The Sword of Summer

As hoped, catching the World Serpent (another child of Loki’s) attracts Ran, who fumes about the serpent being awoken. Magnus was able to catch the serpent because he’s the grandson of Njord (god of ships and the sea). Bringing the serpent to the surface binds Magnus to the creature. He can either release it back to its slumber or fully wake it and destroy the world. Magnus agrees to release the serpent if Ran promises “to negotiate with us in good faith” (233). Ran agrees, and Magnus sends the serpent back underwater. Magnus requests the Sword of Summer be returned to him. Ran is willing to trade, but for the sword, she “would want something valuable” (234), namely, Magnus’s soul.

Fortunately for Magnus, his soul is claimed by Odin and cannot be transferred. Instead, Magnus uses Ran’s own desires against her. Though she and her husband have an enormous golden palace, she spends her days scavenging the ocean floor because it gives her purpose. If Ragnarok occurs, she won’t be able to scavenge, so in exchange for the sword, which will allow Magnus to prevent Ragnarok, he offers “to let you keep your collection” (237).