A Curse Carved in Bone: Book Two of the Saga of the Unfated Chapter 38 Summary & Analysis
⚠️ 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 sails toward Skaland aboard a drakkar filled with undead warriors, accompanied by her brother Geir. She explains to Geir that Harald hid his true goal of conquering all of Skaland from her. They discuss Ylva's plan to trade Bjorn for Leif, and Freya fears Harald will bind Bjorn rather than kill him. Freya intends to use the skald Steinunn to sing the truth of Harald's deception to his Unfated followers, hoping to turn them. Geir is skeptical, arguing that Harald's cabal has benefited from his rule. Geir apologizes for tricking Freya during the battle at Grindill. A merlin—Kaja, the familiar of Harald's Unfated warrior Guthrum—leads them to a driftwood tangle where Guthrum clings to life. Freya dives into the icy water to rescue him. Guthrum briefly regains consciousness and speaks to Freya before passing out again. Geir sees Guthrum as a test of whether truth can shift loyalties; Freya refuses to kill him. The draug land on the Skaland beach. Freya tends Guthrum by a fire and prays he will help her. While speaking with Geir, she turns to find Guthrum has vanished.
Key Events
- Freya and Geir discuss Harald's deception and the plan to trade Bjorn for Leif.
- Geir apologizes for the earlier trick in Grindill that involved Ingrid's false threat.
- Kaja the merlin leads Freya to Guthrum, who is barely alive on driftwood.
- Freya rescues Guthrum from the sea and revives him briefly.
- Guthrum passes out again; Geir argues he may be a test case for revealing truth.
- The draug army lands on Skaland's coast; Freya feels homesick.
- Freya tends Guthrum by a fire, hoping to win him to her side.
- Guthrum disappears while Freya talks with Geir.
Character Development
Freya: Her resolve to avoid unnecessary killing deepens. She rejects Geir's suggestion to execute Guthrum, insisting she will tie him up instead. Her fear for Bjorn is palpable, and she clings to hope that Harald will keep him alive as leverage. Her return to Skaland stirs a yearning for home and a determination to protect it.
Geir: Though physically decaying, Geir's personality remains proud and pragmatic. He apologizes for past betrayals, showing a glimmer of remorse. His view of war is brutal—he advocates slaughter as the cleanest victory—revealing how death has not softened his ruthlessness.
Guthrum: Barely conscious, but his loyalty to Harald is questioned by Freya. His survival and ultimate disappearance set up a crucial test: will he believe the truth or remain loyal to the man who saved him as a boy?
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Deception vs. Truth: The central conflict. Harald, a child of Loki, embodies trickery. Freya plans to expose him through Steinunn's song—a literal performance of truth. Geir's doubt underscores the difficulty of convincing those who benefit from deception.
Redemption: Both Freya and Geir seek a chance to do right. Geir apologizes for his past actions; Freya hopes to avoid a massacre. Their shared line—"let us both be grateful for a last opportunity to do right by each other"—captures this theme.
Loyalty Test: Guthrum represents the question of where allegiance lies when the truth is known. Freya's refusal to kill him shows her commitment to a moral path, even when it risks her safety.
The Undead Army: The draug are both a weapon and a burden. Their decay disturbs Freya, and Geir's continued arrogance despite death hints at the cost of using forbidden power.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks Freya's physical return to Skaland and the beginning of her campaign against Harald. It establishes her ethical boundaries—she will not kill Harald's deceived followers if she can avoid it. The rescue of Guthrum introduces a potential ally and a moral dilemma: if he remains loyal to Harald, Freya may have to make a hard choice. The disappearance of Guthrum at the end raises immediate tension and suspense. Geir's apology also provides emotional closure for their fraught sibling relationship, allowing them to work together more fully.
Study Questions
1. Why does Freya believe Steinunn's song can turn Harald's Unfated followers? Freya thinks that hearing the truth of Harald's transformation from Saga's form to his own will shock his followers and make them question his motives. She met many of them in Nordeland and considers them good people who would not knowingly serve a child of Loki.
2. How does Geir's attitude toward the war differ from Freya's? Geir advocates a total military victory—kill Harald and all loyal to him—arguing that Freya's undead army and her protection against magic make victory certain. Freya recoils from this as murderous slaughter, preferring to reveal the truth and avoid bloodshed.
3. What does Guthrum's disappearance signal for the next chapter? It creates immediate suspense. Guthrum may have fled back to Harald, or he may be hiding to gather information. His choice will determine whether Freya gains a crucial ally (and potential source on Harald's plans) or faces an enemy who knows her location.
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