On a pilgrimage, Freydis and her party are savagely attacked. Harald and Leif seek a route through the marshes near London as Edmund is crowned king.

Leif proposes an audacious assault on London, one that Emma and Godwin fear their brash and headstrong boy-king, Edmund, will be too reckless to defeat.

To save the life of Freydis, Leif agrees to join Canute and Harald’s siege of London. Queen Emma dispatches stepson Edmund to secure an ally’s help.