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

Niamh wakes up to start her journey and is surprised to see Hytham has prepared the essentials for her journey. Hytham also divulges his true condition as he was injured years ago and is still recuperating. Hytham also asks Niamh about any information about the Women of the Mist and a possible alliance between them and the Hidden Ones. Hiding her true knowledge, Niamh lies by promising to find information about the Women of the Mist. Leaving, Niamh readies Mathan and rides forward towards her destination. A day passed as Niamh comes to a crossroad, where the left leads to the village while the right leads towards Avalon and her homeland. Staying on task, Niamh goes left and passes through a thicker part of the wilderness, only to finally arrive at the village of Cote. Cote's community revolved around its church, where Niamh's target resides. However, Niamh looks at the community and notices that all the women are wearing kerchiefs as she wears trousers.

Finding an abandoned barn, Niamh dresses more like Cote's community, even having to hide and relinquish her bow and sword. Entering the village, Niamh walks her way into the church and starts to search for her target. As the church fills up, Father Deoric walks out as he starts the sermon for his parishioners. During his sermon, Niamh assesses Father Deoric to be a hard, emotionless man who does not seem to be passionate about his religion or his fellow villagers. After the sermon, Niamh ventures towards the village's countryside to find the destroyed cairns. There, Niamh finds a house that gave an offering to her Goddess. Calling out to the house, a voice emerges and tells Niamh to show her true colors. Niamh reveals her lunar tattoo on her arm and a woman reveals herself from the house. Niamh introduces herself as the woman introduces herself to be Wisweth.

Within Wisweth's home, Niamh talks with Wisweth, who informs of Deoric's recent arrival and his cruel treatment of pagans within the town. Wisweth also confirms Hytham's intel about Deoric destroying cairns as Wisweth recalls the priest destroying her husband's. Crying, Wisweth felt distraught over her husband's spirit being at unrest while Niamh felt enraged over it. Niamh promises Wisweth to fully investigate the matter as Wisweth offers her food in return. Afterwards, Niamh left to investigate what is left of Wisweth's husband's cairn and what else the priest has done.

Chapter 6

Niamh finds Wisweth's husband's cairn and notices that it was severely desecrated and replaced with a Christian cross. Angry, Niamh takes out the cross and reconstructs the cairn for Wisweth. After a quick moment, Niamh finally agrees that this faithless and cowardly act was grounds to kill the priest. Observing the priest's routine, Niamh surmises that her plan must be done when the priest is alone. Niamh waits till nightfall and then goes towards the Deoric's house. As a boy exits the priest's house, Niamh enters in but the father hears the footsteps. Initially, Deoric believes it to be the boy until he goes to see Niamh outside his door. Harsh and blunt, Deoric catches sight of Niamh and guesses correctly of her being a witch. Deoric begins a tirade over how his people outnumber the pagans and that his people will win.

Disgusted, Niamh retorts back that his people have tried but failed against her people. Deoric continues to taunt and belittle Niamh, who immediately kicks him down. Shocked, Deoric banged his head when falling backwards as Niamh lands a punch against Deoric. Deoric breaks free but remains stunned and imbalanced. Although Deoric may have more information alive, time was not on Niamh's side. Niamh grabs her dagger and slits Deoric's throat. Covered in blood, Niamh gathers journals and documents from Deoric's table about his superiors and came across the mention of the sword of Excalibur. However, Niamh hears a noise coming closer within the cottage. Leaving out the back, Niamh jumps out of the house and hangs by a windowsill. The boy enters, finds the priest's corpse, and screams, while Niamh drops, runs through the graveyard, and quickly makes her way to hide in the shadows of the church's tower. With the papers, Niamh confirmed Hytham's information about Deoric being part of the Order of the Ancients.

The next day, Niamh climbs down and disguises herself among the crowd of mourners. However, their sentiments were quick to blame pagans for the priest's death, which Niamh believes would prove dangerous for Wisweth. Going through the crowd, Niamh makes her way back to the abandoned barn and readies a scared Mathan. Her duty as a witch-warrior compels her to at least help and safeguard Wisweth. Racing to Wisweth's home, Niamh sees smoke and then leaves Mathan at a fence post for his own well-being. Running, Niamh arrives to Wisweth's home burned down and no sign of Wisweth except her necklace near the house's entrance. Distraught, Niamh blames herself and the Hidden Ones for convincing her to outright kill Deoric. As she prays for Wisweth's soul, Niamh makes her way back home to inform the Women of the Mist of what has transpired and asks for their permission to be relieved of her quest.

