After escaping pursuit, Freya returns to the draug camp with Geir and learns that Skade led the chase but broke off before night battle. Freya is crushed that Steinunn refused to believe the truth, because Freya had spent her best chance to save Bjorn trying to win Steinunn’s help. While Freya struggles to find another path before Bjorn’s execution, Guthrum arrives at the camp and explains that he and Kaja have been hiding, watching both Freya’s movements and events at Grindill.

Guthrum reveals that Kaja spoke with Bjorn in the cells beneath the fortress and confirms that Bjorn is alive, though guarded by Tora. He admits he cannot fully accept that Harald is a trickster, but says Harald and Snorri repeatedly call Freya a monster, and Guthrum now believes Freya is not the villain they claim. Even so, because Harald once saved his life, Guthrum refuses to turn against him. Before leaving, Guthrum warns Freya that Snorri plans to offer terms: if Freya surrenders, she will die quickly and Bjorn will be exiled, but if she refuses, Bjorn will suffer the blood eagle at dusk.

Freya rejects surrender because she does not trust Harald to keep the bargain, and Geir warns that giving herself up would hand the enemy victory. Freya considers storming Grindill, but the fortress is full of Skalanders who believe Harald’s lies, so an attack would likely kill her own people while still allowing Harald to escape by changing shape. One group of draug attempts to scale the fortress walls before sunrise, hoping to free Bjorn quietly, but Skade kills all four with her arrows after Grindill’s defenses have been tightened.

Later, a messenger from Snorri publicly repeats the same offer: surrender by dusk for Bjorn’s exile, or refuse and Bjorn dies by blood eagle. Freya decides they may have no choice but to take the fortress and kill Harald, but Geir and the draug refuse to slaughter friends and family merely to save Bjorn, arguing that such a fight would betray the cause they returned for. Forced to confront that truth, Freya begins walking toward surrender because she sees no honorable alternative.

Then Skoll and Hati reappear. Their arrival sparks a new idea when Freya realizes that although Harald can change his face, he may not be able to change his scent. Freya uses charcoal runes to restore the wolves’ understanding and confirms that they can recognize Harald regardless of his form. With new hope, Freya abandons surrender and forms a final plan: fill Grindill with smoke, force everyone out through controlled exits, and use Skoll and Hati to identify Harald when he tries to flee in disguise. As her undead army gathers, Freya leads them out of the trees, ready to turn Harald’s game against him.