The Rings of Doom: Grim Gruesome Viking Villain [Paperback]

Last book in this highly acclaimed, page-turning, 4-part series.
PRAISE FOR THE PREVIOUS GRIM GRUESOME BOOKS:
"Dahl-style jokes and adventure" - The Times
"a wonderful creation, horrible but also funny" - TES
"full of twists and turns that you are desperate to follow" - justimaginestorycentre.co.uk
"a fun, thrilling tale for kids with a taste for high adventure"
- "If You'Ve Not Discovered Grim Gruesome Yet, Where Have You Been!" - Primary Times.

The four Grim Gruesome books are:
* * Supported by a website crammed with historical information and teaching ideas - grimgruesome.com
* * Enjoyed by both boys and girls.
* * Can be read as a series - or as a set of `stand alone' novels.
The previous Grim Gruesome books have been:
* * SHORTLISTED for Solihull Children's Book AWARD + Lancashire Fantastic Book AWARD.
* * HIGHLY ACCLAIMED by all significant children's books and educational reviewers.
* * Featured annually at York's official Viking Festival.

Rosalind Kerven has written over 50 other books for children and adults, published in 21 countries. Her previous children's fiction includes "Who Ever Heard of a Vegetarian Fox?" which was shortlisted for the Federation of Children's Book Groups Children's Book Award and won a major award in Japan, and "The Sea is Singing" which was a TES Book of the Year and dramatised on BBC Radio. She has also written numerous collections of myths, legends and folk tales for both children and adults, including the bestselling "King Arthur" which was recommended by the American Library Association and "English Fairy Tales and Legends".

CHAPTER 12
Chieftain Lygari turned his attention to Magnus. `Now young man,' he said in a low voice. `I hope you're not going to be jealous of your sister. She's only a girl, and girls need presents to stop them whining. She's not destined to achieve great things - unlike you.'

Magnus threw a very smug look at Sigrid.

`Don't you two dare start fighting,' said Ma wearily. `Sigrid, as Chieftain Lygari's horse is such an exotic breed, he needs to be put indoors straightaway in this cold weather. Take him to the stable - and Elf too, to help her settle in. Make sure they've got enough to eat.'

Sigrid muttered under her breath and led the two horses away.

Asny went to follow her, but Ma called out, `Not you, Asny. It's getting dark. You'd better fetch your own horse and ride home before your mother starts to worry.'

She turned back to the chieftain. `Do come into the house, Chieftain Lygari. You can have a drink and get warm while I prepare the meal.'

The chieftain unclipped a large, very battered leather bag from Haski's saddle, then crunched across the snow with it beside Ma. Magnus trailed behind.
`Chieftain,' said Ma thoughtfully. `I've been wondering... With all your great wisdom and experience, please could you give me some advice?'

`Of course, good lady, I'd be delighted,' said Lygari.

So Ma told him about the weird women's warning of the Rings of Doom, and then about the strange set of rings that Sigrid had recently inherited from a mysterious relative.

The chieftain listened carefully. He pondered the problem silently as he followed Ma indoors, dumped his saddlebag in the porch and stamped the snow off his boots.

They sat down on either side of the fire and at last he said, `Good lady, do you believe what the messenger told your husband? Why would someone you have never heard of leave your daughter such a marvellous treasure?'

Ma shook her head. `That's just the thing. We've no idea.'
`It sounds very suspicious,' said the chieftain. `Especially coming so soon after your children have been warned about these Rings of Doom.'

`Oh dear,' said Ma. `That's just what we thought.'

The chieftain leaned forward confidingly, slapping his hands down on his great knees. His finger-stump quivered.
`I don't want to worry you unduly,' he went on. `But I should tell you that just before the first snowfall, the Law Speaker sent a disturbing message round to all the chieftains in Iceland.' He lowered his voice. `Have you heard of the evil child killer, Grim Gruesome?'

Ma went pale. `Ya, of course I have. He's the most dangerous man in the North Lands! But he's never been seen in Iceland, has he?'

`I'm afraid he has,' said Lygari.

Magnus slid along the wall-bench, to be sure he could hear every word.

The chieftain said, `While everyone was distracted by the volcanic eruption last year, he crossed the sea from the islands north of Britain, and landed here unnoticed. No doubt, the weird women that your children met heard rumours about this, causing both their bad dreams and their warning.'

`But what's Grim Gruesome got to do with the treasure left to Sigrid?' said Ma.

`It's most likely a trap,' said the chieftain gravely. `I cannot tell you how he intends it to work, for the villain always acts in a very devious way. But the fact that the rings were left to a child should immediately put you on your guard. The messenger who brought them may well be in league with Grim Gruesome.'

`Oh dear!' cried Ma.

`I advise you not to let Sigrid wear these rings,' said Lygari. `Don't take any risks.'

`She hasn't, luckily,' said Ma in a fluster. `But what should we do with them?'

`Destroy them,' said Lygari crisply.

`But how?' cried Ma. `And will that really keep the children safe from Grim Gruesome?'

The chieftain held out his finger-stump to the warmth of the fire. `I can easily do this for you,' he said, `Firstly, I can melt the rings down...'

`That sounds a very good idea,' said Ma.

`Then,' the chieftain went on, `to ensure that even the melted silver can't cause any harm, I can carry out a short ceremony in the name of Odin, to cleanse it and remove any evil influences. If you wish to be rid of it completely, I could then take away the remains and bury them deep underground. That should certainly protect your children.'

Ma gave a little shudder. `Thank you so much!' she said. `That would be a great relief!'