It begins in 10th Century England, and tells the tale of an orphaned child of a Celtic father and Saxon mother, who is caught up with the Vikings and ultimately journeys all the way to Constantinople via the Dnieper trading route.

[1] In 1990 it was adapted into an ITV children's drama series called Sea Dragon, produced by Thames Television.

Upon return, Thormod finds his father killed by childhood friends, and swears the blood feud after which the novel is named.

The feud is ultimately resolved, but with many twists and turns, and Jestyn finally settles to live in Constantinople.

The historical background depicts the Christianization of Kievan Rus', and Jestyn's mixed feelings as he carries an original Christian value system of his youth alongside the commitment of blood feud and blood brotherhood of Norse paganism.