Eric Olafson, Neo Viking Vol. 01

"Can we not simply spool forward through that entire dribble? We all know Eric gets it all and since he is a child we will take good care of it." Gretel interrupted!

The projection had stopped and Grandfather was sitting there like a statue. The Lawyer glared across the table. "This is a legal procedure and if you interrupt this once more I have to ask you to wait outside."

"You can ask all you want little beardless excuse for a man. I do as I please and the only man I listen to is my husband!"

The lawyer did not lose a beat and smiled. "I am the executor of this estate and have the full and legal rights to have you removed, but by all means stay as we must discuss the whereabouts of the funds in account 4535-84854.I might add that bank fraud and the illegal withdrawal of funds of an account form a Federal Bank are federal offenses."

She blinked and raised her chin."Isegrim tell him where he is and that he has no rights on Nilfeheim!"

Father glared at her." Hold your peace or I shall remove you from this room!"

She snapped her mouth shut but her eyes glittered at him with unveiled fury and father seemed to shrink away from it!

The Lawyer tapped the PDD and Grandfather became animated again. "Eric my grandson. I have failed you. Failed to protect you and failed to avenge my daughter. I am ashamed of this. I have failed to act upon my own promise to get Isegrim arrested while he was on Tyson's Planet because Tyson was and is our best customer and I could not even look in your eyes as you asked me that question. You told me of your desire to leave Nilfeheim and perhaps join the Fleet. Or you may stay on Nilfeheim and take your rightful place by challenging your father and defeating him. I saw your fight as a recording and I have sent an old friend and master to train you. He reports to me how well you progressed already. You carry Mördaren already and after you completed the Ancient Challenge you can do whatever you decide to do. I said I will be proud of you regardless what way you choose. Therefore all my companies and Holdings have been sold by now and by David Silverzweig my lawyer whom I trust as he is also a very dear friend. I had him sell that as it would have been a burden for you. Companies need constant tending and supervision and I did not want to force you to be a businessman. If you want to be one there will be enough funds to start a company of your own. I have willed that all the proceeds of these sales and all funds I have amassed to be yours when you are sixteen. You won't be without means as you have Account 4535-84854 were you get your allowance from and it holds 4 Million Credits as this is the legal limit a minor can own. Again the money is yours and your father can not legally get to it unless you give it to him on your own free will.

"Now we come to the interesting part of my last will." Grandfathers projection actually turned to Isegrim as the Computronic that guided the projection most likely knew where he was sitting. "My dear Son in law. You have lived on the big foot ever since I through my daughter provided you with wealth. I thought long and hard to limit your access without breaking any of our laws and customs and without sacrificing my will. You see my friend David here is a lawyer, a very special one I might add. He specializes in analyzing the legal system of alien cultures that join the Union and ever since I returned to Pluribus, he is actually studying our own ancient Book of Sacred traditions and he found a wonderful way to get my revenge on you after all and from beyond the grave so to speak. I know I am dead but if there is such a thing as ghosts I will be present there in spirit to see your face!"

Father's face was one big question mark as he leaned forward.

Four Elders entered as if on cue and sat down as if rehearsed and only then did Grandfather speak again."By your own admission in the presence of Elders did you reject Eric's right to be recognized as warrior and of age after he had slain two Tyranno Fins.

"You can change your mind now. Accept him as a warrior and of age to our customs today or insist he shall remain until he takes the Ancient Challenge."

"What is this?" Father asked looking to the Elders.

"You are a clan leader make your decision, but remember you grabbed the arm of the Arnske clan leader in front of many witnesses and recognized him to be your son, first born and heir."

Gretel actually whacked his arm and screamed at him."You did what? I let you out of my sight for a little while and you acknowledge that accident? It is Lothar! My ... our son that is heir to all!"

The Elders gasped."What is this? Have you forsaken our traditions? Is a woman ruling the clan of Olafson?"

Father's face became red with rage and perhaps shame? His hand dropped to his whip and it uncoiled. He back handed Gretel with his left, this time without restrain and she was swept of the hover chair.

The Elders now stood." Answer the question and make up your mind.Do you recognize Eric as your firstborn and honor the pact you made only recently?"

