Live by the sword, die by thunder, day 3 Action.

Very early breakfast for us. We just eat and make sure everything is ready and brought along, especially enough silver and gold. We confirm that we have chain mail and helmets for everyone we can, and swords or axes. I keep track of the enemies jewellery and distinctive weaponry, like the sword and shield that Arkanes right hand man had, as well as spears and the really nice axe from the balcony door. Things that people there should recognise.

My partners know that the manor is the safest place, but they still want to come with me, and some feel they must. However, I won't let Kari come along, because someone has to stay behind. Iselin needs to see this through to the end and get her revenge. Ciara refuses to be so far away from me, especially when I'm in a dangerous situation. Jane says she needs to continue documenting, which we all agree on, and she also says she needs to see the real world and life here. We both need that. Furthermore, Caecilia is my personal assistant-servant, and it is inappropriate for me to appear without her, especially when Ryla will be, even though this is a wartime situation. The whole point of Ryla is for her to be my secret bodyguard, so of course she needs to be nearby and be seen as my personal assistant-servant, just like Caecilia. My sambos, Alith and Caecilia, actually insist that Ryla stay close to me at all time, and Ryla is just happy to be of service. Especially such an important service. Of course Alith will come along too, and so will Bodil, Gunhild and Hillevi. Raneigh and Agnes will stay here and protect Kari.

Gunhild and Bodil actually pranked Hillevi into believing that she too had to stay by reminding her of bets she had lost, and Hillevi fell silent before cursing herself. Until they said they were joking.

We take Elvira, Ida, Frida and Gisela with us as servants. Elvira wants to serve Iselin, Ciara and Jane, and they should have someone. Frida will stay in Borgarsandr and prepare Borgheim. Gisela, so that she understands life in the north better, and that everything isn't peaceful and beautiful, but also involves violence, blood and death, with consequences. She is so afraid of me that Ciara has told her sharply to pull herself together and not be insulting. Ida just want to come along and help.

I offer Kari my bed if it feels safer than her own room, and she gratefully agrees to sleep in my room. Kari, Raneigh, and Agnes will write incident-action reports while we are away, and Kari will prepare a report covering the period and work here until our return. Those of us who are travelling will write incident-action reports during the journey. Future officers must be able to write an action report, and it should be some distraction and an effective pastime to do this while sailing. Pencils are so much better to use on board a sailing ship than quill and ink, but for the sake of durability, the report will need to be saved rewritten in proper ink. Written action reports, and good reporting, preferably with a simple sketch of the nature and actions and movements, are of course something they are not used to doing. But it is good to save those reports for the future, and I want everyone to include self-criticism and lessons learned, both good and bad.

In the cargo hold, the prisoners are tied up under guard. They must be the most docile prisoners ever, for their wills are completely broken. They barely look at me or my women, and cower behind each other and the guards if I am nearby. Iselin gets a similar reaction, especially if her necklace flashes.

More of the enemy's weapons and armour are in a couple of wooden boxes in our cabins if anyone else needs them. We have also brought some oil lamps, earthenware bottles that used to contain wine that have been refilled with the strongest alcohol mixed with rapeseed olja or some honey and finest wood shavings and sawdust. Also the lightning machine and copper wire. And various other things we may need in terms of weapons and such, such as buckles and flat daggers and so on, in the hope that the ordered MB leather belts are ready and waiting in Borgheim. The cannons are of course secured like everything else so that the cargo does not move. Olafr, Birger and Gaermarr got help from craftsmen and they made cannon shots and cannister shots and a couple of dozen fire arrows during the night - until they ran out of lead and didn't have time to finish any more - even though much of the basic cannon shot has hardened iron tip and core. I promise to get more iron and lead on the way back. Twenty-eight solid shots and seven cannister shots for the bronze cannon should be enough, and we have five cannister shots for the iron cannon. In the future, we will need more ready loading chambers for the iron cannon so that at least six shots can be fired quickly, and hopefully there can be a continuous firing cycle where a few people load the chambers while the shots are being fired.

Olafr puts his hand on my shoulder and tells me to let the world know what happens if anyone threatens me and the islands. I ask him to work on the pump-action rifle and flintlock pistol we talked about and sketched, but above all to finish the cartridge breach-loaded blackpowder rifle. And more crossbows. Both the simple model and the improved version with a built-in mechanism for loading and an arrow holder, which should be much faster. It has been a long time since he received the drawings for the updated pump-action air rifles, and they are going to make more pressure tanks and better tools for weapon parts for the press. Olafr just nods seriously and says they will start on it, and whispers that he will finish the sword and knife for Kari too.

