A Companion to Wolves (37 page)

Authors: Elizabeth Bear

BOOK: A Companion to Wolves

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There are many worlds in the branches of the tree, and legends do not stay untouched as they move from place to place. The world of the Iskryne is not Earth, but certain of its human cultures are not unlike certain historical Terran cultures. We have chosen to recognize this kinship by rendering the language of the people in this story in a melange of Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and other Germanic languagesâmaking our choices in each case by ear rather than striving for a spurious consistencyâin the hopes that this alien familiarity and familiar alienness will help readers as they enter into this cold and perilous world.

The Wolfheallan, The Wolfcarls, And The Wolves

ARAKENSBERG WOLFHEALL
Ulfsvith, wolfjarl
Vethulf, brother to Kjaran

BRAVOLL WOLFHEALL
Asvolfr, wolfcarl

FRANANGFORD WOLFHEALL
Kari, brother to Hrafn

KERLAUGSTROND WOLFHEALL
Osk, wolf

KETILLHILL WOLFHEALL
Aslaug, konigenwolf

OTHINNSAESC WOLFHEALL
Brokkolfr, brother to Amma
Othwulf, brother to Vikingr

NITHOGSFJOLL WOLFHEALL
Aurulfr, brother to Griss
Clorulf, brother to Vith
Eyjolfr, brother to Glaedir
Fostolfr, brother to Guthleifr
Frithulf, brother to Kothran
Grimolfr, wolfjarl, brother to Skald
Hringolfr, brother to Kolgrimna
Hrolfmarr, brother to Kolli
Hrolleif, brother to Vigdis, konigenwolf

D
ramatis Personae

Isolfr, brother to Viradechtis
Randulfr, brother to Ingrun
Skirnulf, brother to Authun
Skjaldwulf, brother to Mar
Sokkolfr, wolfcarl
Thurulfr, brother to Egill
Ulfbjorn, brother to Tindr
Ulffred, wolfcarl
Ulfgeirr, brother to Nagli
Ulfmaer, brother to Hroi
Ulfrikr, brother to Skefill
Yngvulf, brother to Arngrimr

Asny, wolf
Eitri, wolf
Frar, wolf
Frothi, wolf
Hallathr, wolf
Hannar, wolf
Harekr, wolf
Havarr, wolf
Ingjaldr, wolf
Isleifr, wolf
Nyr, wolf
Olmoth, wolf
Surtr, wolf
Thraslaug, wolf
Valbrandr, wolf

THORSBAER WOLFHEALL
Leitholfr, brother to Signy, konigenwolf
Stafnulf, brother to Ormarr

Groa, wolf

VESTFJORTHR WOLFHEALL
Bekkhild, konigenwolf

Praise for
A Companion to Wolves

Winner of the
Romantic Times
Award for Best Fantasy

“It's not surprising either that [
A Companion to Wolves
] is extremely well written and more suspenseful than most contemporary fantasy I've read.”

âDon D'Ammassa

“Njall Gunnarson, son of Lord Gunnarr, is chosen to join the wolfcarls, warriors who bond with wolves and dedicate themselves to protecting the nearby villages from the ravages of man-eating trolls. Bonded with the female wolf pup Viradechtis, Njall receives a new nameâIsolfrâand learns the requirements of living closely with a soul-bonded wolf, including sexual bonds between wolfcarls whose wolves choose to mate. When one winter brings a flood of trolls, the wolfcarls and their wolves take to battle, though it may be their last, using everything they have built through living as a pack. Coauthors Monette (
MÃ©lusine
) and Bear (
Blood and Iron
) combine their literary talents in a saga of warriors whose love for their wolves and for one another serves to bind them together into a band of fierce protectors.”

âLibrary Journal

This is a work of fiction. All the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

A COMPANION TO WOLVES

A Tor Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010

www.tor-forge.com

Tor
^Â®is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

eISBN 9781429965491

First eBook Edition : July 2011

ISBN-13: 978-0-7653-5778-6 ISBN-10: 0-7653-5778-X

First Edition: October 2007

First Mass Market Edition: August 2008