Sigur

The narrative offers little in the way of physical detail for Sigur, defining her instead through her conduct as a warrior and companion. She appears beside Benedikte, the two women bound tightly across the years that follow the ordeal of their childhood.

Bravery and unwavering loyalty stand at the center of who Sigur is. The tie she forms with Grunbeld in captivity never falters, and she willingly takes punishment intended for him. Growing older, she reveals true command ability and skill at arms, able to cut down a pack of assassins by herself, and she stays at Benedikte's side through deadly peril without a flinch.

As a child, Sigur is taken along with Grunbeld and other young captives after Tudor storms the Grand Duchy of Grant, and the prisoners are penned at Fort Chester under harsh conversion schooling and military drilling meant to tie them to the empire. There she draws close to Grunbeld and Edvard. After Grunbeld refuses to bow before Tudor and the creed of its Holy See and slays a captain in a forced duel, Sigur is made to bear the punishment in his stead, subjected to rape and torture.

Four years afterward, she is thrust into a rigged coliseum bout against a tiger beside Grunbeld and Edvard. The three act as one, Sigur and Edvard baiting the animal with torches while Grunbeld ends it with a war hammer. Their bold resistance brings soldiers of Grant, commanded by General Kirsten, who set the captives free. In time she is raised to command the Flame Dragon Knights' heavy infantry.

When assassins move against Benedikte, Sigur cuts every one of them down and keeps her safe. Later, with Grunbeld away to meet a Midland envoy, Edvard and Mateusz assault the temple sheltering the two women, who flee gravely hurt thanks to the silver wolf Ludvig. At the Fire Dragon's Lair, Grunbeld discovers them near death with arrows lodged in their backs and throws himself against Edvard's men, absorbing severe wounds. With Benedikte slipping away and Edvard poised to violate Sigur, Grunbeld triggers his beherit and sacrifices the pair, and the Brand of Sacrifice is burned onto Sigur.