Tyrthbrand the Viking wears the band of Tyr on his sword arm, and has achieved much through the grace of his god. But Tyrthbrand wants to be his own man, completing deeds that he alone can claim. When he accidentally kills a man at Leif Erikson's camp in Vineland, he flees south with his ship and crew, seeking a land free of skraelings and gods, where he can gain riches and fame. Lady Two Bird, former Mayan high priestess of Ix Chebel, has watched her power fade with age. Forced into retirement, she is afraid of fading into the earth without seeing her name written on the temple stairs. Thrown together into an unlikely alliance, Tyrthbrand and Lady Two Bird must save each other in the coming battles between the Itza city-states, as well as survive the collision of the Viking and Mayan gods that threatens both Heaven and earth.