Sent north by Alfred to ransom enslaved king Guthred, Beocca seeks help from Uhtred, who makes a new allegiance in his quest for vengeance.

The stratagems of Abbot Eadred play on Guthred's weakness. Uhtred rallies the men of Cumbraland to march on Eoferwic, but faces a cruel betrayal.

Hild and Ragnar hunt for Uhtred, who lays plans for escape. Alfred eyes the kingdom of Mercia, and chaos erupts when Guthred's alliance crumbles.

Dispatched to Northumbria, Uhtred walks a fine line between fealty to Alfred and assisting Ragnar's savage blood feud with Kjartan.

As his distrust of Uhtred deepens, Alfred sends Æthelred to drive Erik and Sigefrid from London, but the young lord harbors ambitions of his own.

Æthelred faces humiliation after his blunder in London backs Alfred into a corner. Her loyalties shifting, Æthelflæd makes a dire appeal to Uhtred.

Odda defies Alfred to coerce the king into war. Uhtred conspires with Erik to rescue Æthelflæd, forcing a fateful confrontation with Sigefrid.