Ragnar Stoneskin and Knut Witchbane: the two poles of Runeheim leadership. Knut is Lady Vindicta’s knight, a pillar of respectability and authority; Ragnar, so young and so full of enthusiasm, is a champion of the downtrodden. They are everything I should aspire to be, or – if I am being more realistic – I should aspire to follow, if I am to be my father’s daughter.

But I decide not only for myself but for my friends as well, my little band of survivors, and this forum I saw enough to give me pause. Knut so readily taking orders from a ghost, Ragnar swayed by the spirit in his sword – I have to choose carefully, and choose correctly.

On the other hand, one of my own may be joining their esteemed ranks soon, so that may make the whole point moot.

I should be happy for Vogel. I *am* happy for Vogel. He earned the acclaim, the story Eskel told like a true skald. He saw what had to be done when I didn’t, and he pulled it off.

A voice in the back of my head whispers: “There’s a reason, Gisla, you keep failing – that black stain in your heart seeps through to everything you do.” I can’t contest that. I can’t even stand up in court, can’t get properly mad at Ragnar for forgetting our deal. Even if the position is cursed, they don’t need me to make it any worse.

Regardless, I have my duty. I will not fail Kallevik again.