Contents
Chapter Twenty-One: Elvar
Overview
Elvar and the Battle-Grim reach Snakavik and present the captured Berserkir, Berak, to Jarl Störr. Silrið verifies his blood with the awakened giant head Hrung, and Störr agrees to buy him. As payment is arranged, Hrung senses Elvar and forces her to reveal herself—declaring Störr her father, upending loyalties.
Summary
The Battle-Grim row into mist-wreathed Snakavik, the fortress and town built within Snaka’s colossal skull. Elvar returns uneasily to her birthplace alongside Grend, Uspa, Bjarn, Kráka, and the Hundur-thrall, while Agnar handles mooring and dues with vigilant officials under Jarl Störr’s rule.
The crew climbs through the dim, torch-lit town toward the fortress. On the way, Raven-Feeder warriors taunt Elvar, but she deflects them and moves on. After multiple checkpoints, they ascend the skull’s spine to the windswept crown and enter the stronghold, passing the hird and forges to Störr’s mead hall.
Inside, Jarl Störr presides amid his formidable, collared Berserkir. Agnar presents Berak as Tainted, wanted for blood-debts, offering him to Störr first. Störr demands proof. His kinswoman Silrið draws Berak’s blood and awakens the giant head Hrung, who tastes the blood and confirms Berser lineage.
Störr orders Berak taken and promises Agnar an exceptional price, securing Agnar’s continued trade in Tainted. As Silrið leads Berak away under Berserkir guard, Agnar turns to leave with his party, satisfied with the sale.
Hrung abruptly halts them, sniffing the air and naming Elvar. Confronted, Elvar lowers her hood and addresses Jarl Störr as “Father,” exposing her hidden parentage before the hall and shifting the balance between personal loyalty and profit.
Who Appears
- ElvarBattle-Grim warrior returning to Snakavik; ultimately revealed as Jarl Störr’s daughter.
- Jarl StörrRuler of Snakavik; collector of Berserkir; buys Berak; unknowingly hosts his daughter.
- Agnar BrokssonChief of the Battle-Grim; negotiates and sells Berak to Jarl Störr for a high price.
- SilriðStörr’s kinswoman and seiðr-practitioner; takes Berak’s blood and awakens Hrung.
- HrungAwakened giant head; confirms Berak’s Berser blood; identifies Elvar in the hall.
- Berak BjornassonCaptured Berserkir; blood-tested and sold into Störr’s service; subdued to protect family.
- SighvatBattle-Grim warrior guarding Berak’s chain; escorts him to Störr’s hall.
- GrendVeteran warrior; returns to former home with Elvar; ready to confront provocation.
- ThrudBattle-Grim, limping from an old wound; sent to find lodging for the crew.
- BiórrBattle-Grim warrior helping manage prisoners and lodging arrangements.
- UspaSeiðr-witch; reassures Bjarn on approach to Snakavik’s skull-harbor.
- BjarnBerak’s son; anxious at the sight of Snaka’s colossal skull.
- KrákaTainted seiðr-witch accompanying Agnar to the fortress audience.
- Hundur-thrallScent-tracker whose tracking helped confirm Berak’s identity.
- HuldBattle-Grim warrior present as escort in Störr’s hall.
- SólínBattle-Grim warrior present with the red shield of their crew.
- Raven-Feeder warriorTaunts Elvar outside a tavern; minor tension with Grend.