Father also on his feet growled. "Yes he is my firstborn. I neither care for him nor do I want him alive after his sixteenth birthday but I shall hold my end of the pact with the Arnske clan. No mortal wound shall be inflicted on him from my hand or with my blessing until he comes of age. I do not however recognize him as a warrior. He is a snot nose runt and nothing more!"

"Are you certain and is this your will?"

"Odin be my witness it is!"

"None of Eric's decisions have any value or meaning then?"

Father clearly sensed there was something afoot, but he could not back out. "Nothing my son ever uttered has any meaning. Not in the Olafson clan, not in the world. It is I who speaks alone. He is of no consequence."

"I am glad it was you who put it that way and by Odin you evoked and by the Elders you will be held to this word. Should you break that pact or kill your son before he is sixteen and you challenge him as an adult. The Circle of Elders will declare you Ydrgedan and not fit to be seen among men. Ydrgedan have no rights and no status and can be killed on sight by anyone anywhere and not allowed to have possessions."

Father was quite obviously distraught by all this. "Why is this brought up?"

The Elder rose also to his feet. "Since his words have no meaning, then his decision to grant you the control over the Steiner clan cannot stand. Then he is unable to speak as an adult and cannot accept or give what he has won in the challenge against the Steiner clan. The Steiner clan will remain as it was until Eric reaches his sixteenth birthday and only then can make the decision to give it to you or keep it. That he had given it to you is null and void. You are hereby instructed by the Circle of Elders to release all that was Steiner.

Grandfathers projection laughed! "I am no arguer but I just know what you have decided!"

Father howled in rage and lashed out against the projection with no effect and then was about to go against the Elders! The Police man however pulled a dangerous looking blaster weapon blinding fast and aimed it at father, the shimmer of the focus field before the barrel was clearly visible and a sign the gun was armed and charged." Sir I must insist to restrain yourself from any further act of violence or I am forced to take action!"

Father shivered with rage." Hide behind your weapon coward. This is Nilfeheim!"

The Elders were calm."Do you wish to challenge one of us Isegrim?"

Hogun also stood." Raise that whip or a hand against an Elder and I will break your neck!"

I was certain Father was backing down because of Hogun and not because of the blaster." No! "He shouted and lowered the whip." I will not Challenge an Elder!"

Challenging an Elder was considered the most dishonorable thing a man could do. The Elders would be able to choose a champion for each of them as old men were not expected to stand against a younger man and the Challenger would lose all rights to be a member of Nilfeheim's society, lower than a Low Man should he survive the fight.

The lawyer and I were the only ones that remained seated. Gretel had not moved from the floor since Hogun hit her. Silverzweig had never lost his smile and simply activated the projection again." Grandfather stopped laughing and said. "Go back to my Burg and enjoy and squander what I willed to Eric on this world as I know you will, but all that is not of this world is out of your reach. The final part of this recording is to be played to my Grandson when he turns sixteen. I wish I could have been there in person my grandson and if you can forgive me it will make me rest in peace. He slammed his hand on his chest raised his hand towards me. "Receive my blessings. If there is a beyond and Halls of Valhalla, Eric I will tell your mother how proud she can be of you and maybe we will see each other again."

The projection vanished and I had to fight hard not to cry.

Gretel silently appeared from under the table with a split lip and sat in her chair. The lawyer took the PDD and replaced it in the box. "The combined proceeds of the sale of all possessions and interests of your grandfather amounted to 2 billion Credits. The money was placed in a secure savings account that can be accessed with your Bio metrics and signatures the day you become a Union citizen."

Gretel blinked and despite her bleeding lip she smiled." Did he just say 2 Billion Credits?"

The lawyer nodded." Yes this is what I said." He then nodded to the police man."I am done. You can take over now."

The police man looked straight at Gretel. "An investigation was opened after Hogun Olafson and Mr. Silverzeig noticed the allowance account given to Eric showed some unusual activities." He then turned to me.

