Chapter Thirty-Five: Orka

Before dawn, Orka slips into The Dead Drengr. She clears the loft to secure her back and finds a small wooden sword pendant—Breca’s—proving he was recently there. She hardens her resolve to become the “current” rather than its victim and prepares to face those responsible.

In the tavern, Orka identifies Drekr and a hooded noble who proves to be Hakon. She swiftly kills a female guard, wounds Hakon’s protector, and triggers a general brawl. Amid knives and axes, she crashes through furniture and a window, dragging Drekr into the street as onlookers gather, betting and cheering.

Orka and Drekr circle and trade brutal flurries. Drekr’s power and skill cut her weapon away, and he chokes Orka with his axe haft, taunting that her son “will change the world.” Visions of Thorkel and Breca spark a cold, primal surge; Orka breaks his grip, injures his hand and thigh, and re-arms herself, determined to carve the truth from him.

City drengrs march in, Hakon slips away, and Drekr’s crew closes around Orka. As the ring tightens, Lif charges through on horseback with Mord, shattering the line. They haul Orka up and ride off down an alley. Drekr salutes—a promise of future reckoning—while the guards flood the street behind them.