Freya, resolved to stop fighting her fate, tells Bjorn she intends to swear an oath to Snorri as king and accept his control. Bjorn stops her and urges her instead to change her fate, insisting that she matters to him and asking her to attend Steinunn's performance that evening before making any decisions.

That night, the entire population of Grindill gathers as Steinunn, dressed in raven garb, performs her ballad of the battle. Her skald magic immerses the audience in a vivid, omniscient vision of the assault on Grindill—shifting between perspectives of attackers and defenders alike. Freya is forced to relive Bodil's death, discovering that the lightning bolt was intended for her, not Bodil. She then sees herself through others' eyes: a blood-soaked figure with burning crimson eyes, slaughtering everyone in her path regardless of whether they fought back or fled, while Bjorn killed those who attacked her from behind and begged her to stop. The crowd watches in fear, and Snorri capitalizes on the moment, declaring that Steinunn will spread the song throughout Skaland to rally oaths to his kingship.

Horrified by the truth of what she did, Freya flees the crowd. Bjorn follows, and she insists the vision must be lies. He tells her a skald's magic cannot depict falsehoods. In a narrow alley, Bjorn offers to run away with her, abandoning his family and ambitions, declaring he wants her rather than rule. They kiss passionately, and Freya, consumed by desire, reveals that her marriage to Snorri is a sham—a deal brokered with Ylva in which Snorri never touches her. She urges Bjorn to claim her physically.

Bjorn insists he won't be with her in secret while she remains under Snorri's control—he wants all of her or none. An unfamiliar, aggressive voice inside Freya surges forward, demanding Bjorn kill Snorri and take power. When Bjorn points out her eyes have turned red again, Freya snaps back to herself, horrified by what she said. She realizes something alien is influencing her—an inner presence she cannot control.

Bjorn identifies the presence as Hlin, the goddess whose power Freya carries, comparing it to his own experience with his god's influence. He admits little is known about Hlin's true nature. Freya, now terrified of the force inside her, resolves to visit her mother—the one person who might know more about Hlin and what is happening to her.