A Curse Carved in Bone

“Then he turned to me and extracted an arm ring from his pocket. The band of silver was deeply familiar, for it had been given to me by him long ago, and then given back for safekeeping when I went to Skaland in search of the shield maiden and vengeance. […] ‘Forever a Nordelander.’ I slid it up my arm to its familiar place above my elbow. ‘It’s good to be home, Father.’”

Freya calls this arm ring a “symbol of family and fealty” (22). While it doesn’t take on a larger symbolic role in the novel, it does help establish the thematic importance of Loyalty as Mutual Responsibility. Already, Freya and Bjorn’s respective loyalties to Skaland and Nordeland have led to betrayal and heartbreak and created a rift in their relationship. As future events challenge their patriotism, they’ll explore the relationship between loyalty to country and loyalty to love. This quote also characterizes Bjorn and establishes the importance of his relationships with Harald and Nordeland to his sense of identity.

“The darkest and worst sort of men who delighted in the ugliest of behavior, all tamed by magic and made to wear hoods that obscured their faces for the rest of their lives as punishment. Men without names. They were the only sort of thralls Harald ever took, and though they deserved punishment, I’d always thought death would be more merciful than what they endured.”

Harald’s thralls, the Nameless, create irony in the narrative. In this description, they seem to act as foils to Harald’s character—their monstrousness emphasizes his goodness. However, this is a deception that obscures the truth. Harald exploits the story of his thralls to make himself appear heroic and moral while using runic magic to silence the humans behind the story.

“We all have a monster within us.”

The source of this quote is significant to its interpretation. Guthrum’s relationship with animals helps him recognize a truth that most people, including Freya, cannot. He understands that humans are not as different from other animals as many believe. Emotions and instincts influence human behavior as much as logic and morality. Freya wants to honor her moral values and follow them consistently, but her emotional impulsivity causes her to behave in ways she regrets, making her seem or feel monstrous. This creates internal conflicts that shape her character arc. In this context, the “monster within us” can be understood as humanity’s animal nature.

“‘Saga said the only way it could be achieved is if Snorri lost control of the shield maiden.’ Harald hooked his thumb on his belt, expression thoughtful. ‘We’ve always interpreted her words as demanding the certainty of death. But what if there is another path?’”

Prophecy plays an important role in Freya’s experience of The Tension Between Fate and Free Will. This relationship changes with the revelation that only one of the prophecies attributed to Saga is legitimate. Those that portray Freya becoming a source of devastation and epic destruction were invented by Harald as a means of manipulation. Harald’s suggestion that there may be another path demonstrates how he exploits seers and uses prophecy in his machinations.

“Freya was impetuous and rash and meaner than a cornered minx when she was angry, but never in my life had I met anyone half so brave or half so selfless.”

Bjorn’s acknowledgment of Freya’s flaws makes his love for her seem stronger and more sincere. His descriptions of Freya supplement her characterization because he sees the strengths she’s unable to see in herself. This secondary interpretation is necessary to her character portrayal because Freya’s first-person narration is influenced by humility and self-doubt. The traits Bjorn attributes to Freya in this quote—bravery and selflessness—demonstrate that his love is based on respect and admiration.

“Yet it was not lost on me that seers spoke in riddles and prophecy, so truth was not the same as clarity.”

Freya’s objective, to seek the truth, gives her something to cling to when she feels she’s lost her purpose in life. Because Freya struggles so much with The Tension Between Fate and Free Will—the possible consequences of her choices terrify her, leaving her plagued by indecision—she hopes Saga’s visions will provide guidance that makes it clear what she must do. This hope lures Freya into placing undue trust in Saga’s words, but her insight about the difference between truth and clarity suggests she has the capacity to recognize deception, both within herself and from those who seem most trustworthy.

“[S]uch is the way of powerful men. They believe the rules that bind women do not apply to them.”

Book One of the series established a pro-feminist tone toward Freya’s struggle for autonomy in a patriarchal society. In this comment about Harald and Snorri, Saga acknowledges the realities of sexism and restrictive gender norms. Subtext suggests she attributes such double standards to more timeless aspects of human nature—especially in the context of power dynamics—rather than to a specific culture or era. This subtly challenges the idea that Freya’s medieval-inspired world is radically different from the modern one.

“Why the weave of fate seemed like a cruel trick played upon the living, no one ever coming out victorious because this life always ended in death.”

Freya often expresses ambivalence toward the fate versus free will dichotomy. In her mind, those controlled by fate are robbed of autonomy, but they get to avoid the burden that comes with making difficult choices and accepting responsibility for the consequences. Bjorn’s observation in this quote, however, reveals an intense weariness with the role of fate and prophecy in human affairs. This echoes common themes in existentialist literature, which explores individuals’ struggles with the seeming absence of meaning in the universe.

