Gunilla of Knapahult was brought up under the discipline and admonitions of the Lord. This meant beatings for sins she had never committed. Although she loved somebody else, her father's fervent dream was for her to marry the distinguished Arv Grip.

Then Arv's relative, Heike Lind of the Ice People, came to the parish. With his special gifts, he soon discovered that Gunilla and Arv needed his assistance. He sensed the fatal danger that threatened them all from a ravine in a dense forest ...