"An island lay a short distance from Halfdan's stronghold; on it lived a karl or freeman named Vifil. The place, called Vifil's island, was name for the freeman, who was a lifelong friend of King Halfdan" (page 1).
The name of Vifil means beetle. The symbolic meaning of beetle is protection. The fact that Vifil is a lifelong friend of King Halfdan suggests that he will help Halfdan's sons after Halfdan is assassinated. Further, the passage later states that Vifil is "well versed in the art of magic". This will suggest that he will use magic to help protect the boys and introduce magic as theme: both for good and evil (this is opposed to the Christianity idea that all magic is evil and thus setting up the idea that this is a pagan text). Vifil is noted as a "freeman" meaning that he is not royalty and therefore owes allegiance to someone. Also he risks more in opposing King Frodi. He is willing to give his life to protect Halfdan's sons.
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