Today we are going back to the land of the Danes with an extract from book 3 in the Children of Ribe series, WIFRITH.
Wifrith: An Extract
Wifrith growled, but his warning was too late. Ciara Enosdatter, völva, witch of the old ways, used magic to knock the wolf aside before he could bite her. Wifrith rolled over on the muddy ground several times. He whined and tried to get up, but fell back down almost straight away.
Erland Kalebsen was asleep in the tent. The sound of Wifrith growling woke him up. He stumbled out of the tent with his sword in his hand, but he was too groggy. All he could do was watch.
Dalla Ingeborgsdotter had been sat by the fire, lost in her thoughts when Ciara had entered the camp. The dreamer hadn’t heard Wifrith’s warning. By the time she realised she was in danger, it was too late. Ciara had grabbed the girl by the arm and started chanting.
Erland watched as Dalla and Ciara vanished in a blinding flash of light. The young man from Ribe was suddenly very awake. He rushed to check on Wifrith.
The wolf wasn’t badly hurt, just stunned, but as Erland approached, Wifrith tried to bite him. Erland snatched his hand back and stared at the wolf with surprise.
Erland watched Wifrith warily as he slowly got up, snarled and darted out of the camp towards the woods. Erland thought about chasing after him, but he didn’t want to leave the camp. If Christian, Eva and Riki came back to an empty camp, they wouldn’t know what had happened. Instead he called on the guardian of his arm ring of Yngvar.
“Aldís!” Erland called. His guardian Disir slowly materialised in front of him. She looked different to the last time she appeared. She looked more like a ghost. Erland could barely see her with the sun behind her.
“What is it?” Aldís asked impatiently.
“What’s happening? Why didn’t you help?” Erland demanded.
“You weren’t in danger. The force that was blocking magic here has gone, but it has left damage. It is harder to breakthrough from the spirit world than it should be. It is like the bridge has been damaged. I was weakened by the barrier and now it is harder for me to get here.” Aldís explained.
“But what about Dalla?” Erland asked.
“She is safe for the moment. The witch couldn’t take her far, but I can’t see where they are.” Aldís said, her form fading so that she looked like a chalk outline.
“What about Wifrith? What’s wrong with him?” Erland asked.
“I already told you that magical creatures have had their strength drained and the damage is making it harder for spirits to cross into this world,” Aldís said, “is that all you wanted?”
“No! I have to find Dalla!” Erland cried.
“That is something I can’t help you with. You will have to wait for your friends to return.” Aldís disappeared as she spoke until only her words hung in the air.
Erland kicked the ground in frustration. He didn’t know where Dalla or Wifrith had gone; he didn’t know where Eva, Christian or Riki were, if they had found the next arm ring or if they had been eaten by a dragon.
He was all alone on a strange island and didn’t know what to do.
“At least the warriors from Hedeby aren’t here.” he sighed to himself as he sat down by the fire to think.
More about the Children of Ribe
A Viking Saga. The Children of the Viking town of Ribe must find the eight arm rings of Yngvar. The arm rings contain magic, which will save their town from the warrior horde of King Viggo Odinsen.
To find out more about the four books in the Children of Ribe series, follow these links: FATE, WAR, WIFRITH, DOUBT.
Mightier Than the Sword UK Publications 
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