A Curse Carved in Bone

Bjorn expresses sorrow and guilt for the death of Steinnun’s family, since it was his plan that led to Nordeland’s villages being left undefended. Steinnun admits she’d wanted to kill him but lacked the courage to do so. Bjorn encounters his friend, Troels, a child of the god Magni with immense physical strength. Troels tells Bjorn that Harald has been obsessed with the shield maiden prophecy and with thwarting Snorri. As a result, Bjorn feels more wary of Harald’s intentions and more conflicted about being back home.

Harald’s wolves, Skoll and Hati, accompany Freya and Bjorn on their trip to visit Saga. At Hrafnheim’s gates, they meet Gyda, an unfated smith in Harald’s service. She has mended Freya’s broken sword, the only thing Freya had left from her father. Freya thought it had been left in the hot springs in Skaland, but Harald retrieved it. The runes Gyda added to the blade make it unbreakable. Gyda also gives Freya a shield that is as light as a feather, thanks to more runic magic.