The Wandering Scribe January 2025 Edition
Well, here we are, ladies and gentlemen, with the first newsletter for 2025. I am so excited to share all the new and familiar faces this month, from first-time authors and historians to the torture of a familiar face. In addition, 2025 marks three years now, being on YouTube and creating the Wandering Scribe Channel. I am so very excited for this year.
January Historian
Guest Lineup
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Short story of the month: The Wolf of the North
January Historian: Phil Mathew
For this month, Phil Mathew makes a return to the channel. For those who remember, Professor Phil Mathew was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He holds a graduate degree in World History from Norwich University in Vermont and teaches history at Joliet Junior College. Professor Mathew’s areas of interest include Greek religion, Classical Greece, Greek and Roman Warfare, Philip II and Alexander the Great, The Hellenistic World, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. His graduate school capstone focused on using Military Intelligence in Julius Caesar's army during the Gallic War. Ancient military intelligence has often been overlooked, and he hopes to contribute to this topic extensively. Professor Mathew is committed to furthering his knowledge of history and staying on the forefront with the latest scholarship in ancient history. He is a member of the Association of Ancient Historians, the Society for Classical Studies, and The Society for the Study of the Crusades and the Latin East. When not researching history, he is very active. He loves spending time with friends and family, running, swimming, golfing, lifting weights, and traveling. Among his travels in Europe, he has been to Rome and Greece, exploring many ancient sites and doing research. His return will be the 28th.
Guest Line Up
My first Guest is Historian Keith Pakela . He is a Historian. Adjunct professor. Political scientist. Strategist. Journalist. Former podcaster. Sports fan. Father and husband. This will be Keith's first time on the show, but it's coming long. His debut will be on the 6th.
My next Guest is author, neurodivergent writer, and editor Erin Wedemeyer. She has been writing fantasy since the seventh grade and self-published her first novel at 17 through a senior program at my high school. She recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English with minors in Creative Writing and Spanish. She discovered her love of editing in college, having worked with her literary journals, Miracle Monocle and The White Squirrel. Since then, she hasn't stopped fervently jotting down outlines or writing in her (limited) free time. Her ultimate goal is to become a full-time author, but because this is a difficult feat, she is working a part-time job while striving for that goal. Her biggest writing hopes are to influence other young adults to write and publish and to have a bestseller fantasy novel. Her debut will be on the 8th.
Also that week is author Kay Hanifen. Kay Hanifen was born on Friday the 13th and lived in a haunted castle for three months. So, she had to become a horror writer. Her work has appeared in over forty anthologies and magazines. When she’s not consuming pop culture with the voraciousness of a vampire at a 24-hour blood bank, you can usually find her with her black cats on social media. In 2024, she was the project manager for Till the Yule Log Burns Out, working as an editor while also writing the book’s wraparound. Her debut will be on the 10th.
Author Tatum Carrington will also be present on that day. At the age of 12, she began writing the story of Insolo, though her family says her journey in storytelling started long before that. She has spent close to five years writing the story of Eclipsis. The pages of my book reflect pieces of my soul, and I’m thrilled to soon share this with all of you. Creative writing and reading have always been a passion of hers. She's a fantasy and romance enthusiast with a long list of fictional boyfriends she'll never be able to choose between. (Just kidding, Xaden). She's also the proud owner of a dog and four rescued cats, all with book character names and a rapidly increasing number of fish. (Don’t get guppies, guys). She spends much of her time outside, with pen and paper, and with her friends.
My next author is Erica Rue. Erica captivates readers with fast-paced, sci-fi adventures filled with puzzles, mythology, and romance. Her female-led stories explore curiosity, self-discovery, and connection with others. In addition, she earned her BA in Classics from the University of Virginia with a concentration in Ancient Greek. Then, she got her MA in Teaching, specifically Latin Education. So, not only does she love language (she is a writer, after all), she loves dead languages. As a Latin teacher, she considers herself a linguistic necromancer. In her decade of teaching, she got to share her love of Latin and language and literary devices. If she had to choose a favorite literary device, it’s a tie between metonymy and zeugma. Now, Erica is focused on her family and writing. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two kids, and dog (His name is Mulder, as in Special Agent Dog Mulder, for the X-Files fans out there). She enjoys gardening, reading, rock climbing (indoor, mostly bouldering), cooking, and baking when not writing. Her debut will be the 14th.
