Episode 3 of Vikings: Valhalla's second season dawns with Leif stirring from slumber, enveloped by the warmth of a stranger named Mariam. She, a benevolent soul, had rescued him from the brink of frostbite, his body perilously close to surrendering to the unforgiving night air. As his eyes first alight upon a tome, Leif's fascination is palpable; he flips through its pages with a mix of awe and curiosity. Revealingly, Mariam confesses that the book, a repository of ideas, is her own creation, a testament to her life as a wanderer. Hailing from the distant city of Aleppo in the south, she also betrays a lingering cough, which, though dismissed as mere cold, hints at a more sinister ailment lurking beneath the surface.
Elsewhere, Harald's strategic mind weaves a deal with Gestr by the docks, a man seeking passage to the glittering metropolis of Constantinople, his cargo a sorrowful cargo of enslaved souls. Leif, swayed by fate's hand, decides to embark on this journey alongside Harald, his resolve bolstered by the inclusion of Kaysan and Batu, formidable warriors from the fighting pits, whose expertise will prove invaluable as they seek the guidance of Kurya, a master of the Dneiper River's secrets.
Kurya, a blind Pecheneg warrior, his world mapped in the intricate tapestry of his mind, warns of an inevitable encounter with his own kind, a prophecy that hangs heavy in the air. As preparations for the voyage intensify, Leif extends an invitation to Mariam, urging her to join their quest towards Constantinople, the city of dreams and intrigue.
Meanwhile, Freydis firmly establishes her footing in Jomsborg, yet shadows of misfortune linger over others. In the makeshift camps, refugees toil, forging weapons and aiding in the loading of ships for an impending raid. News of Freydis' impending motherhood spreads swiftly, Harekr proclaiming it from atop crates, his voice carrying across the bustling dock.
During combat drills, Freydis dares to defy tradition, introducing Hrefna, a young woman, to the world of swords and battle. This act of defiance stirs dissent among Jorundr and his comrades, who hold fast to an ancient ritual preceding combat. Yet, Freydis' unwavering conviction prevails, and Hrefna proves herself a worthy swordsman, her prowess met with a mix of admiration and disapproval from the onlookers.
Indeed, Hrefna's subsequent disappearance amidst the enigmatic forest sends Freydis into a frenzied search, fueled by the revelation that Jorundr had urged her to embark on the solemn ritual alone, deep within the bone-chilling graveyard. Freydis's heart heavy with unease, she ventures forth, venturing into a realm where shadows seem to whisper secrets. There, amidst the crisp leaves, she stumbles upon a chilling sight—traces of blood, painting a sinister picture.
Her calls for Hrefna echoing through the desolate landscape, Freydis's persistence is rewarded as she discovers her friend hidden within the hollow embrace of an ancient tree, a veritable sanctuary amidst the danger. And to her surprise, Hrefna bears a fragment of Skuld, a testament to the ritual's completion, shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
As they make their way back, a sudden onslaught of a wild boar shatters the momentary peace, and Freydis, swift and decisive, brings it down with a fierce strike.
Meanwhile, in the bustling metropolis of London, the assassin's fate is sealed, his every lead exhausted, leaving a trail of unanswered questions. Godwin, relentless in his pursuit, turns his focus to the shadowy figures who aided the assassin, his conviction unwavering that their missteps will inevitably reveal them.
Emma's shrewd observation uncovers a deeper layer of intrigue within the town's fabric. She recognizes the telltale signs of grief etched on Aelfwynn's face, her tears spilling openly in the town square, a silent confession. Soon, the truth unravels—the assassin is none other than Aelfwynn's own brother, a bond shrouded in secrecy and betrayal.
Moreover, the revelation that Aelfwynn and Godwin are bound by an impending union, a secret nurtured in the shadows for months, adds another layer of complexity to the web of deceit. Aelfwynn's protestations of estrangement and months-long separation from her brother ring hollow in Emma's ears, her suspicions lingering like a ghostly mist.
