A man of ability and ambition, Tuirgeis Erlingrson has nurtured the desire to carve a place of leadership for himself on the Green Island, Eire, that he has raided multiple times. After the death of his wife in Nordweg, he takes his surviving son to Eire. Having connections with his adopted brother, Cowan, and Agnarr, his former countryman, Tuirgeis feels he has the support he needs to make his claims strong. Agnarr is torn. His promise to Aislinn to remain with her on Eire is still in force, and he resists Tuirgeis's requests to join the conquering forces from Nordweg. He desires above all things to maintain a safe home for his wife and children in Dal Fiatach. Charis encourages Cowan to do the same, though this makes for tense moments between them. After initial disastrous attempts to achieve his ambition, Tuirgeis comes to learn that there is more to claiming a kingship than merely overpowering the locals. Tuirgeis finds himself at odds with the very people he had hoped would reinforce him. In addition, he wants to establish his father-line. He has one son; he wants another to be born of Eire. Will the woman of his choice accept and support him? At length, Agnarr and Aislinn-though she is heavy with child-sail with Cowan and Charis to join Tuirgeis as he battles over one final summer to attain the High Kingship of the island. Tuirgeis knows he doesn't have long to make his claims; the Danes are coming in greater numbers than before. As he wins men of Eire to his cause, he has to maintain the relationships he has already fostered with Agnarr and Cowan. Charis finds that her Otherworldly gifts are needed by a man she considers her enemy.