A foiled elopement. A giant's treasure. An impossible quest that will almost certainly get him killed.

Once upon a time, Stigander Raenson was heir to a thanedom. Until a curse drove him, his family, and his crew out of their homes. For years, they have all wandered the cold seas looking for treasure, glory, and a way to end the curse.

Now Einarr, Stigander's only son, lives a vagabond's life on the sea, never giving much thought to the home he barely remembers. That is, until an unexpected squall and a pirate attack send them to winter at the Hall of his father's childhood friend - and his beautiful daughter. The Jarl intends to marry her to an old man, but they only have eyes for each other.

A desperate gambit lands them both in trouble. Now Einarr has just a single season to convince the Jarl that he would be a worthy match for the Lady Runa, the Jarl's only child. Will he return in one piece, or will the Jarl's impossible quest be Einarr's undoing?