How is the ocean important in the novel, The Half-Drowned King?

The ocean is the setting seen throughout the novel for several different scenes. Some of the most prominet scenes are when Solvi tries to kill Ragnvald and where Ragnvald has his vision of the golden wolf. It is where Ragnvald and Heming's ship weather a storm in order to catch Solvi's fleet on their way to Vestfold. The ocean is also the place Svanhild most desires to be, as she wishes to have a husband who would take her sailing.