Chapter Thirteen: Varg

Varg staggers into Jarl Logur’s mead hall after a brutal day under Røkia, nearly collapsing before being seated at the least honored end of the benches. He meets Torvik, an eager scoutsmith-in-training, and eats his fill amid the Bloodsworn and Logur’s drengrs. Varg feels pride and guilt intermingled as he reflects on proving himself and the memory of Frøya.

As the feast swells, Logur presents the famed skáld Galinn, who sings a vivid saga of the gods’ war and the world’s remaking. The hall falls into rapt silence, Varg transported by the tale, until pounding at the doors breaks the spell.

Guards escort visitors inside: the merchant Sergei introduces Prince Jaromir of Iskidan with two druzhina. Jaromir declines hospitality, announcing he has come for a different purpose. Before he can state it fully, Glornir interrupts, declaring Jaromir cannot take Sulich, a Bloodsworn warrior.

Jaromir asserts Sulich’s grave crimes; Glornir counters that Bloodsworn oaths bind him to protect his crew. Tension spikes when a druzhina reaches for her blade, prompting the entire Bloodsworn to rise. Sergei intervenes, urging restraint, and Jaromir reins his guard in.

Jarl Logur insists on proof and witnesses, saying such a claim belongs before the Althing and affirming his friendship with Glornir. Jaromir offers promises of wealth to Liga but concedes the process, vowing to return on the morrow with evidence and witnesses to demand justice. He departs amid strained silence, leaving a looming legal and political confrontation.