The last thing I say before going onboard, and in front of witnesses such as Olafr, Pedr, Haera and the staff, is that if things go completely wrong and neither I nor Iselin return, Kari is the Furstess of the Islands and Lord of the Academy. Kari refuse to hear about the possibility of us not returning, but she understands that someone must take over in such a case. Kari's kiss and hugs me, and very reluctantly lets go. She loves that we have a radio and has been promised updates.

The sky has just brightened as the ship leaves, and I go to my cabin, with company. We lie there in the cramped little bed in my cabin and I think about everything that has happened, and what will happen. I have put the video clips, the sound and the pictures on my mobile phone, labelled it properly and brought the speaker with me. If needed, I can play their confessions to King Asbjörn and show him the aftermath, but I have decided to bring a prisoner along who can tell them when we visit him.

Now it is time to write the incident report. Then I will consider weapon improvements, and the construction of fire arrows and what might be effective chemical mixtures or part of such a mixture. The fact that there clearly is a market for saltpetre and sulphur is perhaps partly due to fire arrows or other fire weapons, because I suspect that saltpetre can add oxygen to a mixture enclosed in a water-resistant casing, while sulphur should produce unpleasant smoke, which could potentially react with moisture in the lungs etc, to produce a weak sulphuric acid. And even though it probably isn't possible to make thermite or actually ignite it if I can make it, very hot iron filings may help to keep a fire burning or reignite it, and perhaps produce unpleasant drops or very hot sparks, and so on.

It is late afternoon when we reach Borgarsandr. Thank the gods for the spinnaker and the Eagle's sailing ability in crosswinds, and that the wind has generally been quite good, even though easterly winds from land are unusual. At least I've had quite a few hours to think and design things and how to improve manufacturing tempo, but we've also prepared and kitted ourselves.

It was a good idea to have MB belts made, which we all wear, and everyone has at least one good knife hanging from their belt. I have a shoulder holster with the RY1 air revolver, the sword on my back, a telescopic baton on my MB belt, and a pump-action rifle in a sling. Alith has her own hunting rifle on her back with a hunting bag, and the other pump-action rifle in her hands, and a borrowed RobA sword on her MB belt, as well as her favourite tomahawk, telescopic baton and some throwing spikes. A bit cumbersome, but I get why she want it all, and we're unlikely to be in close combat danger in Borgarsandr. Gunhild has a double-barrelled shotgun in her hands and her sword in her belt. Bodil has her bow on her back as she feel more comfortable with it, and a tomahawk and quiver with arrows in her belt, but stands with a spear and shield. Hillevi, who is not good with firearms, still has a double-barrelled shotgun slinged on her back with its hunting bag, but like Bodil stands a spear, shield and sword, and she is ordered by Alith to never leave my side until we are back in Thrymheim, which she takes very seriously. Ryla has been given the same directive and has borrowed an axe and baton so as not to be associated with her unusual sai, even though she carries them too, but in a discreet holster. Ciara carries the last double-barrelled shotgun, as well as an axe. Iselin has my third RobA sword and a hunting rifle. Caecilia has a borrowed shorter sword and carries my hunting rifle with the laser sight on her back, but that is partly to make Ryla look less like a warrior, since Caecilia is quite well known as my personal hóra. Jane is the least armed, with only her knife, but that's how she wanted it. If things get so bad that she needs bigger weapons, they will be available. She has learned to use swords, axes, spears and bows to some extent, but like me, she feels more comfortable with firearms. However, her primary 'weapon' is the camera, which she has used so far to take photos and videos.

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Elvira, Ida and Gisela, who serve as our maids, have of course been lent weapons and really wanted some. Gisela has a sword and shield, while Ida and Elvira chose axes and crossbows. When I offered Gisela a sword, she was so happy, and it was the first time she had dared to approach me in the last 24 hours. It was as if she had received the most sacred relic directly from an angel, and considering that she has begun to worship Freya, she may take it as a sign from her new goddess. There is a good chance she will become a shieldmaiden, both because she is allowed to and because she wants to be able to protect herself.

