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Praise for The Saga of the Unfated ‘Captivating and sexy.’

ELISE KOVA, USA Today bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King ‘A brutally sexy world filled with magic, prophecies, and Norse lore that will keep you flipping the pages well into the night.’

OLIVIA WILDENSTEIN, USA Today bestselling author of House of Beating Wings ‘This is Danielle L. Jensen at her best: a delicious and completely unputdownable fantasy!’

KATEE ROBERT, New York Times bestselling author of Neon Gods ‘Your newest fantasy obsession.’

KERRI MANISCALCO, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Throne of the Fallen ‘Danielle’s dark fantasy world is woven together with rich history and lore, and the angst between the two main characters kept me on the edge of my seat.’

RAVEN KENNEDY, international bestselling author of Gild

Also by Danielle L. Jensen The Bridge Kingdom Series The Bridge Kingdom The Traitor Queen The Inadequate Heir The Endless War The Twisted Throne The Malediction Novels Stolen Songbird Hidden Huntress Warrior Witch The Broken Ones (prequel) The Dark Shores Series Dark Shores Dark Skies Tarnished Empire (prequel) Gilded Serpent Saga of the Unfated A Fate Inked in Blood A Curse Carved in Bone

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First published in the US by Del Rey, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York 2025 First published in the UK by Del Rey 2025 Published in Penguin Books 2026 001 Copyright © Danielle L. Jensen, 2025 The moral right of the author has been asserted A Curse Carved in Bone is a work of fiction. Names, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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For the ladies of NOFFA!

CChhaapptteerr OONNEE

FFrreeya ya

TT

hehe storm storm struck struck without without warning, warning, attacking attacking thethe drakkar drakkar andand driving driving us us away away from from thethe rocky rocky coast coast with with such such ferocity ferocity that that thethe gods gods themselves themselves must must notnot have have wanted wanted us us to to cross cross thethe strait. strait.

AsAs thetheNordelanders Nordelandersstruggled struggledagainst againstthetheviolent violentwaves, waves,anyanyvisions visionsI I might might have have hadhad about about thethe glory glory of of raiding raiding across across thethe seas seas were were swiftly swiftly dissuaded dissuaded byby thethe cold. cold.

ByBy thethe wet. wet.

But But most most of of all,all, byby thethe endless endless vomit. vomit.

Not Not mine, mine, as as mymy seasea legs legs were were strong, strong, butbut thethe contents contents of of thethe stomstomachs achsof ofnearly nearlyeveryone everyoneelse, else,including includingHarald’s Harald’shooded hoodedthralls, thralls,waswas filling filling thethe hull. hull.

Better Better to to wade wade through through vomit vomit than than to to lean lean over over thethe side side andand risk risk being being swept swept away away byby thethe angry angry sea.sea.

“What “What a disappointment a disappointment it will it will be,” be,” I shouted I shouted over over thethe thunder thunder andand thethe raging raging waters, waters, “if“if all all your your plots plots andand all all your your schemes schemes amount amount to to nothing nothing because because wewe areare drowned drowned beneath beneath thethe sea!” sea!”

AllAll onon board board glared glared at at me, me, though though Tora’s Tora’s glare glare held held little little threat threat given given that that a stream a stream of of vomit vomit spewed spewed from from herher lipslips in in thethe middle middle of of it. it.

I laughed I laughed andand leaned leaned against against thethe hull hull where where I sat I sat beneath beneath a seal a seal hide hide coated coated with with mymy magic magic to to keep keep thethe spray spray from from soaking soaking through. through.

“Or “Or perhaps perhaps notnot even even such such a glorious a glorious death death as as to to bebe claimed claimed byby Njord, Njord, butbut a death a death byby

4 4

DaDa n in e ilellel L e . LJ.eJnesnesne n

turning turning your your own own innards innards into into outtards. outtards.

I have I have heard heard such such grand grand tales tales of of Nordelander Nordelander ferocity, ferocity, butbut thisthis is pitiful.” is pitiful.”

“Is“Is sheshe ever ever silent?” silent?”

Harald Harald demanded demanded of of Bjorn.

Bjorn.

The The king king of of NordeNordeland land waswas notnot immune immune to to thethe tossing tossing waves waves andand hishis temper temper waswas fraying fraying as as a result. a result.

I gave I gave him him a beaming a beaming smile smile andand waswas rewarded rewarded with with a scowl. a scowl.

Bjorn Bjorn only only bent bent over over thethe oaroar hehe waswas manning, manning, unaff unaff ected ected byby thethe waves. waves.

Which Which waswas regrettable. regrettable.

If anyone If anyone deserved deserved to to taste taste thethe sour sour burn burn of of bile, bile, it was it was him him andand hishis lying lying tongue. tongue.

“You’ll “You’ll know know nono peace, peace, Father,” Father,” Bjorn Bjorn finally finally answered, answered, thethe muscles muscles of of hishis back back straining straining against against hishis tunic tunic as as hehe putput hishis strength strength into into rowing. rowing.

“But “But I’llI’ll remind remind you you that that you you invited invited herher vitriol vitriol upon upon yourself.” yourself.”

Harald’s Harald’sjawjawtightened. tightened.YetYetinstead insteadof ofoffoff ering eringa retort, a retort,heheonly only leaned leaned into into hishis own own oar, oar, thin thin arms arms laboring. laboring.

Not Not even even Nordeland’s Nordeland’s king king waswas absolved absolved from from rowing rowing through through thisthis nightmare, nightmare, everyone’s everyone’s strength strength required required to to keep keep us us from from floundering. floundering.

The The Northern Northern Strait Strait waswas notorinotoriousous forfor claiming claiming lives, lives, andand Njord’s Njord’s domain domain cared cared notnot forfor thethe power power of of kings. kings.

Nor Nor thethe children children of of gods. gods.

AA wave wave rolled rolled over over thethe drakkar drakkar andand water water slapped slapped meme in in thethe face face with with such such violence violence it hurt. it hurt.

Fear Fear rose rose in in mymy chest, chest, forfor it was it was impossible impossible to to breathe breathe in in thethe icyicy deluge. deluge.

The The vessel vessel tipped tipped andand slidslid down down thethe trough trough between between swells, swells, thethe blackness blackness of of thethe depths depths seeming seeming to to reach reach forfor me. me.

I I clung clung to to what what handholds handholds I could, I could, nails nails scratching scratching onon thethe wood wood andand mymy ears ears ringing ringing with with thethe shrieks shrieks of of thethe thralls thralls who who lostlost their their grips. grips.

ToTo fallfall meant meant death, death, forfor there there waswas nono salvation salvation in in thethe crushing crushing sea.sea.

YetYet mymy fear fear faded faded to to longing longing as as I stared I stared at at thethe dark dark water. water.

It It whiswhispered pered words words promising promising relief relief from from thethe grief grief that that clawed clawed at at mymy heart. heart.

From From thethe rage rage that that plagued plagued mymy soul. soul.

From From thethe loneliness loneliness that that hollowed hollowed mymy insides, insides, forfor I had I had lostlost everything everything that that mattered mattered to to me, me, including including mymy purpose. purpose.

The The seasea reached reached forfor me, me, andand mymy fingers fingers slackened, slackened, mymy broken broken heart heart yearning yearning forfor thethe respite respite from from thethe pain. pain.

ToTo bebe drawn drawn down down down down down down into into thethe darkness. darkness.

A A cu crusres c e acrv a rv e de d i ni n b obn oen e

5 5

Only Only forfor mymy grip grip to to tighten tighten as as Hel Hel whispered whispered in in mymy head, head, Why Why conconcedecede when when youyou have have thethe power power to take to take back back all all thatthat should should be be yours? yours?

The The power power to to reclaim reclaim all all thatthat hashas been been stolen stolen from from you? you?

I don’t I don’t have have thatthat power. power.

Her Her laughter laughter waswas softsoft andand yetyet as as loud loud as as thunder thunder in in mymy skull. skull.

YouYou areare thethe mistress mistress of death, of death, daughter. daughter.

AllAll who who draw draw breath breath fearfear your your power. power.

I don’t I don’t want want to to be be feared. feared.

MyMy mind’s mind’s eyeeye filled filled with with a smile a smile that that waswas half half curved curved lipslips andand half half naked naked bone. bone.

The The sight sight made made mymy heart heart gallop, gallop, though though it was it was herher words words that that made made mymy hands hands turn turn to to ice.ice.

Fear Fear is the is the weapon weapon thatthat willwill winwin youyou what what youyou want. want.

The The drakkar drakkar righted righted itself, itself, nono longer longer at at risk risk of of being being swamped. swamped.

I wiped I wiped thethe saltsalt from from mymy eyes, eyes, notnot sure sure if it if was it was tears tears or or seawater, seawater, only only that that thethe roar roar of of mymy pulse pulse hadhad nothing nothing to to dodo with with mymy near near brush brush with with death. death.

Fear Fear is the is the weapon weapon thatthat willwill winwin youyou what what youyou want. want.

What What diddid I want?

I want?

I did I did notnot know, know, butbut thethe torrent torrent of of emotion emotion in in mymy guts guts needed needed anan outlet. outlet.MyMyeyes eyeslatched latchedonto ontoSteinunn Steinunnvomiting vomitingupupseawater, seawater,andandI I shouted, shouted, “Skald, “Skald, will will you you write write a song a song of of thisthis crossing? crossing?

If you If you do,do, letlet it it bebe called called The The Saga Saga of of thethe Seasick.

Seasick.

OrOr perhaps perhaps Quest Quest of of thethe Queasy.

Queasy.

NoNo . . .. .Yarn . Yarn of of thethe Yackers!”

Yackers!”

“Be “Be silent!” silent!”

Skade Skade screamed screamed at at meme from from herher oar, oar, herher crimson crimson hair hair plastered plastered across across herher face. face.

“Cease “Cease your your noise, noise, you you bleating bleating bitch!” bitch!”

“And “And if Iif refuse?”

I refuse?”

I laughed I laughed wildly wildly as as Skade Skade abandoned abandoned herher oaroar to to thethe thrall thrall next next to to her, her, a glowing a glowing golden golden bow bow appearing appearing in in herher hands. hands.

The The same same weapon weapon she’d she’d used used to to killkill mymy mother. mother.

“You’ll “You’ll shoot shoot me? me?

Cast Cast meme over over thethe side?” side?”

She Shelifted liftedherherbow, bow,nocking nockingthethevirulent virulentgreen greenarrow arrowthat thatnever never missed. missed.

“Do “Do it!”it!”

The The shriek shriek tore tore from from mymy throat. throat.

Not Not outout of of anyany desire desire to to bebeshot shotbutbutbecause becauseI wanted I wantedherherto tofeelfeelthethesame sameindecision indecisionthat that plagued plagued mymy own own soul. soul.

“I “I dare dare you you to to dodo it!”it!”

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DaDa n in e ilellel L e . LJ.eJnesnesne n

Skade Skade only only pulled pulled thethe bowstring bowstring taut, taut, glittering glittering blue blue eyes eyes filled filled with with many many things— things— indecision indecision waswas notnot one one of of them. them.

MyMy mouth mouth went went drydry with with thethe abrupt abrupt certainty certainty that that I’dI’d gotten gotten myself myself killed killed with with mymy bluster. bluster.

Only Only forfor herher weapon weapon to to disappear disappear as as Harald Harald snarled snarled at at herher to to hold hold herher temper temper or or suffsuff er er thethe consequences. consequences.

Not Not caring caring that that mymy laughter laughter sounded sounded deranged, deranged, because because it was it was surely surely better better than than sobbing, sobbing, I howled, I howled, “You “You all all sacrifi sacrifi cedced so so much much to to steal steal me, me, so so I think I think I can I can saysay what what I please, I please, andand you you all all have have nono choice choice butbut to to listen! listen!

NoNo choice choice butbut to to suffsuff er er mymy words. words.

You You wanted wanted me? me?

Now Now you you fucking fucking have have all all of of me, me, so so enjoy! enjoy!

Delight Delight in in thethe fruits fruits of of your your labor!” labor!”

Skade Skade dove dove at at me, me, small small fists fists swinging. swinging.

Though Though I’dI’d tempted tempted thisthis fate, fate, sheshe stillstill surprised surprised me. me.

Her Her fistfistruck st struck mymy cheek cheek andand knocked knocked meme back. back.

MyMy head head hithit thethe mast, mast, stars stars bursting bursting in in mymy eyes eyes as as Skade’s Skade’s hands hands reached reached forfor mymy throat. throat.

