Part Twenty-Five: An Old Friend Arrives
May. 16th, 2020 11:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sigridharem“Come in,” Sigrid said absently, beginning to sketch out a provisional schedule.
The door creaked open. “Well, don’t you look busy. Too busy to see an old friend?”
Sigrid all but leaped to her feet. “Katja!”
Katja cut a splendid figure in leather armor and a fur cloak, one hand on her hip as Sigrid rushed to embrace her. She’d cut her hair since Sigrid had last seen her, and now had close-cropped brown curls.
“I can’t believe you’re back! How was the south? How is Sif?” Sigrid paused. “I’m asking too many questions.”
Katja laughed heartily. “Well, I’ve been voyaging for nearly a year. Took a liking to it, obviously. How many hearts have you broken since I left?”
Sigrid made an exasperated face which only made Katja laugh more. “The idiots I’ve rejected were merely bruised, hardly broken.”
“Oh, it’s not as if I care about them. I just like it when you pout over your reputation.” Katja grinned. “I did hear you have a new toy in your seraglio.”
“From who?” She knew, rationally, that Nikolaj’s people made a fuss whenever they were reminded he was not her consort, but it seemed a bit early for word to have spread outside the country.
And worrying.
“Charlotte, of course, she couldn’t wait to tell me.”
That was a relief. Although… “You saw Lotte before me?”
Katja snorted. “Don’t get jealous on me. You’re the one who was out visiting Lord Who-Gives-A-Fuck when I returned.”
“I do have duties to perform from time to time,” Sigrid pointed out. “Although on this particular occasion I will admit to taking a page out of Lotte’s book and bringing along some companions.”
“Good!” Katja slung her arm over Sigrid’s shoulders. “Took you long enough to discover mixing business with pleasure. I think I would have gone mad if Sif weren’t with me on my travels.”
Sigrid smiled. “So how is Sif?”
“Still gorgeous. Still wily as a fox.” Katja grinned. “She’s learning Rússneska now, you know. Do me a favor and keep us from going to war again so she won’t leave me to become a strategist, will you?”
She laughed. “I will keep that in mind.”
“Although honestly, she’s become so fascinated by the culture I’m half-convinced she’ll leave me for a buxom Rúslander woman.” Katja shook her head. “The other day she was trying to interest me in genealogy!”
“Genealogy?” Sigrid’s mind raced, and she tried to keep her tone casual. “Such as how many sons the tsars had and what became of their issue and such?”
“Exactly! Lord, how boring.”
“You know, considering how long it’s been, I really should have dinner with you and Sif.” Preferably alone and as soon as possible. Or at least without Mother and Lotte. “She is in the castle, I presume?”
“I should hope so! Said she wanted to see you too, only it turns out her brother is in Lotte’s service now, so she might be visiting him.” Katja shook her head. “He better keep those knuckleheads from bothering her.”
“That would be just about the only thing Lotte wouldn’t forgive them doing,” Sigrid pointed out. “Besides, they’re not all knuckleheads.” Which at the moment, concerns me.
“Enough of them are,” Katja said decisively. “Not that you haven’t favored the odd knucklehead yourself. Still keeping Nikolaj?”
“Oh, don’t you start. How is tonight?” It would be a little tight, but Sigrid really didn’t think she could afford to wait much longer to find out if Sif had read her way up to the birth of Sasha.
“Perfect!” Katja grinned. “Just the three of us, or do you intend to prove that you have some clever boys now?”
Sigrid raised her eyebrows back at Katja. “I’d thought just the three of us, but if you are so interested in my companions, why don’t we go down to the seraglio?”
“Why not! And then we can go around the other side and pick up Sif!”
Exactly my thought. Sigrid smiled.
Karl escorted them downstairs while they reminisced about their younger days, and it wasn’t long at all before they were at the seraglio doors.
Katja paused as they approached. “Wait, wait. I’ve never been to a place like this before, will they be… decent?”