Since we need some way to identify who is in the raiding force and who is not, each warrior will receive two pieces of blue cloth to wear as armbands. Future uniforms will have loops that make it easy to attach armbands and other items, but for now we will have to improvise. In the future, we will need to find better and more stylish solutions, preferably with my logo or flag on them, but hopefully we will be able to buy a few rolls of fabric in somewhat the right blue from the seamstress guild or the merchant empire. Hopefully, they can also quickly sew some flags and similar items. They don't need to be beautifully sewn, just good enough. Likewise, preparations must be made for the order briefings with the warriors, where a simple map model and wooden board will be used for explanation.

I send Caecilia with Gunhild to talk to Ovdhon so that my two merchant ships in the harbour can be prepared, and have as much as possible of the crew gathered tomorrow. Transporting ice from Skiringsalr will have to wait a couple more days. Frida hurries to Borgheim. The rest of us visit the castle with a prisoner and are shown to the throne room, where King Asbjörn soon appears with a couple of councillors, the chief guard and a few other guards. I simply order the prisoner to speak.

Asbjörn and his councillors become angrier as the prisoner speaks, and with rising anger several of them feel the grip on their swords.

Asbjörn and the others know who Jarl Arkanes is and where Arkanes is, and two councillors have met him. His wife Sasgaerda is obviously beautiful with enormous breasts, as their hands make descriptive gestures, while the other wife, Adallaug, is really tall and also has a large bust. They cannot say much about Jarl Arkanes as a person, but everyone has heard about his wives' appearance, especially Sasgaerda, and that the wives have given him many children. To be fair, they're all men, and I don't expect myself to be better.

My plan is simple, and they like it. As soon as possible, and this evening, messengers on horseback will be sent out to spread in Borgarsandr and the local region, that Sejdmann Robert Arnesson has been attacked by Daes Jarl Mikkel Arkanes, whose men tried to kill me, plunder my home and take my women as slaves. So I am gathering warriors for a swift retaliatory raid. Every warrior who tomorrow comes with their own weapons and preferably armour and is selected, will receive half an ounce of silver in advance. I will take warriors until my ships are full. This will not be a wild plundering Viking style raid, and to reduce unnecessary violence and killing, if any of the warriors we bring with us take liberties I won't like, they will be left there unarmed and have to live with the consequences.

I know the names of the guilty parties and where they live - we have even made simple map sketches. We will simply surround the village and the outer farms, gather the guilty parties and their families. Above all, Jarl Arkanes and his family. All family members of the attackers will become slaves. The families of the attacking men will be split and scattered across slave markets far away. Regardless of how I feel about punishing the innocent, I must show strength and that attacks against me will have consequences for their loved ones and families - so that no one repeats it without being aware of what might happen. What is that quote? It's okay if they hate me, as long as they fear me. Then we will plunder all the guilty possessions as thoroughly as we can, take their livestock and try to transport everything of value back here. Because we will burn down the homes of the guilty before we leave. Their fields are probably too soggy to burn. Their neighbours and others who are not guilty will be witnesses, and they shall not be harmed, nor shall their homes be damaged or plundered. They will receive some consolation and a gift of animals or similar items that we cannot take with us. Once we are back in Borgarsandr, the attacking warriors will receive further payment, and an auction will be held on the plundered goods. Then my group will return home to the islands.

Asbjörn will of course not accompany us, as this would be interpreted as him being involved and a war leader, which could potentially mean a breach of the peace he has with Daes king Magnbjorn, but Asbjörn will fulfil his part of the Academy agreement. So he orders a man to gather as many warriors as he can in a short time and fill Asbjörn's ships, as well as send riders to spread the message, and to prevent all ships from leaving the region until the day after we have left.

It feels quite good to be in Borgheim, behind its thick stone walls, and we are preparing for the attack and tomorrow's selection. Jane is painting a large two-by-two-meter map of Arkanes surroundings that we can use for briefing, but there will probably be a simpler ground model as well.

I am in the great hall when two well-armoured warriors appear and ask to speak with me, and Gunhild goes out to meet them and make sure they aren't a danger to us. She leads them in and they are among the first warriors I have seen who actually have proper layered armour, and not just chain mail, leather, or leather with rings or plate. Full chain mail, including on the arms and legs, with breastplate, hip plates and shoulder plates. Full helmets and plate armoured hands, lower legs and shoes. Everything in plate is decoratively painted. They carry swords, axes, knives, spears and shields, but their packs also have a bow and a quiver with arrows. They have taken off their helmets, and I'm surprised that they are women closer to my age, and both have the same tattoo thingy below the right eye. They introduce themselves as Valkyria-maidens Thyra and Laug. There is just silence, followed by a lot of whispering. That is not something I've heard of before, but Gunhild is quick to whisper;

"If you trust me, you must accept them right now. Before the real selection tomorrow."

