As Harald’s fleet sails on, Freya dreads returning to a drakkar with Nordelanders. Guthrum’s report that Snorri knows she is alive leaves Freya afraid for Geir, Ingrid, and their unborn child, and she is also afraid for herself among the raiders she was raised to fear. Hearing the Nordelanders whisper about the deaths she caused with Hel’s power, Freya finally understands how Saga’s prophecy could come true and swears she will not use that magic again.

Freya watches Bjorn with suspicion and resentment. Remembering his promise that no one would stop her from seeking his mother, she also remembers the lies he told and the oath he once described: he meant to take everything from Snorri, regardless of who stood in the way. Seeing the arm ring Harald has given him confirms to Freya that Bjorn belongs to Nordeland, and she decides that, whatever their past, he is her enemy.

When Freya’s attention shifts to Tora, she notices the burns on the child of Thor’s face and asks why they were not healed. Tora explains that healing was denied to her, and Freya calls the wounds a fitting punishment for the deaths Tora caused, including Bodil’s. Tora replies that she had intended to kill Freya, not Bodil, and says failing to do so was one of her greatest mistakes.

Tora then reveals that she met Bodil as a child and once claimed she wanted to be like her. Freya remembers Bodil’s gift for sensing lies and realizes Tora had not wanted to be a warrior then. When Freya asks what changed, Harald interrupts and explains only that Tora’s uncle was a cruel man whom Harald later executed, and that Tora has remained at Harald’s side ever since. Harald praises both Tora and Freya as rare warriors, but his words leave Freya uneasy.

The conversation ends when Skade spots smoke ahead. At first, Freya and the others fear Snorri and the Skalanders have come, but a scout quickly identifies the attackers as Islunders. Realizing Nordeland’s villages were left vulnerable during Harald’s absence, Harald turns his fury toward the new threat and rallies his warriors to answer the raid with bloodshed.