When his father fell in battle, the boy Uhtred was taken captive by a Viking warlord. He embraced the ways of the Norse people, only for sorrow to strike at his adopted home.

Torn between the machinations of his uncle Ælfric and the ruthless demands of the Viking warlord Ubba, Uhtred flees, seeking refuge with Alfred, the man destined for kingship.

With the recent coronation of Alfred, Uhtred finds himself bound to the new king. This allegiance, however, casts a shadow over his relationship with Brida, threatening the strength of their connection.

Alfred the King maintains Uhtred’s proximity through shrewd maneuvering, yet the warrior soon perceives the deception. Across the land, the shadow of a great battle gathers over Wessex.

When the Danes pressed their attack on Wessex, Uhtred offered his services in an assault on their ships. He did so with a pointed challenge to Ubba, a contest of arms amidst the looming conflict.

Driven by a desire for both riches and autonomy, Uhtred leads a band of raiders into Cornwall, where he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to the attention of a captivating sorceress queen.

Their deeds in Cornwall had brought them to this: Uhtred and Leofric stood poised for a deadly encounter. Meanwhile, the Danes set sail, launching an invasion of Wessex.

Together, King Alfred and Uhtred emerged from the concealing mists of the marsh, issuing a call to arms intended for every Saxon host.