Chapter Twenty-Seven: Elvar

At dawn on Snaka’s skull, Elvar resolves her thoughts and descends with Grend toward the tavern. Hearing battle within, they rush in as attackers—Ilska’s Raven-Feeders—burst out carrying a limp burden. Elvar kills a Tainted blond warrior; Grend fells another. Inside, they find Thrud slain, Biórr grievously wounded, and several charred corpses around an unconscious Uspa, scorched by her seiðr.

Agnar and the Battle-Grim sweep the area, learning the raiders have fled toward the docks. They sprint to the harbour and arrive as a drakkar with raven-wing shields rows out. Ilska stands at the stern beside a hulking, wolf-pelted warrior. Agnar beats a vow on his shield, but Ilska sails free, leaving only a promise of feud.

Back at the tavern, Elvar tallies loot from the fallen and gifts Grend a silver arm ring in recognition of his friendship. As Kráka tends Biórr and Thrud’s body is shrouded, Uspa wakes and demands Bjarn. Elvar confirms the boy was taken, and Agnar explains he will not pursue a coinless chase across the seas.

Pressed on the raiders’ motive, Uspa says Bjarn was not their target; they wanted her. She bargains information for her son’s retrieval. When Agnar demands proof of worth, Uspa whispers a revelation Elvar overhears: she knows the way to Oskutreð, stunning Agnar and raising the stakes for all.