Chapter 93 - Learning To Ski
On the morning of a new day, Laura got up from her little fur bed and began to shake Daven.
He woke up somewhat confused and looked at her doubtfully, "Laura, what's the matter, no, dad Einar had given us the day off today, why are you waking me up so early."
Laura who was happy looked at Daven and gently shook him by the shoulders "Remember that today is the day that Papa Einar promised to teach us a new game in the snow.
If I don't remember correctly, he called it a sleigh.
Also remember that if we arrive early, we will be the first to pass, so get up as we have to take our blankets to the store, then go to breakfast and finally go with Papa Einar. "
Daven closed his eyes and knowing that he couldn't escape his destiny of being Laura's friend, he could only begin to sort his things to take to the warehouse.
In the courtyard of the great hall, Einar was meeting with Ulmer as they saw some wooden boards which were flat and had some bends.
"I liked the design you made on these Ulmer sleds, but I think I'm still more interested in seeing the result you made with the skies I asked for."
Ulmer felt a bead of sweat run down his spine, as though he was confident that he had completely followed in Einar's footsteps.
He was also a bit nervous as he would test the final product with the children.
So just one mistake would be enough for Jarl Sven to decide what to do with his life.
As they continued talking, they could see how the little children came out of the great room carrying the little blankets with them.
The curious Laura, when she saw Papa Einar along with the wood craftsman, walked very slowly towards the table where there were some very strange things of wood that caught her attention due to their peculiar shape.
Upon reaching the table, she looked at the wooden board in surprise. "Papa Einar, is that the sleigh you were talking about a few days ago?"
Einar gently stroked Laura's hair "That's right Laura, this is the sled I was talking about and I have a surprise prepared for you, that's why I gave you the day off today."
Einar squeezing Laura's cheek gave her a smile. "But first of all, you should go to breakfast and leave your things in the warehouse.
Don't worry about not getting a sled as I have prepared a few extras so that none of them will need. "
Laura, who could feel Einar's paternal love and started walking towards the warehouse.
Ulmer who was watching as Einar looked fondly at the girl who was walking away stroked her beard.
"Herald, I understand that the future of the village is those orphaned children, but is it necessary to treat them with so much affection?
It is something that among us artisans and even some people we ask ourselves, but I think it appropriate to ask you directly at this time. "
Einar stroked the sled on the table "I could be indifferent and treat children as future tools, but that would be counterproductive as I consider them part of my family.
I don't expect people to understand why I do this, but I can be sure that in the future they will be the pillars of this place.
Also, as children, it is better that they enjoy their childhood as much as they can because when they grow up this world will show to them its true form. "
Einar stopped stroking the sled and clenched his fist, as he watched the children walk towards the warehouse 'It's the only thing I can do for them.
I am not an omnipotent and omnipresent being, to change the world where they will have to grow up, even my children will have to learn to live in this world.
I'm afraid I can only prepare them to the best of my ability ... '
When Laura and Daven finished having breakfast they went out to the patio of the great room with the rest of the children. There they could see Papa Einar, who had some sleds in the snow.
"Okay kids, you are going to get together in pairs and choose a snow sled.
One of you will sit on the sled and the other will use the rope of the sled to pull it because it is a new toy for you.
They can only use it in the company of Aila and the monks, but today being a special day they will accompany me as I prepare a small slope of snow where they can play without problems. "
All the children were delighted by the words of Papa Einar and joined in pairs as they ran towards the sleds.
Daven who was pulled by Laura quickly reached a sled that was close to Papa Einar. Without being able to say anything Laura sat him on the sled and she took the rope to pull the sled.
"Daven, you're lucky he's in a great mood and wants to lead you up the snow slope.
You just enjoy the ride. "
Einar, who saw Laura playing with Daven, laughed quietly and started walking as the children were led out of the village.
On the way, Einar turned to see Ulmer "Prepare the skies and the poles. Since I will use them to give a demonstration, you must take them to the construction area of the wall of my house.
It should be at the place Kassia and Helmi so you can hand it over to them, I also want you to talk to my father and the warriors who are not taking care of the slaves as I will show them the benefit of skiing.
Also, before I forget, pick up the order I made to Hakoon. It should come in a small wooden box. "
Ulmer, who received the order, began to run to his workshop for things. For his part, Einar accompanied the children to a small slope where he showed them how they could play.
Angus, who was taking care of the children crossed his arms and took a deep breath "It is quite peaceful this place. The children can go outside to play.
There are no people who freeze to death, there is enough food and the most important thing is that people are happy.
If only my childhood had been this way, my life would have been something else. "
Duncan who was still next to Angus listened and felt silent because he could not refute Angus.
They could be pagans who do not follow the church, but during the time that he has been with them, he found that their way of life was quite honest.
People did not have to lie to save their lives, and there were no hypocrites who would beat each other while facing everyone so that all kinds of perversions would come out on their backs.
If people had a problem, they said it upfront or simply faced it, it was a simple way of living but one that made people feel comfortable.
After a while, Einar left the children in charge of Aila and the monks, because he went to his home where he would try the skies that Ulmer made.
Near the construction area of Einar's house wall, Kassia and Helmi were sitting near a campfire.
While Sven and the rest of the warriors only waited for Einar, they had seen the things that Ulmer had, however; they did not know how he would use them to lower the slope of snow that he had prepared.
No one understood what contained the box that Einar had had Haakon made, the only goldsmith of the tribe.
Upon reaching the meeting area, Einar greeted his father and gave his two wives a tender kiss, and then held the skies and poles.
"Today I will show you how to use the snow to our advantage, this will be good training since in the future we will conquer an area where there is a lot of snow.
If we can't at least use it to our advantage, it will be very difficult to be able to do something in the future, just watch what I do for now. "
After saying those words, Einar placed the Skies in the snow and placed his feet on them, which were supported on the Skies with the help of leather straps.
When these were well held, Einar began to walk gracefully towards Kassia from whom he took the wooden box.
Everyone looked curiously at what Einar would get out of it, so when the box was opened they could see some strange things that seemed to have gold and amber.
Einar looked happily at the glasses he had ordered made with the goldsmith because the use of iron was poor and he had no glass, he made a peculiar request to Hakoon.
Which was to make a stylish gold frame out of welding goggles, which was supported by a leather strap that could be adjusted.
To compensate for the lack of glass, Einar with the help of the goldsmith polished two pieces of amber to create two lenses thin enough to allow one to see through them.
'They may be the most expensive ski goggles out there at this time, but it's all I can do right now without having the right materials.'
With his hands covered by leather gloves, Einar put on his welding goggles and adjusted the strap as best he could so the goggles wouldn't fall off and protect his eyes.
Einar's appearance was quite surprising, due to the things in his eyes.
For a moment, Kassia and Helmi wanted to take that thing away from Einar so they could test how it looked through those yellow glasses.
Einar, who was quite satisfied with the result looked at everyone with a smile and returned the box to Kassia, to later start moving using the sticks.
When he reached the edge of the slope, he felt the cold air on his face and with just leaning a little he began to descend, slowly sliding down the slope.
Feeling the adrenaline in his entire body, he began to go down the slope at full speed. The cold air bothered him a little, but with his eyes protected.
I don't know I worry about having an accident. Everything seemed to take a long time for Einar, but it took him a few seconds to reach the base of the hill where he lost speed.
So slowing down his progress, he leaned to the side, making a braking effect, so he stopped completely.
Raising his hand in victory, he looked away at all who were watching him from the slope, as he knew that he had made history again.