Astrid Sigurdsdottir
"The first step takes courage"
“Astrid’s life bears the mark of Tyr’s justice—defending the weak, striving for peace. Her example rallied those around her, inspiring them to follow her throughout countless battles and hardships.
Her first act of justice came as a child. Three larger boys belittled a fourth, but Astrid confronted them nonetheless. Many others would have simply walked away out of fear—but Astrid faced them bravely.
She not only protected the boy—she inspired him time and again to forge himself into the warrior who stood beside her in her final moments. Her pursuit of justice not only smites the wicked—it inspires others to rise and join her fight.
— Freyja, Goddess of Love and War
Ready to follow Astrid into the unknown?
"What does justice mean?"
Excerpt from Chapter 2 of THE VALKYRIES
“Are—are you okay?”
Astrid looked up. The boy—no older than her own ten winters—stood over her with an outstretched hand. His fingers trembled, his face lined with concern.
She hesitated, then took his hand, letting him help her up. “Just a scratch,” she mumbled, brushing the dirt from her arm.
He lowered his eyes, smiling shyly. “I’m Knut. Thank you for helping me. Nobody has ever stood up for me before.”
Astrid’s blush deepened. “I couldn’t just leave you there—but, you’re welcome.”
Knut’s hands fidgeted nervously. “I’ll make it up to you,” he said, nodding earnestly. “I promise!”
“Thank you, Knut.” Astrid clapped his shoulder. She exhaled, hanging her head, and slunk her way home to the village’s longhouse—Havnsverd’s hall for feasts, celebrations, and the settling of disputes, where the jarl, her father, judged his people as he saw just.
Judged, as she would be soon.
Astrid sat on her bed beside her mother. Shaking her head, Eira gently wiped away the lingering dirt from her arm. “You’re lucky it didn’t end worse,” she said firmly, wrapping the cut with a clean cloth.
Astrid lowered her head. “Yes, Mother,” she murmured, flinching as the bandage tightened.
“What happened?”
Astrid inhaled sharply, her eyes snapping up. Her father stood across the room, his arms crossed as her words caught in her throat.
“Astrid. I asked you a question.”
Astrid clutched her knees, trembling as she met his umber gaze. “I—I got into a fight.”
“A fight!?” Eira gasped. “Why!?”
Sigurd stepped forward. “Yes. Why?” he asked sternly, his eyes narrowing.
Astrid took a deep breath. “Three older boys were shoving Knut around. I told them to stop, but they wouldn’t listen! One of them tried to push me, so,” she paused, looking away, “I punched him.”
Sigurd’s shadow loomed over her, saying nothing.
“The other two pushed me down.” Astrid continued, feeling a tear well. “I’m sorry, Father. I didn’t mean to! I just wanted them to leave Knut alone!”
Astrid’s gaze remained low, not catching their parents’ softening expressions. They glanced at each other, and, after a long silence, Sigurd sat beside his daughter.
“I’m proud of you.”
Astrid blinked, cautiously raising her head. “Really?”
“It was brave of you to stand up for Knut,” he replied warmly, clutching her shoulder. “Astrid, what does justice mean?”
She shrugged. “Doing the right thing?”
“Close,” he said with a knowing grin. “Justice means treating others fair and right. You saw three boys hurting a fourth—you saw what they were doing wasn’t right.”
“But I hit one of them,” she mumbled. “That wasn’t right either.”
“Perhaps not, but justice also means honoring one’s actions. We reward the good, but we also punish the wrong, correcting it to keep the village whole. You sought to correct their wrongdoing.”
“I didn’t though,” she murmured, frowning. “They knocked me down and walked away.”
“They left Knut alone afterward, didn’t they?” he said, playfully nudging her. “It’s more than winning—trying matters, standing up when others can’t. The first step takes courage. You showed that today.”
Eira set her hand atop Astrid’s. “And now, Knut will always remember what you did. And someday, he may do the same for someone else.”
“Do you understand now, Astrid?” Sigurd asked.
“Yes, Father,” she answered, lifting her chin as the weight of her guilt faded.
Will you be ready when called to battle?
Inspiration for Astrid
Kaelva may have been the first—but Astrid held the trio together. Calm, wise, disciplined—Astrid rallied those around her in both her lives toward victory.
The Valkyries needed a leader—even if not by title—one among the trio that could guide them through battle while keeping them united. Both Captain America and Wonder Woman came to mind, both inspirations to the heroes around them, but Astrid persists through the harsh realms of Norse mythology—a world demanding far more.
The name, Astrid, is commonly translated as “divinely beautiful” or “godly strength”—both fitting descriptions for the raven-haired Valkyrie. Sigurdsdottir—daughter of Sigurd—calls back to her father—the Jarl of Havnsverd—and the source of her first lessons in justice.
Astrid’s weapon of choice—a long-handled axe held with both hands—echoes the precision and power she brings to every decision and every battle, making her black hair a perfect choice. Her sapphire eyes, clear as the skies above, reflect the steady soul behind them—the soul of one leading her sisters-in-arms into battle.
Tempering Kaelva’s fury and bolstering Freyna’s spirit, Astrid strengthens the bonds of their sisterhood.
Their bond is strong—but not unbreakable.
How long can Astrid hold their sisterhood together—even when it crumbles from within?
Meet the sisters who help Astrid shoulder the burden of leadership
Fight with your heart.
Trained in Vigstad under her parents, Bjorn and Liv, Kaelva’s sacrifices secure a future for her people.
Fearless in the face of every danger, her fiery soul purges the darkness, wherever it may lurk.
You can do more than you know.
Freyna of Halsund, daughter of Runar and Gunhild, lived a life of conflicting paths—healing and warfare.
A protector first and foremost, Freyna’s unwavering compassion grounds the sisters at her side.
Curious which Valkyrie most reflects you?
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