"Eric as you know your grandfather has given you an allowance account and the maximum withdrawal for a minor is 20,000 credits a month. In my investigation I noticed you made those withdrawals in regular intervals since you are five years old. Now lately you withdrew the sum of 2 million credits all at once. Can I ask why?"

I was totally surprised." I have no account. I never had any money at all."

Hogun nodded."He doesn't even have money to buy himself a piece of gum or an extra lunch at school. He did not know about the allowance account."

Gretel spat."Liar! I gave you your money every week! What do I know what you have done with it"

The Policeman turned. "I doubt Eric purchased dresses and cosmetics from GalNet sources, placed bets on adult only gambling sites or purchased furniture or a hunting submarine. I further doubt he wrote that permission document you produced to withdraw that money. The bank accepted the document as it was validated by its father and mother. However the mother of the boy was already dead at that point, so it is a forgery. An employee of your a certain Mr. Harkun was on Pluribus and was encountered by police in the Shadow district, engaging in very questionable activities. The credit strip he lost and that was recovered was registered to the account of Eric Olafson."

"You cannot arrest me! I am his stepmother and I can do whatever I please with my stepson's money."

The Lawman sighed. "You are correct that I am not able to arrest you right now, as the last representative of this world managed to have Nilfeheim exempt from direct Law enforcement activity on Nilfeheim ground 40 years ago."

Mr. Silverzweig, the lawyer added." In order to protect these planets traditions, Erik Gustav was able to get Nilfeheim a special status. While this is a Union World, no Union Law can be enforced on its surface, except at the Xchange, the school and the Space Port as these are considered Union ground. However since no one speaks for this world now, I will make it a point to have this status revoked, it is a foregone conclusion that this is only a matter of time and Union Police can enforce Union law. We will then have you arrested, Mr. Isegrim Olafson for murder and you for bank fraud, but there is an ongoing investigation into a much more sinister crime."

The Elders said."It was said yesterday. We only know begin to understand what Erik Gustav really did for us. There is no one who could replace him!"

The police man looked to Gretel."However a standing arrest warrant is issued for both of you and you are barred from opening or owning a bank account. All your current bank accounts and credit assets have been seized and frozen until that day this case will be heard by a Union Court. Should you fail to appear your Union citizenship will also be anulled."

Isegrim pounded his fist on the desk."How am I supposed to do business if I cannot sell my products?"

"You may appeal this at the next Union court and in person. There is one on Helgoland only a few light years from here. It's a simple matter you go clear your charges and a Judge will be happy to reinstate you. Of course you could be found guilty and then the whole citizenship thing won't really matter to you."

Mr. Silverzweig said. "I had about enough of you anyway and I think you need to leave."

Gretel blinked and said."We got nothing?"

Father pushed her out of the door."We got less than nothing thanks to you!"

Hogun was very quiet as we returned to the Inn.

"Uncle Hogun is that not a good development?"

"Yes Eric it is. I enjoyed every minute of it. Yet there are things that needed to be said that have not been said and I am bound by my word to remain silent."

He then took me by the shoulders and looked at me with the most serious expression in his face."Eric your father and your stepmother are much more dangerous than you know. He has promised not to kill you, but that does not mean he cannot seek to hurt you very badly. He lost much today and he has to send servants to do business at the Xchange and have someone else to open and maintain a bank account. He has no access to the Ragnarsson money amassed on this world either."

He might be afraid of the day you are old enough to challenge him and he will try to find a way to prevent that!"

"I won't be there. The day I turn sixteen I will be on my way to the Academy."

"That is your plan, Eric. Plans don't always work out the way you like and there are still years to go and that is a long time for something to change or go wrong."

"I have you to watch over me. Have I not?"

"Yes Eric I will do my best, but he is your father and he can decide to call you back to the Burg anytime he chooses and I cannot do much when you are there."

------------

Father did give me a trashing when he called me home that evening. Two of his men grabbed me right after I came through the gate. Each one holding me firm by the arms and laughing."Try to use your sword now, your grandfather is fishfood and that Uncle of yours isn't here either."