“You “You need need to to bebe putput down,” down,” sheshe screamed screamed in in mymy face. face.

“You “You areare a a plague, plague, HelHelchild!” child!”

I jerked I jerked mymy knee knee upup andand slammed slammed it into it into herher cunt. cunt.

The The other other woman woman rewarded rewarded meme with with a shriek a shriek butbut didn’t didn’t letlet go,go, fingers fingers implacable implacable around around mymy throat. throat.

Then Then Bjorn Bjorn grabbed grabbed Skade Skade around around thethe waist. waist.

HeHe hauled hauled herher offoff me, me, butbut sheshe only only turned turned herher ireire onon him, him, andand all all went went to to chaos. chaos.

Thralls Thralls recoiled recoiled as as thethe pair pair collided collided with with them. them.

The The drakkar drakkar groaned groaned andand turned turned sideways, sideways, dipping dipping into into thethe swell swell of of a wave. a wave.

Water Water crashed crashed over over me, me, heavy heavy andand relentless. relentless.

Everything Everything tipped tipped andand I rolled, I rolled, mymy eyes eyes filled filled with with wood wood andand waves waves andand blackened blackened sky.sky.

And And then then hands hands hadhad meme byby thethe wrists, wrists, Bjorn’s Bjorn’s skin skin hothot against against mine mine as as hehe pinned pinned meme to to thethe bottom bottom of of thethe vessel. vessel.

“Are “Are you you trying trying to to getget us us all all killed?” killed?”

“Yes!” “Yes!” I screamed I screamed as as thethe others others struggled struggled with with thethe oars. oars.

“That “That is is exactly exactly what what I’mI’m trying trying to to do!” do!”

“If“If you you die, die, you you will will never never have have answers!” answers!”

HeHe pressed pressed down, down, holding holding meme in in place place as as I thrashed I thrashed andand tried tried to to knee knee him him in in thethe balls. balls.

“You’ll “You’ll never never know know thethe truth!” truth!”

A A cu crusres c e acrv a rv e de d i ni n b obn oen e

7 7

“Do “Do notnot speak speak to to meme of of truth!” truth!”

ToTo avoid avoid mymy knees, knees, hehe forced forced himself himself between between mymy legs, legs, hips hips in in thethe crook crook of of mymy pelvis pelvis as as thethe ship ship rocked. rocked.

Wholly Wholly against against mymy will, will, mymy mind mind filled filled with with memories memories of of us us in in thethe cave cave when when happiness happiness hadhad feltfelt possible. possible.

Memories Memories of of hishis lipslips onon mine, mine, hands hands onon mymy body, body, cock cock buried buried deep deep inside inside of of meme as as hehe made made meme his.his.

And And mymy traitorous traitorous desires desires surged surged in in defi defi ance ance of of fear fear andand logic, logic, mymy lustlust uncaring uncaring of of thethe factfact that that thethe man man it it wanted wanted waswas mymy enemy. enemy.

Only Only rage rage hadhad thethe strength strength to to drive drive thethe want want away, away, andand I reached I reached forfor mymy anger anger even even as as I unleashed I unleashed all all thethe cruelty cruelty born born of of thethe pain pain in in mymy heart. heart.

Wrapping Wrapping mymy legs legs around around Bjorn’s Bjorn’s waist, waist, I ground I ground against against him, him, mymy voice voice mocking mocking as as I said, I said, “The “The truth truth that that will will regain regain you you this?” this?”

HisHis grip grip onon mymy wrists wrists tightened tightened as as thethe drakkar drakkar rocked rocked violently, violently, andand I dug I dug thethe heel heel of of mymy shoe shoe into into hishis back, back, feeling feeling him him press press against against me. me.

“The “The truth truth that that will will getget you you back back your your pretty pretty Freya Freya so so you you cancan make make herher your your wife?” wife?”

Lifting Lifting mymy head, head, I kissed I kissed him, him, catching catching hishis bottom bottom liplip hard hard enough enough between between mymy teeth teeth that that hehe jerked jerked away. away.

“So “So that that you you cancan become become a a farmer farmer with with her? her?

Have Have pretty pretty daughters daughters who who look look justjust likelike her? her?

The The truth truth that that will will ensure ensure you you grow grow oldold in in herher arms?” arms?”

I hurled I hurled thethe dream dream he’d he’d given given meme in in that that cave cave back back in in hishis face, face, mymy rage rage relishing relishing thethe flash flash of of pain pain in in hishis eyes eyes because because I wanted I wanted him him to to hurt hurt as as much much as as I did.

I did.

“There “There is no is no truth truth that that will will bring bring meme back back to to you, you, forfor you you areare a liar. a liar.

AA traitor. traitor.

AA fucking fucking coward coward who who does does notnot deserve deserve to to seesee Valhalla!”

Valhalla!”

“You “You think think you you know know everything, everything, Freya,” Freya,” hehe said. said.

“But “But you you know know nothing.” nothing.”

I spat I spat in in hishis face. face.

“I “I know know that that I’llI’ll hate hate you you until until mymy lastlast breath, breath, Bjorn.

Bjorn.

And And that that is something.” is something.”

“Hate “Hatememeall allyou youwant.” want.”

HeHeletletgogoof ofmymywrists. wrists.“But “Butyour yourlastlast breath breath will will notnot bebe today, today, BornBornin-inFire.”

Fire.”

I watched I watched him him return return to to thethe oars, oars, joining joining thethe effeff ortort to to seesee thethe drakdrakkarkar through through thethe storm. storm.

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Da n i e l l e L . J e n s e n

“The Allfather sees all that was and all that the Norns have said will be.” Harald had ceased rowing, and his gray eyes locked on mine. “Saga is his child and knowledge is his gift. Other seers might have answers, but Saga, it seems, is bound to your fate. It may be that he’ll show her the truths you so desperately desire.” Without waiting for a response, Harald faced forward again, muscles bunching as he rowed.

My anger slowly faded, and its absence left me hollow. Tilting my head back, I stared at the blackened sky and swirling clouds, lightning dancing among them. What I wouldn’t give to be fated. For higher powers to have already determined the course of my life, so all that I said, all that I did, and all that I ever wanted could be blamed upon them.

But the two drops of god’s blood in my veins, one from Hlin and one from Hel, meant I was accountable for everything I left in my wake. Failures and successes. Nightmares and dreams. Love and hate.

What did I want?

The question sank into my soul, because I needed an answer. Needed a purpose to pull me forward. To remain where I was, as I was, would mean incinerating myself from the inside out.

I want the truth.

I wanted to hear from her lips the future that Saga had foreseen because Odin’s children did not lie. Wanted the story of what had happened between her and Snorri. Wanted answers about whether Harald was as much of a villain as I’d been raised to believe.

But most of all, I needed the truth about who I was.

Climbing to my hands and knees, I crawled until I found a spot next to a thrall with heavily tattooed arms. Taking hold of the oar, I put my strength into it and looked to the rocky coast of Nordeland. The winds slackened and the seas began to ease, and if the Norns were watching, I was certain they feared for the future they had created.

Because I was Freya Born-in-Fire. Daughter of Hlin. Daughter of Hel. And I would weave my own fate.

Chap ter T WO

Bjorn

C

lear skies shone overhead as we pushed the drakkar onto the beach. Every muscle in my body ached, and I felt no guilt leaving Harald’s thralls to drain the vessel as I walked onto the land that was more my home than any other. We’d landed at Stormnes, the point of land that jutted into the strait on which one could see across to Skaland on a clear day. The beach was narrow and rocky, and beyond it rose mountains covered with dense forest, their tops still white with snow.

Kneeling, I took a handful of the gritty sand and squeezed it tight, relishing the feel of Nordeland even as I cursed fate for bringing me back here.

“Fate holds no claim on you, Bjorn,” Harald said as he walked past me up the beach, seeming, as he often did, to know my thoughts. “You are unfated, which means you chose this path, even if you did not know where it would lead.”

I’d never cared to dwell on the power of the Unfated to change the future, because it couldn’t be proven. There was no way to know

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DaDa n in e ilellel L e . LJ.eJnesnesne n

whether whether a choice a choice hadhad twisted twisted thethe threads threads thethe Norns Norns hadhad woven woven into into another another pattern pattern or or whether whether I’dI’d done done exactly exactly as as they they predicted. predicted.

EveryEverything thing I’dI’d done done in in recent recent days days hadhad been been with with thethe aim aim of of freeing freeing Freya Freya from from those those who’d who’d killkill herher or or useuse herher to to further further their their own own ambitions, ambitions, yetyet all all I’dI’d accomplished accomplished waswas moving moving herher control control from from one one king king to to another. another.

“We “We areare here here because because of of you, you, Father.”

Father.”

HeHeonly onlygave gavememea knowing a knowinglook lookandandcontinued continuedupupthethebeach beach toward toward thethe trees. trees.

Knowing, Knowing, because because there there waswas nono denying denying that that once once mymy plans plans to to spirit spirit Freya Freya away away hadhad been been dashed, dashed, once once she’d she’d learned learned about about mymy treachery, treachery, I’dI’d hoped hoped thethe truth truth would would cause cause herher to to forgive forgive mymy lies. lies.

The The hope hope that that thethe tantalizing tantalizing glimpse glimpse of of a future a future I’dI’d so so desperately desperately wanted wanted could could bebe mine mine again again once once sheshe understood understood why why I’dI’d done done what what I had I had done. done.

The The hopes hopes of of a man a man with with weasel weasel shitshit forfor brains, brains, because because nono truth truth would would temper temper thethe seething seething rage rage that that burned burned in in mymy Freya’s Freya’s heart. heart.

Not Not yours yours anymore, anymore, logic logic whispered whispered even even as my as my greedy greedy heart heart screamed screamed that that she’d she’d bebe mine mine until until thethe end end of of days. days.

Casting Casting aside aside mymy handful handful of of sand, sand, I stood I stood andand followed followed Harald Harald into into thethe trees. trees.

The The airair waswas colder colder than than it had it had been been in in Skaland, Skaland, thethe stink stink of of rotting rotting seaweed seaweed mixing mixing with with thethe crisp crisp scent scent of of pine, pine, thethe mossy mossy ground ground spongy spongy beneath beneath mymy boots. boots.

Wind Wind shook shook thethe boughs boughs of of thethe trees, trees, thethe woods woods alive alive with with birdsong birdsong andand thethe scamper scamper of of small small creatures. creatures.

AA wild wild place. place.

ForFor though though thethe summers summers were were mild mild enough, enough, few few hadhad thethe mettle mettle to to survive survive thethe cruelty cruelty of of Nordeland’s Nordeland’s winters. winters.

The The man man who who hadhad been been a father a father to to meme most most of of mymy lifelife found found a rock a rock to to hishis liking liking andand satsat down. down.

Pulling Pulling offoff hishis boots, boots, Harald Harald shook shook sand sand from from them them andand then then tossed tossed them them aside. aside.

AsAs I silently I silently watched, watched, hehe re-removed moved hishis tunic tunic andand wrung wrung seawater seawater from from thethe sodden sodden cloth, cloth, hishis pale pale skin skin faintly faintly blue blue from from thethe cold. cold.

Leaner Leaner than than I remembered, I remembered, signs signs of of ageage showing showing in in thethe wrinkles wrinkles next next to to hishis eyes eyes andand thethe strands strands of of gray gray in in hishis goldengoldenbrown brown hair. hair.

JustJust a man, a man, though though there there were were times times I’dI’d forgotten forgotten that that during during mymy time time in in Skaland, Skaland, as as Snorri Snorri hadhad ever ever painted painted him him as as a a creature creature capable capable of of preternatural preternatural villainy. villainy.

A A cu crusres c e acrv a rv e de d i ni n b obn oen e

11 11

In In Nordeland, Nordeland, Harald Harald waswas a savior. a savior.

AA liberator liberator andand a champion a champion of of thethe weak. weak.

I’dI’d seen seen with with mymy own own eyes eyes hishis good good deeds. deeds.

Owed Owed him him mymy life, life, as as diddid so so many many of of those those who who served served him. him.

YetYet hehe waswas nono more more a hero a hero than than hehe waswas a villain. a villain.

Only Only a man, a man, andand nono man’s man’s choices choices were were wholly wholly altruistic, altruistic, least least of of all all one one who who hadhad clawed clawed hishis way way upup from from a small a small jarljarldom dom to to become become king. king.

“You “You sound sound likelike a Skalander a Skalander again.” again.”

