Weapons of the Wolfhound

Weapons of the Wolfhound is a middle-grade historical adventure set in the 12th century, following Neil, a young boy from the remote island of Lewis. Bored with his quiet life, Neil's world is turned upside down by the arrival of Baldur, a Viking sea captain. What begins as a delivery of a chess set to Iceland quickly escalates into a dangerous quest to recover Baldur's deceased father's legendary weapons, which have been stolen from his grave. The book subtly explores themes of forgiveness and peaceful coexistence, contrasting them with Baldur's intense anger and desire for justice, offering a rich backdrop for discussions about moral choices and historical cultures for readers aged 8-12.

It is the 12th century AD. Neil lives with his parents on a farm on the remote island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. He is bored with his days and longs for excitement. He makes friends with Brother Durston, a Christian hermit living in a rocky cell nearby. The hermit speaks to the boy about the virtues of foregiveness and peaceful coexistence, and teaches the value of contemplation and prayer. But the visit of a Viking sea captain, Baldur, to the island makes the boy restless. He goes with Baldur to Iceland to deliver a walrus ivory chess set carved by Brother Durston to Baldur's father - the Wolfhound. But Baldur's father has died, and his grave has been robbed of the hero's famous weapons. Baldur's anger is intense, and he and Neil go on a dangerous and exciting journey across Iceland to recover the stolen weapons - the Weapons of the Wolfhound.