Brynhildr

Young and ambitious, Brynhildr was raised to understand the importance of being a leader in whatever life path she found herself on. Ten years older than Astrid, she sought Astrid and Sigrid’s father as her husband. When he turned her down, she decided she needed to rival Orvar’s sister, Vígdís, and she became a Shield Maiden. Trained by Tova, Brynhildr rose through the ranks rapidly. When the call went out for Shield Maidens to make a choice between serving their rulers or joining an alliance to the south, Brynhildr chose her rulers, and for her troubles was handpicked by Ívarr and Brenja to be the new head of the Shield Maidens.

Sent south to Halmar to retrieve the Heart of Fannar, Brynhildr was surprised to run into Sigrid, who had married Bhimar’s son, Drusus. Jealous, realizing that Sigrid would outrank her, Brynhildr picked a fight, attacking her both physically and emotionally, insulting Sigrid’s mother.

She knew, however, that she would lose face with the rulers of Halmar if they knew what she had done, so she lied, thinking that Sigrid would accept it as covering for her, as well. Sigrid, however, actively told the truth, and Brynhildr was forced to face her in a trial by bean. The bean was bitter in her mouth, and she died within minutes of swallowing.