In this, Book III of a "Vikings" trilogy, we follow the fortunes of Freydis, her lover Roganvald and his glory-seeking son Valdi, bent on squaring accounts with Freydis. A raiding expedition to the south lands is a catastrophe and the softly-spoken Haethcyn replaces his father as chieftain. He is inadequate to the task and loses face after bringing Irish turncoats to White Bay. The Mi'kmaqs lay to waste the settlement and atrocities are committed. The Vinland settlers are brought to their knees by their own errors of judgment and Freydis pays the price for lusting after power.