonder how much the others have used theirs. A lot, it turns out. Gunhild, however, says that she doesn't think it's for her, but thanks us for having one and being able to try it, and there are times when she will use the corset, because she agree that the corset gives her a prettier body shape and she feels luxurious. Bodil is looking forward to try wearing a corset under her shield-maiden dress, and I have noticed that she rarely wears pants and a shirt these days, because she likes to feel more feminine, as long as she can perform the shield-maiden duties without any issues. She won't wear the corset if we are going a jog or situations where there is more risk like when she was guarding them in Borgarsandr, and she is looking forward to future 'armoured suits'. The maids are a bit divided; Elvira is more like Kari and loves the feel and luxury, while Jalida is more like Ciara, but admits she wears it almost all the time anyway because Elvira already is prettier than her.

  Jane likes the look and feel of her corset and wears it from time to time depending on what she's doing, as she did in Midg?rd. She is currently showing off her new prettily decorated corset along with a new short fur jacket, plus jeans and stilettos, which of course looks great on her, and Kari seems jealous and wants the same, and Iselin will probably get one too, unless they've already ordered it. Iselin feels the same way about corsets, as she likes the look and that it helps her get a better cleavage and body shape - and it feels luxurious - so there are days or occasions when she use them, unlike high heels that are practically always worn while indoors. Kari thinks corsets are wonderful and wears them almost all the time, which I have noticed. It's mostly fabric corset she wears, just like the others, but I know she likes the leather one which is also a bit stiffer, and she doesn't mind it being warmer at least now in winter. Kari absolutely likes the style of wearing an elegant corset on the outside, or wearing just a corset on the upper body like Jane currently do. Caecilia likes it a bit in the middle. Corsets are sometimes nice, and just a bother at other times, but she likes when I or Iselin sensually open her corset, and she likes that she gets a narrower waist, and the way Iselin, Kari and Jane look at her when she wears the corset, even though they give her very different looks.

  Ciara doesn't see the point of a corset, and considering she now has a natural hourglass shape that Jane is jealous of, I understand that. Nice hips, narrow waist and big breasts are just so unfair according to Jane, and Ciara's beautiful hair, eyes and face makes it worse. Jane's self-image isn't helped by the fact that Caecilia also has a very nice body shape, but a more normal waist. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Jane's looks and more athletic body, but it's her inner body shape insecurity, and she likes that almost all women here are physically hard working women and there is no pressure from fashion magazines, ads or TV. Basically, Jane is the one who drives fashion here, and they've clearly got new fur coats and fur jackets in more modern designs.

  I've noticed that Ciara often wears a bra although she prefers not wearing one, but Jane has informed all the women about the benefits of bras, so Ciara usually wears a bra, especially if she is going for a walk or similar, but not if she's just cuddling with me or being lazy indoors while knitting. Jane has helped Ciara get a couple of dresses customised with front lacing, to adapt and better show off her shape, and Ciara has got a couple of new dresses with a nice look and cut. Side and front lacing and more slimming shapes, with a larger and flattering neckline without being vulgar. Jane likes to sketch outfits for Ciara, and she has ordered a couple of dresses in the style she likes for Ciara. Which Kari and Iselin of course have noticed and gotten their own copies.

  Ciara didn't like to show off her body until she became more satisfied with her body, and she was more motivated after Jane said I would care and appreciate it. I can only admit that Ciara looks really good in a body flattering dress, and Ciara in one of her fashion teddies is a dangerous sight, but that also applies if she wears a loose shirt or t-shirt. In the past, I've made the mistake of sometimes mentioning that Ciara were too thin and skinny, and as I've said it less and less as she's filled out and I've then stopped mentioning it, she's taken it as me being pleased too. Now, Ciara likes that I compliment her looks, body and breasts, and that Jane is jealous, because Ciara is now rightly proud of her body.

  Ciara likes to feel beautiful, desirable and sensual, and to have people look at her appreciatively or compliment her on her looks. She likes being used as a model by Jane and getting special Midg?rd dress designs. The only thing where Ciara goes against Jane's fashion sense, is when it comes to socks and especially classic Nordic 'raggsockor', which are thickly knitted chunky wool socks, that Jane thinks are generally ugly while Ciara likes raggsockor and can now often be seen knitting them, and 'to make it worse', Ciara likes colourful patterns. Colourful enough that Jane has tried to test if Ciara is colour blind, but hasn't been able to discover 'any natural excuse'. There are so many knitters in the household. Under knee-high or even thigh-high knitted wool raggsockor have become a favourite with many women as they are practical, keep the feet and legs warm, and women wear dresses in winter. And the wing has stone floors, although wooden clogs indoors are quite common in the wing. Jane admits that raggsockor are nice to wear, and acceptable if they have one pretty colour and a pretty decorative pattern.

  A potentially negative thing is that I know Ciara is knitting me a jumper, and I'm a bit worried about that due to her colour sense. After all, she's going to want me to wear it. Jane has even told them about special Christmas jumpers.

  I know better than to say it out loud, but if I judge all my usual partners just by body shape and appearance, Ciara is at the top, followed by Iselin, with Caecilia, Jane and Alith in joint third place and then Kari. My two redheaded goddesses really deserve it, but I guess I'm biased about Iselin in particular, and Kari doesn't deserve to be last, but the grade is high.

  All my sambos must be 7+ even in the eyes of other Nordic Midg?rd people, and that's natural beauty without even proper mirrors, make-up and real beauty products. If they had been beautified by Midg?rd experts, I would probably be a drooling idiot, and they would absolutely have people turning heads. It's ironic because looks have always been low on my list of priorities when it comes to a partner. The top five for me have always been a mix of personality, intelligence, humour, opinions and interests. There's no point in having a partner who's good-looking or the sex is awesome, but I can't stand to be around them. A clear 10 in looks who is rich, but dumb as a post with idiotic opinions, and thinks we should do everything together even if we have completely different hobbies, don't get jokes and are deeply religious and, for example, refuse to accept that I believe in evolution? It would have been difficult to even socialise as a friend for longer durations, let alone as a partner and live together.

  Caecilia and Ciara are not that extreme religion-wise, and as for Ciara, I'm sure she would accept evolution and a lot of other things just because I said so, which feels a bit wrong. I feel blessed how well my relationships works, and the personalities Iselin, Ciara, Kari, Jane and Caecilia have. Sure, there are some issues, but they are acceptable, and I'm far from perfect myself. I just hope this weird relationship with five women continue to work.

  Jane does a couple of playful poses in her clothes in front of me, before giving me a sensual hug and kiss, and saying: "So, lover, what do you think about my new clothes?"

  "Of course you look fabulous and sexy in it, although I'm a bit surprised that you love fur and leather."

  "I get why, and to be fair, I also had a vegan phase as a teenager, but certain meat dishes and bacon is just too good to give up, and I like the smell. When it comes to furs and leather, I'm still against animal cruelty, but there are limited choices here for winter clothes, and honestly; I've always loved how good fur and leather feels and looks! I even like how leopard fur looks! And here in Alfheimr I don't have to feel bad about loving fur and leather since the social pressure is completely opposite! You're going to see me in a lot of fur and leather jackets and pants! Kari is the same after seeing certain pictures, and with her economy, several jackets and coats in more modern styles have been ordered, but she have included me, Iselin and Ciara so we won't feel left out. By the way, have you ever had a mink coat wearing sexy woman knock on your door, just wearing sexy lingerie underneath?"

  "No."

  "Take a quick shower, because in 15 minutes you will. And I won't take it off until both of us gets off at least once! If you give me 30 minutes, I'll have time to clean my bum."

  "See you in 30 minutes."