Arriving in York where his father, King Sven, 'invited' him to come celebrate his military prowess, Knut plots a coup d'état with the wise advice of Askeladd. But during the banquet, things go wrong. Sven, aware of his son's ambition, offers Askeladd an unequivocal choice: the country of Wales or Knut. If Askeladd does not bring Sven Knut's head, he will send his armies to raze the country of his ancestors. Cornered, Askeladd makes a decision that will shake not only Thorfinn's life, but the life of all of Europe.