Sigrun Gard, most commonly known as Ms. Gard and, occasionally, Sigrun, is a valkyrie who works as a security consultant of the supernatural. She first appears in Death Masks.
Description[]
- Gard
- Harry Dresden
- — Gard on saving Dresden from Capiorcorpus, defying fate.[3]
Tell me about it. Everyone makes that mistake but me.
Gard throwing her axe.
Gard is described as being about six feet tall, athletic, feminine, blonde, with a stark face and ice-cold blue eyes.[4] She tends to be eerily calm in stressful situations, scarily practical, and more paranoid than John Marcone. According to Mab, she is clever and resourceful.[5]
She works for Monoc Securities and Donar Vadderung, and is assigned to John Marcone as a magical security consultant.[6] Throughout the series, a romantic relationship between her and Hendricks is hinted.[7]
She has, at various points in the series, used a sword and shield, a double-bladed axe, and an assault rifle. She knows how to fly a helicopter, and does so in both Death Masks[8] and Small Favor to the tune of "Ride of the Valkyries".[9]
Gard by Wildcard24
She is also a skilled wielder of magic, though her magic seems to be connected to old Norse runes,[4] and she appears to be especially proficient at wards and defensive-type spells.[6] She can open a door into the Nevernever with her knife.[10]
In "Heorot", Gard reveals that she's a scion of the Geats; presumably of Beowulf himself; Mab refers to her as the Chooser.[5] Her status as a Valkyrie makes her very resilient, as witnessed by the fact that she's eviscerated in Small Favor but manages to get well again very quickly.
She is an immortal, in that she does not age, though presumably she can still die from fatal injuries. As a Chooser of the Slain, she has the innate ability to know when people are going to die, though this is not set in stone as the future is always changing (however, according to her, "there will be consequences").[3]
In the series[]
Death Masks[]
- Main article: Death Masks
In Death Masks, Harry Dresden is introduced to her by Marcone during the Chicago Historical & Art Society gala at the Marriott Downtown Chicago Hotel. Dresden deduces that Gard was responsible for the ward that tore up Bob when he investigated John Marcone's estate.[6]
Dead Beat[]
- Main article: Dead Beat
In Dead Beat, Gard saves Harry Dresden from Li Xian who was ordered to kill him by Corpsetaker.[3]
White Night[]
- Main article: White Night
In White Night, Gard is "on an assignment elsewhere".[1]
"Down Town"[]
- Main article: Down Town
In "Down Town", she accompanies Marcone in a visit to Harry Dresden.[11]
"Heorot"[]
- Main article: Heorot
In "Heorot", Gard, Harry Dresden and Mouse seek and rescue Elizabeth Braddock after she was abducted by a Grendelkin. She was taken from a Brewfest and McAnally told Dresden about it.[4]
Small Favor[]
- Main article: Small Favor
In Small Favor, Harry Dresden followed a lead given him by Ms. Demeter at the Executive Priority Health club to find a badly wounded Gard and Hendricks hiding in a secret house.[12] While there, they are attacked by Denarians led by Polonius Lartessa ("Mantis Girl").[13] Dresden took her and Hendricks, along with Akariel's coin to Michael Carpenter’s home for safe-keeping.[14] Dresden talked with Gard about a possible traitor in Gentleman Marcone's organization, Torelli in particular. Gard gives Dresden the combination and locker number at Union Station for her collection of blood samples of Marcone and Torelli.[15] After the battle at the Shedd Aquarium, Gard took a badly wounded Kincaid to a safe house.[16] Gard flew a reconditioned Huey to Demonreach for rescue pick-up of John Marcone, Ivy and Dresden's team. She played Ride of the Valkyrie over the loud speakers. Michael Carpenter is badly wounded by gunfire while being cabled up to the helicopter.[9]
"Wild Card"[]
- Main article: Wild Card
In "Wild Card", Gard accompanies John Marcone in his rounds dealing with the Puck threat, acting as a driver or a fighter as needed. She wields a heavy-bladed axe of an unusual shape.[17]
"Even Hand"[]
- Main article: Even Hand
In "Even Hand", Gard brings in Justine, who is in need of sanctuary from the Fomors, to Mr. Marcone, vouching for her identity. After the destruction of Marcone's most recent office, caused by cantrev lord Mag's attempt to get Justine back, Gard admits that her contributions to its defences cost her dearly.[18]
Changes[]
- Main article: Changes
In Changes, Gard takes Harry Dresden to Monoc Securities to meet with Donar Vadderung for the first time. While there he sees Soldiers of Valhalla and meets Hugin and Munin.[19]
Aftermath[]
- Main article: Aftermath
In Aftermath, Gard provides assistance to Karrin Murphy in trying to rescue Georgia and Andi Macklin from the Fomor. Gard told Murphy that if she wanted, Marcone could get her police badge back but Murphy refuses. Gard then informs her that Monoc Securities is hiring and Vadderung would likely be interested in her.[20]
Ghost Story[]
- Main article: Ghost Story
In Ghost Story, Gard, Hendricks, Marcone and all of his troubleshooters have alibis for the time of Harry Dresden's shooting.[21]
"Monsters"[]
- Main article: Monsters
In "Monsters", Goodman Grey mentions her to John Marcone as no match for himself should Marcone be lying to him.[22]
Peace Talks[]
- Main article: Peace Talks
In Peace Talks, Freydis Gard states that she and Sigrun are sisters.[23]
Battle Ground[]
- Main article: Battle Ground
In Battle Ground, Gard mourns the loss of Nathan Hendricks, when Harry Dresden confronts her, requesting upon his Name that she brings the message to Odin that Karrin Murphy be treated better than Dresden himself would, which she accepts, reassuring him that Murphy will be well taken care of, as she has earned it[7]
Mythological significance[]
"Sigrun" is arguably one of the best-known valkyries in Norse mythology, and a major character in the sagas of Helgi Hundingsbane, found in the Poetic Edda.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 White Night, ch. 28
- ↑ Battle Ground, ch. 36
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Dead Beat, ch. 18
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Heorot"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Small Favor, ch. 6
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Death Masks, ch. 19
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Battle Ground, ch. 36
- ↑ Death Masks, ch. 31-32
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Small Favor, ch. 43
- ↑ Changes, ch. 21
- ↑ "Down Town"
- ↑ Small Favor, ch. 11-12
- ↑ Small Favor, ch. 12-13
- ↑ Small Favor, ch. 14
- ↑ Small Favor, ch. 21
- ↑ Small Favor, ch. 35
- ↑ "Wild Card"
- ↑ "Even Hand"
- ↑ Changes, ch. 20-21
- ↑ Aftermath
- ↑ Ghost Story, ch. 18
- ↑ "Monsters"
- ↑ Peace Talks, ch. 14