After the confrontation in Harald’s hall, Harald orders servants to prepare Freya and Bjorn for the journey to Saga’s cabin. Bjorn insists Freya needs steady horses because of the rough terrain, while Freya stubbornly demands the fastest, showing that their tension remains intact. When Harald leaves with Skade, Tora takes Freya away so Bjorn and Freya do not keep arguing and so Freya is not left exposed to anyone who shares Steinunn’s hostility.

Left alone with Steinunn, Bjorn apologizes for the deaths of her husband and son, admitting that Snorri’s pursuit of power cost many lives and that Bjorn should have acted sooner. Steinunn reveals that she is also unfated, that she often wished Bjorn dead because his survival let Snorri keep searching for the shield maiden, and that in the draug tunnels she bargained with the draug jarl to kill Bjorn and Freya in exchange for a song about his victory. Even after hearing that, Bjorn focuses on Freya’s bravery and selflessness, and he tells Steinunn that Snorri is the true threat, not Freya. Steinunn rejects that view, saying Bjorn only believes it because he is in love with Freya.

A servant named Una leads Bjorn to the chest holding his old clothes and weapons, and she openly flirts with him. Bjorn shuts the invitation down because he has chosen Freya and does not intend to waver, even if that choice brings him pain. Handling his old belongings leaves him feeling estranged from his former life, and the sight of clothes that would now fit Leif makes Bjorn think about his younger brother. He remembers Leif’s joy when Bjorn first came to Halsar and feels fresh guilt, because when Leif learns the truth, Leif will understand that his love and trust helped the enemy enter.

Troels then arrives with hot water and greets Bjorn with rough affection, quickly falling into their old banter. Once Bjorn presses him for news, Troels explains that Harald became fixated on every scrap of information tied to Skaland and the prophecy, leaving other matters to Skade. Troels also says Saga has grown unusually reclusive and may not even be receiving Harald anymore. That report deepens Bjorn’s unease about his father’s judgment and intentions, especially where Freya is concerned, and it leaves Bjorn feeling that his return home is far less comforting than it should be.