“Decent?” Sigrid was amused.
“I mean, you’re not going to open those doors on some massive orgy or something, are you?”
“Not on a Tuesday afternoon, no,” Sigrid said dryly, and knocked on the doors.
Unusually, it was Klaus that answered.
“Hello! Mikael’s taking a nap right no- Lady Sigrid!” Klaus bounced on the balls of his feet. “And you brought a friend! Come in!”
“You look familiar,” Katja remarked as they stepped inside. “He’s not new, is he, Sigrid?”
“Nope! I’ve been here like… at least a couple years. My name’s Klaus, by the way, what’s yours?”
“Katja.” Katja smiled. “You certainly have a lot of energy, don’t you, Klaus?”
Sigrid laughed and Klaus grinned and cartwheeled towards the sofas.
“Sometimes! Hey, Lady Sigrid, should I tell the others to come out and be sociable? I think Leifr and Sebastian are out, but…”
“Who’s the newest one?” Katja wanted to know. “Charlotte says you’re absolutely smitten with him.”
“Oh, that’s Sasha. I can get him, though he’s kind of shy with strangers,” Klaus said breezily. “Hey, Princess Charlotte never talked about me when I was the favorite, did she?” He paused. “I was your favorite once, right, Lady Sigrid?”
“Most assuredly so.” Sigrid smiled, and held out her hand. Klaus grinned and kissed it, then ran off, presumably in search of Sasha.
“He’s like a puppy.”
Sigrid snorted. “Is that a bad thing?”
“It’s just not what I thought you found sexy in a man.” Katja shrugged.
“Are you jealous?”
Katja smiled. “Of him? That depends.”
One of the doors opened, and Wolfgang emerged. “Sigrid. I wasn’t expecting to see you down here so soon. And…” He paused, frowning at Katja. “My apologies, I feel certain I’ve had the pleasure but…”
“Katja,” she supplied. “And don’t worry about it, I don’t remember your name either.”
Wolfgang looked mortified, and Sigrid tried not to laugh. “This is Wolfgang. From Gothenb-“
“Oh!” Katja brightened. “I think I know your sister! Lady Judit?”
“You know-“ Wolfgang paused, then straightened up, tapping his chin. “The soldier turned lady voyager, of course.”
“Well, I wouldn’t call myself a lady, but I am a woman.” Katja winked.
“Judit spoke highly of you. Then again, Judit is always fond of women who can wield heavy weaponry.”
“Like sister like brother, huh?” Katja slung an arm over Sigrid’s shoulders, and Wolfgang went pink.
“I wouldn’t give myself nearly your chances in a proper melee, Katja,” Sigrid retorted. “Ah, here comes Klaus with Sasha.”
Klaus was all but dragging Sasha forward, though Sasha didn’t look reluctant so much as innocently puzzled. When he caught sight of her and Katja his face rose and fell in one burst of visible emotion.
Katja turned to evaluate the new arrivals. “Hello again, Klaus! This is Sasha?”
Sasha glanced at Sigrid again before meeting Katja’s eyes. “Yes.”
Katja frowned. “I don’t know why, but I was expecting more of a tall dark stranger type.”
“Maybe you’re thinking of Leifr,” Sasha said quietly.
For a confused half a minute, maybe. “That’s more Lotte’s preference.”
“I’m not saying he doesn’t look lovely,” Katja began, then paused. “A bit sullen, perhaps.”
Sasha eyed her coldly. “This is not a market for you to find a man.”
Sigrid winced, but Katja simply laughed. “A man, for me? I should say not! But you do remind me of my Sif, oddly enough. In a certain light.”
Klaus looked between them, clearly baffled. “He’s not usually like this! Sasha, what’s the matter with you? Be nice to Sigrid’s friend!”
“Oh, don’t get mad at him, he’s allowed to have some pride. And I have been a bit rude.” Katja squeezed Sigrid’s shoulder and let go. “Let’s try this again. I’m Katja, Sigrid’s old friend. Nice to meet you, Sasha.”