Harald Harald sighed sighed andand twisted twisted thethe fabric fabric of of hishis tunic tunic again, again, drops drops of of water water falling falling to to thethe moss. moss.

“It“It reminds reminds meme of of when when Saga Saga first first fled fled to to Nordeland Nordeland with with you you delirious delirious from from thethe pain pain of of thethe burns. burns.

JustJust a boy a boy andand yetyet you you never never wept, wept, only only vowed vowed venvengeance geanceupon uponSnorri Snorriforforwhat whathehehadhaddone. done.You YouandandI would I wouldhave have crossed crossed thethe strait strait together together andand putput Snorri Snorri in in hishis grave grave if not if not forfor your your mother mother holding holding us us back. back.

I wanted I wanted Snorri Snorri dead dead more more than than I’veI’ve ever ever wanted wanted anything, anything, andand yetyet Saga Saga pleaded pleaded that that I stay I stay mymy hand. hand.

I have I have ever ever been been a slave a slave to to herher wishes wishes butbut now now I wish I wish I’dI’d held held firm.” firm.”

“I “I remember.” remember.”

I heard I heard Skaland Skaland in in mymy voice voice butbut waswas unable unable to to slipslip thethe accent accent without without concerted concerted effeff ort. ort.

I’dI’d adopted adopted it to it to trytry to to blend blend in in better better in in Halsar, Halsar, to to encourage encourage thethe Skalanders Skalanders to to forget forget that that I’dI’d been been gone gone forfor so somany manyyears, years,butbutit ithadn’t hadn’tworked. worked.Always Alwaysananoutsider. outsider.Always Alwaysa a Norde Norde lander. lander.

Most Most especially especially in in mymy heart. heart.

Donning Donning hishis damp damp garment, garment, Harald Harald finally finally looked looked at me. at me.

The The weight weight of of hishis attention attention waswas as as heavy heavy as as it had it had always always been. been.

“Now “Now that that wewe areare finally finally alone, alone, dodo you you care care to to telltell meme why?” why?”

Why. Why. AA question question that that needed needed nono clarifi clarifi cation, cation, andand I exhaled I exhaled a long a long breath breath before before I said, I said, “Does “Does it matter?” it matter?”

Harald Harald toyed toyed with with thethe gold gold ring ring that that bound bound hishis beard, beard, then then shook shook hishis head. head.

“Does “Does it matter? it matter?

OfOf course course it matters it matters why why you you chose chose to to de-destroy stroy plans plans a lifetime a lifetime in in thethe making. making.

AllAll that that I have I have done done waswas at at your your mother’s mother’s bidding, bidding, at at your your bidding, bidding, andand yetyet you you seem seem content content to to spitspit in in mymy face face forfor doing doing exactly exactly as as you you wished. wished.

These These were were your your plans, plans, Bjorn, Bjorn, notnot mine, mine, andand yetyet you you treat treat meme as as your your enemy.” enemy.”

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“You “You aren’t aren’t mymy enemy, enemy, Father.

Father.

But But things things change.” change.”

“Oh “Oh yes. yes.

Things.”

Things.”

Harald Harald made made a face. a face.

“Things “Things such such as as thethe shield shield maiden maiden turning turning outout to to bebe a woman a woman of of unparalleled unparalleled beauty? beauty?

It It is much is much easier easier to to killkill thethe ugly ugly ones, ones, isn’t isn’t it?it?

If Freya If Freya hadhad been been possessed possessed of of a face a face likelike a horse’s a horse’s arse, arse, I’veI’ve nono doubt doubt you you would would have have done done your your mother’s mother’s bidding bidding without without hesitation, hesitation, butbut here here wewe are.are.

Snorri Snorri alive. alive.

Freya Freya alive. alive.

The The threat threat against against Nordeland Nordeland is as is as much much a reality a reality as as it was it was before before be-because cause ourour fates fates areare unchanged. unchanged.

AllAll because because of of a pretty a pretty face.” face.”

“Her “Her looks looks hadhad nothing nothing to to dodo with with it.”it.”

AA lielie because because I remembered I remembered thethe first first time time I’dI’d setset eyes eyes upon upon Freya.

Freya.

How How thethe sunlight sunlight hadhad illuminated illuminated thethe anger anger onon herher face face as as she’d she’d rescued rescued fishfish after after fishfish from from Vragi’s Vragi’s fit fioft of temper, temper, every every part part of of herher screaming screaming defi defi ance. ance.

Beautiful, Beautiful, yes, yes, butbut it had it had been been herher ferocity ferocity that that hadhad drawn drawn meme across across thethe fjord fjord to to speak speak to to her. her.

Dressed Dressed in in a homespun a homespun dress dress with with nono weapon weapon butbut herher words, words, she’d she’d been been fiercer fiercer than than anyany warrior warrior I’dI’d ever ever met met onon thethe battlefi battlefi eld. eld.

“Killing “Killing herher feltfelt wrong,” wrong,” I muttered, I muttered, notnot able able to to putput mymy reasons reasons into into words words that that wouldn’t wouldn’t invite invite hishis mockery. mockery.

“Why “Why should should sheshe diedie forfor Snorri’s Snorri’s crimes?” crimes?”

“Because “Because your your mother mother said said it was it was thethe only only way way to to save save thousands thousands of of lives,” lives,” Harald Harald answered. answered.

“Though “Though sheshe diddid notnot understand understand what what made made Freya Freya so so dangerous, dangerous, Saga Saga knew knew Freya Freya hadhad thethe power power to to bring bring destrucdestruction tion down down upon upon both both Nordeland Nordeland andand Skaland.

Skaland.

Snorri Snorri is the is the villain, villain, butbut thethe shield shield maiden maiden is his is his weapon, weapon, andand killing killing herher would would castrate castrate hishis abilabilityity to to dodo anyany realreal damage. damage.

Saga Saga setset you you upon upon thisthis task task because because you, you, unfated unfated as as you you are,are, hadhad thethe ability ability to to change change thethe future future thethe Allfather Allfather hadhad shown shown her. her.

YetYet when when given given thethe opportunity, opportunity, you you balked. balked.

Because Because it felt it felt wrong.” wrong.”

HisHis liplip curled curled in in disgust. disgust.

“Or “Or perhaps perhaps it was it was because because your your cock cock waswas doing doing thethe thinking thinking rather rather than than your your head.” head.”

“My “Mymother motheragreed agreedthat thatthetheplan planneeded neededto tochange,” change,” I retorted.

I retorted.

“When “When I spoke I spoke to to herher at at Fjalltindr, Fjalltindr, sheshe agreed agreed that that Freya Freya might might walk walk a a diffdiff erent erent path path if we if we liberated liberated herher from from Snorri.

Snorri.

She She is not is not so so bloodthirsty bloodthirsty as as to to wish wish death death upon upon anan innocent innocent woman woman when when another another solution solution is is obvious.” obvious.”

Harald Haraldsighed. sighed.“Saga “Sagadiddidnotnotagree agreewith withyou, you,Bjorn, Bjorn,sheshemerely merely understood understood that that you you were were enamored enamored with with Freya Freya andand would would notnot bebe concon-

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vinced vinced to to harm harm her. her.

She She asked asked meme to to dodo it for it for you, you, butbut it was it was thethe plea plea of of a mother, a mother, notnot thethe strategy strategy of of a seer. a seer.

I am I am butbut a mortal a mortal man, man, andand I I hold hold notnot thethe power power to to change change thethe future future setset byby thethe Norns, Norns, which which meant meant I was I was destined destined to to fail.” fail.”

HeHe castcast a sidelong a sidelong glare glare at at meme that that suggested suggested hehe knew knew mymy role role in in stymieing stymieing thethe attempt. attempt.

Unbidden, Unbidden, thethe vision vision of of Freya Freya bare bare to to thethe waist waist filled filled mymy mind’s mind’s eye, eye, herher head head crowned crowned byby antlers antlers andand tilted tilted back back as as I I tasted tasted herher forfor thethe first first time. time.

I blinked, I blinked, vanquishing vanquishing thethe vision vision because because thethe same same threat threat I had I had protected protected herher from from then then waswas a threat a threat now. now.

“Does “Does mymy mother mother stillstill wish wish Freya Freya dead, dead, then? then?

Does Does sheshe stillstill believe believe that that is the is the only only way way to to change change thethe future?” future?”

Because Because thethe lastlast thing thing I wished I wished to to dodo waswas bring bring Freya Freya deeper deeper into into Nordeland Nordeland if my if my mother mother waswas actively actively seekseekinging herher death. death.

ForFor thethe thousandth thousandth time time in in mymy life, life, I silently I silently screamed, screamed, Why Why can’t can’t I I justjust killkill Snorri Snorri andand be be done done with with it?it?

Silently, Silently,because becausemymymother motherhadhadlong longbeen beenadamant adamantthat thatkilling killing Snorri Snorri waswas notnot anan option, option, refusing refusing to to hear hear anyany argument argument to to thethe concontrary. trary.

“I “I don’t don’t know know what what Saga Saga now now thinks thinks onon thethe matter matter or or if the if the AllAllfather father hashas given given herher more more visions visions of of thethe future.” future.”

Harald Harald rested rested hishis el-elbows bows onon hishis knees. knees.

“I’ve “I’ve notnot seen seen herher in in long long weeks, weeks, forfor sheshe returned returned to to herher cabin cabin after after wewe leftleft Fjalltindr.

Fjalltindr.

Being Being around around so so many many souls souls ex-exhausted hausted her.” her.”

NoNo surprise, surprise, forfor mymy mother mother hadhad always always been been desperate desperate forfor isolation, isolation, thethe weight weight of of seeing seeing what what were were often often tragic tragic futures futures more more than than herher heart heart could could bear. bear.

I’dI’d nearly nearly fallen fallen over over from from shock shock when when I’dI’d first first seen seen herher at at Fjalltindr, Fjalltindr, butbut it hadn’t it hadn’t stopped stopped meme from from sneaking sneaking away away later later to to seek seek herher counsel. counsel.

Through Through thethe trees, trees, I caught I caught sight sight of of men men rushing rushing down down thethe beach. beach.

They They bore bore shields shields painted painted with with thethe blue blue stripes stripes of of Nordeland, Nordeland, along along with with their their jarl’s jarl’s symbol. symbol.

Warriors Warriors from from Harald’s Harald’s fleet fleet who’d who’d reached reached thethe coast coast before before us.us.

Which Which meant meant thisthis brief brief moment moment to to discover discover mymy father’s father’s plans plans without without others others listening listening in in waswas coming coming to to a close. a close.

“What “What dodo you you intend intend forfor Freya?”

Freya?”

AA blunt blunt question question that that needed needed anan

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answer. answer.

Harald Harald hadhad sought sought Freya’s Freya’s death death forfor a long a long time, time, yetyet that that hadhad changed changed when when he’d he’d seen seen herher useuse of of Hel’s Hel’s magic. magic.

There There hadhad been been nono missing missing thethe delight delight in in hishis gaze gaze upon upon learning learning what what sheshe could could do.do.

I susI suspected pected hishis hope hope waswas forfor herher to to join join hishis cabal cabal of of Unfated Unfated that that hehe used used to to defend defend Nordeland’s Nordeland’s shores. shores.

He’d He’d notnot castcast aside aside a weapon a weapon as as sharp sharp as as Freya Freya unless unless hehe hadhad nono other other choice. choice.

OrOr unless unless mymy mother mother bidbid him him to to dodo so,so, which which waswas very very much much a risk. a risk.

“She’s “She’s dangerous.” dangerous.”

Harald’s Harald’s eyes eyes moved moved from from thethe approaching approaching warwarriors riors to to Freya, Freya, who who stood stood at the at the water’s water’s edge edge under under Tora’s Tora’s watchful watchful gaze. gaze.

“She “She holds holds notnot only only thethe power power to to killkill butbut thethe power power to to send send souls souls to to herher godly godly mother mother in in Helheim.

Helheim.

Warriors Warriors who who laugh laugh in in thethe face face of of death death will will runrun from from Freya, Freya, forfor sheshe hashas thethe power power to to deny deny them them Valhalla.

Valhalla.

YetYet that that is is notnot what what terrifi terrifi es es meme about about her.” her.”

HeHe waswas quiet quiet forfor a long a long moment moment be-before fore hehe added, added, “It“It is her is her rage.” rage.”

AsAs though though hearing hearing ourour words, words, Freya Freya turned, turned, andand even even across across thethe stretch stretch of of thethe beach beach andand through through thethe trees, trees, there there waswas nono mistaking mistaking thethe gleam gleam of of crimson crimson in in herher gaze. gaze.

