Contents
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Varg
Overview
While the Bloodsworn camp without fire during Sólstöður, tensions flare over mutilated bodies marked with a rune meaning “forbidden ground.” Skalk demonstrates Galdur, contrasts it with Seiðr, and explains Ulfrir’s chain and thrall-collars. He needles Sulich over a murder charge, but Glornir cools the standoff. Torvik vows to help Varg avenge Frøya, deepening Varg’s ties to the Bloodsworn.
Summary
During Sólstöður’s dim light, Varg broods in a pine glade as the Bloodsworn keep a cold camp to avoid discovery. Troubled by skinned bodies they found hung in the trees, Varg clutches a pouch holding Frøya’s hair. Torvik joins him and, after Varg reveals the lock, promises to help track and kill Frøya’s murderers when the akáll reveals them, giving Varg unexpected solidarity.
Conversation turns to the corpses and a rune carved into fallen drengrs. Skalk names it “Bannað jörð”—forbidden ground—and presses Vol for meaning. To assert his authority, Skalk kindles a flame in his palm, prompting Glornir to order it out. Vol senses they tread Snaka’s bones—sacred to the Tainted—though the warning rune implies danger, not reverence.
Varg asks the difference between Galdur and Seiðr. Skalk delivers a harsh distinction: learned, honorable Galdur versus inborn, cursed Seiðr. He recounts Ulfrir’s rune-wrought chain, shattered at the gods-fall, whose remnants forged thrall-collars that bind Tainted and Berserkir through Galdur-words—collars like the one controlling Vol. Glornir confirms this control.
Sulich challenges the prejudice, arguing deeds should judge a person. Skalk counters by invoking Prince Jaromir’s charge that Sulich is a murderer. Steel nearly clears sheaths as Olvir and Yrsa brace for violence, but Glornir’s command defuses the moment and Sulich withdraws, tense silence settling over the camp.
As watch changes and Svik returns, the Bloodsworn remain uneasy—haunted by the rune’s warning, divided over magic and blame. Varg, however, finds a fragile hope in Torvik’s oath, even as he weighs leaving the Bloodsworn to pursue the akáll for Frøya.
Who Appears
- VargBloodsworn recruit; reveals his sister Frøya’s hair and resolves to seek an akáll for her killers.
- TorvikYoung Bloodsworn who pledges to help Varg track and kill Frøya’s murderers.
- SkalkGaldurman; identifies the ‘forbidden ground’ rune, demonstrates fire magic, explains Ulfrir’s chain, accuses Sulich.
- GlornirBloodsworn chief; enforces no-fire rule, confirms collar commands, calms the confrontation.
- VolTainted warrior; senses Snaka’s bones beneath, contests Skalk’s disdain for Seiðr.
- SulichShaven-headed warrior; denies Skalk’s claim he is a murderer, stands down at Glornir’s order.
- Einar Half-TrollHungry, grumbling drengr; wants a fire but accepts Glornir’s order.
- YrsaBloodsworn; backs Skalk’s lore, readies for a fight when Sulich confronts him.
- OlvirBloodsworn; strained by the killings, supports Skalk during the standoff with Sulich.
- SvikScout on watch; returns to the tense camp at chapter’s end.