Fresh Blood on the Fjords

Book excerpt: Immortal Mare of Midgard (aka Earth), used by Loki to manipulate the thoughts of others, must fight in the Asgardian Tournament in an attempt to speak to King Odin and regain her freedom. She has been forced to manipulate the mind of the captain of King Odin's Guard and is afraid that she will be executed for treason. Her immortal husband and friends on Earth encourage her to enter the Asgardian Tournament to win a boon from the king. They will train her for the tournament where she will be fighting against foes from all realms. As she is very small, this tournament will be even more challenging for her than for her opponents. If she wins the first challenge she will play in a life-sized Hnefltafl match where the pieces are shades of actual beings. In this arena, the pieces themselves decide who wins each play, so she must bring with her blood samples of the most strong and fierce beings she can find by collecting their fresh blood on the fjords.