The show must go on
I show the letter to mom, and to Fåhraeus, and then to my sisters. When they start to cry I try to console them. To my surprise mom is crying too. I never seen her cry. I try to be strong for them. They need it.
Dad always said there's work to be done. It's the day after I found the letter. I've called a council meeting, the first thing I've ever done since dad disappeared. It goes on for a long time but I don't really understand what's happening. They all seem to think that dad is dead, but I don't understand why. He left, that is all. There's six of them. An old man named Alf of Kalix. He seems to have taken charge. There's the black eunuch Taye. There's a bald man called Johan Pilhufvud that dad fought with a lot. There's mom. And there's Fåhraeus.
They talk for a long while and I sit silent and listen. I don't understand it all, but they seem to think that there's danger afoot. That someone might try to act against us if we don't show ourselves strong. There's a fight. Mostly between mom, Alf and Johan. Eventually Alf seems to win. They tell me that he'll talk to the Ting and handle things until I reach maturity. They say that Kristina, Fåhraeus wife, should handle my education from here on out. They say that they're sorry. I say thanks. They say other things too. That with dad gone the same are a threat again. That Fåhraeus should go and try to calm them down. That we should prepare for war. That I should be strong. I tell them that I know, and that I'm not afraid. They seem happy with that answer. When they're done I go and ask Hjalte the grounds-keeper for a puppy to give to Maria. It's a lovely dog, about a month or so, brown and grey. It has big brown eyes. I name it Oak. When Maria sees it she forgets to be sad for a while. The other ones too. They all gather around to pet the puppy. Even Saga isn't mean for once. For a while, we're happy again. Then the puppy need to get back to it's mother and we go out separate ways.
If Alf is to rule in my stead I need to know a bit more about him. I ask Taye.
-"What's Alf like?"
-"He old and wise little one. He has lived for very long by being brave and hard like the ground at winter. He doesn't trust easily and I don't think he has cried once in his life, but he has survived where many others haven't and that makes him brave and respected. Be wary of him, little one. He's not proud but he could be a dangerous enemy for one so little."
-"Why do you warn me of Alf? Isn't he my friend?"
-"Yes, of course he is". Taye leaves. The warriors need training. When he leaves I feel quite alone.
I think I know why Kristina is to be my teacher. She's a Christian, so Johan will be happy. But she's also Fåhraeus wife, so the pagans will be happy. The only one not happy is mother. But I like Kristina. She doesn't complain often, always gives me sweets (although I don't eats sweets any-more) and looks quite pretty. Right now she has a child in her stomach. Wonder how that feels like.
Oh, and this is me:
I have my first lessons the following week. They're not as fun as those with dad, but Kristina begins teaching me about the southern courts. And the White God. She also gives me speaking lessons and try to teach me to write better. Hopefully it'll catch on.
We talk of the southern courts and of their so called feudalism. I ask her if I'm to be feudal. She says that's it called a feudal lord. I ask her if I'm to be a feudal lord. She says yes. I ask her if that means that everyone that's not a feudal lord should do what I want. She says yes, as long as I protect them. I never knew that I was so important.
In the autumn Kristina gives us time off, since she's to have her baby. I go and play with Oak, who has grown up to quite the dog. He's almost four feet high and has long hair. He's really friendly but Hjalte is training him to be a guard dog. While he technically belongs to Maria, she's more interested in horses now I spend most of the time with her. When Kristinas' baby is born I get to see it. It's a boy. She seems happy, tired and a bit sad. Maybe it's because one of the feet is very big and twisted the wrong way? But it's not that ugly. Hopefully she'll get over it. Fåhraeus is happy though. He names his son Ulf, and lifts him happy.
During the winter and autumn mom's belly is getting bigger and bigger. First I think that she's just getting fat, but eventually it becomes evident that I'm going to get another sibling. Apparently dad made her pregnant some months before disappearing. In December the child is born. It's a healthy baby girl. Mother names her Sofia. I think we're going to be friends.
In January I turn thirteen. Mom gives me dad's sword as a birthday gift. Saga almost become green with envy. From her I get a collar for Oak. Sara gives me a picture she's drawn. Maria gives me one of dads old war-figurines. Johan gives with me crucifix, Alf gives me a map. Kristina has baked a large cake, but I don't eat to much of it. The nicest gift comes from a warrior called Töre. He has carved a little figurine of dad. It's in wood and depicts him snatching a spear out of someone's hand. He says that it comes with a story. He says that dad was a brave and good man. That he wasn't afraid when most where. He tells me that dad once killed a bear and that he fought in a war. That doesn't sound like dad, but I believe him. He seems so convinced and passionate when he speaks. He offers to give me fencing lessons. I accept.