Her Her pale pale blond blond hair hair hung hung loose loose to to herher waist, waist, tangled tangled andand matted matted from from seawater seawater andand wind. wind.

If If notnot forfor thethe factfact sheshe hadhad legs legs rather rather than than a fiashfish tail, tail, I’dI’d have have compared compared herher to to thethe havfrue havfrue who who were were said said to to lure lure thethe unwary unwary sailors sailors to to their their deaths. deaths.

Though Though in in truth, truth, even even disarmed disarmed as as sheshe was, was, Freya Freya waswas farfar more more dangerous. dangerous.

“Her “Her anger anger is is half half thethe reason reason I tried I tried to to take take herher andand run. run.

I didn’t I didn’t realize realize that that it was it was Hel’s Hel’s inflinfl uence, uence, butbut I saw I saw herher changing changing as as Snorri Snorri used used herher in in hishis quest quest to to become become king. king.

Saw Saw herher becoming becoming thethe monster monster mymy mother mother feared feared andand I wanted I wanted to to protect protect herher from from that. that.

I . I. ..”. .”

“Wanted “Wanted to to change change herher fate?” fate?”

I gave I gave a slow a slow nod. nod.

“Seems “Seems foolish foolish now now given given it’sit’s Hel Hel who who makes makes herher feelfeel likelike this, this, notnot Snorri.

Snorri.

Running Running would would have have changed changed nothing.” nothing.”

Harald Harald burst burst into into laughter, laughter, andand I scowled I scowled at at him. him.

“Oh, “Oh, to to bebe young young andand stupid stupid again,” again,” hehe finally finally said, said, wiping wiping at at hishis eyes. eyes.

“Remember “Remember your your stories, stories, Bjorn, Bjorn, or or I shall I shall sit sit you you down down with with Steinunn Steinunn andand have have herher teach teach you you likelike a small a small child. child.

Hel Hel is the is the goddess goddess of of death death andand mistress mistress of of Helheim, Helheim, butbut sheshe is no is no villain villain setset upon upon destrucdestruc-

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tion. tion.

She She is .is. .. .covetous, . covetous, forfor lack lack of of a better a better word. word.

She She wants. wants.

Which Which makes makes meme wonder wonder what what Freya Freya wants. wants.

Makes Makes meme wonder wonder what what hashas been been denied denied to to herher that that makes makes rage rage burn burn so so hothot in in herher heart heart that that herher eyes eyes turn turn to to flame. flame.

Blame Blame notnot Hel, Hel, forfor thethe anger anger you you seesee is is Freya’s Freya’s andand Freya’s Freya’s alone.” alone.”

There There were were countless countless reasons reasons I could I could think think of of forfor Freya Freya to to bebe angry— angry— knew knew I was I was certainly certainly one one of of them— them— andand yetyet mymy instincts instincts told told meme that that I I could could notnot begin begin to to comprehend comprehend why why herher wrath wrath waswas so so fierce. fierce.

“Discover “Discover what what it is it Freya is Freya wants,” wants,” Harald Harald said. said.

“That “That is the is the keykey to to tempering tempering herher and, and, in in doing doing so,so, changing changing thethe dark dark fatefate your your mother mother foresees.” foresees.”

I frowned I frowned at his at his choice choice of of word. word.

Tempering.

Tempering.

It sounded It sounded tootoo much much likelike changing, changing, andand there there waswas nothing nothing about about Freya Freya that that I wished I wished to to change. change.

YetYet all all I said I said was, was, “She “She wants wants thethe truth.” truth.”

“Then “Then take take herher to to Saga Saga so so that that sheshe might might know know thethe whole whole of of it.”it.”

MyMy father father gripped gripped mymy shoulder. shoulder.

“I “I forgive forgive you, you, Bjorn.

Bjorn.

I forgive I forgive you you be-because cause I understand I understand that that you you acted acted outout of of love love forfor Freya, Freya, notnot outout of of malice malice toward toward meme or or Nordeland.

Nordeland.

The The gods gods know, know, I have I have made made quesquestionable tionable choices choices forfor thethe sake sake of of your your mother, mother, so so I cannot I cannot judge judge you you harshly. harshly.

Women Women wield wield their their beauty beauty likelike a weapon, a weapon, andand none none areare more more beautiful beautiful than than Saga.”

Saga.”

I cast I cast mymy eyes eyes skyward. skyward.

“Spare “Spare meme your your lovesick lovesick poetry poetry about about mymy mother. mother.

There There areare things things in in lifelife I’mI’m better better offoff notnot knowing, knowing, andand that that is is one one of of them.” them.”

Harald Harald laughed, laughed, butbut then then hishis gaze gaze sharpened. sharpened.

“Do “Do you you remember remember thethe vision vision your your mother mother foresaw foresaw of of Freya Freya after after you you came came to to Nordeland?”

Nordeland?”

AsAs though though I could I could ever ever forget forget mymy mother mother falling falling to to herher knees knees before before me, me, eyes eyes rolled rolled back back in in herher head. head.

A voice A voice notnot herher own own whispering whispering from from herher lipslips that that thethe shield shield maiden maiden would would unite unite Skaland, Skaland, butbut that that thousands thousands would would bebe leftleft dead dead in in herher wake. wake.

That That thethe shield shield maiden maiden would would walk walk upon upon thethe ground ground likelike a plague, a plague, pitting pitting friend friend against against friend, friend, brother brother against against brother, brother, andand that that all all would would fear fear her. her.

“You “You know know I remember.”

I remember.”

Harald Harald gave gave a slow a slow nod. nod.

“Long “Long hashas your your life’s life’s purpose purpose been been notnot only only

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to to deny deny Snorri Snorri thethe fatefate your your mother mother foresaw, foresaw, butbut also also to to prevent prevent thethe bloody bloody tolltoll that that hishis rule rule would would have have upon upon ourour lands lands with with thethe shield shield maiden maiden as as hishis weapon. weapon.

You You believed believed stealing stealing Freya Freya away away would would forestall forestall that that dark dark future, future, butbut I think I think it clear it clear that that sheshe can’t can’t runrun from from thethe fatefate Saga Saga foresaw. foresaw.

She She must must fight fight it. it.

The The question question you you must must askask is ifis you if you areare willwillinging to to fight fight it alongside it alongside her.” her.”

That That waswas nono question. question.

I had I had Freya’s Freya’s back back to to thethe gates gates of of Valhalla Valhalla andand beyond. beyond.

Though Though I’dI’d said said nothing, nothing, Harald Harald gave gave a small a small nod nod of of approval. approval.

“Your “Your path path is as is as it has it has always always been, been, Bjorn: Bjorn: to to prevent prevent Snorri Snorri from from controlling controlling Skaland.

Skaland.ToTodeny denyhim himthethepower powerof ofdestruction. destruction.How Howthat thatis isbest best achieved, achieved, I do I do notnot know. know.

WeWe cancan only only hope hope that that your your mother mother hashas an-answers.” swers.”

“If“If sheshe claims claims that that Freya’s Freya’s death death is is thethe only only option, option, what what will will you you do?” do?”

I asked, I asked, because because hehe hadn’t hadn’t answered answered mymy question question thethe first first time. time.

Wind Wind howled howled through through thethe forest, forest, thethe sound sound haunting haunting andand filling filling meme with with foreboding foreboding as as Harald’s Harald’s pale pale gray gray eyes eyes searched searched mine. mine.

Then Then hehe said, said, “Let “Let us us both both pray pray it does it does notnot come come to to that.” that.”

The The approaching approaching warriors warriors hadhad been been intercepted intercepted byby Skade, Skade, andand sheshe now now ledled them them in in ourour direction. direction.

We’d We’d been been raised raised byby Harald Harald as as siblings, siblings, yetyet Skade Skade andand I had I had always always been been at each at each other’s other’s throats. throats.

Her Her mother mother hadhad abandoned abandoned her, her, andand Skade’s Skade’s bitterness bitterness over over it had it had turned turned herher against against all all women, women, most most especially especially those those sheshe perceived perceived as as weak. weak.

She’d She’d terrorized terrorized thethe servants servants mercilessly mercilessly until until Harald Harald hadhad punished punished herher forfor it, it, butbut that that hadhad only only driven driven herher to to bebe more more clever clever in in herher pursuits. pursuits.

I’dI’d never never seen seen Skade Skade actually actually killkill a woman a woman forfor weakness weakness until until I saw I saw herher murder murder Freya’s Freya’s mother, mother, butbut in in hindsight, hindsight, I should I should have have seen seen it coming. it coming.

Kelda Kelda hadhad emembodied bodied everything everything that that sheshe loathed. loathed.

Skade Skade glared glared at at meme as as though though sensing sensing mymy thoughts, thoughts, butbut I ignored I ignored herher as as one one of of thethe warriors warriors spoke. spoke.

“My “My king.” king.”

HeHe bowed bowed low. low.

“We “We areare relieved relieved to to seesee you you well. well.

When When thethe skies skies grew grew dark dark in in ourour wake wake andand your your drakkar drakkar diddid notnot reach reach shore shore with with thethe fleet, fleet, wewe feared feared thethe worst.” worst.”

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Harald Harald waved waved a dismissive a dismissive hand. hand.

“Nothing “Nothing butbut a bit a bit of of weather.” weather.”

I scoff I scoff ed.ed.

“Says “Says thethe man man who who stillstill stinks stinks likelike vomit.” vomit.”

“There “There is ais diff a diff erence erence between between discomfort discomfort andand danger,” danger,” Harald Harald re-replied. plied.

“The “The shield shield maiden maiden waswas never never at at risk risk of of being being lostlost to to a rogue a rogue wave, wave, andand I clung I clung to to that that truth. truth.

Are Are all all other other vessels vessels accounted accounted for?” for?”

“Yes, “Yes, mymy king.” king.”

The The warrior warrior adjusted adjusted thethe shield shield hanging hanging onon hishis back. back.

“Most “Most have have returned returned to to their their holds holds andand halls, halls, as as waswas your your order. order.

The The restrest have have ventured ventured to to thethe mouth mouth of of thethe Rimstrom, Rimstrom, butbut wewe waited waited to to ensure ensure your your safesafe return.” return.”

“Yes, “Yes, yes,” yes,” Skade Skade interrupted, interrupted, then then sheshe reached reached into into thethe group group of of warriors warriors andand tugged tugged a small a small man man forward. forward.

I recognized I recognized Guthrum Guthrum imimmediately. mediately.

Skinny Skinny as as a spear a spear shaft shaft with with tangled tangled brown brown hair hair andand anan ununkempt kempt beard, beard, Guthrum Guthrum preferred preferred living living in in thethe wilds wilds as as farfar from from people people as as possible. possible.

HeHe waswas entirely entirely unchanged unchanged byby thethe years years we’d we’d been been apart, apart, butbut thethe merlin merlin perched perched onon hishis shoulders shoulders waswas new. new.

“My “My king.” king.”

Guthrum Guthrum bowed bowed low, low, thethe merlin merlin ruffl ruffl inging herher feathers feathers andand then then mimicking mimicking thethe gesture. gesture.

“I “I bring bring fellfell news. news.

OrOr rather, rather, Kaja Kaja does.” does.”

“Where “Where is your is your fox?” fox?”

I asked, I asked, because because a small a small redred foxfox hadhad been been hishis familiar familiar when when I’dI’d left, left, andand foxes foxes couldn’t couldn’t cross cross fucking fucking seas. seas.

Guthrum’s Guthrum’s brown brown eyes eyes met met mine. mine.

“Wolves.

“Wolves.

Two Two winters winters past. past.

I resI rescued cued Kaja Kaja as as a flaedgling fledgling andand Jord Jord sawsaw fit fitot to connect connect ourour minds.” minds.”

MyMy stomach stomach sank, sank, because because that that meant meant forfor almost almost two two years, years, Harald Harald hadhad a spy a spy in in thethe skies skies of of Skaland.

Skaland.

Guthrum Guthrum waswas a child a child of of Jord, Jord, which which meant meant that that hehe waswas capable capable of of speaking speaking mind mind to to mind mind with with hishis familiar. familiar.

Worse, Worse, hehe waswas capable capable of of seeing seeing through through hishis familiar’s familiar’s eyes, eyes, andand GuthGuthrum rum waswas nothing nothing if not if not loyal. loyal.

He’d He’d have have relayed relayed everything everything to to Harald.

Harald.