“Nice to meet you.” Sasha still looked, for lack of a better word, wary. “What is it you want?”
“It was my idea,” Sigrid interjected, stepping between them. “I wanted to show all of you off.”
Wolfgang looked embarrassed but pleased; Klaus positively overflowed with obvious pride, and Sasha… bit his lip and lowered his eyes.
“Sorry…”
“Sasha…” She moved towards him, gently touching his cheek until he met her eyes. “There’s nothing to apologize for. We had a misunderstanding.”
“Oh, he thought I wanted to take him out for a ride, didn’t he?” Katja exclaimed. “This is your fault, Sigrid!”
That made Sigrid turn back around. “How, exactly?”
“We should’ve picked up Sif first. Then it would’ve been clear. Clearer, anyway.”
“Unless Sif brought you out on a velvet leash, I’m not so sure of that,” Sigrid said dryly.
Klaus’s jaw dropped. “Wait, you’re… like us?”
“I’ve been known to submit when I play those games, yes.” Katja grinned. “Not that I ever planned on it, but I seem to keep finding myself entangled with women who prefer to take charge.”
“Sif is… your lover?” Sasha’s tone was softer than before.
“Indeed she is. She’s also over on the other side of the seraglio, probably being bored to death by Charlotte’s men.”
“What on earth is she doing there?” Wolfgang looked appalled.
“Comparing notes?” Klaus offered.
Katja snorted. “Lord, I hope not. No, her brother lives there now. Shall we go save her?”
Klaus coughed. “Er, I’d better not…”
Sasha, however, looked intrigued. “I’ve never been there before. Is it all right, Lady Sigrid?”
“On this occasion, yes.” Sigrid glanced at Wolfgang. “Króna for your thoughts?”
“I’m going.” Wolfgang straightened up. “I don’t like those brutes and I don’t like the thought of them bothering a lady.”
“Neither do I, but somehow I think we’ll find her safe and sound,” Katja said breezily. “Still, shall we go?”
On the other side of the seraglio, conversation could be heard through the doors even from some distance away. This was not surprising, considering how many men resided there. What was surprising was that it didn’t sound like a fight had broken out, though Sigrid was inclined to give it an hour before declaring a miracle.
The door opened, and Kalle stared at Sigrid in naked shock. “Lady Sigrid? Is… is something wrong with Lady Charlotte?”
“Nothing that wasn’t wrong with her yesterday!” Katja squeezed past Kalle as Sigrid rolled her eyes. “Where’s Sif?”
Katja was loud, but the general hubbub was louder, particularly the group huddled around what Sigrid guessed was either dice or a card game, shouting out bets and occasionally slamming their hands on the table.
Sigrid felt Sasha shrink against her side.
But tucked into a corner was a flaxen-haired, muscular young man and a small, delicate looking woman with a heart-shaped face framed by lace over her golden hair. He appeared to be talking and she appeared to be listening intently.
Too intently to hear Katja the first time, at least.
“SIF!” Katja bellowed, and some of the men’s heads turned, including the flaxen-haired man, who Sigrid had not met before. The general volume quieted slightly.
Sif’s head turned, and a smile spread across her face. “Hello, Katja. And Sigrid! And…?”
“Wolfgang of Gothenberg,” Wolfgang said, striding purposefully towards her before getting down on one knee. “You are Lord Akureyri’s daughter and son, if I am not mistaken?”
“Yes,” the man said, sticking out his hand, which Wolfgang clasped as he stood. “Agnar. Nice to meet you. You’re… a companion of Princess Sigrid?”
“I am.”
Sif smiled at him. “Katja was in Gothenberg once without me. You must tell me about it properly one day, sir.”
“You’ve rather upstaged me, dear,” Sigrid said, not without humor. Wolfgang reddened, and stepped aside.
