A Curse Carved in Bone: Book Two of the Saga of the Unfated Chapter 40 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’s undead army, the draug, report no sign of Harald’s fleet or Guthrum as they sail toward Torne. Passing the fjord near her home village of Selvegr, Freya learns from Geir that their sister Ingrid is safe, though Geir chose not to frighten her by appearing as a rotting corpse. Grief for Bjorn gnaws at Freya. Suddenly, Skade pursues Ragnar along the beach. Freya orders the drakkar ashore, but Skade shoots Ragnar in the back. Ragnar survives long enough to reveal that Bjorn is alive but injured, held by “Snorri” – actually Harald in disguise – and that a staged celebration will culminate in Bjorn’s blood‑eagle execution. Harald has framed Freya as a traitor who cursed Skaland and tried to attack Nordeland. Ylva and Leif are alive but captive. Ragnar dies. Geir suggests using Grindill’s river drains to infiltrate the fortress at night, an idea Freya embraces because her undead army does not need to breathe. She also frees Skoll and Hati by cutting off their enchanted collars.
Key Events
- Freya passes near Selvegr but does not stop; Geir avoids contacting Ingrid.
- Skade chases and wounds Ragnar on the beach; Freya’s draug kill her? (No – Skade escapes after shooting Ragnar.)
- Ragnar reveals that Harald impersonates Snorri and has framed Freya as a common enemy.
- Bjorn is alive but sentenced to death by blood eagle at a coming festival where the skald Steinunn will sing a false tale.
- Ylva and Leif are alive but under Harald’s control; Ylva’s obedience is secured by threats to Leif.
- Freya cuts the collars off Skoll and Hati, freeing the wolves from Harald’s control.
- Geir proposes entering Grindill through the river drains, a plan Freya approves given her army’s non‑breathing nature.
Character Development
- Freya: Gripped by terror for Bjorn and guilt over her earlier mistakes (trusting Guthrum). Yet she stays decisive, immediately ordering pursuit of Skade and then pivoting to a new infiltration plan. Her empathy surfaces when she frees the wolves.
- Geir: Affectionate but practical, he chooses not to haunt Ingrid with his undead form. His tactical suggestion (the drains) reveals that his mind remains sharp despite his decaying body.
- Ragnar: Dies a loyal messenger, delivering vital intelligence about Harald’s deception and Bjorn’s fate. His final words implore Freya to redeem herself.
- Skade: Acts as Harald’s ruthless enforcer, showing no hesitation in shooting Ragnar and fleeing before Freya can confront her.
- Skoll and Hati: Transformed from magical tools of Harald into free animals when their collars are removed – a small but symbolic victory.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Framing and false narratives: Harald twists the truth to make Freya seem a monster, using a public performance to cement his lie. The chapter highlights how power can shape history.
- Decay and sacrifice: The draug army rots away, a physical symbol of Freya’s limited time and the cost of raising the dead. Geir’s avoidance of Ingrid shows the emotional toll of undeath.
- Cleverness over brute force: Harald’s plan relies on psychological manipulation, not open battle; Freya must match his cunning by using the hidden drains, a subtle approach.
- Freedom from compulsion: By freeing the wolves, Freya partly redeems her own past failures and asserts a small act of defiance against magical control.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter raises the stakes dramatically: Bjorn is not only alive but facing a horrific public execution, and Harald has successfully painted Freya as the villain of Skaland. The revelation that Ylva lives means Freya’s own oath‑magic still threatens her. The tactical pivot to infiltration via Grindill’s sewers sets up a tense, intimate rescue mission. Additionally, Freya’s decision to free the wolves foreshadows a possible path to breaking other forms of control—including Harald’s hold over his followers.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Geir choose not to speak to Ingrid when he visits Selvegr?
He does not want to frighten her with his undead appearance and prefers that she remember him as he was in life, not as a rotting corpse. -
How does Harald use the skald Steinunn to further his plot?
At the planned celebration, Steinunn will sing a version of events that portrays Freya as the perpetrator of a curse and an attempted attack on Nordeland, thus justifying the alliance and Bjorn’s execution. -
What practical advantage do the draug offer for the plan to enter Grindill via the drains?
Because the undead do not need to breathe, they can submerge themselves in the river for extended periods, making it possible to find and swim through the underwater drain openings without drowning.