Toward the end of the month, we have author and graphics designer Ciara Hartford. A Fantasy writer by night and a graphic designer by day; if she’s not writing or “rating,” she’s usually reading or harassing her husband and daughter. She’s working on book two of The Sundering of Rhend, a Romantic High Fantasy trilogy that starts with her debut novel, The House of Starling. Her debut will be the 22nd.
Also, that week, we have Author Deanne Dietz. Writing has always been a hobby for Author D.E. Dietz. However, it was a dream that was often scolded. She was born in California but lived mainly in Ohio and North Dakota. She pursued a career as a nurse because working in medicine would be the closest way to becoming a hero, much like the comics she read as a child. Afterward, she became a travel nurse and overcame much trauma by working with her therapist to weave her trauma throughout her adult novels delicately. So please... don't be an ass. Since turning their passion into a profession, Author D.E. Dietz has written prolifically and constantly explores new genres and ideas. It’s incredibly hard work but profoundly rewarding when others connect to her characters, for they are a piece of her. Dietz has created children's books, self-help/memoirs, medical journals, and adult fictional novels. During her free time, she enjoys her husband and two mastiffs, practices Budo Taijutsu, and runs Spartan races. Currently, she is still a nurse caring for others. Her debut will be the 24th.
For the final week of the month, we have Author J.E. Larson. “Alaska Grown,” with a passion for creating worlds, is handy when one lives in a uniquely beautiful place such as her home state. She started writing in middle school with a good old-fashioned pencil and paper, jotting down ideas for characters, adventures, and different worlds. In her thirties, with the encouragement of her husband, she began writing ... and writing ... until she finally created her first trilogy. (Yet to be published)
After the birth of our two daughters and work, she finally had to find quiet 5 a.m. mornings and secluded nights after bedtime to express her ideas. Her greatest wish was to write her stories and have others read and enjoy them. Her debut will be on the 26th.
Finally, my final author for the month is E.M. Stewart. She is a burnt-out, gifted child who hates talking about herself. She lives in Georgia with her husband, three cats, plus or minus five fish. Her debut will be the 30th.
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Short Story of the Month: The Wolf of The North
As a unique addition going forward into the new year, I will include a monthly short story for each edition. If you have a short story and want it featured in a future issue, please feel free to comment down below or DM me.
In the medieval age, the Vikings were known by their enemies as ruthless raiders who pillaged and plundered all along the Frankish and Anglo-Saxon coasts. They were unrelenting in their conquests, with some establishing realms. Yet, as time changed, the Viking way of life changed, too. They became more like their neighbors, the ones they raided years ago. They became traders, forgo their pagan rituals, and put aside the berserkers they once were. However, only some people remembered. To the south, the Byzantine rulers heard stories from merchants detailing the exploits of famous Vikings like Harlad Haldrada and Brjon Ironside. Impressed by these tales, The Byzantines wished to offer any Northman a place in their court as a Varangian, the elite bodyguard of the king and queen. Soon, a tournament was established to select the very best of the Northman to join the emperor's court. Since then, countless Northerners, men, and women have joined the call and fought for the position. Thus, our story begins in Constantinople on the eve of this year's tournament, following one such Northman.
Constantinople
The city was alive with the hustle and bustle of people making their way to the area. Everyone wanted to see this year's competitors. The emperor allowed young Viking men and women to partake in the games for the first time. All young braves, wishing to prove themselves, flocked in massive droves. All had their reasons to join. Some wanted glory, others riches. Some even wanted to begin their tales. However, one, in particular, had an altogether different reason. Hailing from the frozen North from a small clan was a young man no older than fifteen winters. He had silver hair, deep blue eyes, and was very skinny but still muscular. His skin was pale, with many calling him a Draughr or undead. He paid no mine to their jabs. His sole focus was on the tournament. Wearing no armor and carrying no weapons except for two small knives, the other competitors made the young man a social outcast. He did not care. His sole focus was on winning the tournament.
Underneath the area, the competitors trained for the fight to come. While everyone practiced with their weapons, the outcast did the opposite. In a corner on the far side of the room, he prayed.