“What “WhathashasKaja Kajaseen?” seen?”

Harald Haralddemanded. demanded.“Has “Hassheshehadhadeyes eyesonon Snorri?”

Snorri?”

Guthrum’s Guthrum’s throat throat moved, moved, hishis eyes eyes skipping skipping to to meme andand then then back back over over hishis shoulder shoulder to to where where Freya Freya stood stood with with Tora, Tora, both both watching. watching.

“The “The Skalanders Skalanders searched searched thethe base base of of thethe falls falls forfor their their bodies bodies as as soon soon as as you you departed,” departed,” hehe said. said.

“They “They also also searched searched thethe Torne Torne itself, itself, andand

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fishing fishing boats boats now now comb comb thethe coast. coast.

Snorri Snorri is convinced is convinced that that thethe shield shield maiden maiden andand Bjorn Bjorn yetyet livelive andand hashas setset a reward a reward forfor anyone anyone who who hashas in-information formation of of where where they they are.” are.”

MyMy teeth teeth ground ground together together as as I remembered I remembered how how I’dI’d been been so so certain certain that that everyone everyone would would believe believe Freya Freya andand meme dead, dead, bodies bodies caught caught in in thethe endless endless churn churn of of thethe falls. falls.

It now It now feltfelt likelike thethe purest purest form form of of idiocy, idiocy, andand mymy hands hands fisted fisted with with anger anger at at myself myself because because we’d we’d fooled fooled nono one. one.

Harald Haraldtugged tuggedononhishisbeard, beard,seeming seemingneither neithersurprised surprisednornorconconcerned. cerned.

“Does “Does hehe suspect suspect Freya Freya andand Bjorn Bjorn areare with with us us in in Nordeland?”

Nordeland?”

Guthrum Guthrum gave gave a slight a slight nod. nod.

“He “He believes believes you you retreated retreated tootoo easily. easily.

Believes Believes that that you you found found them them immediately immediately after after they they went went over over thethe falls. falls.

HeHe argues argues to to Ylva Ylva that that if you’d if you’d found found them them dead, dead, you’d you’d have have made made it known, it known, andand so so they they must must bebe living.” living.”

“Snorri, “Snorri,mymyoldoldfriend, friend,you youarearenonofool,” fool,” Harald Haraldsaid saidunder underhishis breath, breath, butbut then then shook shook hishis head. head.

“It“It is inevitable is inevitable that that he’d he’d discover discover you you andand Freya Freya lived, lived, Bjorn.

Bjorn.

Too Too many many have have seen seen your your faces faces andand while while I I might might wish wish that that all all mymy warriors warriors were were loyal, loyal, all all it it takes takes is is one one to to bebe tempted tempted byby thethe prospects prospects of of wealth wealth andand thethe ruse ruse is up. is up.

WeWe need need to to head head inland inland to to thethe safety safety of of Hrafnheim.”

Hrafnheim.”

MyMyheart heartskipped skippedat atthethemention mentionof ofthethefortress fortresswhere whereI’dI’dbeen been raised. raised.

MyMy home, home, forfor mymy mother mother hadhad insisted insisted that that I remain I remain with with Harald Harald so so that that I might I might bebe trained trained as as a warrior. a warrior.

MyMy friends friends were were there, there, as as waswas thethe family family I’dI’d forged forged outout of of bonds bonds as as strong strong as as blood. blood.

Freya’s Freya’s voice voice tore tore meme from from mymy thoughts. thoughts.

“I “I didn’t didn’t agree agree to to gogo to to Hrafnheim, Hrafnheim,only onlyto toseeseeSaga, Saga,whom whomTora Torahashastold toldmemeresides resideselseelsewhere.” where.”

She’d She’d come come upup silently. silently.

Tora Tora stood stood behind behind her, her, a hand a hand resting resting onon thethe hilthilt of of herher sword. sword.

MyMy sister sister andand friend. friend.

OrOr at at least, least, sheshe hadhad once once been. been.

Much Much hadhad changed. changed.

“You “You must must pass pass Hrafnheim Hrafnheim to to reach reach Saga’s Saga’s cabin,” cabin,” Harald Harald answered. answered.

“You “You will will need need horses horses andand supplies, supplies, all all of of which which cancan bebe hadhad in in thethe town.” town.”

“The “The town town which which is your is your fortress.” fortress.”

Freya Freya crossed crossed herher arms. arms.

SoSo beaubeautiful tiful andand fierce fierce that that mymy chest chest ached, ached, nono part part of of that that feeling feeling diminishing diminishing as as sheshe castcast a murderous a murderous glare glare mymy way. way.

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“You “You think think I’mI’m going going to to willingly willingly walk walk into into your your stronghold?” stronghold?” sheshe demanded. demanded.

“Even “Even in in little little fishing fishing villages villages in in Skaland Skaland wewe heard heard about about Hrafnheim, Hrafnheim, most most notably notably that that nono one one who who is is notnot a Nordelander a Nordelander hashas ever ever seen seen thethe inside inside of of it and it and come come outout to to telltell thethe tale. tale.

Who Who is to is to saysay that that you you don’t don’t intend intend to to lock lock meme in in a prison a prison forfor thethe restrest of of mymy days?” days?”

Harald Harald wasn’t wasn’t thethe sort sort of of man man to to lock lock people people in in prisons. prisons.

HeHe prepreferred ferred other other forms forms of of punishment, punishment, andand mymy eyes eyes flicked flicked to to hishis thralls— thralls— hishis Nameless— Nameless— who who all all knelt knelt in in thethe sand sand wearing wearing their their black black hoods. hoods.

“You “You have have mymy word word that that I have I have nono intention intention of of locking locking you you in in mymy prison.” prison.”

Harald Harald adjusted adjusted thethe blades blades belted belted at at hishis waist. waist.

“I “I don’t don’t even even have have a prison a prison in in Hrafnheim.”

Hrafnheim.”

Freya Freya snorted. snorted.

“Your “Your word word is worth is worth lessless to to meme than than pisspiss in in a pot. a pot.

I’mI’m notnot going going to to Hrafnheim.

Hrafnheim.

Give Give meme a guide a guide andand I will I will make make mymy own own way way to to Saga.”

Saga.”

Her Her eyes eyes fixed fixed onon meme again. again.

“A“A guide guide who who is not is not Bjorn.”

Bjorn.”

That That herher words words were were expected expected diddid notnot ease ease thethe sharpness sharpness with with which which they they cut. cut.

“I “I diddid notnot volunteer.” volunteer.”

Picking Picking a piece a piece of of seaweed seaweed offoff mymy sleeve, sleeve, I cast I cast it aside. it aside.

“Walk “Walk if you if you must, must, BornBornin-inFire.

Fire.

I shall I shall sailsail upup thethe Rimstrom Rimstrom to to Hrafnheim, Hrafnheim, choose choose myself myself a fast a fast horse, horse, andand make make it to it to mymy mother’s mother’s cabin cabin a full a full fortnight fortnight before before you. you.

I’llI’ll make make sure sure to to have have a cup a cup of of mead mead waiting, waiting, forfor you’re you’re sure sure to to bebe thirsty thirsty from from thethe long long journey.” journey.”

Freya Freya said said nothing nothing butbut thethe ground ground quivered, quivered, everyone everyone starting starting with with alarm. alarm.

I only I only stared stared herher down. down.

“Go “Go ahead,” ahead,” I said.

I said.

“Curse “Curse meme to to HelHelheim. heim.

BidBid your your godly godly mother mother to to robrob meme of of mymy place place in in Valhalla.

Valhalla.

It did It did notnot work work lastlast time, time, butbut perhaps perhaps thisthis time time will will bebe diffdiff erent.” erent.”

“The “TheAllfather Allfatherwill willthank thankmemeforforsparing sparinghim himyour yourvoice,” voice,” sheshe snapped. snapped.

“A“A true true punishment punishment would would bebe to to putput you you somewhere somewhere alone alone where where you’ll you’ll have have only only yourself yourself to to annoy.” annoy.”

Harald Harald sighed sighed andand rubbed rubbed at at hishis temples. temples.

“Tell “Tell meme where where thisthis place place is, is, forfor it sounds it sounds peaceful peaceful in in comparison comparison to to being being caught caught between between you you two. two.

Freya, Freya, thethe choice choice is yours. is yours.

ByBy ship ship or or byby foot.” foot.”

Her Her jawjaw worked worked from from side side to to side, side, butbut behind behind thethe stubbornness stubbornness waswas thethe trace trace of of fear. fear.

Freya Freya waswas alone alone in in a nation a nation that that waswas enemy enemy to to herher homeland, homeland, andand guilt guilt bitbit at at mymy insides insides forfor needling needling her. her.

“No “No one one will will

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stop stop you you from from going going to to seesee mymy mother mother to to seek seek your your truths,” truths,” I said.

I said.

“You “You have have mymy word.” word.”

The The redred of of herher eyes eyes seemed seemed to to boil boil as as sheshe hissed, hissed, “Fuck “Fuck your your word, word, Bjorn.

Bjorn.

It means It means even even lessless than than your your king’s.” king’s.”

Turning, Turning, sheshe strode strode toward toward thethe drakkar drakkar with with Tora Tora at at herher heels. heels.

Harald Harald exhaled, exhaled, then then waved waved thethe warriors warriors away away before before giving giving Skade Skade thethe order order to to make make ready ready to to sail. sail.

Then Then hehe turned turned to to meme andand extracted extracted anan arm arm ring ring from from hishis pocket. pocket.

The The band band of of silver silver waswas deeply deeply familiar, familiar, forfor it it hadhad been been given given to to meme byby him him long long ago, ago, andand then then given given back back forfor safesafekeeping keeping when when I went I went to to Skaland Skaland in in search search of of thethe shield shield maiden maiden andand vengeance. vengeance.

“Freya “Freya is the is the keykey to to Snorri Snorri achieving achieving hishis fatefate as as king,” king,” Harald Harald said. said.

“He “He will will notnot give give herher upup without without a fiaght, fight, andand thethe moment moment hehe hashas cercertainty tainty that that sheshe is here, is here, hehe will will come come in in pursuit. pursuit.

HeHe will will gogo to to war war against against Nordeland Nordeland to to win win herher back. back.

I know I know you you will will diedie to to defend defend her, her, butbut will will you you stillstill fight fight to to defend defend your your homeland? homeland?

Are Are you you stillstill a Nordelander, a Nordelander, mymy son?” son?”

I took I took thethe band band of of silver, silver, thethe metal metal cool cool against against mymy palm, palm, rememremembering bering how how much much it had it had meant meant when when he’d he’d first first gifted gifted it to it to me. me.

When When he’d he’d named named meme a defender a defender of of thethe people people who’d who’d taken taken meme in in andand treated treated meme with with kindness kindness when when it had it had feltfelt as as though though I’dI’d lostlost everything. everything.

“Forever “Forever a Nordelander.” a Nordelander.”

I slid I slid it it upup mymy arm arm to to its its familiar familiar place place above above mymy elbow. elbow.

“It’s “It’s good good to to bebe home, home, Father.”

Father.”

CChhaapptteerrTTHHRREEEE

FFrreeya ya

N N

o part o part of of meme wanted wanted to to climb climb back back in in thethe drakkar drakkar with with thethe Nordelanders, Nordelanders, forfor beneath beneath mymy anger anger ranran a current a current of of fear fear that that made made meme sick sick to to mymy stomach. stomach.

I’dI’d feltfelt able able to to leave leave Skaland Skaland with with Bjorn Bjorn because because I’dI’d believed believed Snorri Snorri would would accept accept that that I was I was dead. dead.

That That he’d he’d notnot punish punish mymy brother brother or or Ingrid, Ingrid, andand what what remained remained of of mymy family family would would bebe able able to to livelive on.on.

YetYet thethe report report I’dI’d overheard overheard indicated indicated that that Snorri Snorri hadhad notnot given given upup onon me, me, which which meant meant Geir, Geir, Ingrid, Ingrid, andand their their unborn unborn child child remained remained at at risk. risk.

Though Though mymy relationship relationship with with mymy brother brother waswas greatly greatly soured, soured, it made it made meme ill ill that that hishis innocent innocent child child might might bebe harmed. harmed.

And And I also, I also, selfi selfi shly, shly, feared feared forfor myself. myself.

The The men men andand women women in in thethe ship, ship, as as well well as as those those who who traveled traveled in in thethe two two other other vessels, vessels, were were thethe raiders raiders I’dI’d grown grown upup dreading. dreading.

