When the Raven Flies

A mysterious, vengeful figure who returns after two decades to confront his past. He operates from the shadows, revealing himself only through killings and strategic moves. He engineers the conflict between Thord's gangs and frames Erik's gang to draw Thord into the trap. He ultimately reveals himself to his sister, contemplates a Christian life, and withdraws from violence, even as the cycle of vengeance hints at continuing retaliation.

A powerful Viking leader and devout pagan who rules through ritual authority and loyalty. He is quick to suspect betrayal, and his world crumbles as Gestur's subterfuge fractures his power. He aggressively targets Erik and his men, leading to deadly confrontations. He dies during the final clash with Gestur, a casualty of a long-running power struggle.

Thord's foster-brother and a central figure in the rivalries that simmer through the island. He becomes a focal point of Gestur's manipulation and is drawn into the conflict between competing factions. His forces are decimated as the power struggle escalates, illustrating the fragility of alliances under pressure.

The sister of Gestur, now an adult Christian who has survived the raid's aftermath. She is torn between faith and family, and she ultimately reveals to Thord that Gestur is alive but does not aid his violent vendetta. Her stance deepens the moral conflict and foreshadows the possibility of peace beyond vengeance.

Thord's young son, the living symbol of the next generation and the target of Gestur's manipulation. His fate becomes the central hinge of the ritual and the confrontation between old beliefs and new loyalties. His presence underscores the human cost of the power struggle and the sacrifices demanded by tradition.