Book 3, Chapter 48: Game, Set, Match
A man of wisdom charts
through shoals of adversity
wracked by dark night waves
their motions unknown.
Tides rage, wind blows
rocks grasp and tear
sea foam and fog blind
hazards to good sailing.
But a course can be charted
the fears of the crew calmed
a steady hand at the rudder
and the foresight to go on.
Sailors unsteady themselves.
the face of the unknown, fear,
what is not understood, panic.
Snared beasts lashing out
Key is knowledge and insight
therein lies wisdom, direction.
A course plotted through danger
the final sinking forestalled.
Comprehend the battering waves,
learn of the scudding shoals,
watch the sky with a fair eye,
and consider their motions.
See the crew and know their fears.
The wise, the weak, the new, and the bleak.
Know your crew, know your course
And chart accordingly to never sink.
—Raðsnjallamal, The Words of The Wise Counsel, from the Saga of Forseti, Reformed Norse Canon
Tropes that appear in this chapter:
- Cliffhanger: The chapter ends with Jonna identifying one of Mac Bethad's spies.
- Dead Guy Junior: Fishlegs and Heather name their son Oswald, after Heather's dead father.
- Due to the Dead: As part of an effort to honour Fearless, Óengus, a silversmith, has made elaborate pendants based on Night Furies, asking Hiccup for some scales from Toothless to reinforce the idea that they are designed to honour Fearless.
- Humanity Is Infectious: Toothless acknowledges that certain walker concepts go over his head, such as only having a basic understanding of the idea of the Norse gods and Asgard, but he is genuinely touched that the walkers are going to so much effort to honour his sister's sacrifice, finding himself regretting that he has more memories of Fire-Hunger than he does of his own parents.
- Innocently Insensitive: The words Fergus use with Eret deeply hurt the latter even though Fergus is just joking around. Merida makes clear to him later how damaging the words are.
- It's All My Fault: Ruffnut blames herself for freezing at a key moment when she might have been able to help Fearless, as she was concerned that dying while baptized would prevent her going to Valhalla.
- Named by the Adaptation: In canon the Skrill isn't given a name, here after bonding with William he is named Mjolnir.
- Oh, Crap!: Gregor recognises Jonna, who also recognises him and identifies him as a spy. He flees in panic.
- Screw This, I'm Out of Here!: When Cami starts speculating on the possibilities of teasing Eret's brother and his betrothed about the possibility of starting something with Thuggory, Eret and Merida immediately carry Cami away.