“Whether I am here or not, war is coming in my name. Running will not stop it. Falling on my own fucking sword will not stop it. And I refuse to leave thousands to die just to save my own skin.”

On the surface, this quote merely demonstrates Freya’s selflessness. Her decision to stay and fight depicts a consistent response to situations that threaten others, especially civilians. Considering the quote in the context of Saga’s visions and prophesies, which depict Freya as the cause of death and devastation on a massive scale, her choice to join deepens The Tension Between Fate and Free Will. However, Freya’s ability to control her own fate is the theme’s ultimate message. Therefore, basing her decisions on what she sees as right rather than on prophecy demonstrates wisdom and a commitment to her own autonomy.

“It was not lost on me how swiftly I questioned my own vows not to use my magic when put to threat.”

Freya often exhibits awareness of her own flaws, though she struggles to change her bad habits despite her awareness. She conceptualizes her internal conflict between her negative and positive traits as a battle between the goddess Hel and the goddess Hlin to claim her as their daughter. Attributing temptation to Hel’s influence—like the temptation to wield an abusive power—is a way for Freya to deflect blame, a type of coping mechanism. The fact that she is tempted to use this power to save herself from murderers mitigates the severity of the flaw so that her character remains sympathetic.

“Do not stand there pretending this is the righteous choice, Bjorn, because it is the purest form of selfishness.”

Bjorn justifies his refusal to call Freya to arms against Snorri using the blood oath by comparing the act to his past manipulation of her through deception, which he calls his greatest regret. He claims he doesn’t want to control her, but ironically, he is taking away her agency by denying her request. Freya’s plan is a way for her to regain some control over the blood oath rather than letting it control her, helping to resolve The Tension Between Fate and Free Will. Bjorn’s good intentions illuminate the blurred lines that often separate selfish and selfless motives.

“Take wealth, take thralls, take lives—I believed that was all there was to it. Yet now I understood that those were only the tools that jarls and kings and warlords used to motivate their warriors. Incentives to make them fight, because victory gave those leaders that which they coveted most: power.”

Freya’s earlier understanding of foreign raiders was based on her experiences of them as a civilian. As an outside observer, she had no access to the truth about how raids fit into the bigger picture of military and political strategy. The shield maiden prophecy thrusts her into new roles that allow her to see the inner workings of geopolitics. More specifically, she learns there are other ways, besides force, to achieve power, such as incentivizing loyalty.

“I understand you don’t wish to kill her. That you don’t think Ylva deserves death. But this is the wrong time for allowing morality to guide your decisions. Hundreds might die if this goes wrong and your oath prevents you from cursing Snorri. If she’s dead, there is no uncertainty.”

As a flawed character, Freya is not fully consistent in following her moral compass. However, her efforts to follow it prove important. The book’s thematic look at fate and free will demonstrates how difficult it is for Freya to know what outcome her actions and choices will facilitate. Trying to achieve or avert a prophetic vision is even trickier, and being hampered by the interventions of gods and runic magic makes it nearly impossible for Freya to know how she should act. Here, Freya faces the temptation to make the safest choice without regard to morality.

“‘Haven’t you done enough harm?’ ‘It’s never enough.’ Harald’s grin was all teeth. ‘I never grow weary of watching others bring themselves low.’”

The pivotal scene in which Harald reveals his true nature is a plot twist that evokes shock and changes the story’s direction. Until now, Snorri has been the apparent antagonist in the external conflict between Skaland and Nordeland, as well as in the more personal conflict over Freya’s freedom. This revelation positions Harald as the novel’s true antagonist, revealing the extreme reversal of his characterization from a heroic, loving man of integrity to a truly detestable villain. The description of his grin uses visual imagery to emphasize his wolf-like nature, thus developing the symbolic meaning of wolves in the story.

“‘You are possessed of too much arrogance and it is unattractive,’ I replied. ‘Failure gives you some small measure of humility, which is more appealing. If I am to spend my final hours stuck on a barren island, I would rather it be with a handsome man.’”

This quote, part of a dialogue between Freya and Bjorn, demonstrates how writing style can reinforce genre. Witty banter is common in romance novels, especially contemporary romances and romantic comedies, and can be considered a convention of the genre. From a craft perspective, it serves several purposes: It shows chemistry between characters; lightens the mood through humor; reveals character; and drives conflict. Freya and Bjorn’s banter adds depth to their evolving relationship.

“‘I love you, Born-in-Fire,’ he whispered, pulling me onto his lap, the apex of my thighs pressed against the hard plains of his stomach. ‘From the moment I met you, I have fought for you. And I’ll fight for you every day until I enter Valhalla.’ ‘You have me.’ I lifted my head to kiss him. ‘No matter where fate takes me, I will be yours.’”

