Chapter Forty-Six: Orka

Orka reins in at the Boneback foothills, gauging the terrain and the cold as she watches the River Drammur below. She notes Guðvarr’s pursuit by land from nightly smoke columns and suspects riverboats shadow them as well. The detours to avoid villages have cost time, and Orka fears Drekr is pulling ahead toward the Grimholt, where she hopes to intercept him.

In a pine glade they find a shattered oath stone, newly carved with a sinuous, winged dragon symbol smeared in dried blood. A giant eagle hangs above, throat cut, its blood used on the carving. Orka identifies the sign as worship of Lik‑Rifa, the caged dragon, a troubling omen aligning with the rise of dragon‑born rumors.

Orka drills Mord and Lif in close-quarters sparring with wool-wrapped blades, forcing them to rely on reflex and positioning. Lif shows calm and improvement; Mord’s impatience leaves openings. She ends the session, stressing that repetition will replace thought with instinct and that they must not hesitate.

As twilight settles, they eat provisions bartered from a farmer. Orka’s back wound is healing, though stiff, and exhaustion presses on her while thoughts of Breca and vengeance churn. She steels herself: answers and her son’s rescue come before revenge, though she craves Drekr’s death.

They discuss plans: reach the Grimholt within two days, then choose whether to move on or make a stand against Guðvarr. Orka teaches tactics against mailed drengrs—use speed, angle off lines, slip inside shields, hook rims, and strike unarmored targets at throat or high inner thigh. She warns that light armor cuts both ways: they must be faster and decisive. When asked how she will kill Drekr, Orka answers, “Slowly.”