Infiltration and Betrayal: Freya's Failed Mission at Grindill
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Freya and Geir lead a covert infiltration of the fortress Grindill by swimming the river Torne at night, using ropes to guide themselves through a submerged tunnel beneath the walls. Inside the tunnel they find the corpses of Ylva’s warriors—evidence that “Snorri” (actually Harald in disguise) murdered his own men. They emerge into a drain beneath the great hall and overhear Harald (wearing Snorri’s face) lying to the skald Steinunn, claiming his alliance with Snorri is a ruse to achieve peace before delivering justice. After the hall falls silent, Freya and Geir slip out disguised as drunken lovers. They pass Snorri/Harald and Ylva in the hallway, nearly getting caught. Reaching Steinunn’s chamber, they find it empty; Steinunn returns and Geir restrains her. Freya reveals the truth: Harald is a child of Loki, a shape-shifter who killed the real Snorri, and that Bjorn killed Snorri. Steinunn, however, rejects the revelation—she already got her revenge through Snorri’s death and refuses to help. She screams, alerting the fortress. Freya and Geir flee back through the drain as panicked thralls shout about walking dead (the draug). Their plan to use Steinunn’s song to expose Harald collapses, and Bjorn remains a prisoner.
Key Events
- Freya and Geir navigate the Torne river and a corpse-filled tunnel to infiltrate Grindill.
- They overhear Harald (as Snorri) soothing Steinunn with lies about a pretended alliance.
- Freya and Geir avoid detection by pretending to be a couple in the hallway.
- They confront Steinunn in her chamber and explain Harald’s shape-shifting and deception.
- Steinunn refuses to help, having achieved her vengeance (Snorri’s death), and screams for help.
- Freya and Geir escape through the drain, causing chaos as the draug are mistaken for waking dead.
- Their plan to expose Harald publicly during Bjorn’s execution fails.
Character Development
- Freya: Her desperation to rescue Bjorn drives her, but she must confront the limits of persuasion. She shows tactical cunning (infiltration, overhearing, disguise) yet suffers a painful realization that truth alone cannot overcome ingrained self-interest. Her sorrow at Steinunn’s cruelty reveals her empathy for those consumed by grief.
- Geir: Remains a steady, pragmatic ally, prioritizing Freya’s survival over Bjorn’s immediate rescue. His undead state is used for intimidation and stealth.
- Steinunn: Her arc pivots sharply: previously a grieving victim, she now admits that her desire for justice is satisfied, and she actively chooses to protect Harald’s lies. Her selfishness and cowardice are exposed when Freya challenges her to sing the truth.
- Harald (impersonating Snorri): His mastery of deception is on full display, manipulating Steinunn with false promises while maintaining the Snorri facade. He demonstrates control over the narrative.
- Ylva: Briefly shown switching allegiance to save herself, cooperating with Harald under threat against her son Leif.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Deception and its limits: The chapter stresses that even when the truth is spoken plainly, those who benefit from the lie may reject it. Steinunn’s choice illustrates how personal vengeance can blind people to larger conspiracies.
- Grief and selfishness: Steinunn’s grief has curdled into a self-serving refusal to see beyond her own loss. Freya’s sorrow at this transformation underscores the motif of corrupted grief.
- The drain and filth: The tunnel filled with human waste and corpses symbolizes the moral decay and hidden violence beneath Grindill’s political maneuvering.
- Light and darkness: The use of Freya’s magic to illuminate the tunnel contrasts with the shadows of deceit in the great hall. Light is associated with truth, yet it reveals horror.
- Walking dead as chaos: The panicked thrall’s cry “the dead are walking” ties the draug to supernatural fear, amplifying the confusion that allows Freya’s escape.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in Freya’s quest. Her elegant plan to use Steinunn’s skaldic magic to reveal Harald’s identity fails decisively, shifting the strategy from stealth and persuasion to potential open conflict. It deepens Steinunn’s character by showing that revenge can corrupt, making her an antagonist rather than an ally. The failure also raises the stakes for Bjorn, who remains in Harald’s hands with no rescue plan. The chapter reinforces that Harald’s power rests not only on supernatural shape-shifting but on exploiting people’s desires and weaknesses.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Steinunn refuse to help Freya despite hearing the full truth about Harald’s deception?
Steinunn’s primary motivation is personal revenge against Snorri for murdering her family. She believes Bjorn (Snorri’s son) killed Snorri, so she already has her vengeance. Exposing Harald would not give her anything she wants, and she distrusts Freya after Freya’s use of Hel’s magic. Her grief has made her selfish; she prioritizes her own satisfaction over the larger good. -
How does Freya’s emotional state change over the course of the chapter?
Freya begins with grim determination, plunging into the cold river and navigating the horrors of the tunnel. She feels hope when she overhears the argument between Steinunn and Harald, believing she can exploit the rift. After Steinunn’s betrayal, she shifts to sorrow and self-reproach, realizing her plan failed. She nearly abandons logic to rescue Bjorn immediately, but Geir’s counsel restrains her. She ends in despair, blaming herself for Bjorn’s continued captivity. -
What does the scene in the hallway with Snorri/Harald and Ylva reveal about Harald’s strategy?
Harald (as Snorri) is carefully controlling access to Bjorn, forbidding Leif from visiting the prison. This shows he fears Leif’s questions and possible betrayal. Ylva’s cooperation is secured through threats against her son. The exchange also highlights Harald’s ability to maintain separate identities: he speaks as Snorri to Ylva, but Freya knows he is playing both rulers. The encounter demonstrates how close Freya came to discovery, emphasizing the high-risk nature of the infiltration.