The books main themes are revenge, violence, the passing of an era, clash of cultures, and love, especially between father and son.

He escapes from Rabady Island with the aid of a slave girl, and travels to Jormsvik, a fortress for elite Erling mercenaries.

One of the scholars he wishes to attract to his court is Ceinon, who is unwilling to give up his role as leader of the Jaddite faith among the Cyngael.

Bern and Thorkell have a brief reunion, but Bern rejoins the Erlings in a new quest to kill Brynn ap Hwyll and regain Volgansson's sword, at Ivarr's urging, though he is primarily motivated by sadism, desiring to blood eagle Brynn and his family for his own amusement while intending to use the cover of avenging his grandfather.

Prompted by Thorkell's final words, the Erlings depart and once again change course to loot an undefended monastery in a southern land.

Bern later leaves the mercenary company, intending to settle down on Radaby and marries the slave girl, herself now a seer for the island's new governor, who helped him escape.

Throughout the novel references are made towards the slow but steady growth of civilization as kingdoms are built, the wilderness is pushed back and it is revealed that even the most lawless places such as Jormsvik will eventually fall under the sway of a king.

"[3] In a review for Quill & Quire, Cori Dusmann stated that the "in-depth examination of so many characters slows the tale down" with "every question answered ... and little left to wonder about".