“At least the war is over,” said Are. “Thirty long years of war – and what good has it done? Thousands dead and thousands of families destroyed and homeless. Perhaps some petty ruler somewhere has acquired a little bit more land and status. But soon he’ll be dead as well. So what good has it done him?”
Liv agreed. “And the Christian faith has gained nothing – it’s more divided than it ever was before,” she said pensively. “Mark my words, this year, 1648, is a year that will be remembered. Peace has changed countries and borders and now His Majesty King Christian has also passed away. He did what he thought was best for both his countries...We’ve had worse monarchs – and better ones as well.”
They walked on in a companionable silence for a while until they spotted Are’s grandson, Andreas. He was ploughing a field in the distance below the house, working industriously as usual and with complete concentration.
“Is Andreas going to marry soon, do you think?” asked Liv speculatively.
They stopped and watched the young man working gladly at his chosen task, absorbed and content with what he was doing.
“He’d better find a woman first, don’t you think?” smiled Are. “And your own grandson, Mattias, is much older than Andreas, isn’t he? Will Mattias remain the eternal bachelor, do you think?”
“I don’t think so. It would be a pity if he doid. He has such an affectionate and loving nature, it would be unnatural for him not to marry.” Liv and Are wandered on side by side towards the farmyards at Linden Avenue. They could scarcely have imagined the future of the Ice People – both at Graastensholm and in the world beyond. A great many things would happen before Andreas and Mattias found their chosen women. There would be the year when Andreas would make a horrible discovery in one of the Linden Avenue fields. It would be both a distressing and a joyful time for Andreas Lind of the Ice People. But many other joys, sorrows and crises would weave themselves into their lives as well, their complex strands tangled with the virulent curse of the Ice People.
***
Meanwhile, at Graastensholm, Kaleb and Gabriella had sought out little Eli and asked her to come with them to their rooms. The girl padded shyly and quietly in their wake and waited while Kaleb seated himself on the window bench of their drawing room. After beckoning her to join him, Kaleb placed both hands gently on her young shoulders.
“Eli, you know that we lost our little daughter,” he began, and she nodded knowingly in response.
“Well, I’m not sure whether I’m going to have more children,” added Gabriella, moving to stand beside Kaleb. Eli could see that her eyes were brimming with tears, and the atmosphere was solemn.
“You also know, don’t you, that our new home will soon be finished and ready for us to move in,” continued Kaleb. “So we ...”
“Oh, I want so much for the both of you to stay,” interrupted Eli, her expression turning sad. “I can’t bear to think of you leaving.”
For a long moment neither of them spoke, but they both continued to smile conspiratorially at her.
“Well, that’s exactly what we want to talk to you about – because it would make both of us very happy, Eli, if you’d move with us when we go. In fact, would you like to become our daughter?”
Eli’s tiny face turned bright red.
“Our proper daughter, we mean,” repeated Gabriella hesitantly. “We want you to be part of our family – always. You know how fond we are of you.”
Eli’s chin was trembling. “Live with you, do you really mean it? What – forever and ever?”
“Well,” chuckled Kaleb, “For as long as you want to. You might find a nice young man sometime later on and want to go and live with him then.”
“Oh, no, I’d never do that,” she assured them breathlessly. “And I’ll do everything to be a good daughter. I know I won’t be like your own, who you lost. But I’ll do my very best, I promise!” Overcome by emotion, Gabriella reached out her arms and drew the girl into a close embrace. “Thank you, Eli, for wanting to join us,” she said softly. “It means a great deal to us.”
When Gabriella drew back, Eli reached up and put her arms shyly round Kaleb’s neck and got another big hug in return.
Then she rushed out of the room and down the stairs. In the hallway she ran straight into Liv and Are.
Kaleb and Gabriella heard her tiny voice echoing up to them. “Did you know? Gabriella and Kaleb want me to stay with them and be their daughter!” she shouted. “Now I have my very own mum and dad! And I’ll move with them to their house and I’ll work like a slave so they’ll be pleased with me and ...”