"Odin, creator of all that's good, please grant me your audience. Lead me so I might slay my enemies. I ask this of you with absolute devotion, o mighty one. Empower me with your sacred light," he said softly.
"Praying again, Ulfbjorn?" said a voice from behind. The young man turned around and saw a female Viking no older than him. He smiled at her.
"Hello, Ranveig," he said to her. Ranveig Nikolasdottir also came from a small clan like him. Yet her clan was already revered among the Northerns. Her clan was a clan of berserkers, elite Viking warriors who wore the skins of bears into battle and fought without fear. While many in the clan were males, she was the first female berserker and wished to make a name for herself in the emperor's court.
"I see you are not training, as usual," she told him. He let out a soft chuckle and got up from the dirt floor.
"You have your ways of winning. I have mine," he replied. Dusting himself off, the pair conversed with each other until the announcers called for them. Rushing over to meet the others, they listen to the official instructions for the tournament.
"Each of you will be called individually to face the emperor's challenge. Each one is unique. Some of you may fight waves of enemies or some of the elite Byzantine guards. Others may fight wild beasts. The possibilities are endless," said the announcer.
"How will we know if we have gained the emperor's favor?" asked Ranveig. The announcer explained that the emperor would watch for technique, skills, character, and overall performance. If one should succeed in all categories, the emperor will make a decree.
Once the rules were established, everyone patiently waited for their turn. After taking a seat, Ulfbjorn and Ranveig continued their conversation.
"You know, I never asked you why you entered the tournament. You don't seem the type of person who would join," asked Ranveig.
"My reasons are ... different than others. Glory does not drive me, nor do the promises of riches," stated Ulfbjorn.
"Then what?" she asked. He then let out a sigh.
"Where I come from, we are assigned at birth a date of which we must become men. Upon reaching this date, men in the clan must undergo a ritual of sorts to unlock their inner beast. These beasts are the protectors of the clan."
"So this is why you came to the tournament? To awaken this beast?" she asked. Ulborn nodded his head.
"Indeed. When I was born, I was small and feeble. Many believed I would die, but the gods seemed fit to let me live. However, they played a curse on me, making it impossible to awaken my beast. Without it, I can never go back home with honor," he said. Ranveuig was intrigued by this. She had heard of such rituals within her Berserker clan, yet to learn of another following the same customs was rare.
"Tell me, what clan do you come from?" she asked. Before he could respond, the announcer called her name.
"Seems we'll have to continue this later," she said. Grabbing her ax and shield, she followed the announcer up to the stage of the area. Back down below, Ulfbjorn could hear the crowd's muffled sounds and the emperor's voice. He then heard Ranveig's loud war cry, which excited the crowd. He smiled at the thought of her battling a horde of enemies. After that comforting thought, Ulfbjron closed his eyes and waited for the end. Hours passed, and suddenly, he heard the sound of the area door opening again. He looked from his seat and saw the announcer and two guards carrying something in white. Ulfbrjon needed clarification.
"Where's Ranveig?" he asked. The announcer ignored his question and asked the guards to leave the body there. He then turned to face Ulfbjorn and told him it was his time. Ulfbjorn needed clarification. He still needed his answer.
"Where. Is. Ranveig?" he said louder. The announcer groaned and asked the guards to remove the white cloth. Untying the not at the top, the guard loosened the folds to reveal a beaten and bloodied Ranveig. Her face was blue and purple. Her armor was torn to shreds, and parts of her body were missing. Ulfbjorn was at a loss for words. What could have done this?
"We must go," said the announcer. Ulfbjorn clenched his fists, hardened his heart, and glanced at the man. With a firm nod, he followed him up to the arena. When he reached the very top, he was greeted by a thundering wave of cheers and applause. Ulfbrjon could care less about them. For now, his goal had turned from personal gain to revenge. As he made his way to the center of the sage, he turned and faced the emperor. The young Viking stood and waited as the emperor made the same remarks he had done previously. When he was finished, he turned his attention to the young Viking.
"Northerner, what is your name?" asked the emperor.
