Contents
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Orka
Overview
Wounded Orka recuperates with Lif and Mord, who warn her Jarl Sigrún has arrived in Darl. Orka repairs her gear and traps Drekr’s burned informant, Skefil. Under torture he reveals Drekr has taken Tainted children north through Grimholt Pass and hints at Breca’s significance. Orka executes Skefil, confirming Sigrún’s presence in Eagle-Hall and Hakon’s secret role.
Summary
In a farm loft outside Darl, Lif stitches Orka’s wounds from her fight with Drekr while Mord keeps watch. They reveal they sold their boat and sought Orka after seeing Jarl Sigrún arrive in Darl, fearing she hunts them. Orka admits Drekr killed Thorkel and stole Breca, and she vows to kill Drekr’s crew.
During three days of recovery, Orka repairs her brynja and plans with Lif and Mord, despite doubting their readiness. They bait the burned man from the tavern, Mord leading him into an alley where Orka disables and binds him.
Orka tortures the captive, who begins to partially transform, revealing he is Tainted of Rotta. She breaks his defiance and learns his name—Skefil—and that Drekr left north toward the Grimholt Pass with more Tainted children. Skefil cannot confirm if Breca is among them, but repeats Drekr’s claim that Orka’s son “will change the world.”
Pressed further, Skefil confirms Jarl Sigrún is a guest in the Eagle-Hall and is hunting those who scarred her and slew Helka’s Úlfhéðnar, and that Hakon Helkasson is secretly involved with the Tainted children, likely without Queen Helka’s knowledge. After extracting all she can, Orka kills Skefil to prevent future plotting and steels herself for the pursuit north.
Who Appears
- OrkaWounded but relentless; repairs her gear, orchestrates an ambush, interrogates Skefil, learns Drekr’s route, and executes the informant.
- MordRescues Orka with Lif; scouts and helps subdue Skefil; questions Orka’s ruthlessness yet supports her plan.
- LifStitches Orka’s wounds; warns of Sigrún’s arrival; struggles with the brutality but remains committed.
- Skefil (the burned man)Drekr’s Tainted informant in Darl; reveals children are taken north via Grimholt; executed by Orka.
- DrekrAbsent antagonist; killed Thorkel, stole Breca; now riding north with Tainted children toward Grimholt Pass.
- Jarl SigrúnArrives in Darl; a guest in the Eagle-Hall; hunts Orka and her allies after being scarred.
- Hakon HelkassonSecretly involved with the Tainted children; likely acting without Queen Helka’s knowledge.
- Queen HelkaHosts Sigrún in the Eagle-Hall; apparently unaware of Hakon’s clandestine dealings.