"It first started way back, in a time when the barbarian and the Vikings pack were still on friendly terms. They often had competitions the weeks before the big hunt, picking out contestants from each side worthy of attending. Because it was seen as a great honor, and still is, by the way, not anyone can attend. They are given an opportunity to find a mate, and since our world is what it is, there is no other way of finding a mate. We are talking about the year your mother attended."
I paused, just to see I had her full attention, and smiled for myself before I continued.
"Like the rest, she had been hand-picked for a reason. Different reasons for each one, of course, but anyway. She was there. From what I've been told later, she fell into one of the fey traps early on, but for som
