Valkyrie Nights (Fascinating Lives Series)

The Saga of a King Who Forged a Nation

In a time of warring jarls, wandering gods, and rising religions, one man defied fate to unite a fractured land. Valkyrie Nights tells the sweeping story of Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway—a man whose ambition was matched only by his burden.

Saved from death by the Valkyrie Skuld and spurred by the proud maiden Gyda’s challenge, Harald vowed never to cut his hair until all the fjords bent to his will. His path to power is marked by mythic battles, divine interventions, and a tangle of loyalty, love, and betrayal. From the decisive clash at Hafrsfjord to the haunting spell of Snaefrid, and from the violent ambitions of his sons to the monk who dared to write his life, Harald’s journey becomes a tapestry of legacy, loss, and legend.

As Christianity spreads and the old gods fade, Harald faces his final trial—not on the battlefield, but in the legacy he leaves behind. Will his chosen heir, Eirik Bloodaxe, carry forward the realm, or tear it apart?

A richly woven Nordic saga blending myth and history, Valkyrie Nights is a powerful meditation on kingship, destiny, and the cost of uniting a kingdom.

Read the saga. Witness the forging of Norway.

Excerpt from the book

Vestfold, Norway, 860 AD

Harald Halfdanson, son of King Halfdan the Black, fought like ten men and that was his downfall. His bloodied battle-axe had slain seven Swedes, including a nobleman. Was it exultation that made him careless as never before? Or his wyrd? Whatever, he dropped his guard and a Swedish spearman thrust his sharp-pointed spearhead into his chest so hard that it appeared out of his back. He screamed as atrocious pain seared through him, and blood stifled his voice as he fell backwards, dying. Harald’s face contorted in agony as he let out a blood-curdling scream. His body jerked back, blood spraying from the wound in his chest. His brother’s eyes widened in horror as he saw Harald fall to the ground, his face pale and lifeless. Magnus saw him fall and, berserk, slew the enemy spearman with the might of vengeance.

That was when she arrived, unseen as the battle raged on. Skuld pulled out the heavy ash pole from his body and tossed it aside with such strength that it might have been a mere toothpick. She bent over him and did the opposite of her usual practice. She persuaded his soul not to leave his body, whispering, “Your time has not yet come.” The battle was a chaotic blur of swinging weapons, roaring warriors, and splatters of blood hovering in the air. But amongst it all, Skuld stood over Harald’s limp body, her hand glowing with a soft light as she healed his fatal wound. Her lips met his in a life-giving kiss, her breath entering his lungs, and his body stirred and groaned in response.

He no longer felt the atrocious pain, so he tried to rise, but she pushed him gently down. “Lie still; the enemy is coming.” And they were. The Swedes charged towards them, their armoured bodies glinting in the dim autumn light. They raised their weapons, ready to strike at the enemy. Skuld stood tall, a foot planted either side of Harald, her arms raised above her head, her form shimmering in the light as she radiated power and grace. Three of the warriors fell to their knees, recognising her as a goddess, while the other two glared towards their king, Erik Weatherhat, who had enforced their baptism, with looks of disdain and anger. Skuld looked up into the sky. Only she could see her sister Valkyries: Hrist, Mist, Herja, Hlökk and Geiravör on their steeds, gathering the souls of valiant fallen warriors to carry them to Valhalla. She waved and returned to the business at hand, “Retreat,” she addressed the five Swedes, arms still aloft. “This one is mine and no harm shall come to him.” They were too wise to disobey a goddess, so they about-turned and re-engaged in the battle elsewhere.

“Up you get, Harald Halfdanson. Take that sword,” she said, pointing at the slain nobleman, whose hand still held the weapon. With difficulty, he pried the stiff fingers off the hilt and took up the blade as commanded.