Uhtred is a galley slave on a Viking ship but Aelfric is angry that Guthred did not kill him and breaks the alliance, joining with Erik and Sigefrid to take Durham with savage violence. To appease Aelfric Guthred offers his sister Gisela in marriage but Gisela, in love with Uhtred, refuses and goes into hiding. In Wessex Alfred arranges the marriage of his daughter Aethelflaed to the young king of Mercia Aethelred and sends Hild and Ragnar to rescue Uhtred, which they accomplish when the ship comes ashore to winter. Uhtred is reunited with Gisela but Alfred holds the rescue and the killing of the odious Eadred over him to force him back into the king's service.