Aethelflaed is missing and Aethelred and the Saxons return toWinchester to break the news to King Alfred, while Uhtred goeshome to Gisela with plans to uncover the truth by his ownmeans. Alfred's stubborn determination causes Odda to questionwhether the will of the king and the good of the kingdom are atodds – will he need to make a choice of loyalty between thetwo? Uhtred and Sigefrid come face to face for the first timesince the Northmen's banishment from Northumbria, and Uhtredis confronted with a decision which will define the fate ofWessex.