"Ulfbjorn Vargson," he said aloud. His name was somewhat unusual, even for a Northerner. Nonetheless, the emperor applauded him for coming to the tournament. As the emperor continued rambling, Ulfbjorn ignored him and thought about what demon he would face. Just then, the emperor made the announcement.
"Citizens of Constantinople, today you have seen many brave men and women fight for the chance to serve your emperor's court. Yet none have succeeded. Will this young man be the first to change that?′ he asked aloud. The crowd's response was mixed at best.
"Then, let us begin. Brave Ulfbjorn, I present to you your opponent, Cacus, the fire-breathing Giant," said the emperor. Turning around, Ulfbrjon saw a massive gate behind him opening. Once fully opened, the ground began to shake with each step. Then, emerging from the darkness was a being one would say was a child of a giant. His features were large and broad, and his arms and legs resembled tree trunks. In his hand was a massive metal club with spikes all around it. The Gaint roared at him, showing a row of blunt teeth. This would make any average person fearful. However, Ulfbjorn was different from most people. Unsheathing his knives, he charged directly at full speed. As the Giant swung down to strike him, the young boy evaded and slashed at the Giant's heels. The blades cut into the skin but not deep enough to do actual harm. He then tried attacking the Giant's unprotected legs. However, he opened himself for an attack as the Giant grabbed the small boy and threw him several feet across the area floor. The young Viking landed hard on the ground, coughing up blood. He gritted his teeth and pulled himself up. His body screamed in pain, but he could not back down.
This time, it was the Giant's turn to charge at him like a raging bull. The young Viking moved aside at the last second, narrowly avoiding the Giant's massive foot. Breathing hard, he jumped onto the trunk-like leg and climbed up. Cacus grunted as they tried reaching for the boy. Ulfbjorn reached the top of Cacus's head and furiously stabbed directly into the Giant's head. However, he encountered the same problem: the skull was too thick for the blades to penetrate. Suddenly, a massive hand reached above and grabbed the young boy. Then Cacus began to squeeze Ulfbjorn, crushing the small boy.
Ulfbjorn screamed in pain as his bones broke in the Giant's hand. Cacus let out a deep laugh, feeling victorious once more. At first, the emperor and the audience believed another Northman would fall to the Giant, but something suddenly changed—something no one could predict. Ulfbjorn's scream turned into a roar of his own. The young Viking's appearance began to change in front of everyone. His pale complexion turned a ghost white, and his silver hair had turned black as soot. But that was not even the most shocking part. His face also began to change from a man to that of a beast. More specifically, a wolf. Black rings formed around the outside of his eyes, and his teeth began showing a mouthful of fangs. Stunned, Cacus dropped the child and saw the boy's complete transformation unfold. Ulfbjorn got on all fours as his body further changed. His legs became wolf-like, and a thick fur coat was down his back. His hands turned into claws, each tip with a razor-sharp digit. Foam began oozing from the side of his mouth. No one in the crowd said a word. All were stunned and horrified.
Once his transformation had finished, Ulfbjorn turned his gaze back onto the giant Cacus. He let out a growl and then leaped into the air, mouth open and teeth exposed. Before the Giant could react, Ulfbjorn lunged on the Giant's neck and chomped down on his throat. Cacus gurgled and tried to pull the young Viking off him. However, Ulfbjorn's bite was too strong. He then dug his claws into the throat, puncturing the skin and drawing blood. Cacus was now scared. He then tried hitting the Northman with his club, but the blows did not deter him even as he struck him. Suddenly, Ulfbrjon tore a massive chunk out of the Giant's neck, with more blood gushing out of him. Cacus stumbled for a moment before collapsing onto the ground. His body fell with such power it shook the very area. With the Gaint gasping for his last few breaths, Ulfbjron went for the kill. Using one of his claws, he slashed open the jugular vein, causing even more blood to spill out. Struggling to breathe, Cacus made one vain attempt to gram the Viking, but Gaint went limp and lay dead on the ground before he could. His red blood stained the yellow sand. With the battle over, all was quiet. No one could believe what had just transpired before them. Not even the emperor himself could make sense of it all. As for Ulfbjorn, he did not care what came next. For him, he had accomplished his goal. He had awakened his beast and became a man. No longer was he Ulfbjorn Vargson, the tiny. He was Ulfbjron Vargson—a werewolf of the North.
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