Pater

Pater is calm, considerate, practical, and unusually compassionate within the social hierarchy of Ketil's estate. His own history as a slave gives him a direct understanding of the humiliations Thorfinn and Einar face.

He does not respond to every injustice with confrontation. Instead, Pater often works through evidence, negotiation, and the limited authority available to him, making him one of the few free workers on the farm consistently willing to advocate for slaves.

His loyalty to Ketil is genuine but not blind. Pater can recognize the suffering around him while still feeling indebted to the man under whom he earned his freedom.

Pater is an experienced agricultural worker familiar with farming, land management, tools, livestock, and the everyday organization of Ketil's estate.

He is also observant. When free farmhands sabotage Thorfinn and Einar's crops, Pater identifies evidence that helps establish what actually occurred rather than allowing the slaves to be blamed automatically.

Pater is not portrayed as an exceptional warrior, though he is physically capable of joining the farm's defenders when conflict reaches the estate.

Pater is introduced as one of the people overseeing Thorfinn and Einar's work after Einar arrives on Ketil's farm.

Because Pater previously bought his own freedom through the same system, he understands the pair's goal and helps them obtain equipment and fair treatment when other workers obstruct them.

He later assists Leif Ericson in locating Thorfinn and urges him to consider purchasing Einar and Arnheid as well.

Pater also tends Arnheid's injuries after Ketil brutally attacks her.

When Canute's army arrives, Pater remains with Ketil's forces despite recognizing how badly the farm is outmatched. He survives the battle and later sees Thorfinn and Einar off when they finally leave the estate.

Thorfinn receives practical help and fair treatment from Pater during his enslavement on Ketil's farm.

Einar shares a particularly direct connection with Pater because both are agricultural workers who experience slavery under Ketil before earning freedom.

Ketil is Pater's former owner and later employer. Pater remains loyal to him even while recognizing serious flaws in his behavior.

Arnheid receives medical attention from Pater after she is badly injured.

Leif Ericson works with Pater while searching the farm for Thorfinn.