Page 48 of My Fair Viking

Breanne asked Ingrith, "So, if men are threatened by strong women, exactly how long must women act shy and subservient? Surely not for the rest of their lives."

Ingrith snickered. "Nay, just till they are wedlocked."

Ingrith's statement apparently won Breanne over. Alinor was overruled by a 4-to-l vote.

They ail giggled over Number Six, and wondered where they would learn sex tricks to pass on to Tyra. But they all agreed it was essential.

"Actually, I know a few," Alinor admitted with a blush… a blush that caused her freckles to stand out like rust splotches on her now pinkish-ivory skin.

"You do?" The sisters were clearly impressed.

"Feathers are involved in one of them… and a silky harem outfit in another, complete with bells… but we can talk about that later."

The sisters' shoulders drooped with disappointment. Clearly, talking about sex was a timeless subject of interest to women.

"I think we should take one step at a time. Tyra will be suspicious if we try to make her do too much all at once," Breanne suggested.

"Yea, and we might not accomplish every part of the plan. That might be too lofty a goal… or is it a lusty goal?" Vana said with a grin. "So, yea, one step at a time."

"When shall we start?" Drifa asked, rubbing her hands together gleefully.

"No sense waiting," Ingrith offered.

They all nodded enthusiastically.

"Then we are agreed. Step One first. Womanly attire."

"I think you need a plan to seduce the warrior wench," Tykir opined to Adam, following his eighth goblet of mead.

Adam started to choke and let loose a spray of his drink onto the table where he was sitting with Tykir, Rafn, Rashid, and Bolthor. It was late at night, and most of the inhabitants of Stoneheim were long abed.

"Best you clean up that spill as soon as possible," Rafn advised, "or Vana will be here with her wiping rag and broom, which she will whack over your head." It was clear that Rafn was besotted with the fair Vana.

That was all Adam needed, another bump on his head. "What makes you think I need your help in that regard?" he asked Tykir, speaking of the seduction of Tyra.

"You have been chaste for two years," Rashid reminded him. "Is that not reason enough?"

"I swear, you Arab dunderhead, if you mention that subject in company again, I will do something to you which will require abstinence on your part for two years… or mayhap forever."

Rashid winced, but not for long. "I know a perfect proverb that fits your situation. 'The best thing about male chastity is that it doesn't last long.' "

"This is the saga of Adam the Lesser, also known as Adam the Chaste," began Bolthor.

Everyone laughed, except Adam, who groaned.

"Man was not made to be chaste,

Everyone knows it would be a great waste.

If the gods wanted a man to abstain,

Why give him a staff without a brain?

It hardens at a mere whiff

Of a wench with a bare midriff.

And rises to a new high