Chapter 1 - Gammelnok remembers his childhood 

Up at the top pond, partly hidden in the tall reeds Gammelnok was surrounded by his audience.

A variety of animals had congregated around him, drinking from the pond, feeding or cleaning themselves.

Grey squirrels, a fox, a hedgehog and a cat where watched over by an owl in a nearby tree.

Gammelnok himself was lighting his pipe and getting ready to tell one of his many stories.

Tonight he would be telling them about his childhood and where he grew up so many years ago.

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In the far north of Norway, close to the Arctic Circle there was a very small fishing village called Moirana. Low stone houses crowded the small harbour and it was in one of these ancient dwellings that I was born, said Gammelnok.

My parents were normal folks, poor but kind and they took care of me even though I was very small and over time did not grow taller than I am now. 

Then, early one winters morning, disaster struck.

A longboat filled with wild looking Norsemen came slowly up our fjord. The villagers ran to their houses and slammed their doors. My parents grabbed me and carried me into our only room where I was put in a dark corner.

My mother, frantic to protect me whispered in my ear: 'Here my little Gammelnok, take this haversack. Inside there is a Chameleon Cloth. Put it over your head and cover yourself with it. It will make you blend in with your surroundings. And remember, whenever you need something desperately, it will be in the Haversack. Use it wisely and guard it with your life. Good luck my son. Maybe you will be safe and live a long eventful life'.

Then the door burst open and the wild Norsemen started killing everyone in sight, ransacking what little possessions we had. Had it not been for the Chameleon Cloth, I would have been killed as well.

After the Norsemen left, I stayed under the cloth for a long time. When I was sure I was alone and the village was quiet, I ventured out into the pale winter sunshine. Everyone was dead and smoke drifted from destroyed cottages.

I could not stay here and decided that my best option was to head north, away from the fjord and potential dangers.

So, grabbing what food I could find and slinging my new Haversack over my shoulder, I headed north, hoping to cross The Arctic Circle in a few days time.