After Uhtred follows his father to the battlefield, he watches his father's death from the sidelines, when the invading Danes capture Uhtred he is brought up as one of them after proving himself.

Uhtred and Brida are on the run. Uhtred attempts to clear his name for a wedding massacre. Brida finds an inventive use for a twig.

A cunning tactical play by King Alfred keeps Uhtred close at heel, but it's not long before Uhtred realizes he's been tricked and his relationship with the King hits a new low. Meanwhile, a great battle looms over Wessex.

Uhtred puts himself forward for a daring stealth mission to outflank the Danes and destroy their ships, but in the process he attracts Ubba's attention and is challenged to a one-on-one fight to the death.