Prince of Jutland

Prince Amled witnesses the murders of his father, King Hardvendel, and his brother at the hands of Fenge and his henchmen. The trauma pushes him toward a near-catatonic state, leaving him unable to cry out or clearly witness what happens. Their bodies are carried back to Geruth at the Danish castle.

Fenge arrives after the scene, claiming he doesn't know who is responsible. Geruth believes him and leans on his support as she grieves. Soon, Fenge is crowned king and proclaims Geruth as his queen.

During the burning of the funeral pyres, Amled observes the flames and notes that fire can destroy even a great king. The moment deepens his sense of doom and foreshadows the violence to come. This takes place at the castle's funeral grounds.

Most men are away, and Amled is taken into the woods and left with a maiden named Gunvor. The isolation in the forest sets the stage for a dangerous liaison. The encounter begins in the woods.

Amled and Gunvor sleep together; she reveals that Fenge sent her to seduce him. She promises not to reveal that Amled is sane. The secret deepens the tension and fuels Amled's resolve.

They continue their relationship in secret, shielding it from others. The clandestine affair strains Amled's ties to his family and to Fenge's plans. The forest becomes their hidden sanctuary.

While most of Fenge's men are away on business, Amled kills Ribold, Fenge's right-hand man. He then tells Geruth that he has been sane all along and accuses Fenge of murdering their loved ones. Geruth vows to never sleep with Fenge again and urges Amled to kill his uncle and seize the crown.

Frovin finds Ribold's bloody tunic in a pig trough, confirming the murder. Fenge learns Gunvor is pregnant with Amled's child, strengthening his belief in Amled's sanity. The discoveries raise the stakes for all involved.

Fenge orders Amled sent to Duke Aethelwine in Lindsey on the Isle of Great Britain. Gunvor watches Amled depart, and Ragnar murders her to prevent exposure. The voyage marks Amled's exile and the end of his first life phase.

On the voyage, Amled discovers a note from Fenge directing Amled to be executed. He amends the message so it implies Fenge's plan to kill two of his own men. The exchange shows Amled's cunning and shifts the power balance.

Amled's first night in Lindsey sees the servants hanged. He feigns shock and ignorance, which prompts Aethelwine to pay him a large sum in gold as compensation for the supposed atrocity. The event reveals the political treachery of Aethelwine's court.

Lindsey is at war and Amled leads guerrilla warfare that turns the tide, delivering a surprising victory. He then marries Aethelwine's daughter Ethel and prepares to return home. The campaign cements his reputation and power.

On the journey home, Amled and Ethel stay at Bjorn's house. He is told that Fenge believes him dead. He returns to the castle and sends Geruth to Bjorn's for safety, signaling his protective priorities.

Amled binds Fenge's drunken men in tapestries and sets fire to the great hall. He then confronts Fenge, drags him to the hall, and kills him with a knife. He sits outside as the hall burns, completing his revenge.

The common people gather to witness Amled crowned king by Geruth, with Ethel by his side. The crowd applauds their new rulers, ushering in a new era after a long quest for justice. Amled's vengeance establishes his rule.