Vexed by Olaf's craven departure for the realm beneath the lake, Bjorn Horsa turns to securing the fealty of his subjects and discovering the identity of the fair maiden who sang with the mermaids. A malicious watcher stalks him, hounds his friends, aids his enemies, and inflicts distress and mayhem on the kingdom. Women raise armies. A faithless herald carries a forged will south giving Olaf's son the kingdom. Bjorn hurries south to try to stop him. The elven seer urges Bjorn to constant intercessory prayer, but the closer he draws to Hearthing, the more his prayers for peace and blessing go unanswered.