"The sons of Cnute are dead men.": The dying words of his brother's assailant. Harald receives this warning while rebuilding a hall where he hopes to farm and lead a peaceful life with Selia. But as the hall nears completion, they learn the family who lived there before all perished in a single night of bloodshed. And now the threat of unknown enemies casts a long shadow. Who can they trust?

Harald and Selia are called to Engla-lond. King Cnute has vowed their son, Harthacnute, will inherit the throne, but many view Harald as the better choice. The king urges Harald to be prepared to assume the throne should Harthacnute prove inadequate. Harald resists being swept up by forces beyond his control, doubting he will survive the reign of King Hartha. And what of his older brother, Sweyn?

On a rare visit to Harald and Selia’s home, King Cnute orders Harald to travel to the Kingdom of Dublin to meet with their Norse-Irish allies to coordinate an invasion on the Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd to replace King Rhydderch. Will Harald carry out his father-king’s commands when comes to respect the foe he must kill, or tread a more righteous road, destroying the life he and Selia have built?

In the eleventh century, Viking king Cnute sails to Rome with his son, Harald, and his shield brothers. Thrown off course by a storm, they follow the route up the Rhine where Harald agrees to help Fresian woman, Selia. Robert, Duke of Normandy, plans to assassinate Cnute. If he succeeds, an invasion of Engla-lond will follow. Can Harald reach Rome in time to warn the King?