“O-of course, you’ve met my lady…”
“I haven’t had the pleasure,” Agnar said cheerfully. “I think most in Lady Charlotte’s service rarely do, so this is a bit of an honor.” He started to get up to bow, but Sigrid waved her hand impatiently.
“Any brother of Sif’s is a friend of mine. And I see any worries that she could not handle herself in a rougher crowd were misplaced.”
Sif smiled. Then, tilting her head slightly, she took in Sasha. “Hello.”
“…Hello.” Sasha seemed somewhat surprised to be addressed.
Sif stood, stepping closer to Sasha, and Sigrid could not help thinking they looked even more like sister and brother than Sif did to her true brother.
“Aren’t you going to introduce yourself to me?”
Sasha swallowed. “…Sasha. Just Sasha.”
Katja laughed. “Careful, love, he’s prickly.”
Sif’s small mouth creased in a pout. “He doesn’t seem prickly…”
Sigrid cleared her throat slightly, slipping her arm around Sasha’s waist.
Sif turned to her with a sweet smile. “Hello, Sigrid. I know he’s yours.”
“And here I was going to invite you to dine with me tonight,” Sigrid said, without rancor. “And discuss the history of Rúsland.”
She felt Sasha tense, but Sif did not notice, her eyes fairly sparkling as she clasped her hands together.
“Oh yes, we must! I’ve been reading about the influence of barbarian hordes and the origins of their church, and-“
“Sif, you’re going to make her regret that invitation before the sun goes down.” Katja shook her head.
Sigrid laughed as Sif flushed. “I’ve never disliked Sif’s enthusiasm for learning. But now is perhaps neither the time nor the place for such a conversation.”
“Hey Princess.”
Sigrid turned to see Frederik, one of Lotte’s favorites. He was sprawled out on a couch with his ash blond head resting on his extremely large arms, one leg over the couch’s back.
She’d never particularly liked the man.
Still, Sigrid forced a smile. “Frederik.”
“Welcome to the big boys’ lair.” He grinned, overly pleased with his own joke. “I’ve never seen you set foot here before. Curious about the other side?”
Sigrid raised her eyebrows. “I’m here for Sif. Nothing more.”
“Who, the dainty little piece?” Frederik laughed. “Adding her to your collection? She’d fit right in.”
Katja bristled, but Sif merely smiled. Wolfgang opened his mouth to retort, but Sif laid a silencing hand on him.
“Sir Frederik.” Sif’s brightest smile meant trouble. “Lady Charlotte tells me you have quite the talent for bondage.”
Frederik’s grin widened. “That’s right.”
“Such a shame the rest of your talents don’t… measure up.” Sif flicked a dismissive glanced over his body and then turned her back to him. “Shall we go, then?”
Katja laughed heartily. “I thought you’d never ask!”
Frederik scowled at Sif’s retreating back, and swung his leg down to sit normally on the couch. “I can prove that’s a lie.”
She should have kept walking, like Sif and Katja. But a perverse part of her was curious enough to turn back. “Oh?”
Frederik cracked his knuckles. “Let me at one of your whipped boys. I’ll put on a show that won’t disappoint you.”
Wolfgang glared at Frederik. “We’re not whores, you asinine clod!”
Frederik just laughed. “Well, the little redhead sure was. Where is he, anyway? I’ve missed his tight little ass.”
She felt Sasha tense. Wolfgang, on the other hand, was more than prepared.
“Klaus? He’s discovered there’s far more pleasure engaging with people who actually remember his name. He doesn’t send his regards.”
Agnar snorted.
Frederik, however, looked right past Wolfgang to Sigrid. “So you knew he was slipping out. Did you reprimand him?”
“I hardly see that it’s your business to know!” Wolfgang exclaimed.
Sigrid merely smiled at Frederik, and touched Wolfgang’s arm. “Let’s go, darling.”
“Oh? Sure you don’t want to leave the skinny one with the big eyes with me?” Frederik leered.
Sasha turned. “You couldn’t handle me.”