Chapter 7

Niamh arrives at Glastonbury Tor, a hill which overshadowed the presence of the isle of Avalon. Niamh waits in the cold waters while an empty rowboat came for her. Niamh climbs aboard as the mist moves the boat toward Avalon. Walking onto the isle's shores, Niamh quickly changes her apparel and cleans herself at the baths, as no outside grounds may be present on Avalon. With no shoes, Niamh walks further into the main courtyards as initiates stare at her. Near the tip of the Tor, Niamh kneels as she awaits someone to assist her. A hand touches her shoulder and Niamh speaks about leaving the quest early and her sorrow over the recent events with Wisweth. Revealed, The Lady asks Niamh to follow her. Further atop the hill, The Lady showcases the Sacred Table, a table filled with sacred objects to the Women of the Mist, to a tearful Niamh. Yet, The Lady states that one remains missing: Excalibur.

Keeping silent out of respect, The Lady recounts when King Arthur pulled Excalibur out of the stone and was a true and a good king, until his advisors swayed him in another direction. Ultimately, The Lady tells Niamh that King Arthur died by being betrayed by his advisors and Excalibur was apparently buried beneath the Stonehenge. Many witch-warriors sought to reclaim it, but to no avail. However, The Lady informs Niamh that Excalibur was removed from its vault by a Norse Viking. The Lady orders Niamh to find and recover the sword and in return, she promises Niamh whatever life she wants. Niamh immediately agrees to reclaim the sword as she states she may have a lead. After a moment of silence for the Sacred Table, The Lady leads Niamh to the back of Tor, which is unknown territory for Niamh. There, The Lady offers a seat and a drink to Niamh to talk about her recent arrival.

Niamh reveals that she infiltrated the Hidden Ones as she seems they pose no threat, although The Lady remains skeptical. Niamh also reveals that a task the Hidden Ones gave led to her killing a corrupt priest which in turn, led to the villagers killing a fellow Celt. The Lady reprimands Niamh for not covering up the corpse but Niamh soon reveals of the priest's connection to the Order of the Ancients. The Lady recollects that the Order is the same that advised Arthur years ago. The Lady and Niamh consider to switch their worries onto the Order rather than the Hidden Ones. Nevertheless, The Lady adamantly declares to Niamh to find Excalibur and reclaim it back for their people. Worried, Niamh asks if she should continue. The Lady proclaims to Niamh that it was foretold that this path is her destiny and that her job was to make sure Niamh stays on task.

Niamh asks The Lady for a sign of reassurance as she continues on her path. Before leaving to do work for the Goddess, The Lady places her hand atop Niamh's head gracefully and then leaves Niamh. Niamh goes back to the shores where her equipment and the boat are. Contemplating about her choices, Niamh keeps her promise to Avalon and The Lady, readies herself, and travels across the lake, back to Mathan. Riding Mathan, Niamh travels back to Lunden to search for Excalibur, while she remains cautious of the Order's interest in the sword, too.

Chapter 8

Niamh arrives back in Lunden at night and hurries back into the bureau within Hawk's Nest. Wanting to rest like Lunden's population, Niamh overhears the voices of Hytham and Marcella talking with another, a "Dane." Niamh sees a possible opportunity of the third voice being the target who holds information about Excalibur. Using a hole in the floor, Niamh sees the third party, who appears as a Norse woman who is dressed like a mystic for a clan. Within their discussion, the third party states that their leader is heading to Ireland, but making a stop in Caledonia first, as she asks Hytham about their own guest. Hytham brings up Niamh as he believes she may be a possible recruit, while Marcella believes Niamh to be dead from her task. In contrast, Hytham believes Niamh is a good and insightful person more aware of the lands and people than they are. Marcella reveals of her own distrust and hatred for all Caledonians, who she sees as selfish and only want to save their own kind.

Appearing as though she arrived recently, Niamh climbs down the ladder to their room wearing a cloak, while Hytham recounts a story from his time in Constantinople. Hytham welcomes Niamh back as Marcella appears dissatisfied at her arrival. Niamh asks if she should come back but Hytham assures that their other visitor, Valka, is one of their own. Hytham introduces Valka as a seer from the settlement, Ravensthorpe, the community he lives in currently. Valka serves as an advisor and a correspondent to other allies for the Hidden Ones. Valka looks at Niamh, who inspects her just as much as Valka does her. Valka uses her gift to read Niamh and also states that her jarlskona, Eivor of the Raven Clan, would like to meet her. Shocked, Hytham and Marcella give signals to not shed too much information to Niamh.

However, a small tension forms between Valka and Niamh, due to Niamh's own disdain for the northmen and Valka assessing Niamh thoroughly. Yet, Hytham changes the course as he asks Niamh about the mission. Niamh reassures them that the priest is dead but her mission left an innocent woman dead. Dismayed, Hytham advises that the body must be hidden as well as the act and states that Niamh needs to practice. Saddened, Niamh continues to tell the truth about her feelings with the events, especially in front of Valka's eyes assessing her. Marcella, stunned, hears that Niamh followed through with the kill, despite her apparent discomfort, and reluctantly agrees with Hytham making her an initiate.

