Olav Audunsson

Olav Audunsson, the master of Hestviken, is a man haunted by numerous family tragedies, which he views as retribution for his profound, unconfessed crime. Tragically, he suffers a stroke that prevents him from confessing his sins, despite his intense and enduring remorse. Ultimately, he passes away, burdened by the guilt that he could never absolve himself of.

Cecilia Olavsdatter

Cecilia Olavsdatter, the daughter of Olav and Ingunn, endures an unfortunate marriage to Jörund Rypa, a profligate who ultimately becomes a thief. Following his death, she is able to marry the man who was her first love. Her life is marked by these turbulent relationships, reflecting the complexities of her choices and circumstances.

Eirik

Eirik, Ingunn's illegitimate son whom Olav has taken in as his heir, grapples with guilt after a young woman he pursued dies. This leads him to choose a monastic life, although he struggles as a novice and returns home. A promising arranged marriage is thwarted, leading him to wed a fallen woman. Both eventually choose a life of holy orders, seeking redemption and peace.

Jörund Rypa

Jörund Rypa, a young squire who marries Cecilia, is ultimately exposed as dishonest. His involvement in a robbery leads to the dissolution of Eirik’s engagement. When Jörund is discovered stabbed in his bed, Olav, tormented by guilt, fears Cecilia might be the murderess, though this is unfounded.

Liv

Liv, alongside her husband Arnketil, manages a house frequented by thieves and gamblers. They are involved in a cycle of vengeance and crime, contributing to the intricate web of relationships and betrayals surrounding the main characters.

Arnketil

Arnketil, Liv’s husband, is driven by revenge for his daughter's degradation and ultimately kills Jörund. His body is discovered long afterward in a swamp, marking the end of his troubled life consumed by vengeance.

Bothild Asgersdatter

Bothild Asgersdatter, Olav’s foster daughter, suffers from an illness that is revealed when she collapses while trying to evade Eirik’s pursuit. This event prompts Eirik to leave Hestviken briefly out of remorse. He returns with the intention of marrying her to make amends, only to discover she has succumbed to her illness.

Gunhild Bersesdatter

Gunhild Bersesdatter is Eirik's betrothed. Her engagement to him ends when her family learns of Jörund's criminal activities, reflecting the intertwining of personal relationships and the consequences of dishonesty.

Guttorm

Guttorm, a wealthy uncle of Gunhild from Draumtop, becomes entangled in the story when some of the loot from a robbery against him is found in Jörund’s possession. Eirik's attempts to conceal the crime fail, affecting his future and relationships.

Berse, of Eiken

Berse, Gunhild’s father, prohibits the marriage between Gunhild and Eirik after Jörund's role in the robbery is exposed, illustrating the impact of Jörund’s actions on those around him.

Aslak Gunnarsson

Aslak Gunnarsson, once a comrade of Olav during Duke Eirik’s war, becomes an outlaw and is reluctantly given shelter by Olav. After his family compensates for his crimes, Aslak wishes to return to propose to Cecilia, but Olav offers no encouragement. Eventually, Aslak marries Cecilia after she becomes a widow, indicating the cyclic nature of relationships in the narrative.

Eldrid Bersesdatter

Eldrid Bersesdatter, Gunhild’s older sister, lives alone following a scandal. Eirik visits her as part of Gunhild’s plan, but when Gunhild cannot meet him, Eirik finds solace and kindness in Eldrid. He marries her, although she later enters a convent, suggesting a search for redemption and peace amidst the tumult of their lives.

Björn

Björn, the illegitimate son of Olav, finds happiness in his marriage. During a visit to Björn, Olav contemplates how this son, whom he cannot publicly acknowledge, remains untouched by the family’s broader troubles, representing a pocket of peace in an otherwise turbulent family history.