Contents
Chapter Twenty-Six: Varg
Overview
The Bloodsworn celebrate surviving a brutal storm as Varg grows into the crew, training under Røkia and easing tensions with Einar. Skalk briefs them on a deadly mission: vaesen are consuming Queen Helka’s people near the Slågen and the Bonebacks. Skalk insults Vol, but Glornir defends her, setting firm lines of respect.
The company commits to hunting the creatures, escalating stakes for Varg and the Bloodsworn as they head inland.
Summary
The Sea-Wolf rows into a fjord after a devastating storm, and the Bloodsworn celebrate with an oar-dance. Varg joins, showing balance and agility until Einar Half-Troll causes him to fall. Ashore, Røkia forces a soaked Varg into spear-and-shield drills, emphasizing relentless practice under poor conditions. Varg improves but is repeatedly bested.
That night by the fires, Varg eats with Svik, Einar, and Torvik. Banter reveals Einar’s lingering grievance from their earlier brawl and Svik’s crafty win in the oar-dance. Svik warns Torvik not to speak of Skullsplitter’s drowning around Glornir, who still mourns his brother.
Glornir convenes the crew as Skalk, Queen Helka’s skáld and Galdurman, explains their mission: follow the River Slågen to the Boneback foothills where people have vanished and partial remains show they were eaten. With perhaps thirty dead and multiple attackers suspected—trolls, Huldra-folk, Vittor, or wights—the Bloodsworn are hired to stop the threat.
Vol questions how vaesen crossed the Bonebacks past the Grimholt. Skalk belittles her as a thrall, but Glornir insists on equal respect aboard his ship. After a tense standoff, Skalk yields and moves on, promising Helka’s silver as reward. Varg reflects on the looming hunt and the distance from his old life, caught between fear and excitement.
Who Appears
- VargBloodsworn recruit; oar-dances, trains with Røkia, bonds with crew, and contemplates the dangerous vaesen hunt.
- SkalkQueen Helka’s skáld and Galdurman; briefs the mission, insults Vol, clashes with Glornir, then relents.
- GlornirBloodsworn chief; steers through storm, announces mission, defends Vol’s honor, asserts command over Skalk.
- RøkiaRelentless trainer; drills Varg in shield and spear, stressing combat readiness in harsh conditions.
- SvikCunning Bloodsworn; wins the oar-dance, mediates banter, cautions about speaking of Skullsplitter.
- Einar Half-TrollMassive warrior; sabotages Varg in the oar-dance, maintains a prickly truce over shared food.
- VolSeiðr-witch; questions the vaesen incursion route, bears Skalk’s insult, defended by Glornir.
- TorvikYoung scout-smith; joins the oar-dance, shares campfire talk, probes the tale of Skullsplitter.
- OlvirHelka’s warrior; guards Skalk, stands tense during the confrontation with Glornir.
- YrsaHelka’s warrior; accompanies Skalk, ready to draw steel during the standoff.