Einar si užívá poklidný život s matkou a sestrou na severu Anglie. Do jejich vesnice ale jednoho dne vtrhnou nepřátelé.

Einar a Thorfinn mají z hlubokého lesa udělat pšeničné pole. Když se jim to povede, dostanou šanci koupit si svobodu.

Strážci farmy namluví Ketilovu sedmnáctiletému synovi, že musí někoho zabít, aby se z něho stal pravý muž.

Einar se zeptá Thorfinna, jestli někdy bojoval ve válce a někoho zabil. Všechno tomu totiž nasvědčuje.

Po nečekaném zvratu se mladý Knut musí vzmužit a převzít vládu. Království je teď ale mnohem menší a navíc čelí útoku.

Thorfinn a Einar dřou při kácení lesa do roztrhání. Bez koní jim ale práce jde hodně ztuha.

Z Ketilovic farmy pořád někdo krade jídlo. A domů se vrací Thorgil, Ketilův nejstarší syn.

Thorfinna děsí ve snech noční můry. Po probuzení si je ale nepamatuje – a to ho užírá.

Thorfinn se probouzí na místě, kde ho obklopuje klid a mír, a znova uvidí svého otce. Pak se ale zase propadá do temnoty a musí se vyrovnat s bolavou minulostí.

Ketil, Thorgil a Ormar se v Jellingu setkají s jistým Leifem Eriksonem. Ten hledá Thorfinna, syna svého blízkého přítele.

Knutův posel urazí Olmara. Ten pak na popud svého staršího bratra Thorgila vezme věci do vlastních rukou.

Einar says that even if he gains his freedom, he wants to stay near Arnheid. Snake hears news of a slave who killed his owners, and is now on the run.

A runaway slave appears on Ketil's farm, claiming to be Arnheid's husband. But before he can free her, he's confronted by Snake.

Arnheid comes to the fortress where Gardar is imprisoned. She wants to see her husband and treat his injuries.

As Snake intensifies his search, Arnheid tells Einar and Thorfinn everything she's done. Knowing the risks, Einar and Thorfinn offer to help her.

Snake strikes quickly, surprising Thorfinn with his speed and agility. As he lies wounded, Gardar thinks back on the life he shared with Arnheid.

After returning home to his farm, an exhausted Ketil starts searching for Arnheid, only to find out what happened in his absence.

Amidst the confusion of a peasant uprising, Thorfinn and the others try to escape, carrying a severely injured and pregnant Arnheid.

As Thorfinn and Einar head for their escape, Arnheid regains consciousness and asks where they are going — and if there are slaves and wars there, too.

The battle has left heartbreaking casualties in its wake. Though Thorgil and Ketil's wife want to continue the fight, Canute demands their surrender.

Snake tries to put a stop to it, but Thorfinn insists on receiving all 100 blows from Canute's brutish guard Drott, shocking the rowdy onlookers.

Thorfinn and Einar have said their piece, but Canute stubbornly refuses to give up Ketil's Farm. Then, Thorfinn breaks the standoff with a decision.

At long last, Thorfinn returns to Iceland and finds a moment of happiness, reunited with his loved ones. But soon, he opens up about his next journey.