Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse

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Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse is an official tie-in novel of the video game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla by Elsa Sjunneson. It was published by Aconyte Books in April 2022 and is an original story that portrays the events directly following the end of the game.

Blurb

A Celtic warrior defending her people from Viking raiders infiltrates an ancient sect to save her homeland, in this gripping original saga set in the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

Mercia, 878.
Witch-warrior Niamh discovers a new order called the Hidden Ones is seeking to establish a foothold in Lunden. Her land is already scarred by Viking raiders, bloody wars, and clashing cultures. Determined to protect what remains of her homeland, she infiltrates this new group to discover whether they stand with her... or against her. Yet when Niamh learns the Hidden Ones have stolen an artifact sacred to her people, her own loyalties are challenged. Casting aside newfound alliances and friendships, Niamh soon discovers that betrayal comes with a heavy price and it will take everything in her power—her gods willing—to survive.

Summary

Prologue

Niamh of Argyll travels alongside the Hidden One Hytham north of Hadrian's Wall, back to her homeland. However, both remain secretive to each other of their intentions, as Niamh has to find an opportunity to betray her ally without notice.

Chapter 1

In 878, Niamh, a witch-warrior of Avalon and her clan, the Women of the Mist, meditates peacefully near the shores of Caledonia, until her apprentice, Birdie, comes to deliver news from the "The Lady." Niamh soon receives two letters, which spoke of a warrior named Nimue and The Lady dictating Niamh to infiltrate the group called the Hidden Ones in Lunden. Reluctant, Niamh agrees to the mission on spying on the Hidden Ones as Birdie asks her mentor for permission to join her. Weighing her options, Niamh agreed to have Birdie join her mission for the Goddess. As Birdie prepares for the journey, Niamh goes to her mother's cairn, reminisces of her time and training on Avalon, and laments over leaving the only home she knows. After spending a whole day alone with her thoughts and questions, Niamh readies herself to leave her village and her duties.

Chapter 2

Riding her horse, Mathan, Niamh leaves their village alongside Birdie. Traveling a long way, Niamh and a sore Birdie came across the border between Caledonia and Mercia: Hadrian's Wall. Niamh asks Birdie if she was ready to venture into the unknown and Birdie hesitates but quickly agrees to keep going forward. Finding a way through the wall, Niamh and her apprentice quickly find a river and begin to rest besides it. Niamh talks with Birdie about the fears they have and how to survive among passing through the Danes, Picts, and Anglo-Saxons. As they continued their travels, Niamh and Birdie find another space to camp as Birdie scouts the area for any predators nearby. Birdie returns with good news as she promises to keep first watch for the night, much to Niamh's reluctance.

The next day, Niamh wakes up, only to find Birdie missing. Inspecting the forest, Niamh came across voices and soon finds Birdie captured by three bandits. Approaching the bandits, Niamh offers their lives in exchange for Birdie's life. However, two bandits engage Niamh in a fight while one holds Birdie hostage. Niamh defeats and kills the two bandits, while the other bandit ran away. Niamh rescues the shocked Birdie and tells her to go home, as this life is not for her. Birdie agrees as Niamh promises to find another witch-warrior for their village. As Birdie leaves, Niamh continues on Mathan to Lunden.

Chapter 3

Arriving in Lunden, Niamh enters inside the Hawk's Nest and searches for the people who sent the invitation. Inside, Niamh is met by two Hidden Ones, one of them being Hytham. Hytham welcomes her as Niamh reveals her own namesake in place of the name, "Nimue," and asks them why she was invited. Hytham reveals that "her" ancestors were part of their group, that they heard of her previous work, and they want to recruit her themselves. However, the other Hidden One, Marcella of Rome, harshly states that Niamh would need to impress her solely. Remaining secretive, Niamh tells both Hytham and Marcella just enough about her upbringing, training, and lifestyle during their interview. Tired and noticing Marcella's wary attitude, Niamh asks to rest first before she answers more questions. Hytham agrees, much to Marcella's displeasure. Sleeping on a bed within the loft, Niamh looks from a window to see the Tamesis river and the rest of Lunden. Yet, Niamh wishes to be at home with the peaceful silence, compared to Lunden's noisy atmosphere. As she begins to rest, Niamh prepares her cover story for tomorrow while at the same time, she investigates the Hidden Ones' true purpose.

