Bjorn leads Freya on horseback through forested mountain paths toward Hammar, accompanied by the skald Steinunn and one of Snorri's warriors. Snorri insisted Steinunn come to witness their trial and the warrior to return the horses afterward. As they climb, the air grows colder and they begin encountering bones scattered across the ground—animal and human alike. Bones have been hung from tree branches like wind chimes, rattling in the wind and creating an eerie atmosphere that confirms the presence of draug.

The horses refuse to continue as steam carrying the stench of rot wafts from the base of Hammar's north-facing cliff. Bjorn dismounts and tells the warrior to wait an hour before taking the horses back, insisting Freya must see the path before deciding. On foot, they reach a cave opening at the base of the sheer cliff—a gateway into the Path to Helheim, belching gouts of steam into the cold air.

Steinunn, terrified, urges them not to enter and offers to vouch to Snorri that the attempt was madness. Bjorn defers entirely to Freya, telling her the choice is hers and that he will follow her wherever she decides—even to a mead hall to drink while waiting for consequences. Freya weighs her options: the southern slope is guarded by hostile forces, the northern path is infested with draug, and the specter's warning means turning back could mean death. She decides she would rather die fighting than as a coward and agrees to enter.

Bjorn firmly orders Steinunn to stay behind, arguing she will die if she accompanies them. Steinunn pushes back, citing Snorri's orders to witness and tell Freya's story, but Freya promises to recount everything if she survives. Steinunn accepts Freya's word, though Bjorn refuses to cooperate with the skald, calling her Snorri's spy. With the matter settled, Steinunn departs, warning Bjorn that his defiance of Snorri will eventually cost him. Freya steels herself and leads the way into the cave, with Bjorn summoning his god-fire axe to light their path into total darkness.