One day in June when I'm supposed to have my sword lessons with Töre, I sneak off. Dad said I needed to see not only the judging but the judgement. I've seen Alf hold trials at the Ting and at court. He sentence a lot of people to jail or slavery. I want to see the jails:
When I get out, carrying the knife I found, I see Kristina looking at me shocked. She must have been looking for me. I might have been gone longer than I suspected. On the way to her home she is quiet. When we get in she looks at me and says:
-"You know there needs to be justice, right?"
-"Yes. Dad told me so."
-"But justice can't be rash. It can't be killing a murderer on the spot, or beating a thief. What if he's innocent? You need time, you need a trial, you need to wait and think before you act, not to do something rash. Understand?" She looks worried.
-"Yes".
-"Are you sure?"
-"I think so".
-"Good. Let's continue from yesterdays lesson then. Who is the Lord at Nidaros and why is he important to us"...
(Out of character: He gained Patient. I forgot to take photo).
In September Margaretta turned six. Johan asked if she could study under him. I don't see why not.
In January I turn fourteen. I take the chance to sneak out and walk around Umeå, and I notice something. Alf must have been busy these last few years. The village is bustling with movement. Every day I walk these streets they seem a little more crowded and there seems to a little more stuff at the market. I'm not sure, but I think we're growing rather quickly. Have to ask Kristina about it when I get a chance.
It seems like Alf might have worked a bit to hard. In February he seems sick and weak, but he refuses to stop working, giving orders from his sickbed. In April he finally gives in a dies peacefully in his sleep. At the council-meeting everyone agrees that Fåhraeus, as the most senior member, should take over as regent and that Alf's seat at the council shall be empty until an a good candidate is found.
I would attend the funeral but it isn't in Umeå. Apparently he was from a farmstead to the north and he wanted to buried there. I see them carry his corpse through the streets to the harbour though. His widow is falling the men carrying the stretcher, with their young child in her arms. I feel sorry for them, and a bit guilty. It's because of me that they died. Or at least partly. Mom however just spits at their directions.
-"Infidels" she say. I say nothing.
But that's not the last thing I hear from her. In summer she comes to me.
-"Mikael, it's been three years since two years since you're father died..."
-"He's NOT dead!" I don't yell but I say the words loud, clear and carefully.
-"It's been two years. And even longer since I loved him. I don't want to beat around the bush. I want to remarry".
-"What? Remarry? Whom?"
-"Someone attractive hopefully, but more importantly a muslim. I've been too long without a friend of the faith"
-"What about dad?"
-"Dad is dead, hon. Accept it".
-"He isn't!"
-"Yes he is. But even if he weren't, he's gone. He left me, left us. And I want someone new."
-"Fine."
I start looking for someone. He has to come here. I've already lost one parent, I'm not loosing another one. After about a month of searching and using most of mom's and Taye's connections, we find someone:
His name is Böru and he's a the bastard of a minor turkish lord far east of Greece. His a lot younger than mom and rumoured to be a good, honest man. A good muslim. I send a message asking for their marriage. Six month later he arrives, alone, having travelled across half of the world to be here. He's not an especially brave man, making his journey even more impressive. They're married in a nice little ceremony and as a wedding gift I give him Alf's old seat at the council.
I have a problem that I can't really figure out. Someone has been stealing money from the treasury. Only I and Fåhraeus has the key. It doesn't mean anything really, someone could have broken in, and I don't want to implicate an innocent man. As Kristina said, I need to patient:
In January I turn fifteen. I'm almost a man. Wonder if dad would be proud of me?
During the summer news reaches me from the south. It seems like old King Stenkil has fallen in to a deep sleep from which he cannot awaken. He'll probably pass away soon. He's sixty and have outlived two of his sons and most of his enemies. His son Prince Inge seems destined to become king. Inge is a devout Christian and a scholar of some renown, having written many theological letters to the Archbishop at Bremen. Wonder what that means for the future.
At last; in the summer I turn sixteen. I'm finally considered an adult. In the spring there will be a Ting and I'll have to be confirmed officially as a ruler, but I don't fear it. I'm good with people and Kristina and dad has prepared me well for this moment. Don't worry dad, I'll make you proud.
As far as writing goes, I am impressed, the only critique I have is, in dialogue conversations, you do not put quotation marks, which makes it difficult to decipher what is being said, especially when a comment from one character, and a mental response from the other are on the same line. But besides that, I am impressed, you have a good grasp of writing a believable and honest character.
