No sooner have Einarr and his friends returned to meet their ship at Kjell Hall than they have to set out again. Captain Stigander has determined it is time to get serious, both about lifting the Binding that keeps them away from the home his son barely remembers and about more material matters, such as gaining the wealth and manpower they'll need to take on the usurper's enthralled army.

When the svartdvergr Jorir hears his new Lord's tale of woe, he suggests a detour into the far northern reaches of the sea, where dwells an Oracle he has had cause to visit before. Now the crew of the Vidofnir sets off to seek its fate in a rather more literal way than anyone is used to.