In a band of Viking mercenaries led by the cunning Askeladd, Thorfinn, a skilled young warrior seeking vengeance for his family's tragedy, trains relentlessly to one day challenge his leader to a fair duel. Amidst the war-loving Danes, where killing is a way of life, Askeladd's scheme involving the Danish prince Canute sets the stage for a power struggle that will determine the fate of England. This tale unfolds in 11th-century Europe, painting a brutal picture of a world consumed by violence, madness, and injustice, where only the battle-hungry find solace while others face a living nightmare.