Come back in time 900 years, to the fierce and desolate Northern lands, where Norsemen ruled with ax and sword. A dying king, a shocking death-wish, his heirs divided with an oath of blood . . . In this fast-paced new novel by the highly popular Susan Peek, the conflict unfolds between Magnus Erlendson, a heroic young prince aflame with the love of God, and his outlawed cousin Hakon, who blames Magnus for his banishment from their kingdom. What follows is a tale of betrayal and revenge, bravery and forgiveness, as Magnus seeks to restore his father’s vanquished kingdom to its rightful hands. Entertaining and inspiring from start to finish, a must-read for all those who thrill to learn the life of a saint we never knew existed!
Genre: JUVENILE FICTION / Biographical / EuropeanHit a #1 slot on Amazon as a new release, and has received 4 and 5 star reviews. Has been incorporated into the Language Arts and Reading Programs in Catholic schools throughout the English-speaking world.
Chapter One
(The Orkney Islands, North of Scotland, 1065)
The old warrior lay dying. Thorfinn the Mighty they'd called him in life, but stretched as he was upon this bed of anguish the aged Jarl felt anything but full of the vigor his name implied. Gone forever, he knew, were the days of his youth and valor, useless now and devoid of power was the jeweled crown which had adorned his brow, empty the throne he had occupied for so many years. There was only one job left for Thorfinn the Mighty to do, after which he could finally die.
His eyesight was failing, but he knew his bedchamber was crowded. Physicians, thralls, Chieftains, and no doubt more than one curious onlooker had gathered to watch their ruler's passing. He could feel Ingibjorg holding his cold hand in the warmth of her own as she sat on the bed beside him. Faithful and loving she was to the end, and Thorfinn was grateful God had blessed him with such a Christian wife. But there was not the time, nor had Thorfinn the breath, to speak to her now; he had but one matter left to address, and the words would not be for Ingibjorg, but for the two she had borne him.
He spoke; his strained voice came out not more than a whisper. “Paal. Erlend. My sons, come forth.”
“We are here, Father. Right beside you.” It would, of course, be Erlend who answered. The younger one. The better one. Thorfinn's favorite. Oh, Paal was a good son too. Good, but, alas, very weak. Not a man to rule a kingdom. Unfortunately, Paal was the rightful heir, the eldest. But Erlend, his father knew, was the more deserving.
The old Jarl drew a ragged breath. These thoughts --- about his two sons, his throne, and who should henceforth sit upon it --- had tormented him ever since he'd found out he was dying.
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Spanish
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Already translated.
Translated by Andrés Parraud
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Author review: Andres was great to work with! He teamed up with another translator for this project, and between the two of them, I'm really pleased with the result. |