I trust Gunhild, so I accept their service, and they ask if they can be a part of the personal guards protecting me and my people, which I accept, and I introduce them to my guard commander Alith, to whom they immediately introduce themselves and place themselves at her disposal. I realise that Alith and Gunhild have almost gone into fangirl mode, but most people nearby seem to have heard of Valkyria-maidens and are impressed by them. After a few quick words from Alith, they are shown to their sleeping quarters.

I'm not really keen on having two unknown, well-armed and armoured warriors close to us, but my Elven companions say I don't need to worry about them, and after Iselin mentions some Saga, and Alith eagerly nods, she is so proud that we have them as bodyguards. Gunhild quietly explain about Valkyria-maidens Thyra and Laug so that I, Ciara, Jane and Iselin can hear. Practically speaking, they are ordinary shieldmaidens, but they live in the hope of becoming Valkyria after death. Basically, they have had a vision of Freya as young, and they have literally sworn their lives to Freya to be her knight nuns. Valkyria-maidens are seen as the embodiment of both Freya's war and death aspects, because in battle they are cold-blooded warriors who generally do not leave an enemy alive. They quickly kill and move on, and will never be cowards. They fight for Freya's warlike ideals and most will never allow themselves to be taken by a man. Usually, they are no more armoured or equipped than ordinary shieldmaidens. Gunhild has heard of Thyra and Laug in particular, as they have literally travelled around the world for at least 12 or 13 years seeking battle, but they disappeared across the sea to the south about 10 years ago.

Valkyria-maidens are generally very experienced, and the older they are, the more experienced they are. They cannot be hired for silver or property like a mercenary. If a Valkyria-maiden appears where someone is going to fight or defend, Freya have guided her there, and she will take the side that seems most right according to Freya's beliefs, and she often becomes one of the leader's bodyguards. If it is too ambiguous or unworthy, she watches as Freya's eyes, or she moves on. After the battle or campaign, the Valkyria-maiden moves on unless Freya clearly wants her to keep protecting someone for a while. If a Valkyria-maiden appears and offers to fight in a First Blood duel for someone, it is taken as a message from Freya that the other party is wrong and that the duel is not honourable, and given how skilled and experienced Valkyria-maidens generally are, the other party will probably lose. So Valkyria-maidens also has a psychological advantage. Jane comments:

"It's so very right that Viking Elves doesn't have normal nuns! Either it's Meysala with nuns focused on sex and fertility, or someone like Caecilia who is all sex, love and rock-n'-roll, or it's wandering female Knights: Faith, chastity, poverty, violence and death!"

I agree with that.

As I lie in my bed in Borgheim in the evening, it is once again reassuring to have the others beside me, and I know they feel the same way. One arm each around Iselin and Jane, while Ciara has once again crawled up between me and Jane, and she wants to rest her head on my chest and lie half on top of me. So it's a little difficult to sleep, but it feels safe, even though it is too warm too. Caecilia is also lying beside Iselin, hugging her.

We spoke to Kari on the radio and she really doesn't like being alone in Thrymheim, but she loves being kept up to date and loves the radio. Kari wants us to hire more bodyguards and guards, and will gladly pay for it herself. Even permanently here at Borgheim. Kari is right, because both I as Furst and Kari as largest of Storman need guards, and Kari should have a couple of her own bodyguards, and at least one bodyguard of her own. Iselin as my wife should also have her own bodyguard. Bodil is sort of acting like Iselin's bodyguard, but she should officially have her own.

At least all the new MB belts have been delivered, so my sambos and I will have three each with slightly different decorative designs, and Caecilia and the bodyguards will have two each, one for everyday use and one for more formal occasions. It's good we ordered extra as at least Ryla and Agnes will need two each too. And probably Elvira. I wish my sambos and our bodyguards had good firearms too. Pump-action air rifles in particular have proven to be very effective in combat and should be the most practical and reliable, but they should have something easier to carry, like RY1 air revolvers. It's not like there is much options.

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