Bjorn is forced to act quickly in the aftermath of the election for the King of all Norway. The bandits attack Lagertha's village again, confident of victory. But when the defense boils down to single combat with Lagertha, victory for the bandits looks less certain. Back in Kattegat, haunted and paranoid, Hvitserk continues to unravel.

Bjorn is confronted by a difficult choice to make; Ubbe and Torvi embark on a search for old friends and new lands after they leave Kattegat; Oleg's preparations for invading Scandinavia go as planned while King Harald investigates the raiding party.