Agnar and a few of the other men hooted, and Sigrid left, flanked by Wolfgang and Sasha.
The door creaked open. “Well, don’t you look busy. Too busy to see an old friend?”
Sigrid all but leaped to her feet. “Katja!”
Katja cut a splendid figure in leather armor and a fur cloak, one hand on her hip as Sigrid rushed to embrace her. She’d cut her hair since Sigrid had last seen her, and now had close-cropped brown curls.
“I can’t believe you’re back! How was the south? How is Sif?” Sigrid paused. “I’m asking too many questions.”
Katja laughed heartily. “Well, I’ve been voyaging for nearly a year. Took a liking to it, obviously. How many hearts have you broken since I left?”
Sigrid made an exasperated face which only made Katja laugh more. “The idiots I’ve rejected were merely bruised, hardly broken.”
“Oh, it’s not as if I care about them. I just like it when you pout over your reputation.” Katja grinned. “I did hear you have a new toy in your seraglio.”
“From who?” She knew, rationally, that Nikolaj’s people made a fuss whenever they were reminded he was not her consort, but it seemed a bit early for word to have spread outside the country.
And worrying.
“Charlotte, of course, she couldn’t wait to tell me.”
That was a relief. Although… “You saw Lotte before me?”
Katja snorted. “Don’t get jealous on me. You’re the one who was out visiting Lord Who-Gives-A-Fuck when I returned.”
“I do have duties to perform from time to time,” Sigrid pointed out. “Although on this particular occasion I will admit to taking a page out of Lotte’s book and bringing along some companions.”
“Good!” Katja slung her arm over Sigrid’s shoulders. “Took you long enough to discover mixing business with pleasure. I think I would have gone mad if Sif weren’t with me on my travels.”
Sigrid smiled. “So how is Sif?”
“Still gorgeous. Still wily as a fox.” Katja grinned. “She’s learning Rússneska now, you know. Do me a favor and keep us from going to war again so she won’t leave me to become a strategist, will you?”
She laughed. “I will keep that in mind.”
“Although honestly, she’s become so fascinated by the culture I’m half-convinced she’ll leave me for a buxom Rúslander woman.” Katja shook her head. “The other day she was trying to interest me in genealogy!”
“Genealogy?” Sigrid’s mind raced, and she tried to keep her tone casual. “Such as how many sons the tsars had and what became of their issue and such?”
“Exactly! Lord, how boring.”
“You know, considering how long it’s been, I really should have dinner with you and Sif.” Preferably alone and as soon as possible. Or at least without Mother and Lotte. “She is in the castle, I presume?”
“I should hope so! Said she wanted to see you too, only it turns out her brother is in Lotte’s service now, so she might be visiting him.” Katja shook her head. “He better keep those knuckleheads from bothering her.”
“That would be just about the only thing Lotte wouldn’t forgive them doing,” Sigrid pointed out. “Besides, they’re not all knuckleheads.” Which at the moment, concerns me.
“Enough of them are,” Katja said decisively. “Not that you haven’t favored the odd knucklehead yourself. Still keeping Nikolaj?”
“Oh, don’t you start. How is tonight?” It would be a little tight, but Sigrid really didn’t think she could afford to wait much longer to find out if Sif had read her way up to the birth of Sasha.
“Perfect!” Katja grinned. “Just the three of us, or do you intend to prove that you have some clever boys now?”
Sigrid raised her eyebrows back at Katja. “I’d thought just the three of us, but if you are so interested in my companions, why don’t we go down to the seraglio?”
“Why not! And then we can go around the other side and pick up Sif!”
Exactly my thought. Sigrid smiled.
Karl escorted them downstairs while they reminisced about their younger days, and it wasn’t long at all before they were at the seraglio doors.
Katja paused as they approached. “Wait, wait. I’ve never been to a place like this before, will they be… decent?”
“Decent?” Sigrid was amused.
“I mean, you’re not going to open those doors on some massive orgy or something, are you?”
