Synopsis

Herot throbbed with activity as the town prepared for the Gathering, the assembly where the next Jarl, leader of the Shieldlands, would be chosen. But with the other tribal leaders expected to arrive at any moment, the urgency to apprehend Herot’s killer intensified, lest another life be taken. To gain time and allay the fears of the visiting chieftains, Rheda, Slean, and Abrecan rode out to delay them, while Beowulf commenced his own search.