
The story opens in the rugged fjord lands around Lake Mjøsa, where the once‑mighty Steinfinn clan has long guarded its estates and kept peace for the Norwegian crown. Though their power has waned since King Haakon’s reign, the family remains among the richest in the region, noted for fierce loyalty, horsemanship, and a reputation for both shrewdness and pride. Their name carries centuries of service as royal retainers, and their halls still echo with old alliances and lingering rivalries.
At eighteen, the newest Steinfinn, Tore’s son, is summoned to the king’s personal guard, thrust into a world of battles and court intrigue. While proving his courage on the battlefield, he becomes entangled with Ingebjørg, a lady of the royal household promised to another. Their forbidden attraction sparks a delicate dance of duty and desire, set against the backdrop of medieval Norway and the looming expectations of a noble house. As the young warrior navigates honor, love, and shifting loyalties, the first act of his tale promises both triumph and turmoil.
Language
fi
Duration
~20 hours (1174K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
Finland: WSOY, 1926,reprint 1954.
Credits
Tuula Temonen
Release date
2022-03-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1882–1949
Best known for bringing medieval Scandinavia vividly to life, this Norwegian novelist won the 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature. Her stories mix spiritual depth, moral conflict, and a sharp understanding of ordinary human feeling.
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