After setting up camp near the ruins of Halsar, Snorri sends riders throughout his territories to summon every able fighter, while Bodil sends for reinforcements from her own lands. Snorri welcomes the idea of Gnut's scouts reporting his movements, wanting Gnut to cower in terror and hoping Gnut's own people will turn against him. The camp buzzes with war preparations—forging weapons, fletching arrows, and gathering supplies—while warriors drink, sing, and dance around fires.

Freya sits by a cookfire with Bodil, and the two discuss Snorri's conviction and the nature of truth. Bodil reveals that her god-given ability to detect lies manifests as itching feet, and that nearly everyone deceives in some way, making her youth miserable until she learned to distinguish malicious lies from those told out of empathy or fear. Bjorn arrives and sits beside Freya, sparking flirtatious banter that Bodil quietly observes. Bjorn reveals he spent his time gathering medicinal plants and making salve for Freya's burned hand—a deeply touching gesture that nearly brings Freya to tears.

The conversation turns to strategy when Bodil asks Bjorn why he left during Snorri's speech. Bjorn expresses serious doubts about attacking Grindill, describing it as a true fortress with towering walls and a stake-filled moat that has never been taken. He questions how many will die in the attempt and grows defensive when Bodil probes his motivations, declaring that her ability to discern truth does not entitle her to it before abruptly departing. Bodil observes to Freya that Bjorn's real concern seems to be for one person in particular.

Left alone with Bodil, Freya articulates a strategic vision: rebuilding Halsar is folly given its vulnerability, raiding allies would breed resentment, and failing to retaliate against Gnut would project weakness inviting further attacks. She concludes that she herself must be the one to win Grindill, because Skalanders need to believe the gods favor Snorri's kingship through her exploits. Bodil approves and offers to have Freya train with her female warriors, arguing that Bjorn fights like a man and Freya needs to learn a woman's style of combat. However, Bodil also delivers a pointed warning: Freya's public behavior must befit a leader, and gossip about her and Bjorn could have consequences—not for Freya, but for those she cares about.

Freya joins Bodil's maidens in celebration, dancing, drinking mead, and honoring the fallen. When Bjorn appears at the edge of the gathering, Freya brandishes a spear playfully, but he withdraws into the woods. The celebration grows quiet as skald Steinunn arrives and begins performing a ballad about Freya's exploits in the Hammar tunnels. Steinunn's magic causes Freya to relive the experience viscerally—seeing through both Steinunn's and her own past perspectives, smelling rot, feeling terror. Freya notices an odd detail: unfamiliar red-laced shoes that aren't hers. Overwhelmed by the sensory onslaught and too much mead, Freya collapses and loses consciousness.