When King Penda dies after losing the battle to King Oswiu of Northumbria, the Mercians realise they will have to pay tribute to their enemies. Penda's oldest son becomes king but the ealdormen, led by Burhred, would prefer Wulfhere, at present too young. Wulfhere is whisked away along with Aidan, a tough churl, to a remote village where he is to be turned into kingly material, but not without treachery from the local lord of the manor. And while Wulfhere and Aidan deal with treachery, back at home there is murder. But who, and why? Elfrida and Alicia are the two women of this tale: Elfrida, feisty and courageous, desperately in love with Wulfhere, who doesn't even notice her; Alicia, shrewish and devious, madly in love with Elfrida's brother, and determined to have her scheming way.