Morning frost had turned the grass into sharp shards, the branches of the trees were frozen rigid, and water had turned as hard as stone. Barely a living thing would venture out into this freezing wilderness, sources of food and water were now minimal, until this bitter winter would pass. 

A deer had braved the cold morning, the air was thick with each of its shallow breaths, alert to the surrounding woods, cautious that dangers may still be present. Its eyes darting from side to side, somethi...

Two days later, bitterly cold winds whistled through the tall frosty trees, the gathering crowd dithering in the freezing conditions. Residents of Leikskalar had formed a large circle around the tall man-made structure, the one that would soon be engulfed in flames. Tonight, King Eshen Wirtanen would soon be on his way to Valhalla, to join his friends and family from long ago. Also present were representatives from the towns and settlements loyal to the king, Fjollum; Bakkarholt; Skogahverfi; G...