Chapter 82: Bondage

Arnheid reaches the guards' quarters at night, meaning to treat Gardar. Fox relays that Ketil's mistress wants to see Snake at once, but Snake, irritated that she suddenly frets over farm security, puts it off until morning and guesses it concerns the three-horse bounty tied to Gardar's capture. Spotting Arnheid, he refuses her plea to tend the man who killed his subordinate and, leaving with Fox, tells the remaining guards to escort her back to Sverkel's.

The guard left with her balks at the long walk, since Snake took the last horse, and privately notes how pretty she is, understanding why her husband risked so much. Arnheid begs to see Gardar and swears she will not free him. When the other guards question her presence, the flustered man claims Snake gave permission. She cradles Gardar's battered face and asks that his ropes be loosened enough to treat him properly, but the guards refuse, jeering that she should repay her husband with more than bandages.

Gardar pleads for forgiveness, vowing never again to leave her or Hjalti's side, and urges her to cut him loose so they can return to their old life. Arnheid weeps and, to his confusion, asks him instead to forgive her. As rain begins to fall, the guards retreat inside, leaving the soft-hearted one on watch, fretting that Snake would kill him for indulging her.

When the guard steps close to tell Arnheid her time is up, the still-bound Gardar lunges and tears a chunk from his throat. The man collapses, unable to draw his blade, and Gardar orders Arnheid to take the knife from his belt and sever the ropes. Another guard emerges, finds the body, and shouts for the rest. Gardar presses the terrified Arnheid to hurry and free him, or they will both be killed.

Snake denies Arnheid's request and is called away to see Ketil's wife. A lenient guard lets Arnheid approach the bound Gardar. Gardar kills the guard by biting out his throat. He demands Arnheid cut his ropes as the other guards discover the body.

Published April 25, 2012 in Volume 12, this chapter adapts into Episode 39. Its title reflects both Gardar's literal bondage and Arnheid's inner captivity, and the guard's fatal lapse triggers the escape that drives the rest of the arc.