A slave on Ketil's farm in Denmark, Thorfinn has little in common with the mercenary who roamed battlefields hoping to avenge his father by killing the cynical Askeladd. Through contact with the farm's inhabitants, whether free or slaves, Thorfinn discovers a new life far from combat, made of hard labor, sweat, and earth. Still haunted by his past crimes, he vows to renounce violence. But when a runaway slave arrives at Ketil's estate with the Serpent and his men in pursuit, he will have to decide if there are not situations that warrant honorable men fighting.