Gardar

Gardar is determined, protective, violent under threat, and consumed by the desire to reclaim the family life taken from him. Years of brutal slavery have made him quick to use lethal force against anyone standing between him and freedom.

That violence coexists with deep affection for Arnheid and their son. Gardar's memories of home reveal a man who once imagined himself acting for his family's benefit even when the choices he made placed them in greater danger.

His tragedy comes partly from recognizing too late that leaving home for war was a mistake. The wealth and security he hoped to gain through fighting instead expose his village to catastrophe.

Gardar is an experienced Viking fighter with substantial physical strength, endurance, and close-range combat ability.

Years of enslavement do not erase his warrior instincts. After escaping, he kills armed pursuers and remains extremely dangerous even while exhausted and injured.

Gardar can overpower ordinary guards through direct physical force, but Snake's greater technical ability presents a much more difficult opponent.

Gardar's history is revealed through Arnheid. He once lived peacefully with her and their infant son Hjalti in Svealand until a nearby iron deposit triggered a conflict between settlements.

Gardar and the other men leave to fight over the iron. While they are away, enemies raid their undefended village, kill or disperse its inhabitants, and sell Arnheid into slavery. Gardar is later captured and enslaved separately.

Years afterward, Gardar escapes his master and searches for Arnheid, eventually reaching Ketil's farm. He kills several of Snake's men during his attempts to escape with her, but suffers severe wounds.

Arnheid frees him and the two flee together. Gardar dies from his injuries during the escape while imagining that he is finally returning home to Arnheid and Hjalti.

Arnheid is Gardar's wife and the person he searches for after escaping slavery.

Hjalti is Gardar and Arnheid's son. Gardar never learns the full truth of what happened to him after their village was raided.

Snake becomes Gardar's principal opponent on Ketil's farm and wounds him severely during their confrontation.

Thorfinn becomes involved when Arnheid attempts to escape with Gardar and must choose how far he will go to help them without abandoning his rejection of violence.

Einar also assists Arnheid and becomes emotionally invested in the couple's attempt to escape.