“Not on a Tuesday afternoon, no,” Sigrid said dryly, and knocked on the doors.
Unusually, it was Klaus that answered.
“Hello! Mikael’s taking a nap right no- Lady Sigrid!” Klaus bounced on the balls of his feet. “And you brought a friend! Come in!”
“You look familiar,” Katja remarked as they stepped inside. “He’s not new, is he, Sigrid?”
“Nope! I’ve been here like… at least a couple years. My name’s Klaus, by the way, what’s yours?”
“Katja.” Katja smiled. “You certainly have a lot of energy, don’t you, Klaus?”
Sigrid laughed and Klaus grinned and cartwheeled towards the sofas.
“Sometimes! Hey, Lady Sigrid, should I tell the others to come out and be sociable? I think Leifr and Sebastian are out, but…”
“Who’s the newest one?” Katja wanted to know. “Charlotte says you’re absolutely smitten with him.”
“Oh, that’s Sasha. I can get him, though he’s kind of shy with strangers,” Klaus said breezily. “Hey, Princess Charlotte never talked about me when I was the favorite, did she?” He paused. “I was your favorite once, right, Lady Sigrid?”
“Most assuredly so.” Sigrid smiled, and held out her hand. Klaus grinned and kissed it, then ran off, presumably in search of Sasha.
“He’s like a puppy.”
Sigrid snorted. “Is that a bad thing?”
“It’s just not what I thought you found sexy in a man.” Katja shrugged.
“Are you jealous?”
Katja smiled. “Of him? That depends.”
One of the doors opened, and Wolfgang emerged. “Sigrid. I wasn’t expecting to see you down here so soon. And…” He paused, frowning at Katja. “My apologies, I feel certain I’ve had the pleasure but…”
“Katja,” she supplied. “And don’t worry about it, I don’t remember your name either.”
Wolfgang looked mortified, and Sigrid tried not to laugh. “This is Wolfgang. From Gothenb-“
“Oh!” Katja brightened. “I think I know your sister! Lady Judit?”
“You know-“ Wolfgang paused, then straightened up, tapping his chin. “The soldier turned lady voyager, of course.”
“Well, I wouldn’t call myself a lady, but I am a woman.” Katja winked.
“Judit spoke highly of you. Then again, Judit is always fond of women who can wield heavy weaponry.”
“Like sister like brother, huh?” Katja slung an arm over Sigrid’s shoulders, and Wolfgang went pink.
“I wouldn’t give myself nearly your chances in a proper melee, Katja,” Sigrid retorted. “Ah, here comes Klaus with Sasha.”
Klaus was all but dragging Sasha forward, though Sasha didn’t look reluctant so much as innocently puzzled. When he caught sight of her and Katja his face rose and fell in one burst of visible emotion.
Katja turned to evaluate the new arrivals. “Hello again, Klaus! This is Sasha?”
Sasha glanced at Sigrid again before meeting Katja’s eyes. “Yes.”
Katja frowned. “I don’t know why, but I was expecting more of a tall dark stranger type.”
“Maybe you’re thinking of Leifr,” Sasha said quietly.
For a confused half a minute, maybe. “That’s more Lotte’s preference.”
“I’m not saying he doesn’t look lovely,” Katja began, then paused. “A bit sullen, perhaps.”
Sasha eyed her coldly. “This is not a market for you to find a man.”
Sigrid winced, but Katja simply laughed. “A man, for me? I should say not! But you do remind me of my Sif, oddly enough. In a certain light.”
Klaus looked between them, clearly baffled. “He’s not usually like this! Sasha, what’s the matter with you? Be nice to Sigrid’s friend!”
“Oh, don’t get mad at him, he’s allowed to have some pride. And I have been a bit rude.” Katja squeezed Sigrid’s shoulder and let go. “Let’s try this again. I’m Katja, Sigrid’s old friend. Nice to meet you, Sasha.”
