Chapter Five: Elvar

Elvar rows with the Battle-Grim as their drakkar, Wave-Jarl, reaches Iskalt Island through sleet and icy seas. Agnar readies the warband, while Kráka chants to ward sea vaesen. They beach at a small village; Elvar arms herself and joins the landing party with Grend and Sighvat, who holds their chained Hundur-thrall.

On the shingle, Agnar announces they hunt Berak, traveling with a woman and child, and offers coin or death. Jarl Hrut denies knowledge. Elvar notices a girl slip away toward the huts, and Agnar orders Elvar to follow. Agnar then draws and slashes Hrut, sparking a melee as villagers attack and arrows fly.

Elvar and Grend flank the fray. Elvar drops an archer, then fends off a spearmaiden whom Grend kills with his axe. They push into the huts, tracking the runner. Inside a small home, they find a lit fire and food but no people—only a low escape hole in the back wall leading toward the treeline.

Sighvat arrives with the Hundur-thrall, who sniffs the space and confirms the scent from a blood-crusted rag. Agnar enters, sword red, and hears the report. Grend indicates tracks toward the shadowed woods beneath the fire-veined mountain. Agnar orders immediate pursuit, driving the hunt off the beach and into the island’s interior.