This a tale set in the far north, of a Norse trader who goes seeking horses to bring back to Iceland. It is the ninth century.

Evyind of Eri’s saga tells of his travels through Eastern Europe to the plains of Central Asia seeking horses to bring back to his homeland where there are none. Tolmie takes us on a wonderful journey through lands and peoples, as Evyind  travels with others, crossing paths with various traders until he finally reaches the plains once run over by Mongols and where hardy horses abound.

Tolmie, a professor of English as well as a medievalist uses the ancient names of people and places. The Itil river (now known as the  Volga) is a major highway for trade and leads Evyind to the horsemen with whom he will trade felted wool for a herd of horses that Evyind can hope will survive the long journey back to Iceland, including the long sea voyage at the end.

While he negotiates, he notices among the herds a single white mare that shifts in and out of view. Literally now you see her: now you don’t. The herdsmen do not see her, yet Evyind finds her dozing at his tent.

She becomes the guiding light of Evyind’s herd as they make the perilous trek back north. She is the one that makes sure the herd does not flounder and finds the safest route through weather and terrain.

This tale takes us, albeit briefly, through a time little of us know about. We do not cross through any cities, just the edges of conflicts and small villages. I enjoyed this short window into the ninth century and the fascinating saga of how Iceland got their horses with the leadership of a magical white mare. ~~ Sue Martin

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