Dangerous Traditions

TOVA

The days of the celebration passed. It took a week for the castle to become back to normal. Our guests spent a day or two recovering from the merriment of the day before heading back to their lives. Birgir and Ulka stayed a few more days, working out some of the details of their new acquisition.

“I’m too old to have kids,” Ulka said, abruptly one night at dinner. Erik choked on his soup and Birgir had to pound him on his back. I started laughing and couldn’t stop.

“What on earth brought on this conversation?” Erik asked, horrified.

“What are we going to do about an heir?” Ulka said. “Birgir and I aren’t exactly young. We probably have fifteen to twenty good years left to rule, but what will be do after that?”

I tipped my head to the side. “Exactly how old are you, my lady?” I asked, curious. Erik gave a shout of laughter.

“Good luck getting that information from her. It’s a closely guarded secret.”

I threw my wadded up napkin at his head and he ducked. Birgir grinn