Hedvig Birgersdóttir was always a strong woman; she always dreamt that she would one day follow in her father's footsteps and accompany him on a raid. For as long as she could remember, her father, Birger, would always come home from every raid he ever went on with the King, Ragnar, with outlandish tales about heroes and their great accomplishments. She always wanted to be the hero in her fathers tales. Hedvig loved to listen to her father and the way his silver tongue wove these fantastical tales of daring sword fights inspired her to train, day in, day out until she would one day become a well-respected shieldmaiden.

Her father supported her every step of the way, teaching her everything he knew; from fighting and weapons, to healing every cut, scrape, and illness she would encounter. Learning about the different plants and the ointments and tonics they made were integrated into her everyday routine.

She never gave up, training and training, until soon, she was the best and brightest among the young warriors and healers.

When King Ragnar announced their next raid upon Paris, she thought that it was her time, she would finally become the hero in her father's tales, only to be disappointed. Her father insisted she wasn't ready.

The wait for news from the raid seemed to take forever. When the raiding party finally returned home, the party had tales of success, but Hedvig's father did not return with them. Hedvig swore on the Gods that day, that she would kill every Christian she encountered to not only avenger her father, but to prove to herself, others, and her father, that she was a skilled warrior.

When Hedvig heard of the next planned raid upon Paris, she convinced the King to allow her to join them. Now all there was to do, was to wait. Her destiny would soon be fulfilled.