A Curse Carved in Bone
by Danielle L. Jensen
Contents
Chapter 20: Freya
Overview
Freya becomes even more committed to stopping Snorri, but her plan collides with Bjorn’s refusal to control her through another oath. To force the issue, Bjorn proves how absolute her magical obedience can be, leaving both of them shaken by how much of Freya’s past may have been shaped by compulsion. He still chooses to stand with her, but only without becoming another master in her life.
Summary
As Freya and Bjorn ride hard through the night with wolves shadowing them, Freya feels newly certain of her purpose after Saga’s revelations. She believes she finally has a clear course: if Bjorn will help her, she can use a new oath to free herself from Snorri’s control and stop the future Saga foresaw.
When they stop to rest the horses, Bjorn avoids the argument Freya expects and instead gives her a jar of salve he made for her scars. The gesture briefly recalls their old intimacy, but Freya’s hurt and distrust remain. She reflects that too many men have used or directed her, and that she may be destined to rely only on herself.
Freya presses Bjorn to support her plan, arguing that necessity and the Allfather’s will justify it. Bjorn challenges that claim, pointing out that the solution comes from Freya and his mother rather than from a direct command of the gods. He proposes other options, first suggesting that Freya may be stronger against the oath than she thinks, then bluntly proposing that Ylva be killed to break the magic binding Freya to Snorri’s line.
Horrified by the idea of murdering Ylva, Freya rejects that path. Bjorn then tests the oath directly by ordering Freya to leave Nordeland with him and fight in Islund instead. Before she can resist, Freya is already on her feet with her hand on her sword, and the speed of her obedience makes her realize how little control she may truly have had under Snorri’s commands.
The demonstration sickens both of them. Freya insists her choices with Bjorn were real, but Bjorn asks how either of them can know. Even so, he agrees to follow Freya’s dangerous plan and fight beside her, while firmly refusing to replace Snorri as another man who commands her life.
Bjorn declares that the command he just gave will be the last order he ever gives Freya, even if that refusal carries terrible consequences for Nordeland. Neither of them can eat after the confrontation. Realizing that Harald will likely hear first if Snorri sets sail, Freya and Bjorn abandon their meal to continue riding at once.
Who Appears
- Freyapushes her plan to stop Snorri, confronts the oath’s power, and struggles with autonomy.
- Bjornchallenges Freya’s plan, tests her magical obedience, and refuses to become her master.
- Snorrioff-page ruler whose blood oath still compels Freya and threatens Nordeland.
- Ylvavolva tied to Freya’s oath; Bjorn suggests killing her to break the bond.
- Haraldregional leader whom Bjorn expects will receive the first news of Snorri’s fleet.
- Sagaseer whose revelations gave Freya the sense of purpose driving her plan.