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Raven Boy: Book 1 of The Raven Boy Saga
by Kateryna Kei
The Viking king is killed and his widow is called to suggest to the council a worthy successor, able to win the raging war.
Torn between her feelings and her duty to choose the best for her people, she decides to seek the divine guidance and goes to see the rune caster.
But the message of the gods is weird beyond belief: it says that the only person who can win the war is but a boy, the youngest of her twin sons, Hrafn.
The rune caster's predictions have never failed yet, and suddenly the queen has another problem to worry about - the second part of the prophecy promises the boy something much more dreadful than death on the battle field...
Excerpt:
His father's sword at the ready, he walked to the place of duel.
To say he was scared was an understatement. A part of him was regretting his foolish bargain, but it was too late to turn back. The agreement was sealed. [...]
Knowing what was about to come, the raven bird uttered a heartbreaking, sorrowful croak from high above. But Hrafn didn't look up. The raven had a special task - to inform him when everyone was ready - and Hrafn had his own. His death stood by his side, and he had to make it linger. Only for a short while, then his task would be over and he would be out of the fight forever. He was named konungr to win the war, and he had to do so by any possible means. Well, it wouldn't be exactly himself who would win, but then it wouldn't really matter.
The end was so close that he could no longer tell whether he wanted it over faster, or whether he wanted it to last - just to live a bit longer, to steal a couple of heartbeats from death itself.
He had never been so much aware of everything around him - the heat, the air, the burning sun, the dry land, and yellow grass, people's stares fixed upon him, his raven flying somewhere above it all... Hrafn was about to leave it forever and it was now so frighteningly real.
Forcing his heavy feet to move, he focused on Ulfrich. It was crucial for the success of their foolish plan.
He stopped before Ulfrich who adjusted his long shield, mockingly smiling down. Hrafn barely reached his chest!
"Did you hug everyone good-bye?" said Ulfrich. Amused, he added, "Listen everyone! We are not cowards. We will honor our oath even though the foolish Viking baby-king made it so easy for us. So be it, let him play before he dies!"
"Aye!" replied the chorus of voices.
Hrafn swallowed and added in a gruff voice, "If I kill you, it will be my pleasure to ride your horse. A fair beast for a king."
Ulfrich lifted his sword, indicating the beginning of the battle.