Father standing in the middle of the courtyard father spoke with a loud voice:"This is for making a fool out of me, for causing me shame and losing business. Gretel stood in the entrance of the High Halls, wearing once again a red dress, this time she also wore a veil covering her most likely swollen lips. Lothar stood before her she had her hands on his shoulders. Tyr stood behind them but more out of curiosity I was certain. He too was much ignored but never got any bad treatment. Father had Harkun strip me of my clothing and went through my pockets. He carried the Credit strip I got from Hogun to father and also gave him Mjördaren. The fists of the men held me tight and without mercy. "Let me go you servants! This is my sword! Grandfather has given it to me!"

"All that you think is yours, misbegotten Whelp is mine and you shall learn now what it means to defy me. I will break you and make you squirm for mercy and I will do that every day. Let's see what is left of you when you turn sixteen. I won't kill you as promised but I am making you a cripple, a raw piece of flesh."

He did not use his usual whip but an arm long leather tube filled with sand. It was so bad that even Gretel finally turned her face away. I could no longer feel anything but a wall of pain. They doused me with cold water several times, like through many layers of thick pillows I heard Gretel say."Don't kill him! Remember the 2 Billion!"

The men let me go, I could not walk or stand, and he had broken my legs. They let my lie right there on the cobblestones and father came close and said. "This is where you belong at the bottom of my feet. Anyone who comes to help you will receive the same treatment!"

I passed out, but woke many times during the night and the pain did not subside. I could no longer see my eyes did not open. It was the longest night of my life so far.

I did hear boots as they came across the yard."The school flier is here. Shall I tell him to leave?"

"No put him in. So we have a witness he left the island alive." My father said and then with some concern in his voice." He is alive, is he not?"

Someone touched me."Yes I feel a pulse but it is weak and his left eye is gone."

"He doesn't need to see. I promised him to be alive, not in what manner!"

I heard Harkun. "This is not so, remember the Elder, you gave your word."

Someone else came and said." The clan Leader of the Arnske clan wants Eric tonight to visit their burg for the first official courting."

They picked me up and dragged me. I could hear the gate open and the humming of the school flier. Dietmar's voice gasped in horror." By the gods! What have you done?"

"Utter no words in my present, Slave of the Off- worlders. Take this carcass and take him to that cursed school. He is alive, no other word was given!"

"I will carry word to the Elders!"

I came around, but not in the schools med room. It was the Hospital downtown and I floated inside a tank. I saw the doctor outside and heard him say. His voice was directly in my ear. "Well you got the worst behind you, I managed to save your eyes and set your bones, but your internal organs need a little more time. I am growing you a new liver."

He smiled but the liquid I was in distorted it to a hideous grimace. "You should be out in two or three hours."

I could not say anything something stuck in my mouth and it would not come out.

"Don't fight the machines, Eric. They are keeping you alive right now."

I felt absolutely nothing. No pain, no sensations. As if my mind was totally isolated from everything. I did see Hogun and three white dressed shapes, most likely Elders standing there.

The doctor said. "I cannot understand how a society like yours always claims to be morally so far above the rest, because you claim to have honor. Is it honorable to stand by while a man tortures his child? Do you want to know how often I have worked on that boy?" The doctor's voice became angrier."I was a Battle field surgeon, but I have never seen wounds like that afflicted to a child. He was within minutes of death as they brought him here."

"But he was alive?"

"Yes he was!"

"Then there is little we can do. He is the boy's father. He is bound by his word to leave Eric alive, but that is all."

"I will personally appeal to the Assembly to lift the special status this world has enjoyed so long. The day that happens I have all those child molesters arrested and those who stood by and did nothing!"

"You are not of Nilfeheim. You do not understand!"

"Then explain it to me. Tell me what society allows such crimes? What honor is there?"

"We are painfully aware of the limitations of our laws, but one boy's life and one bad father is not enough to sacrifice our Rules and traditions, but we are not powerless. Isegrim gave his word to the Arnske clan and he must uphold his side of the oath."

I had no illusions what awaited me at the burg as I was flown back by Hogun and an Elder. Why they came along I did not know. I did not care either. They would leave and father would do the same thing again. So all could do is bide my time and hope I was strong enough not to give up and do as he wanted and give all to Lothar.