Ragnar extends his empire by out-witting and out-fighting a powerful enemy. Athelstan still has no answers for his crisis of faith, so, torn between the Christian and Pagan worlds, he turns to an unlikely source for guidance.

Athelstan laments all that he has given up in the pursuit of truth, but the Seer mocks him and shockingly declares that one of Kattegat's bravest warriors will soon make the ultimate sacrifice.