Tova Njalsdottir grew up in a large inland Norwegian village that was often visited by traders and skalds. Hearing stories of faraway lands and seeing the goods that came through her village as she grew up inspired her to want to journey and become a skald herself, spreading stories and legends to all who would hear her. Her father, however, had other plans- he wished to marry her off to a man from a neighboring village- a man known to be cruel and unkind. Where most fathers would at least consult their daughters about a potential marriage and hear their dissatisfaction, Tova’s father would not hear it and planned for the wedding to go forward- so Tova ran away. Fleeing her village with scant few possessions, she began to earn a living repeating stories she had heard in her youth. Though she enjoyed it, she was always on the move, always keeping an eye behind her for those who might be searching for her. In her travels, she heard tale of the Vollan clan, fierce fighters who might welcome and protect a lone traveler looking for community, and set off to find them.