“Nice to meet you.” Sasha still looked, for lack of a better word, wary. “What is it you want?”
“It was my idea,” Sigrid interjected, stepping between them. “I wanted to show all of you off.”
Wolfgang looked embarrassed but pleased; Klaus positively overflowed with obvious pride, and Sasha… bit his lip and lowered his eyes.
“Sorry…”
“Sasha…” She moved towards him, gently touching his cheek until he met her eyes. “There’s nothing to apologize for. We had a misunderstanding.”
“Oh, he thought I wanted to take him out for a ride, didn’t he?” Katja exclaimed. “This is your fault, Sigrid!”
That made Sigrid turn back around. “How, exactly?”
“We should’ve picked up Sif first. Then it would’ve been clear. Clearer, anyway.”
“Unless Sif brought you out on a velvet leash, I’m not so sure of that,” Sigrid said dryly.
Klaus’s jaw dropped. “Wait, you’re… like us?”
“I’ve been known to submit when I play those games, yes.” Katja grinned. “Not that I ever planned on it, but I seem to keep finding myself entangled with women who prefer to take charge.”
“Sif is… your lover?” Sasha’s tone was softer than before.
“Indeed she is. She’s also over on the other side of the seraglio, probably being bored to death by Charlotte’s men.”
“What on earth is she doing there?” Wolfgang looked appalled.
“Comparing notes?” Klaus offered.
Katja snorted. “Lord, I hope not. No, her brother lives there now. Shall we go save her?”
Klaus coughed. “Er, I’d better not…”
Sasha, however, looked intrigued. “I’ve never been there before. Is it all right, Lady Sigrid?”
“On this occasion, yes.” Sigrid glanced at Wolfgang. “Króna for your thoughts?”
“I’m going.” Wolfgang straightened up. “I don’t like those brutes and I don’t like the thought of them bothering a lady.”
“Neither do I, but somehow I think we’ll find her safe and sound,” Katja said breezily. “Still, shall we go?”
On the other side of the seraglio, conversation could be heard through the doors even from some distance away. This was not surprising, considering how many men resided there. What was surprising was that it didn’t sound like a fight had broken out, though Sigrid was inclined to give it an hour before declaring a miracle.
The door opened, and Kalle stared at Sigrid in naked shock. “Lady Sigrid? Is… is something wrong with Lady Charlotte?”
“Nothing that wasn’t wrong with her yesterday!” Katja squeezed past Kalle as Sigrid rolled her eyes. “Where’s Sif?”
Katja was loud, but the general hubbub was louder, particularly the group huddled around what Sigrid guessed was either dice or a card game, shouting out bets and occasionally slamming their hands on the table.
Sigrid felt Sasha shrink against her side.
But tucked into a corner was a flaxen-haired, muscular young man and a small, delicate looking woman with a heart-shaped face framed by lace over her golden hair. He appeared to be talking and she appeared to be listening intently.
Too intently to hear Katja the first time, at least.
“SIF!” Katja bellowed, and some of the men’s heads turned, including the flaxen-haired man, who Sigrid had not met before. The general volume quieted slightly.
Sif’s head turned, and a smile spread across her face. “Hello, Katja. And Sigrid! And…?”
“Wolfgang of Gothenberg,” Wolfgang said, striding purposefully towards her before getting down on one knee. “You are Lord Akureyri’s daughter and son, if I am not mistaken?”
“Yes,” the man said, sticking out his hand, which Wolfgang clasped as he stood. “Agnar. Nice to meet you. You’re… a companion of Princess Sigrid?”
“I am.”
Sif smiled at him. “Katja was in Gothenberg once without me. You must tell me about it properly one day, sir.”
“You’ve rather upstaged me, dear,” Sigrid said, not without humor. Wolfgang reddened, and stepped aside.
“O-of course, you’ve met my lady…”
“I haven’t had the pleasure,” Agnar said cheerfully. “I think most in Lady Charlotte’s service rarely do, so this is a bit of an honor.” He started to get up to bow, but Sigrid waved her hand impatiently.
