Jarl Dragonheart is ill; he is dying. He has a worm, deep within him and neither Kara nor Aiden, his healers can help him. He is forced to take a small handpicked crew and sail to the Eastern Roman Empire at Miklagård. Storms, the Norns, pirates and treachery all conspire to stop the Dragonheart reaching the only man who can save him. With his great grandson, Sámr, the last of the Ulfheonar and his galdramenn, Aiden, the Dragonheart must battle to save himself and then his land.