Ragnfrid dies less than two years after Lavrans. Jørundgaard passes to Kristin, though she arranges for Simon to manage the property while she lives in Husaby. Erlend is accused of fraternizing with the godless heathens of the north, so he must answer to the questioning of the archbishop. He escapes unscathed but causes “rumors of sorcery” (574) to spread when he is open in his praise of Sir Erling, the knight whose quest to find an accord with Lady Ingebjørg (whose Danish husband has since died) makes him increasingly unpopular. Simon visits Husaby, spending time with Kristin and Erlend. Kristin and Erlend argue about their children’s behavior. When Simon leaves, he senses that “a storm [is] brewing” (588) in their relationship.

Erlend has grown wealthy through his position as sheriff. His men are loyal and love him very much, though his management of his estate and the local people leaves much to be desired. Kristin notices that her stepdaughter Margret is becoming a young woman. She notices the close relationship between Margret and Haakon of Gimsar. One night, Erlend wakes and hears a man in Margret’s room. He rushes into her bed chamber with his sword and chases a man out onto the roof, cutting off Haakon’s hand in the process; Haakon then slips from the roof and falls onto the ground.