Freyja Thorsdottir

Book excerpt: ABOUT THE BOOK The War of the Western Pagans was over. Mattias Denson has withdrawn to his home in the Compound in the Southern Kingdom and exercises sovereignty over the Seven Realms, including the Memmet Valley and the entirety of the northern plains. His wives and consorts have likewise settled down, and he is once again a father - many times over. Life is peaceful and happy. Yet ... Not all of his wives are content with the quiet life and, like Mattias, seek relief from the boredom of peace and quiet, remembering the thrill of conflict, battle and war. They are still young, and their lives are not yet fulfilled. Like Mattias, they see further adventure. That opportunity comes in the form of a call from a mysterious western queen seeking his help in ending a possible foreign and civil war. She seeks his aid as mediator and more. Though knowing little of her or her kingdom, he readily accepts the invitation to visit Frijia, the kingdom to the west of the defeated Kingdom of Dar Galan. With his wives and children reluctantly following him, he first visits Galana Prima, the capital of Dar Galan, where he encounters the warlock prince, Lord Mestin Marlat. He first encounters wiccan arrogance and betrayal, then treason from his own witches, causing a rift in the family. From that point, Mattias and his family have each made fateful decisions. They part ways in anger, with Mattias moving west to the Kingdom of Frijia to meet its queen, Lady Freyja, while Mattias's family returns to the Compound. Conflict with the warlock east in Mortem, capital of the ancient caste warlock empire, begins with the first issues arising between Mattias Denson and Emperor Q'in. Mattias continues west as new trouble, as yet unknown to Mattias, foments in the east. Treason and betrayal, war and conflict litter the pages of Freyja Thorsdottir, as matters culminate and redefine the direction of the Chronicles of Mattias. The novel twists and turns, ending with the conclusion of another great war: the Wiccan Wars. How will it end?