At a remote farm in Denmark, two visions of the future clash: one of a world without violence, the other of a path to paradise soaked in blood. Will Canute seize Ketil's land by force, and can Thorfinn stay true to his oath?

King Canute's quest to build a heaven on Earth will not be bloodless. His schemes have made Ketil and his sons into fugitives, barely escaping the king's clutches aboard Leif Ericson's ship. Chaos welcomes Ketil home, where an escaped slave has butchered his hired muscle. Beset by betrayal on all sides, there may be no way out for Ketil, yet Thorfinn finally has his freedom. He and Einar could leave the slaver to his fate...but the son of Thors feels bound to Denmark by his unfinished business with Canute.