“Any brother of Sif’s is a friend of mine. And I see any worries that she could not handle herself in a rougher crowd were misplaced.”
Sif smiled. Then, tilting her head slightly, she took in Sasha. “Hello.”
“…Hello.” Sasha seemed somewhat surprised to be addressed.
Sif stood, stepping closer to Sasha, and Sigrid could not help thinking they looked even more like sister and brother than Sif did to her true brother.
“Aren’t you going to introduce yourself to me?”
Sasha swallowed. “…Sasha. Just Sasha.”
Katja laughed. “Careful, love, he’s prickly.”
Sif’s small mouth creased in a pout. “He doesn’t seem prickly…”
Sigrid cleared her throat slightly, slipping her arm around Sasha’s waist.
Sif turned to her with a sweet smile. “Hello, Sigrid. I know he’s yours.”
“And here I was going to invite you to dine with me tonight,” Sigrid said, without rancor. “And discuss the history of Rúsland.”
She felt Sasha tense, but Sif did not notice, her eyes fairly sparkling as she clasped her hands together.
“Oh yes, we must! I’ve been reading about the influence of barbarian hordes and the origins of their church, and-“
“Sif, you’re going to make her regret that invitation before the sun goes down.” Katja shook her head.
Sigrid laughed as Sif flushed. “I’ve never disliked Sif’s enthusiasm for learning. But now is perhaps neither the time nor the place for such a conversation.”
“Hey Princess.”
Sigrid turned to see Frederik, one of Lotte’s favorites. He was sprawled out on a couch with his ash blond head resting on his extremely large arms, one leg over the couch’s back.
She’d never particularly liked the man.
Still, Sigrid forced a smile. “Frederik.”
“Welcome to the big boys’ lair.” He grinned, overly pleased with his own joke. “I’ve never seen you set foot here before. Curious about the other side?”
Sigrid raised her eyebrows. “I’m here for Sif. Nothing more.”
“Who, the dainty little piece?” Frederik laughed. “Adding her to your collection? She’d fit right in.”
Katja bristled, but Sif merely smiled. Wolfgang opened his mouth to retort, but Sif laid a silencing hand on him.
“Sir Frederik.” Sif’s brightest smile meant trouble. “Lady Charlotte tells me you have quite the talent for bondage.”
Frederik’s grin widened. “That’s right.”
“Such a shame the rest of your talents don’t… measure up.” Sif flicked a dismissive glanced over his body and then turned her back to him. “Shall we go, then?”
Katja laughed heartily. “I thought you’d never ask!”
Frederik scowled at Sif’s retreating back, and swung his leg down to sit normally on the couch. “I can prove that’s a lie.”
She should have kept walking, like Sif and Katja. But a perverse part of her was curious enough to turn back. “Oh?”
Frederik cracked his knuckles. “Let me at one of your whipped boys. I’ll put on a show that won’t disappoint you.”
Wolfgang glared at Frederik. “We’re not whores, you asinine clod!”
Frederik just laughed. “Well, the little redhead sure was. Where is he, anyway? I’ve missed his tight little ass.”
She felt Sasha tense. Wolfgang, on the other hand, was more than prepared.
“Klaus? He’s discovered there’s far more pleasure engaging with people who actually remember his name. He doesn’t send his regards.”
Agnar snorted.
Frederik, however, looked right past Wolfgang to Sigrid. “So you knew he was slipping out. Did you reprimand him?”
“I hardly see that it’s your business to know!” Wolfgang exclaimed.
Sigrid merely smiled at Frederik, and touched Wolfgang’s arm. “Let’s go, darling.”
“Oh? Sure you don’t want to leave the skinny one with the big eyes with me?” Frederik leered.
Sasha turned. “You couldn’t handle me.”
Agnar and a few of the other men hooted, and Sigrid left, flanked by Wolfgang and Sasha.