Every Every child child raised raised onon thethe coast coast of of Skaland Skaland knew knew to to fear fear thethe sight sight of of drakkar drakkar with with bluebluestriped striped sails. sails.

Knew Knew that that at at thethe sight sight of of thethe white white wolf wolf banner banner to to runrun andand hide hide in in thethe woods woods with with thethe elderly elderly while while thethe adults adults tried tried to to fight fight seasoned seasoned warriors warriors intent intent onon taking taking everything everything of of value, value, human human lifelife first first andand foremost. foremost.

MyMy uncle uncle hadhad died died in in a raid a raid when when I was I was a young a young girl, girl,

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mymy aunt aunt taken taken as as a thrall a thrall andand never never heard heard of of again. again.

Distant Distant memories memories butbut ones ones never never forgotten, forgotten, andand I was I was under under nono delusion delusion that that those those around around meme were were anything anything lessless than than dangerous. dangerous.

Especially Especially with with thethe white white wolf wolf snapping snapping in in thethe breeze breeze above above ourour heads. heads.

YouYou areare far far from from helpless, helpless, I silently I silently whispered, whispered, thethe wary wary distance distance most most of of thethe Nordelanders Nordelanders gave gave meme comforting comforting andand horrifying horrifying in in equal equal meameasure, sure, because because they they feared feared meme as as one one diddid a monster. a monster.

I heard I heard thethe whispers whispers among among them them as as they they spoke spoke of of what what I’dI’d done done to to Harald’s Harald’s warriors warriors when when they’d they’d tracked tracked Bjorn Bjorn andand meme down. down.

How How thethe magic magic gifted gifted to to meme byby Hel Hel dragged dragged their their souls souls outout of of their their bodies bodies andand down down to to Helheim, Helheim, ever ever denied denied thethe halls halls of of Valhalla.

Valhalla.

Whispers Whispers that that said said only only thethe Unfated Unfated could could defend defend themselves themselves from from me, me, Harald’s Harald’s lifelife spared spared only only because because thethe other other gods gods hadhad intervened intervened to to protect protect Nordeland’s Nordeland’s beloved beloved king. king.

Which Which forfor all all I knew I knew waswas accurate, accurate, as as Hel’s Hel’s magic magic hadhad notnot so so much much as as touched touched him. him.

They They were were terrifi terrifi eded of of me, me, andand I could I could notnot blame blame them them forfor that, that, as as I I waswas terrifi terrifi eded of of myself. myself.

I’dI’d never never understood understood how how thethe catastrophic catastrophic fu-future ture that that Saga Saga hadhad foreseen foreseen waswas possible possible when when Hlin’s Hlin’s magic magic diddid nothing nothing butbut protect, protect, butbut now now it was it was clear clear how how I would I would become become thethe plague plague she’d she’d foretold. foretold.

How How in in a fiat fioft of anger anger I might I might killkill dozens, dozens, hundreds, hundreds, perhaps perhaps thousands, thousands, andand imprison imprison their their souls souls in in Hel’s Hel’s realm. realm.

Helheim Helheim waswas nono place place of of horror, horror, butbut to to bebe sent sent there there denied denied warriors warriors thethe chance chance to to sit sit at at thethe Allfather’s Allfather’s table table andand to to fight fight in in thethe lastlast battle, battle, thethe promise promise of of which which gave gave them them thethe bravery bravery to to face face death. death.

NoNo one one should should have have such such power, power, least least of of all all me, me, andand I silently I silently swore swore that that I’dI’d notnot useuse thethe magic magic again. again.

I would I would notnot bebe that that monster. monster.

I refused.

I refused.

YouYou areare on on thethe path path to fitonding finding outout thethe truth truth about about who who youyou are,are, I reminded I reminded myself. myself.

With With thethe truth, truth, thethe route route forward forward willwill be be clear. clear.

Alternatively, Alternatively, I was I was sailing sailing toward toward mymy future future prison. prison.

But But that that waswas a a risk risk I needed I needed to to take. take.

Wrapping Wrapping mymy woolen woolen cloak cloak more more tightly tightly around around mymy body, body, I eyed I eyed Bjorn Bjorn where where hehe satsat with with Harald.

Harald.

HisHis midnight midnight hair hair waswas pulled pulled back back in in a knot, a knot, thethe tattoos tattoos onon thethe sides sides of of hishis head head slightly slightly obscured obscured from from several several

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days days away away from from a razor. a razor.

HisHis cheeks, cheeks, too, too, were were stubbled, stubbled, though though it had it had notnot grown grown so so much much as as to to obscure obscure thethe sharp sharp line line of of hishis jawjaw andand cheekcheekbones. bones.

Harald Harald said said something something to to him, him, andand when when Bjorn Bjorn answered, answered, thethe sunlight sunlight illuminated illuminated thethe leafleafgreen green of of hishis eyes eyes butbut also also thethe dark dark circles circles beneath beneath them. them.

NoNo oneone willwill stopstop youyou from from going going to to seesee mymy mother mother to to seek seek your your truths, truths, Bjorn’s Bjorn’s voice voice repeated repeated in in mymy head. head.

YouYou have have mymy word. word.

He’d He’d seemed seemed genuine, genuine, butbut it was it was notnot lostlost onon meme that that I’dI’d feltfelt that that way way when when he’d he’d been been lying lying through through hishis teeth. teeth.

The The twisted twisted silver silver arm arm ring ring hehe now now wore wore above above hishis elbow elbow gleamed gleamed in in thethe sunlight, sunlight, andand I knew I knew it had it had been been given given to to him him byby Harald.

Harald.

A symA symbolbol of of family family andand fealty. fealty.

MyMy brother, brother, Geir, Geir, wore wore a similar a similar one one gifted gifted to to him him byby Snorri Snorri when when hehe joined joined hishis war war band, band, andand mymy father father hadhad as as well. well.

AllAll of of Snorri’s Snorri’s warriors warriors wore wore them, them, andand while while I’dI’d noticed noticed that that Bjorn Bjorn diddid not, not, I’dI’d thought thought nothing nothing of of it. it.

Had Had foolishly foolishly believed believed that that it was it was reflrefl ec-ectivetive of of hishis penchant penchant forfor discarding discarding hishis shirt shirt at at every every opportunity, opportunity, notnot a a small small display display of of defi defi ance ance against against thethe man man he’d he’d apparently apparently sworn sworn to to de-destroy. stroy.

Unbidden, Unbidden, thethe memory memory of of ourour climb climb through through thethe draugdrauginfested infested tunnels tunnels to to Fjalltindr Fjalltindr filled filled mymy mind. mind.

The The moment moment we’d we’d rested rested together, together, thethe heat heat of of hishis axeaxe andand arms arms warding warding away away thethe chill chill of of thethe mountain. mountain.

We’d We’d spoken spoken of of Nordeland, Nordeland, of of how how thethe people people hadhad treated treated him, him, andand I’dI’d asked asked how how hehe feltfelt about about thethe idea idea of of Snorri Snorri going going to to war war against against them. them.

NoNo matter matter how how I feel I feel about about thethe people, people, vengeance vengeance must must be be hadhad against against thethe oneone who who hurt hurt mymy mother, mother, he’d he’d said. said.

I’veI’ve sworn sworn an an oath oath to take to take everything everything from from him, him, andand anyone anyone who who stands stands in in thethe wayway is nothing is nothing more more than than a casualty a casualty of war. of war.

He’d He’d spoken spoken thethe truth, truth, andand yetyet I’dI’d only only heard heard what what I’dI’d wanted wanted to to hear. hear.

That That Harald Harald waswas hishis enemy. enemy.

Nordeland Nordeland waswas hishis enemy. enemy.

Ylva Ylva hadhad been been right right in in herher accusations, accusations, andand tootoo easily easily I remembered I remembered dismissing dismissing herher animosity animosity toward toward him him as as jealousy jealousy onon Leif Leif ’s behalf. ’s behalf.

How How wrong wrong I’dI’d been. been.

Regardless Regardless of of blood, blood, Bjorn Bjorn waswas a Nordelander a Nordelander through through andand through, through, which which made made him him mymy enemy. enemy.

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MyMy hands hands balled balled into into fists, fists, andand I turned I turned mymy head head so so I could I could nono lonlongerger seesee him. him.

Which Which unfortunately unfortunately putput Tora Tora in in mymy line line of of sight. sight.

The The child child of of Thor Thor waswas a full a full head head taller taller than than I was I was andand broad broad through through herher shoulders. shoulders.

More More than than capable capable of of wielding wielding anyany weapon, weapon, butbut what what made made herher dangerous dangerous waswas thethe lightning lightning sheshe could could summon summon from from herher hands. hands.

Lightning Lightning that that hadhad almost almost killed killed meme butbut taken taken Bodil’s Bodil’s lifelife in-instead. stead.

Her Her face face waswas covered covered with with burn burn marks marks from from when when I’dI’d rebounded rebounded herher lightning lightning bolt bolt offoff mymy shield shield into into thethe gatehouse gatehouse of of Grindill.

Grindill.

The The burns burns were were stillstill livid livid redred though though much much time time hadhad passed, passed, andand I noticed I noticed that that sheshe wore wore herher long long blond blond hair hair loose loose to to cover cover them. them.

“Does “Does Harald Harald notnot have have a healer a healer in in hishis service?” service?”

I asked.

I asked.

“Volund “Volund is ais child a child of of Eir.” Eir.” Tora Tora jerked jerked herher chin chin toward toward one one of of thethe drakkar drakkar that that sailed sailed in in ourour escort. escort.

“The “The oldold fatfat one one in in thethe green green tunic.” tunic.”

I squinted I squinted at at thethe other other vessel, vessel, finally finally picking picking outout a rosya rosycheeked cheeked older older man man who who met met thethe description. description.

HeHe appeared appeared half half asleep, asleep, head head restrestinging onon one one hand hand as as thethe vessel vessel slidslid over over thethe waves. waves.

“Why “Why diddid hehe notnot heal heal you, you, then?” then?”

“I “I waswas denied denied healing.” healing.”

Tora’s Tora’s voice voice waswas toneless, toneless, butbut I didn’t I didn’t miss miss how how sheshe lifted lifted herher hand hand to to touch touch thethe wounds, wounds, which which appeared appeared painful painful andand were were sure sure to to scar. scar.

Most Most of of what what I knew I knew about about thethe powers powers of of children children of of EirEir came came from from Liv, Liv, thethe healer healer who’d who’d treated treated mymy hand hand after after I’dI’d been been burned burned byby Bjorn’s Bjorn’s axe. axe.

She’d She’d told told meme that that EirEir waswas fickle fickle with with herher magic, magic, healing healing some some injuries injuries so so that that it appeared it appeared they’d they’d never never happened happened andand others, others, such such as as mymy hand, hand, as as if time if time andand nature nature hadhad runrun their their course. course.

Some, Some, EirEir diddid notnot heal heal at at all,all, which which I’dI’d seen seen after after Gnut Gnut hadhad attacked attacked Halsar, Halsar, many many of of thethe injured injured succumbing succumbing despite despite LivLiv trying trying to to aidaid them them with with herher magic. magic.

LivLiv hadhad been been a good a good woman, woman, andand I might I might have have come come to to callcall herher friend friend if if sheshe hadn’t hadn’t been been killed killed when when Gnut Gnut hadhad returned returned to to finish finish hishis attack. attack.

The The thought thought occurred occurred to to meme that that Tora Tora might might have have aided aided Gnut Gnut in in that that battle battle as as well, well, so so I said, I said, “A“A fitting fitting punishment. punishment.

You You killed killed mymy friend friend andand many many others others besides.” besides.”

Tora Tora caught caught hold hold of of mymy right right hand hand andand lifted lifted it so it so thethe scars scars were were il-il-

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luminated luminated byby thethe sun. sun.

“Perhaps “Perhaps EirEir sawsaw your your future future andand thought thought you you deserved deserved punishment punishment as as well. well.

And And I was I was notnot aiming aiming forfor Bodil, Bodil, I was I was aiming aiming forfor you. you.

That That error error waswas one one of of thethe greatest greatest mistakes mistakes of of mymy life.” life.”

I jerked I jerked mymy wrist wrist from from herher grip. grip.

“I “I met met Bodil Bodil when when I was I was very very young young andand mymy uncle uncle waswas seeking seeking trade trade with with herher clan,” clan,” Tora Tora said. said.

“She “She waswas a fiaerce fierce warrior warrior with with more more reputareputation tion than than anyany woman woman alive, alive, andand I told I told herher that that I wanted I wanted to to bebe likelike her.” her.”

