The Valor of Cappen Varra

Cappen Varra, a red-haired minstrel from golden Croy, came north to sing for the barbarians of Norren and has regretted it ever since. Now he is freezing on King Svearek's ice-crusted longship in a winter storm when a fire glimmers on a lonely island. Trolls live there. Three years ago a troll-wife carried off the king's daughter, Hildigund.

The housecarls are too frightened to go ashore, so they shove the little southerner into a boat and send him to fetch the flame. Armed with a slim sword, a damp harp, some silver and a very quick tongue, Cappen walks into the troll's cave, where the monster is setting up a roasting spit and the captive princess is tending the fire.