Kaleb hurried, laughing, to the top of the stairway and leaned over the banister. “No, no, Eli! That’s not right! You’re not going to work for us. You’ll be our daughter, don’t you see?”
Little Eli stood in the hallway, her hands clasped tightly under her chin. “Oh, I’m just so happy, SO HAPPY! I think I’ll burst!”
Liv let out a deep breath and said: “That’s the best thing that has happened in a long while. We’ll celebrate with a big party! After everything that’s happened, we all deserve it.”
That sweet moment of spontaneous joy for Eli and her new foster parents marked the end of a long and gruelling period for the men, women and children of the Ice People. Although they had no way of knowing it, six delightful and peaceful years were due to follow.
Even the seventh year, 1655, wouldn’t turn out so badly – but it was to begin in an alarming way.
Next Book
The Ice People 7 - Nemesis
As the clan of the Ice People are scattered across Norway and Denmark, their lives bring new joys – and new dangers. When young Tancred, great grandson of Tengel the Good, sets off on his first adventure, he's drawn into a nightmarish vision of deception and murder. Could it be real?
Here he meets Jessica, a young noblewoman, who could be his salvation. But she is haunted by the malice and madness of a family who were meant to protect her. As they are both drawn into the highest circles of Court, intrigue and betrayal surround them, and each must face their nemesis.
The Legend of the Ice People
The Ice People 1 – Spellbound
The Ice People 2 – Witch Hunt
The Ice People 3 – The Step Daughter
The Ice People 4 – The Successor
The Ice People 5 – Friendship
The Ice People 6 – Evil Legacy
The Ice People 7 – Nemesis
The Ice People 8 – Under Suspicion
The Ice People 9 – Without Roots
The Ice People 10 – Winter Storm
The Ice People 11 – Blood Feud
The Ice People 12 – Yearning
The Ice People 13 – Footprints of Satan
The Ice People 14 – The Last Knight
The Ice People 15 - The Wind from the East
The Ice People 16 – The Mandrake
The Ice People 17 – The Garden of Death
The Ice People 18 – Behind the Facade
The Ice People 19 – Dragon’s Teeth
The Ice People 20 – Wings of the Raven
The Ice People 21 – Devils Canyon
The Ice People 22 – The Demon and the Maiden
The Ice People 23 – Rituals
The Ice People 24 – Deep in the ground
The Ice People 25 – The Angel
The Ice People 26 – The Secret
The Ice People 27 – The Scandal
The Ice People 28 – Ice and Fire
The Ice People 29 – Lucifer’s Love
The Ice People 30 – Brothers
The Ice People 31 – The Ferryman
The Ice People 32 – Hunger
The Ice People 33 – The Demon of the Nights
The Ice People 34 – The Woman on the Beach
Th
e Ice People 35 – The Flute
The Ice People 36 – Magic Moon
The Ice People 37 - A Town in Fear
The Ice People 38 – Hidden Trails
The Ice People 39 – Silent Voices
The Ice People 40 – Imprisoned by time
The Ice People 41 – Demon Mountain
The Ice People 42 – The Calm Before the Storm
The Ice People 43 – A Glimpse of Tenderness
The Ice People 44 – An Evil Day
The Ice People 45 – The Legend
The Ice People 46 – The Black Water
The Ice People 47 – Is There Anybody Out There?
Margit Sandemo
Margit Sandemo was born on April 23 1924 in Norway. She was raised in Sweden but later moved to Norway. She made her début as an author in 1964. The legend about the Ice People, 47 volumes in all, appeared 1982-1989. Love and supernatural powers are the hallmark of her authorship.
Margit Sandemo’s books have sold more than 39 million copies worldwide. Margit Sandemo is thus the author in the Nordic countries with the greatest number of sold books.
Evil Legacy Page 25