Confused, Niamh asks why, but Marcella argues that her honesty and insight of what went wrong proves her ability to learn. Hytham chimes in about her telling the truth rather than making excuses for her actions. Hytham places his hand on Niamh's shoulder and inducts her into the Hidden Ones, but as an apprentice. Marcella states that to become an assassin, one must be willing to sacrifice a part of themselves, which Niamh notices to be a ring finger on Marcella's left hand. Feeling sick, Niamh thanks them for their acceptance and asks if there is an initiation, for her own sake. Hytham states Niamh has already proven herself and offers a gauntlet from his cloak. Cautioning Niamh, Hytham offers her to use and become familiar with their weapon, the hidden blade.

Marcella opposes Niamh being given the gauntlet, but Hytham rejects Marcella strongly. Valka reminds Hytham of his mentor doing the same as Hytham laughs at himself at the changed man he has become. Hytham and Marcella leave the room to rest while Niamh is left alone with Valka. Valka suggests Niamh to rest and Niamh concurs. However, Valka poses a question of whether Niamh deserves Hytham's trust, to which Niamh remains silent as she goes to her room. Left with the question, Niamh enters her bed and fell into a quiet sleep.

Chapter 9

Niamh wakes up and find Valka staring into the fire of the loft. Entering the premise silently, Niamh finds herself some food before being joined by Valka. With some resistance, Niamh sits with Valka, who bluntly states Niamh's uneasy attitudes towards Vikings from their interactions. Niamh relays her story of fighting to protect her people from raiders as Valka understands and compliments her skill set. Valka also admits that she admires the multiple religions, due to her wish to learn and understand, as Niamh opens up about being a protector for all people, no matter the background. Astonished, Valka values Niamh's attitude towards aiding anyone, despite their religion, and commends her. Valka soon asks Niamh if she has any knowledge about the Women of the Mist. Niamh, shocked, hears from Valka that although their magic is similar to hers, the Norse seers are not warriors like theirs. Valka also wonders why they hide unlike her.

Niamh quickly shifts the conversation about Christians' interference and whether Valka has dealt with them. Valka agrees and tells of how she remains steadfast in her beliefs and devotion to her gods, like Odin and Thor. Valka notices a raven symbol on Niamh and asks if she prays to Odin. Niamh replies by stating she does not but she prays to the battle-goddess, the Morrigan. Yet, Niamh tries to keep on being secretive as she pushes back, asking Valka why she is inquiring so excessively. The conversation took a harsh turn but Valka asks whether her people conduct a fire sacrifice within a wicker-man, a story of a man relayed to her by Eivor. Internally laughing, Niamh states that her people do not perform any type of those acts as Valka states her desire to learn as much as she can about the lands' religions.

Niamh tries to appease Valka and lies to her about her knowledge of Avalon's clan but states their similarities between acceptance and their quarrels with the Christians. Yet, Valka looks unconvinced and a moment of awkward silence occurs. Suddenly, Hytham jumped through the window and asks for Niamh to assist him on a mission. Wary, Niamh accepts as Hytham divulges their task to save a pagan woman within Lunden as well as gather information about their next target. Happy to help and seeing a new side of the Hidden Ones, Niamh asks who the target is. Coming down to the room, Marcella reveals it is a man named Cyrus (Valhalla), who was the one tracking Marcella for the Order of the Ancients. Thus, Marcella states that she cannot go due to being seen right away as Hytham must go with Niamh.

Niamh questions Marcella about her desire to go and hunt Cyrus herself, but Marcella states that her isolation is made by Cyrus' constant tracking and the Order's relentless hunt for her. Marcella, seeing Niamh's reluctance once more, relays that she escaped Cyrus and that Cyrus treats all women like objects. Valka interjects and asks Hytham if he feels ready, due to his injuries. Hytham rebuffs Valka's concerns as Valka asks if Niamh can do it alone. Marcella agrees, but Hytham reminds Marcella of Cyrus' fighting skills and the fortress' defenses. Looking at the situation, Marcella becomes silent. Hytham asks Niamh again to aid him and she agrees. Valka soon warns Niamh that if Hytham becomes injured once more, she will blame her.

Hytham declares that he is fine and that his injuries and his stationary work has left him distraught and aching to be useful like before. Hytham also states that Niamh has his back and that he feels confidence in their abilities to fight together. Valka remains worries, as Niamh deduces that she might have been his caretaker when he was injured. Despite Marcella's and Valka's worries, Hytham continues to depart with Niamh to save the pagan woman. Niamh also begins to feel encouraged and honored that Hytham believes in her. Both Niamh and Hytham walk to the stables to take their leave.

Chapter 10

TBC

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