She She drew drew in in a breath. a breath.

“I “I remember remember Bodil Bodil lifting lifting a foot a foot to to scratch scratch it, it, then then smiling smiling andand saying, saying, ‘No ‘No you you don’t.’ don’t.’ ” ” MyMy chest chest hollowed. hollowed.

“Her “Her feet feet itched itched when when someone someone told told a misa mistruth. truth.

You You diddid notnot wish wish to to bebe a warrior.” a warrior.”

“Not “Not then.” then.”

“What “What changed?” changed?”

I met I met Tora’s Tora’s brown brown eyes. eyes.

They They were were hollow hollow with with oldold grief. grief.

Before Before sheshe could could answer, answer, Harald Harald rested rested a hand a hand onon herher shoulder. shoulder.

“Her “Her uncle uncle waswas a bad a bad man man who who diddid badbad things. things.

But But he’she’s long long dead, dead, isn’t isn’t he,he, Tora?”

Tora?”

“Yes, “Yes, mymy king,” king,” thethe child child of of Thor Thor said said softly. softly.

“You “You executed executed him.” him.”

“And “And you you have have been been at at mymy side side ever ever since.” since.”

Harald Harald patted patted herher shoulshoulder. der.

“A“A child child of of mymy heart heart if not if not mymy blood, blood, andand a warrior a warrior only only a few a few have have ever ever stood stood against. against.

You You areare one one of of thethe few, few, Freya.”

Freya.”

MyMy skin skin prickled, prickled, hishis words words sitting sitting poorly poorly with with meme though though I could I could notnot quite quite explain explain why. why.

“Smoke!”

“Smoke!”

Skade’s Skade’s voice voice rang rang loud, loud, andand all all in in thethe drakkar drakkar looked looked onward onward to to where where thethe huntress huntress pointed. pointed.

Faint Faint at at first, first, barely barely more more than than wisps, wisps, butbut thethe plumes plumes swiftly swiftly grew grew into into great great black black columns. columns.

Raiders.

Raiders.

“The “The Skalanders Skalanders have have come!” come!” someone someone shouted shouted from from one one of of thethe other other ships. ships.

“It“It is Snorri is Snorri come come to to steal steal back back hishis prize!” prize!”

MyMy heart heart lurched, lurched, andand I climbed I climbed to to mymy feet. feet.

How How could could hehe bebe here here so so soon? soon?

How How waswas it possible? it possible?

The The bird bird I’dI’d seen seen riding riding onon a man’s a man’s shoulder shoulder earlier earlier shot shot down down from from

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thethe sky,sky, crying crying loud loud as as it circled it circled its its master, master, who who rode rode in in thethe other other vessel. vessel.

HeHe roared, roared, “Not “Not Skalanders!

Skalanders!

Islunders!”

Islunders!”

MyMy hands hands turned turned clammy clammy at at mention mention of of thethe island island nation, nation, forfor they they occasionally occasionally raided raided Skaland’s Skaland’s shores. shores.

When When they they did, did, none none were were leftleft alive. alive.

YetYet every every Nordelander Nordelander onon all all three three ships ships waswas now now onon hishis or or herher feet, feet, voices voices roaring roaring in in fury, fury, notnot fear. fear.

“It“Itseems seemsthetheIslunders Islundersnoted notedourourabsence absenceandandtook tookadvantage,” advantage,” Skade Skade said. said.

“Our “Our villages villages were were leftleft undefended.” undefended.”

Harald’s Harald’s jawjaw tightened tightened andand hishis eyes eyes flicked flicked to to thethe columns columns of of smoke. smoke.

“They “They shall shall paypay thethe price, price, because because thethe white white wolf wolf is here is here now.” now.”

Then Then hehe roared, roared, “Ready “Ready your your weapons, weapons, mymy friends, friends, forfor wewe sailsail to to bathe bathe in in Is-Islund’s lund’s blood!” blood!”

CChhaapptteerr FFOOUURR

FFrreeya ya

TT

hehe smoke smoke hadhad seemed seemed distant. distant.

YetYet as as wewe flew flew along along thethe coast coast of of rocky rocky beaches beaches andand verdant verdant forest, forest, it felt it felt only only a matter a matter of of heartheartbeats beats before before thethe black black andand yellow yellow painted painted ships ships came came into into sight. sight.

Islunders, Islunders, there there waswas nono doubt. doubt.

There There were were three three drakkar drakkar dragged dragged onto onto thethe beach beach with with a handful a handful of of warriors warriors standing standing guard. guard.

And And though though wewe hadhad thethe same same number number of of vessels, vessels, thethe Nordelanders Nordelanders were were outnumbered outnumbered because because all all thethe warriors warriors who’d who’d normally normally sailsail in in Harald’s Harald’s vessel vessel were were in in Helheim Helheim thanks thanks to to me. me.

The The only only warriors warriors in in ourour drakkar drakkar were were Bjorn, Bjorn, Tora, Tora, andand Skade.

Skade.

And And me. me.

From From thethe flickers flickers of of lightning lightning coming coming from from thethe village, village, thethe Islunders Islunders hadhad Unfated Unfated of of their their own. own.

Bjorn Bjorn moved moved past past meme to to thethe fore, fore, andand ourour elbows elbows brushed. brushed.

I shifted I shifted to to thethe side side to to putput space space between between us,us, hating hating how how mymy body body seemed seemed to to draw draw closer closer to to him him against against mymy will. will.

If Bjorn If Bjorn noticed, noticed, hehe didn’t didn’t show show it, it, forfor hishis attention attention waswas onon Tora.

Tora.

“You “You vowed vowed to to killkill Arkyn Arkyn before before I left I left forfor Skaland, Skaland, Tora,” Tora,” Bjorn Bjorn said, said,

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axeaxe already already burning burning in in hishis hand. hand.

“Yet “Yet from from thethe show show of of light, light, it seems it seems hehe is very is very much much alive.” alive.”

Their Their familiarity familiarity turned turned mymy mouth mouth sour. sour.

Though Though he’d he’d notnot denied denied knowing knowing Tora, Tora, he’d he’d also also allowed allowed meme to to believe believe hehe sawsaw herher as as anan enemy enemy when when sheshe waswas clearly clearly anything anything but. but.

Tora Tora scowled. scowled.

“Arkyn “Arkyn hashas been been hiding hiding from from me, me, so so I’veI’ve notnot hadhad thethe chance.” chance.”

“He’s “He’s notnot hiding hiding now.” now.”

Bjorn Bjorn gave gave herher a smirk a smirk that that made made meme want want to to push push him him overboard. overboard.

“Best “Best to to make make good good onon your your vow vow lestlest people people start start to to worry worry your your threats threats areare more more bark bark than than bite.” bite.”

“Says “Says thethe man man who who vowed vowed every every dayday of of hishis lifelife to to killkill thethe shield shield maiden maiden andand ended ended upup fucking fucking herher instead.” instead.”

I scowled I scowled at at thethe barb barb butbut Bjorn Bjorn only only shrugged. shrugged.

“If“If you you envy envy mymy course, course, you you areare welcome welcome to to find find a secluded a secluded spot spot to to discover discover whether whether Arkyn’s Arkyn’s fingers fingers tickle tickle as well as well as his as his lightning. lightning.

I will I will notnot judge judge you you poorly poorly forfor it. it.

Even Even if he if he is old is old andand ugly ugly andand smells smells of of goat.” goat.”

“How “How dodo you you know know what what hehe smells smells like, like, Bjorn?”

Bjorn?”

Skade Skade gave gave him him a a slysly smile. smile.

“He “He fellfell onon meme during during a skirmish a skirmish andand I nearly I nearly perished perished from from thethe stink, stink, though though perhaps perhaps hehe hashas found found a bath a bath since since then. then.

Tora, Tora, you you may may letlet meme know know what what you you discover discover during during your your sojourn.” sojourn.”

“Enough “Enough chatter, chatter, children,” children,” Harald Harald interrupted, interrupted, andand I found I found myself myself grateful grateful forfor it. it.

I was I was aware aware that that Bjorn Bjorn knew knew these these people, people, butbut I had I had believed believed it was it was knowledge knowledge gained gained as as a prisoner. a prisoner.

Not Not knowledge knowledge gained gained because because they they were were comrades. comrades.

Because Because they they were were . . .. .family. . family.

“What “What dodo you you wish wish to to do,do, Freya?”

Freya?”

Harald Harald turned turned hishis gray gray eyes eyes onon me. me.

“Will “Will you you fight fight forfor meme to to protect protect thethe village, village, or or dodo you you wish wish to to remain remain in in thethe drakkar?” drakkar?”

Every Every part part of of meme tensed tensed at at thethe request, request, because because I sensed I sensed what what hehe desired. desired.

ForFor meme to to callcall upon upon Hel Hel to to take take thethe Islunders’ Islunders’ lives lives andand souls, souls, ending ending thisthis fight fight with with mymy curse curse so so that that it cost it cost him him nothing. nothing.

“Fight “Fight your your own own battle,” battle,” I hissed.

I hissed.

“I “I dodo notnot serve serve Nordeland, Nordeland, nornor will will I ever.”

I ever.”

“Islund “Islund is no is no friend friend to to Skaland,” Skaland,” hehe answered. answered.

“They “They raid raid your your coasts coasts as as well.” well.”

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“The “The enemy enemy of of mymy enemy enemy is my is my friend.” friend.”

HeHe only only shrugged. shrugged.

“As “As you you like.” like.”

Raising Raising hishis voice, voice, Harald Harald shouted, shouted, “Make “Make ready!” ready!”

MyMy heart heart raced raced as as thethe Nordelander Nordelander ships ships sped sped toward toward thethe beach, beach, andand thethe Islunders Islunders standing standing guard guard over over their their drakkar drakkar finally finally noticed noticed ourour ap-approach. proach.Runners Runnersraced racedupupthethebeach beachtoward towardthetheburning burningvillage villageto to warn warn thethe main main war war band band while while thethe others others hefted hefted their their weapons, weapons, preparpreparinging to to fight. fight.

Their Their shields shields were were painted painted black black andand yellow, yellow, bodies bodies clad clad in in mail mail andand fur,fur, andand their their heads heads bore bore thethe elaborate elaborate helms helms they they were were known known for.for.

“Skade,” “Skade,” Harald Harald said said softly. softly.

“End “End them.” them.”

“Gladly, “Gladly,mymyking.” king.”

Skade’s Skade’sglowing glowingbow bowappearing appearingin inherherhands. hands.

Drawing Drawing thethe string, string, sheshe letlet thethe arrow arrow loose loose andand it shot it shot through through thethe airair to to punch punch through through a man’s a man’s chest. chest.

Bile Bile burned burned upup mymy throat throat as as visions visions of of herher doing doing thethe same same to to mymy mother mother filled filled mymy mind’s mind’s eye, eye, butbut then then Bjorn Bjorn shouted, shouted, “Beware!

“Beware!

The The sand sand is wet!” is wet!”

I had I had nono understanding understanding of of why why that that waswas cause cause forfor concern, concern, butbut ev-everyone eryone cried cried outout in in alarm alarm andand caught caught what what handholds handholds they they could. could.

“Freya!”

“Freya!”

Bjorn Bjorn roared. roared.

“Hold “Hold on!on!

There’s There’s a child a child of— of— ” ” Whatever Whatever he’d he’d been been about about to to saysay waswas drowned drowned outout byby a loud a loud moan moan beneath beneath ourour drakkar, drakkar, andand then then thethe stern stern of of thethe vessel vessel lifted lifted outout of of thethe water. water.

Steinunn Steinunn screamed, screamed, clinging clinging to to thethe mast mast even even as as Skade Skade risked risked another another shot shot before before flinging flinging herself herself at at thethe edge edge to to hold hold on.on.

Fear Fear clawed clawed mymy insides insides as as wewe rose rose higher higher andand thethe drakkar drakkar tipped tipped sideways. sideways.

I saw I saw thethe flash flash of of a gray a gray shape. shape.

Child Child of of Njord.

Njord.

There There waswas a child a child of of Njord Njord among among thethe Islunders Islunders andand they’d they’d called called a a whale. whale.

I had I had only only a heartbeat a heartbeat to to wonder wonder what what such such a person a person could could accomaccomplish plish in in battle battle before before thethe whale whale flung flung thethe drakkar drakkar over. over.

I sucked I sucked in in a a mouthful mouthful of of airair justjust before before I was I was castcast into into thethe water. water.

