After Tursgud captures twelve Araluen villagers to sell as slaves, the Heron crew sails into action. Tursgud-leader of the Shark Brotherband and Hal's constant opponent-has turned from a bullying youth into a pirate and slave trader. With their honor restored, the Herons turn to a new mission: tracking down an old rival turned bitter enemy. Hal and his fellow Herons have returned home to Skandia after defeating the pirate captain Zavac and reclaiming Skandia's most prized artifact, the Andomal. Tursgud-leader of the Shark Brotherband and Hal's From the author of the mega-selling Ranger's Apprentice! Pirate captain of the Raven, Zavac catches the Skandians, and especially the Herons, off guard by stealing the Andomal, the Skandians most prized artifact.From the author of the mega-selling Ranger's Apprentice! Hal and his fellow Herons have returned home to Skandia after defeating the pirate captain Zavac and reclaiming Skandia's most prized artifact, the Andomal. Athletic and skilled in wrestling, he believes in fair play and has no pretentions about his own importance. Popular among his peers and the son of a successful wolfship captain, Rollond is the leader of Wolves, the third brotherband. He is willing to do anything to win the brotherband competition, including intimidate and cheat. He is the ideal young Skandian and is the son of the current Maktig. Leader of the brotherband called the Sharks, Tursgud is tall, muscular, handsome, and confident-although most would say pompous. Head instructor of brotherband training and former ship skirl. He fought alongside Hal’s father and Thorn.Įrak’s second in command (first mate) aboard Wolfwind and now its skirl. Once the skirl (captain) of Wolfwind, Erak is now the Oberjarl of Skandia. In addition to raising her son, Hal, after her husband’s death, she runs a local eating house. Once an Araluen slave, Karina was freed by and married to Mikkel. He now serves as a second father to Hal and works at Karina’s eating house. Only with Karina’s help was he able to turn his life around and find value in himself. His life spiraled out of control when Mikkel, his best friend, died and he lost his arm in a boating accident. But what most people don’t know is that he was once the Maktig or “The Mighty One”-the title Skandians bestow each year on their champion of all warriors-for three years running. And unlike most twins who seem to share a special bond, these two are in a perpetual state of bickering.Īt first glance, Thorn is nothing more than a homeless drunk who’s missing an arm. Of course, they don’t make identifying them any easier, as they often pretend to be the other brother. Even their own mother often has difficulty figuring out who is who. It’s impossible to tell these identical twin brothers apart. He is also skilled in mimicry, able to impersonate anyone. Stefan is a jokester, but his clownish nature makes him unpopular with his peers who think well of themselves, as they are often the targets of his biting wit. He gains satisfaction from the challenge of stealing them. Still, unlike most thieves, Jesper is not at all interested in keeping the possessions he takes. His quickness in a running race is matched only by the speed and skill in which he steals from others. Jesper is the fastest on the team-in more ways than one. just so long as someone points him in the right direction. Still, he is kind-hearted and is invaluable in battle. Large and very strong, Ingvar would be a valuable addition to any brotherband, were he not clumsy and as blind as a bat. Unlike Edvin, Ingvar is not so easily missed. He can often be found off on his own reading a book. He’s neither good nor bad at most things, but he does understand basic mathematics. He’s unpredictable in nearly every way, but the one thing you can count on is that he will always be there for Hal.Įasily overlooked, Edvin is the very definition of average. Hal’s first mate and best friend, Stig is known for his strength, loyalty, but most of all, his hot-temper. Hal wants more than anything to win the brotherband competition to prove to everyone that he is a true Skandian. Hal is the son of one of Skandia’s greatest warriors, Mikkel, but having such a revered father hasn’t stopped his peers from taunting him for having an Araluen mother. But what he lacks in fighting skill and strength, he more than makes up for with his intelligence, ingenuity and drive. The leader of the Heron brotherband and builder of the boat by the same name, Hal may not be your textbook definition of a Skandian.