It has been two years since Aveline Birgersdóttir and Vidar Alvarsson have seen their dear friend, Jan 'Jötunnson' Jarlufson. In the spring of 882, they are pleasantly surprised when he arrives unexpectedly at their door, but little do they know that Jan's arrival will unleash a wave of terrible events.

Jan seeks their help to find his son and his wife, Thóra, who have disappeared without a trace. Eager to help their beloved friend, Aveline and Vidar find themselves caught up in the feud between Jan and his brother-in-law, Thorn Arnsteinson, who believe Jan has murdered Thóra. Jan and Thorn must settle their feud through a hólmganga, a duel of honour, but tragedy ensues.

In the aftermath of the hólmganga, Aveline travels across Denmark in search of wisdom and assistance from a mystical völva, a Norse shaman, whose advice leads Aveline and Vidar on a devastating journey across Francia and Aveline's homeland, the Kingdom of the East Angles.

On the fateful day when the Norsemen of Roskilde sacked her village and kidnapped her, Aveline realised that peace does not last forever.

She would always rise to fall.

This novel contains graphic violence, sexual content and inappropriate language. Reader discretion is advised.