"All her life, Fryda has longed to be a shield maiden, an honor reserved for Geatland's mightiest warriors. When an accident leaves her tragically injured and unfit for the battlefield, her dreams are dashed--or so she thinks. But a strange, unfathomable power is awakeningwithin her, a power that will soon be put to the test. For whenforeign lords and chieftans descend upon Fryda's home to celebrate her uncle King Beowulf's fifty-year reign, she realizes not all their guests come with good intentions. Treachery is afoot, and Fryda must gather her courage to fight like other people... as a queen should--as a shield maiden would--and as only Fryda can. But as Fryda's power grows stronger, something ancient hears its call. For buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon awakens... and Fryda must prove herself once and for all."--]cProvided by publisher.