Prologue
Welcome to Skalanes
Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, the mid-sized city of Skalanes was founded by visionary settlers from Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. Today, Skalanes honors its rich Scandinavian heritage while thriving as a modern city full of culture, community, and opportunity.
Skalanes is home to two distinguished high schools: the top-ranked public Skalanes High School, home of the Vikings, and the prestigious private academy Halstrom Hall. Arlington University is known for its academic breadth and a nationally recognized rugby program.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Lexington Park is the jewel of the city—scenic walking paths, sports courts, and ample green space. The Skalanes Public Library is a vibrant cultural hub. Culture thrives at the Skalanes Norse Cultural Institute, a world-renowned museum housed in a landmark building.
From unique boutiques to the Arcana Cabana Bookstore on 17th Street (specializing in romance and fantasy), casual charm at Berserker Burgers, expertly brewed coffee at Kaffi Fikka, and the health-conscious Nectar of the Gods juice bar—there is something for every taste.
Whether you are visiting for a week or planning a lifetime, Skalanes invites you to stay awhile, and discover why Skalanes is a place unlike any other.
Produced by Slate & Arrow • Skalanes Chamber of Commerce
All across the city of Skalanes, television sets were tuned to the local cable access programming. Celine Mecham, the owner of the Arcana Cabana, had bought a block of advertising to be aired during the evening hours. Her ads are for the latest books written by the hottest new romantasy novelist C. Arcane. The ads have all the hallmarks of local cable advertisements. They are always a significant downgrade from the slick national ads you see during sporting events and prime time programming. Used cars, local bars, coffee shops, and bail bondsman all do their best to get you to come to their locale and spend your money on their goods and services. A cheesy jingle, a man pointing a finger into the camera, trying to get you to buy his junk cars. An advertisement for a specialty bookstore local to the area airs, and it is more of the same, bordering on goofy.
A television set flickers in a darkened hotel room. A man sits in a chair before the television set. He isn't watching it, but existing in the glow of the screen. Just sitting, holding a bronze blade in his hands, and waiting for something to set him into motion. The program breaks and goes to a commercial.
Now the man is paying attention. A beautiful dark-skinned woman with sapphire blue eyes is looking right into his soul. She smiles, and her white, even teeth seem almost feline. Her dark, thick hair is styled perfectly, cascading around her shoulders. She is wearing a gorgeous kaftan dress of turquoise print. Her name is Celine, and she owns the local bookstore Arcana Cabana on 17th Street in Skalanes City.
"Darlings," she purrs into the camera, "You absolutely cannot miss the latest installment of the hottest new romantasy series, The Vampire Vikings of Valhalla. Currently, books one through four are on sale now in a beautifully packaged box set, and the final fifth book will be out later this spring."
She gestures to a table laden with boxes of books and turns again to face the camera. She steps back in front of the table of books and picks up one of the books. She fans herself with it. "It's gonna be hot, Kittens." She smiles and turns away from the camera, swaying to her own music.
The television snaps off, and the man sitting there chuckles. "Oh, yes. It is going to be hot, alright, Celine. Hot!"
Meanwhile,
A television set flickers in the Skalanes City Police Department holding cell. A man sits on the hard bench within that cell. His designer suit looks rumpled and in need of the cleaners. The formerly crisp white dress shirt smells of expensive champagne and beer. His silk brocade tie is half knotted and loose around his neck. He looks tired and drunk. With messy hair and missing a shoe, the man isn't paying any attention to the television. He is just sitting and waiting. His hands are clasped in his lap, and he is waiting to be set into motion.
The program ends on the local cable access channel. Another ad begins, the same woman hawking a different novel, by the same author. "Darlings, come by and pick up Mystic Masquerade, the standalone book about the fae realm that will leave you breathless." The man looks up from his lap and watches as the older woman motions for the camera to follow her into her store. The campy jingle that accompanies all of her ads plays, and the screen darkens.
"Your attorney is here; you've made bail." One of Skalanes City PD's finest yells to the man in the holding cell.
The man in the expensive clothes with one shoe stands and walks to the entrance of the cell, waiting to be let out. The jingle to the bookstore is playing in his head. He smiles at the officer. "Thanks, Sir. I hope I don't darken your doorstep again." The officer nods and opens the cell door. The man steps out and follows the officer into the main precinct and walks up to the waiting attorney.
And across town…
The television set at Jan's tavern flickers, and the tired patrons of the friendly blue-collar haunt are all nursing their beers. Two men are laughing about the scene caused earlier by the drunken prat who tossed a stool and got arrested for being a total dick.
They settle into the quiet moment after a good laugh, as the advertisements start to play. The bar is too noisy to hear, but the closed captions on the television tell the story of Celine and her bookstore, Arcana Cabana. The same woman with yet another ad, this time the completed series about werewolves, Pack Mentality. The two men watch as a gorgeous older woman sashays across the screen and describes the book.
The two finish their beer and argue over who is picking up the tab. The bartender pushes their money back and thanks them for their help. She reaches over and snaps off the television set and rings the bell signifying that the tavern is closing and everyone needs to close their tabs and finish their drinks.
The two men walk out of the tavern and into the cool spring evening. All of Skalanes is resting, because tomorrow the city will rise again and begin moving with purpose and direction. All the pieces have been wound and set down, like a child's cherished wind-up toy, ready to spring into motion. Tomorrow, a new day begins like any novel, with hope and promise, so turn the page and begin.