In addition to the Norse mythology that lies at the heart of Fade, you'll find that the story touches on Greek mythology, modern Pagan beliefs, and angel lore. I love obscure myths and finding unique ways to fit them into my writing, and there are so many out there that fit together so well!
I have to confess though, that aside from the Norse mythology that shapes Fade, fitting wolf lore into the story was my favorite part. Every culture views wolves a little differently, so there was an abundance of myths and legends to read through during the writing process.
In Finland, for instance, wolves have long been hated. They've also had a bad rap with the Christian faith, where they're often viewed as an enemy of Man, or as a representation of various sins and evils. And in the Hindu faith, Krishna created wolves at one point specifically to frighten the Vraja into doing as he required.
Other faiths and people have a much more positive view of the wolf. In Chechnya, Mongolian, and Japanese myths and folklore, wolves are revered. Historically, the species was worshipped by many different people. And in Roman mythology, a wolf was responsible for the founding of Rome after having saved Romulus and Remus.
In other areas of the world, wolves fall somewhere in the middle of the love/hate relationship. They play many roles and are viewed in many different ways. This is nowhere as true as in the myths and lore that sit at the center of Fade.
In Norse mythology, wolves such as Geri and Freki were the revered pets of Odin. They were fed from his table and were his constant companions. When Man was created by Odin and his brothers, Odin sent Geri and Freki to teach them how to care for and love one another. The warriors of the people were said to be able to transform into wolves during battle, and were better able to defend their people as a result. And, of course, Fenrir (Loki's son) is destined to kill Odin at Ragnarök after his sons (the twin wolves Sköll and Hati) devour Mani and Sol, the moon and sun.
One of my favorite wolf myths doesn't stem from the Northern people though, but from the Kiowa in a story called the Legend of Wolf Boy. The story tells of a young boy who refuses to betray his brother by sleeping with his wife. This angers the boy’s sister-in-law, so she traps him in a hole in the ground and tells him that she will only release him if he agrees to what she wants. He refuses, so she leaves him there before returning with her husband to camp, claiming to have no knowledge of where her brother-in-law went.
Eventually, a pack of wolves hear the boy crying in the hole and ask him why he’s down there. When he explains what happened, the wolves rescue him, and care for him as one of their own. Many years later, the boy’s people find him and he tells them what happened so long ago. The wolves then tell his people to bring the woman to them. When they do, the wolves kill her for the wrong she committed against the boy and her mate.
You can read a version of the entire legend at: http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/LegendOfWolfBoy-Kiowa.html
I just adore the story here and how much of an accurate representation it is of real-world wolf behavior. Obviously, wolves aren't running around chatting with people, but they're pretty amazing animals. When wolves mate, they mate for life. They're faithful to their mate and very much a family-first species. In most instances, the pack itself is a nuclear family unit, and they are very nurturing of one another. When a pack adopts a new member, the new member is accepted into the pack fully. While adopted members tend to be young wolves, there are numerous accounts out there of wolves adopting abandoned human children into their packs and raising them as one of their own.
The Kiowa legend captures this reality perfectly, I think. Not only do the wolves rescue the young boy, but they reward his loyalty to his brother by adopting him into their pack. And years later, when they come across the deceitful sister-in-law again, they punish her for her sins against their pack-mate as much as her sins against her mate.
The wolves in Fade are a lot like those in the Kiowa legend. When Arionna proves herself loyal to the pack, they accept her without reservation, and put their lives on the line to defend her and the people she cares for when the need arises. They also react with fury when she is threatened. I almost feel a little sorry for the monsters lurking in the shadows. Between Kalei's pack and the wolf residing in Dace, things are going to get incredibly uncomfortable for the villains in the rest of the series!
How about a wolfy excerpt to finish off this post?
The smallest member of the pack paced directly behind Buka and Kalei like a tiny honor guard. The one that had leapt at me weeks ago stood to his right. I shivered and pulled my gaze away from him.
An old, grizzled wolf stood at the end of the looping line. I couldn't put my finger on what made me certain of his age, but he seemed almost ancient, as if the years he'd lived hung in the air around him.
The pack ranged in color from a gray so dark it was almost black to a shade so light it was almost white. Buka wasn't the only one shot through with strands of white. The little honor guard behind her, seeming gangly next to her graceful lope, had that same highlighted coloring.
"He belongs to her," I said, looking first at Buka and then Dace. "She has a baby?"
"Yes," Dace said, his voice pitched low. "Fuki."
The cub growled in recognition of his name.
"He's very pretty," I told Buka when she and Kalei halted in front of me.
Buka huffed.
"She says he's very tiring too," Dace translated, a smile in his voice.
The little wolf yapped, sounding outraged. The sound was childlike, and not even the monster pacing beside him overwhelmed the humanity of the emotion behind the sound.
I giggled.
Buka huffed again and then quieted, looking to Kalei.
Dace cocked his head to the side, listening to a conversation I couldn't hear. Once again, I got the feeling if I listened hard enough, I'd be able to hear it. I knew I wouldn't though. My wolf was buried too deeply.
Dace looked at me. "Kalei says it's time."
The wolves broke into ranks as he said the words, causing a space to open between them. I saw then what I hadn't before.
"How did they—?" I started forward, pacing wide of my would-be killer. I stopped awkwardly as I neared the fallen member of the pack. "Why did they—?"
"They wanted you to be here for this," Dace said.
Buka whined from behind him, subdued.
"They weren't sure you would come to the pond because of me, so they had me bring him to you," he said, his mouth turning down slightly. "Had it not been for that, they wouldn't have let me through to you tonight."
That phrase again. Wouldn't let him. Had he needed their permission then?
"Of course I would have come," I told Buka, pushing thoughts of Dace aside and glancing over my shoulder at her. "But why?"
"You cared for him when he needed you, even though you didn't know him. To them, that's the same as claiming him as a pack mate."
What about you? Do you have a favorite myth or legend?
I'll see you all in a bit to wrap up the day and announce the giveaway winner! Don't forget Fade is on sale now, and a portion of proceeds from sales are being donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the March of Dimes. 🙂
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