In this scene, Freya and Bjorn finally resolve the conflict between them that arose at the end of book one and served as a cliff-hanger. Given that their romance is the series’ primary plot arc, Bjorn’s betrayal and the subsequent loss of love and hope devastated Freya. The moment in which they put all that behind them and reaffirm their undying love creates a loving, passionate mood and evokes a sense of fulfillment that satisfies genre-based reader expectations. Freya and Bjorn’s promises to each other suggest the importance of Loyalty as Mutual Responsibility.

“Harald was not in control, his plans coming apart at the seams. The secret he’d kept his whole life, on which hung every one of his schemes, was loose in the world. If I knew anything, it was that nothing infuriated him more than losing control.”

The conflict against Harald, once he is revealed as the story’s real antagonist, has planetary stakes. This observation emphasizes that the stakes are high for him as well, a fact that makes him more dangerous. Harald’s loss of control offers a glimmer of hope for Freya and Bjorn, but it also escalates tension by adding elements of unpredictability and desperation.

“It is easy for them to see her as a monster, and no one questions why a monster does evil deeds.”

Tora’s explanation for people’s willingness to believe that Freya would want to kill the armies of two nations illuminates a profound aspect of human nature. Humans often view others as all good or all bad. Tora’s comment helps explicate one of the purposes served by such over-simplification: It’s easier than trying to understand complex truths about others and their motives. Ultimately, the narrative’s metaphorical comparison of Freya to a monster serves to discourage these simplistic judgments.

“So because he’s given you everything you wanted, you are willing to turn a blind eye to everything he’s taken from everyone else?”

In this series, people’s reasons for what they do are as important as the actions themselves. Freya and Bjorn both struggle with how their powers affect others. A choice that seems unacceptable in one situation, like using Hel’s power to harm others in a fit of rage, is warranted in other circumstances, like using Hel’s power to stop Harald from conquering and oppressing Skaland. This focus on motive illuminates a constant tension between selfishness and selflessness. Steinnun, the subject of this quote, has shown realistic complexity of character through both flaws and virtues. She requires some help in recognizing her selfishness, but she redeems herself by acting on this recognition and changing for the better.

“Except I learned well and learned early that people do not doubt what they see with their eyes, even when every other instinct tells them something is amiss.”

In this quote, Harald explicates part of what enables him to deceive people so effectively. Beyond people’s trust in what they see, it is Harald’s understanding of human nature and his ability to read people that make him so dangerous. He sees patterns in behavior that make people predictable, allowing him to manipulate them. Bjorn exemplifies the lesson Harald is expressing: He feels instinctive mistrust of Harald and his motives on several occasions, but apart from urging Freya to be cautious around Harald, he does little to act on them.

“I achieved my destiny, Harald. I united Skaland by controlling my own fate, which means that all of this is my doing, not yours. Saga’s vision has come to pass, and I wonder how it feels to know that despite everything you have done, all your tricks and manipulations, that you could not change the future she saw. Mine is the stronger thread.”

Freya knows Harald’s pride is his weakness, so she uses it against him when physical strength and magic give him the upper hand. Saga and Tora have both expressed that Harald is motivated by his desire to control everyone and everything around him like a puppeteer. Freya taunts him with the idea that their conflict has been a battle for control of Skaland and of fate itself and that he she’s won. She’s also affirming her autonomy and strength for her own benefit as she works toward the resolution of her internal conflicts and toward transformation in her character arc.

“I once told your mortal mother that if you were only given avarice, your words would be curses. But if you were gifted altruism, what divine power you might make your own was a fate yet unwoven.”

The prediction Hlin made upon Freya’s birth encapsulates one of the major conflicts in the story. Symbolized as a battle between Hel and Hlin to define Freya’s identity and claim her loyalty, this conflict pits Freya’s protective and selfless instincts against her emotional impulses and self-interest. Freya has to learn that these traits are not opposites and that both can be either helpful or harmful, depending on her motives in any given circumstance. Because Freya has made every choice with the well-being of others in mind, she’s found a way to integrate all her strengths and achieve her goals.

“Our people were never meant to be ruled by one man or one woman. We are meant to be led by individuals who know the names of every soul in their jarldom. By men and women who know the needs of each village and farm, for we are clans. Families. Those who seek to change that do so not for the good of the people but because they desire power and influence, which makes them the worst sort to follow.”

In many ways, the conflict between Skaland and Nordeland parallels real-world geopolitical realities. A Fate Inked in Blood depicts internal vying for consolidated power within Skaland, while A Curse Carved in Bone depicts the lure of expansion and empire for Nordeland’s leader. The moral questions surrounding warfare, patriotism, propaganda, and abuses of power are examples of the exotic embedded in the familiar. In other words, inhabitants of a fantasy world face the same universal challenges that define the human condition. Power and the ways in which it’s used are important concepts in the novel, and Freya’s decision to decentralize power shows her awareness of its dangers.