Chapter 4

Waking up early, Niamh traveled through Lunden to forcibly immerse herself with the city's surroundings. Niamh takes notice of the city's horrific smell, its barbaric men, and the women at Tamesis' waters, especially one who was praying to the same "Goddess." Heading back to the Hawk's Nest, Niamh is met by both Hytham and Marcella, who bluntly states her distrust of Niamh. Niamh concocts of a story of wanting more of life rather than being a mother or homebody in her village. Nevertheless, Marcella reaffirms her suspicions by planning to test Niamh's abilities. Hytham intervenes and takes Niamh further within the bureau to talk with her privately. Close to a window, Hytham doved out through the window as Niamh, shocked, followed suit. Landing in a haystack, Niamh rises from her landing and searches for Hytham's location. Hytham challenges Niamh as he jumps further within the city, while she figures out what he means. Niamh starts to hide herself within Lunden by blending in with a group of nuns.

Within a group, Niamh is confronted by a nun, who comes to her for help. The nun recognizes Niamh as a person from Caledonia and asks for help about the disappearances of multiple nuns. Wondering where to investigate, Niamh is told by the nun that an order called the Order of the Ancients may be responsible. Niamh agrees to help and leaves the prayers quickly, due to her discomfort with Christians. Afterwards, Niamh continues to hide from Hytham and she perches herself on a willow tree near the Tamesis river. However, Hytham was in proximity near the tree and starts to wait out Niamh. After a few moments, Hytham looks up and lets Niamh know about how he figured out her location beforehand. Hytham starts to advise Niamh about her surroundings and tips of how to disappear from sight, but commends her use of the nuns. Both Niamh and Hytham start to head back to the bureau as they pass through the city's markets. For the first time, Niamh is amazed at the wares, items, and luxuries sold and the interactions between the owners and hagglers.

Nevertheless, Niamh and Hytham arrive back to the bureau, where Marcella is waiting for them. As both Hidden Ones discuss Niamh's current position, Niamh reveals an issue she receives from a nun about the Order of the Ancients. Shocked, Hytham and Marcella become tense as they tell Niamh about the long tumultuous war the Hidden Ones and the Order have been fighting. Niamh sees the danger the Order may bring as Hytham shares a list of possible Order members within England. Niamh is also revealed to be the only recipient of multiple letter sent out from the Hidden Ones. Hytham points to a name on a list as the name represents a priest in Oxenefordscire with ties to Order. The priest has been spreading misinformation and slander about the Hidden Ones and was designated as Niamh's first task. Before Hytham could finish, Marcella quickly states to assassinate the priest.

Given a stealth task for the first time, Niamh looks hesitant and asks why not banish the priest. Hytham explains that Order does not listen to reason and kills anyone against them and their views. As Niamh agrees to the task, Marcella provides more information about the priest's whereabouts. Niamh wonders if the task was hers alone without supervision. Hytham explains that Marcella is currently on the run from another Order member while Hytham was ambiguous about his own reasons. Niamh realizes the autonomy she has but remains wary of other possible allies of the Hidden Ones watching her. Marcella soon gives out the name of the Order member, Father Deoric, and his location being in a small village near Cote. Niamh is told to dress less like a Celt, due to Deoric's prejudice. Niamh promises to send a message if she is gone too long as she sets out on her quest. As she prepares, Niamh has to use what Hytham has taught her and remain even more secretive about her true intentions.

Chapter 5

TBC

Gallery

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  German cover