"Don't you know, even yet, why I came back to Orkney?" Rognvald asked Thorfinn, who looked up calmly, meeting Rognvald's steady gaze without flinching. Thorfinn remained expressionless, showing no sign of surprise or emotion. Their silent exchange highlighted the tension and unresolved feelings between them, rooted in their complex history and motives.

Rognvald then revealed his true feelings, saying, "I am the dog at your heel. Everything I have ever done has been an attempt to be like Thorfinn." This statement expressed his loyalty and admiration, suggesting that his actions were driven by a desire to emulate or earn Thorfinn’s respect, despite their differences and the mysterious reasons for Rognvald's return to Orkney.