Britain is experiencing a fragile period of peace. After a bloody battle, the triumphant West Saxons have now also taken over East Anglia, driving out the Danes. Mercia has signed a peace treaty with the last Viking kingdom, Northumbria, the only obstacle to making Alfred's dream, and now his son Edward's, a reality.

Uhtred is finally free to return to Bebbanburg, the great, impregnable castle that rightfully belongs to him, but he must fight for it. As he prepares, he discovers along the way that his opponents are not only his cousin, the son of his usurping uncle, but also the Scots led by Constantine, who have decided to expand their territories southward, and, of course, Uhtred's eternal enemy, Aethelhelm, who both invades Northumbria, undermining Uhtred's plans, and allies with his cousin.

Alone against everyone, Uhtred will counter with his intelligence, his courage, and of course his formidable reputation as an undefeated warlord. It remains to be seen if these will be enough for him to reach his goal.