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.

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.