Brodd

Brodd is mocking, confident, and contemptuous toward Olmar. He enjoys delivering the humiliating news that Olmar has not been accepted into royal service and willingly adds personal insults.

His confidence comes partly from recognizing how little threat Olmar poses in an actual sword fight. When the young man lashes out, Brodd is comfortable handling him without assistance.

Brodd does not realize that the confrontation itself has been engineered by higher-ranking men with objectives extending far beyond humiliating Olmar.

Brodd is a trained soldier and capable swordsman.

When Olmar attacks him, Brodd easily parries the younger man's clumsy strikes and remains in control of the duel. The difference in technical ability is substantial enough that Brodd expects to finish the encounter without difficulty.

Brodd is instructed to inform Olmar that his failed sword demonstration has disqualified him from joining Canute's military household.

He and several other soldiers openly laugh at Olmar and provoke his anger. Olmar draws his sword, and Brodd accepts the challenge.

The duel is secretly manipulated by one of Canute's agents, who flicks a coin into Brodd's eye just as Olmar attacks. Brodd turns instinctively toward the injury and Olmar's sword cuts his neck, killing him.

Brodd's death is then used as evidence that Ketil's family has committed treason against the king, providing Canute with the pretext he needs to move against Ketil's farm and wealth.

Olmar is the young man Brodd is ordered to provoke and the person whose sword kills him after the duel is secretly manipulated.

Canute is the king whose broader plan depends on manufacturing a justification for seizing Ketil's estate.

Thorgil arrives during the confrontation and encourages Olmar to answer Brodd's insults with violence.

Wulf is connected to the royal decision rejecting Olmar's request to join the king's service.