I plunged I plunged deep deep andand could could notnot seesee anything anything butbut froth froth andand darkness, darkness, mymy body body flipping flipping end end over over end end as as a wave a wave rolled. rolled.

It was It was impossible impossible to to telltell which which way way waswas up.up.

Which Which way way waswas air.air.

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Water Water surged, surged, instinct instinct screaming screaming at at meme to to move move justjust before before a massive a massive finfiswept n swept before before me. me.

Then Then lashed lashed back back again, again, barely barely missing missing meme a seca second ond time. time.

I kicked I kicked hard hard andand broke broke thethe surface surface in in time time to to watch watch thethe massive massive gray gray whale whale overturn overturn another another of of thethe drakkar. drakkar.

Warriors Warriors spilled spilled into into thethe sea,sea, andand thethe whale whale disappeared disappeared into into thethe depths. depths.

It It waswas chaos, chaos, made made worse worse byby thethe third third drakkar drakkar having having reached reached thethe beach beachonly onlyto toencounter encounterdozens dozensof ofIslunders Islunderswaiting, waiting,including includingthethe infamous infamous Arkyn.

Arkyn.

Lightning Lightning flew flew from from hishis fingers, fingers, blasting blasting holes holes clean clean through through Nordelander Nordelander warriors warriors andand spraying spraying smoking smoking blood blood across across thethe beach. beach.

AtAt hishis side side stood stood a man a man whose whose gaze gaze waswas fixed fixed in in concentration, concentration, whatever whatever plans plans hehe hadhad forfor those those of of us us in in thethe water water farfar from from finished. finished.

Something Something bumped bumped mymy arm arm andand I thrashed I thrashed only only to to find find Tora Tora floatfloatinging limp limp in in thethe water water next next to to me. me.

“Freya!”

“Freya!”

Bjorn Bjorn shouted. shouted.

“Swim!”

“Swim!”

HisHis eyes eyes were were onon something something farther farther outout to to sea.sea.

Turning Turning in in thethe water, water, mymy stomach stomach lurched lurched at at thethe sight sight of of a black a black finfin shooting shooting through through thethe water water toward toward Tora Tora andand me. me.

Many Many black black fins, fins, andand unlike unlike thethe gray gray whale, whale, these these whales whales hadhad teeth. teeth.

Terror Terror filled filled meme butbut as as I turned I turned to to swim swim forfor shore, shore, Tora Tora jerked jerked andand coughed. coughed.

Still Still alive alive butbut clearly clearly addled addled from from a blow a blow to to thethe head, head, blood blood streaming streaming down down herher cheek. cheek.

Leave Leave her,her, mymy anger anger whispered. whispered.

SheShe killed killed Bodil.

Bodil.

The The finsfins were were closer closer now. now.

Bigger Bigger than than I’dI’d realized. realized.

There There is no is no honor honor to to be be hadhad in in thisthis death, death, mymy conscience conscience answered, answered, thethe first first I’dI’d heard heard from from it in it in a very a very long long time. time.

But But it had it had power power over over meme still, still, andand I reached I reached forfor Tora Tora even even as as I called I called Hlin’s Hlin’s name. name.

Magic Magic bloomed bloomed from from mymy fingers fingers to to cover cover Tora’s Tora’s body body andand mymy own. own.

AA blackblackandandwhite white shape shape attacked, attacked, mouth mouth opened opened wide wide to to reveal reveal sharp sharp white white teeth, teeth, andand I screamed.

I screamed.

YetYet it was it was magic magic thethe teeth teeth bitbit down down upon, upon, notnot Tora’s Tora’s body, body, andand thethe whale whale waswas flung flung back back with with incredible incredible violence. violence.

But But more more came came on.on.

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AnAn entire entire pod pod of of whales whales attacking attacking one one after after another, another, from from all all sides. sides.

Teeth Teeth flashing flashing andand biting. biting.

Water Water from from their their thrashing thrashing finsfins sending sending Tora Tora andand meme twisting twisting andand spiraling, spiraling, all all of of mymy strength strength needed needed to to keep keep hold hold of of her. her.

They They couldn’t couldn’t break break through through mymy magic magic butbut neither neither could could I escape.

I escape.

Tora Tora waswas half half again again mymy sizesize andand I struggled I struggled to to keep keep ourour heads heads above above water water as as thethe whales whales came came onon andand on.on.

Drowning Drowning us us in in water water andand fear. fear.

Through Through it, it, mymy fury fury blazed blazed hothot because because these these creatures creatures were were being being used used in in a way a way that that waswas against against their their nature. nature.

The The child child of of Njord Njord onon thethe beach beach waswas nono better better than than Vragi.

Vragi.

NoNo better better than than mymy dead dead husband husband who who hadhad used used thethe lives lives of of innocent innocent creatures creatures to to torment torment me. me.

AA wave wave washed washed over over me, me, andand though though mymy magic magic flung flung it back it back in in a a burst burst of of spray, spray, wewe stillstill sank sank in in thethe water. water.

I gasped I gasped forfor breath breath andand twisted, twisted, trying trying to to seesee over over thethe attacking attacking whales whales to to thethe beach beach where where thethe monster monster who who controlled controlled them them lurked. lurked.

MyMy heart heart lurched. lurched.

We’d We’d drifted drifted farfar outout to to sea,sea, thethe figures figures fighting fighting onon thethe beach beach now now tiny tiny in in thethe distance. distance.

The The whales whales didn’t didn’t need need to to killkill us,us, because because thethe water water would would dodo thethe work work forfor them. them.

“Tora!”

“Tora!”

I choked I choked onon a mouth a mouth of of salty salty water. water.

“Wake “Wake up!up!

Swim!”

Swim!”

She She blinked blinked at at me. me.

Then Then herher eyes eyes sharpened sharpened andand a shriek a shriek tore tore from from herher lipslips as as a whale a whale struck. struck.

It had It had a mouth a mouth large large enough enough to to cutcut a grown a grown man man in in half half andand swallow swallow one one of of those those halves halves whole, whole, with with teeth teeth longer longer than than mymy fingers. fingers.

Teeth Teeth that that clamped clamped down down onon herher outstretched outstretched arm— arm— only only forfor thethe whale whale to to bebe flung flung through through thethe airair to to land land with with anan explosion explosion of of water water that that setset thethe ocean ocean to to rolling. rolling.

Tora Tora thrashed, thrashed, lostlost in in fear fear andand trying trying to to getget away. away.

I clung I clung to to herher likelike a barnacle, a barnacle, fingers fingers latched latched around around herher chest chest andand mymy legs legs around around herher waist. waist.

Unable Unable to to swim, swim, wewe sank sank beneath beneath thethe surface. surface.

Desperate Desperate to to breathe, breathe, I caught I caught hold hold of of herher face face andand met met herher eyes. eyes.

Willed Willed herher to to understand understand what what waswas happening happening as as wewe slipped slipped deeper. deeper.

Fins Fins andand bubbles bubbles roared roared around around us.us.

But But Tora Tora waswas a warrior a warrior andand be-before fore mymy eyes, eyes, sheshe mastered mastered herher fear fear andand nodded nodded once. once.

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I released my legs from around her waist, and holding hands to keep my magic in place, we kicked our way to the surface.

To discover we’d been pushed even farther from the shore.

“They’re going to drown us,” Tora gasped, flinching as another whale attempted to close its jaws around my legs only to be cast aside, waves surging. “We have to kill them!”

“No!” I choked on a mouthful of water. “It’s not their fault! He’s making them do this!”

“Then we’re going to die!”

Tora jerked her hand free, and the glow of my magic disappeared. I grabbed her shoulder, and in a heartbeat she was once again aglow. She pressed her palms together and then cursed. “I need your magic off my hands!”

I shook my head. “You can’t. You can’t kill them.”

“We’ve no choice!”

She was right. It was the whales’ lives or ours.

Tears ran down my cheeks, and knowing I’d never forgive myself for this moment, I withdrew my magic from Tora’s hands.

Chapter FIVE

Bjorn

T

he pod of orcas closed in, drawn by the magic of Njord’s blood.

“Freya!” I screamed, but a hand closed on the back of my tunic, preventing me from swimming to her.

I shoved Harald away, but he lunged at me again. “Look!” he shouted. “Look!”

A familiar silver glow flared as Freya caught hold of Tora’s still form and covered her with magic just before one of the whales struck. My heart stuttered with certainty they were both lost, then the whale flipped through the air. The rest of the pod closed in, but the glow didn’t diminish. I couldn’t see her through the spray of water and flash of fins, but with each passing second, she drifted farther out to sea. And the whales would continue attacking until she was drowned. Not because they wanted to but because the child of Njord bid them.

Fury boiled in my chest, and I turned to look past the battle on the beach to the two men standing behind the line of driftwood. One had copper hair and a beard that stretched nearly down to his large belly.

The other was as tall as me and uglier than a cat’s arsehole. Both un-

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fated. fated.Both Bothpointing pointingat atFreya FreyaandandTora, Tora,andandI saw I sawthethewords wordstheir their mouths mouths formed. formed.

Shield Shield maiden. maiden.

The Thechild childof ofNjord Njordnodded noddedandandlifted liftedhishishands, hands,hishislong longbeard beard blowing blowingononthethewind. wind.HisHisgaze gazefocused focusedononFreya Freyaandandhehedrove drovethethe whales whales at at herher again. again.

Willing Willing to to harm harm as as many many of of thethe creatures creatures as as necesnecessary sary to to seesee herher dead, dead, because because even even in in Islund, Islund, they they knew knew of of mymy mother’s mother’s prophecy. prophecy.

“You “You areare going going to to die,” die,” I whispered.

I whispered.

“And “And diedie badly.” badly.”

I swam I swam forfor thethe beach, beach, thethe waves waves flinging flinging meme toward toward shore shore as as though though Njord Njord himself himself sawsaw fit fitot to end end thethe abuse abuse of of thethe creatures creatures of of thethe sea.sea.

Skade Skade laylay stillstill onon thethe sand sand with with Steinunn Steinunn next next to to her, her, trying trying to to rouse rouse her. her.

I I ignored ignored both both andand raced raced upup thethe beach, beach, picking picking upup a fallen a fallen shield shield as as I ran.

I ran.

The The roar roar of of thethe seasea mixed mixed with with thethe clash clash of of steel steel andand cries cries of of warwarriors riors locked locked in in merciless merciless combat. combat.

The The beach beach stretched stretched wide wide before before me, me, thethe sands sands slick slick with with blood blood from from thethe dead dead andand dying. dying.

AnAn Islunder Islunder swung swung anan axeaxe at at me, me, butbut I only I only blocked blocked it and it and ranran on,on, weaving weaving between between comcomrades rades andand foes foes caught caught in in a deadly a deadly dance, dance, mymy eyes eyes onon thethe child child of of Njord.

Njord.

HeHe paid paid meme nono mind, mind, focused focused onon thethe whales whales while while Arkyn Arkyn called called lightning lightning down down upon upon those those stillstill in in thethe water, water, both both secure secure behind behind their their guard guard of of warriors. warriors.

They They believed believed meme in in Skaland, Skaland, which which meant meant they they thought thought Skade Skade andand Tora Tora thethe only only weapons weapons in in Harald’s Harald’s war war band band who who could could stand stand against against their their magic. magic.

They They thought thought wrong. wrong.

“Tyr.” “Tyr.” I leaped I leaped over over a still a still body, body, its its guts guts mixing mixing with with thethe drying drying seaseaweed. weed.

The The warriors warriors guarding guarding thethe pair pair finally finally took took notice notice of of me, me, butbut it it waswas tootoo late. late.

“Grant “Grant meme your your flame.” flame.”

MyMy axeaxe manifested manifested in in mymy hand. hand.

It was It was cool cool to to mymy flesh, flesh, butbut I did I did notnot miss miss thethe way way thethe Islunders Islunders recoiled recoiled from from thethe heat. heat.

OrOr thethe way way their their eyes eyes widened, widened, lipslips parting parting to to shout, shout, “The “The Firehand!”

Firehand!”

I attacked, I attacked, screams screams filling filling mymy ears ears even even as as thethe sizzle sizzle of of burning burning blood blood attacked attacked mymy nose. nose.

I hated I hated thethe smell. smell.

It haunted It haunted mymy dreams, dreams, a nightmare a nightmare I couldn’t I couldn’t escape, escape, butbut in in thisthis moment, moment, I relished I relished it. it.

Warriors Warriors fellfell be-be-