The Saxon kingdoms are at risk again, Alfred is dying, and the political disputes for the throne could tear the kingdom apart. Uhtred is still tied to Alfred due to his oath, and he knows that he is the only one that can help Alfred to fulfill his dream of a single kingdom for the English people – Englaland.

Uhtred is attacked, but repels the murder attempt, however he is not safe anywhere and now needs to take more precautions and be always alert as an ambush can happen anytime. He heads to East Anglia to negotiate a treaty in name of Alfred, but he ended up finding a huge Danish force led by earl Sigurd. Sigurd attacks but Uhtred uses a narrow bridge over the river Use to negate Sigurd numerical superiority, Uhtred repels the attack burning the bridge and then returns to Wessex.

Uhtred then travels to Ceaster, and Haesten is besieged by a Mercian force. Uhtred leaves some of his men behind under command of Finnan, and goes to investigate a prophetess called Aelfadell, she convinces him to drink a potion, and he ended drugged. He awakes tied up and can’t remember the events from previous night. He realizes that Aelfadell is being paid by Sigurd to make false prophesies in the Dane’s favor.

King Alfred is dying and he wants Uhtred presence in Wintanceaster, he gives Fagranforda to Uhtred, a rich land located in Mercia, rewarding him for his many years in service, but he also asks for Uhtred into swearing an oath to his son, Edward.

Aethelflaed is kidnapped by Aethelwold, but Uhtred saves her. After Edward is crowned king, Uhtred expects an attack from the Danes, but Sigurd is sick, and his fellow jarl and friend, Cnut, is unwilling to invade without him; Cnut also has troublesome Scots to deal with.

Uhtred decides to use the same tools as its enemy and uses three women to impersonate Christian angels and give prophecies to counter the effects of Aelfadell. Danish raiders kidnap two of the angels and learn the truth. Three years after Alfred’s death, the Danes finally make a move and invade from Ceaster, Uhtred retreats to a fort at Cracgelad and gets surrounded by Haesten men, however, they move during the night as Heasten was only a distraction. Uhtred gets a reinforcement led by Steapa and Aethelflaed and together they pursue the larger Danish force to find out where the main invasion will take place.

Uhtred finds the main Danish army and makes a hit-and-run attack that stops the enemy. Uhtred begs King Edward to come and attack, but Edward instead commands Uhtred to bring his men to Lundene, where his army is gathering. Uhtred arrives at Lundene expecting to move quickly, but Edward has been convinced by his advisors to wait, in part to await Sigelf and his 700 Kentish warriors. Strangely, the Danes do not move either. Uhtred suspects it is because they have no single leader and are divided as to what to do.

The Danes finally head for East Anglia to lure Edward into following. Their plan is to capture Lundene, once he is out of position. Sigelf is secretly in league with them. A hundred of Sigelf’s men have been left behind at Lundene, supposedly because they have no horses, but in reality to seize and hold open a city gate. Sigelf and the rest of his warriors are to turn on Edward when the battle starts. Uhtred figures it out and attacks the turncoat Saxons at night, pretending to be Danish, killing Sigelf when he tries to stop the fighting with what he mistakenly believes are his Danish allies. Afterward, Uhtred convinces the turncoat Kentish men to fight for him. The real Danes attack, and a major battle between shield walls ensues. The Danes greatly outnumber and eventually surround Uhtred’s force. Steapa arrives with reinforcements before Uhtred’s men are overrun, and pushes the Danes back. There is no clear victory, but several of the invading leaders are dead and Sigurd is wounded. The Danes are forced to leave, as winter is coming and there is not enough food for their large army.