Leaving the safety of the marshes, a united Alfred and Uhtred prepare for a final decisive battle with the Danes. Treachery, deception and heartache follow as the fate of Wessex and England hangs in the balance.

Aethelflaed is missing and Aethelred and the Saxons return to Winchester to break the news to King Alfred, while Uhtred goes home to Gisela with plans to uncover the truth by his own means. Alfred's stubborn determination causes Odda to question whether the will of the king and the good of the kingdom are at odds – will he need to make a choice of loyalty between the two? Uhtred and Sigefrid come face to face for the first time since the Northmen's banishment from Northumbria, and Uhtred is confronted with a decision which will define the fate of Wessex.

Winchester celebrates Aethelred and Aethelflaed's wedding, but the festivities are short-lived as the clouds of war gather and Alfred runs out of options to keep the peace. When rumours swirl, Alfred's mistrust of Uhtred reaches a new low and Uhtred is relegated in his duties as the warlord of Wessex. Aethelred is called to step up to the plate, but a fatal mistake allows Erik and Sigefrid to outwit the Saxons and terror reigns.

Some time has passed since the battle of Dunholm and Uhtred still serves Alfred as lord of the Wessex town of Coccham. Despite the peace of recent years, trouble is brewing in nearby East Anglia and Aethelwold brings Uhtred a strange tale along with a proposition that is hard to ignore.

Uhtred's continued strong will and latent restlessness creates tension and strain during a royal visit from Alfred and an unexpected meeting with the Northman Erik gives Uhtred more food for thought, although it puts he and Gisela at odds. Meanwhile, at Winchester, preparations for the royal wedding are underway as Aethelred of Mercia arrives. Beocca confides in Uhtred and is left with an important question to ask.

Guthred's lack of judgement has divided Northumbria. Having sworn his allegiance to Alfred once again, Uhtred must travel North to defeat the brothers Erik and Sigefrid, take back Eoferwic and reassert Guthred's authority.

Betrayed by Guthred and condemned to a life of slavery, Uhtred and Halig, along with fellow slave Finan, are forced to row endlessly on a trader ship.

Meanwhile, in order to gain their allegiance, Guthred welcomes Aelfric and the savage Dane brothers Erik and Sigefrid into Eoferwic,- a reward for dispatching Uhtred. But when a dispute in the terms threatens to jeopardise the agreement, Guthred offers Gisela as a peace offering. but will she comply?

When spies infiltrate the Cumbraland army, Uhtred must rely on his troops to protect him from a perilous attack.

Uhtred, the fearless and instinctive warrior, begins his voyage north to reclaim his fate - to avenge Earl Ragnar's death and recapture his ancestral lands.