Heroic legend Beowulf returns to his childhood home of Herot to pay his respects to ailing ward and Thane of Herot, Hrothgar. However, his gesture of goodwill soon opens old wounds. With its defences fast fading, Herot falls under attack from within. Beowulf vows to remain until the enemy is routed out, justice is served and Herot is safe once more.

Herot is bustling as the town makes preparations for the Gathering at which the next Jarl, leader of the Shieldlands, will be elected. With the other tribal leaders due to arrive in Herot at any moment however, the pressure mounts to catch Herot’s killer before another victim is claimed. In a bid to buy themselves more time and avoid panic amongst the tribe leaders, Rheda, Slean and Abrecan ride out to stall them whilst Beowulf begins his search.

With Slean and Thane Scorann missing, Beowulf and Rate, Thane of the Varni, ride out into the forest in search of them. But with the Gathering fast approaching and Rheda’s bid for leadership depending on the hope of ever-loyal Scorann’s vote, Beowulf questions whether their disappearance might be more than a simple coincidence.

The day of the Gathering. Rheda must prove herself worthy to become ruler of all the Shieldlands. Meanwhile, Slean must also make a sacrifice for his mother’s campaign, but in doing so, his loyalties become deeply conflicted.

Beowulf, Elvina, Vishka and Breca continue towards the Mere to cement a new treaty. As they tackle various assaults the group’s situation goes from bad to desperate.

Beowulf gets to work re-building the town’s defences when iron-miner Greff is attacked by one of the most dangerous Mudborn creatures known to humans—a Troll. Slean's intended bride arrives in Herot, but he has other things on his mind than marriage.

A fearsome clan known as the Wulfing raiders launches an attack on Herot, and with the element of surprise on their side, all seems lost. As Herot’s townspeople flea in all directions and Beowulf rushes to action, someone is abducted from the bosom of Herot.

As Herot is preparing for Slean and Keta's wedding, shocking secrets are revealed and the couple must decide if new loyalties are to be forged or irrevocably shattered. Meanwhile, with Rheda’s new laws permeating the tribes, Abrecan is forced to choose between stepping aside and accepting his sister's rule or standing against her in a declaration of war.

With danger lurking in every corner threatening the Shieldlands, Herot’s Huskarla patrol the forests looking for signs of the enemy. Enjoying their newfound romance, Beowulf and Elvina become distracted from the threats around them and she is soon forced to reveal a dark secret.

Beowulf grapples with the revelation of Elvina’s secret and the fact that he has fallen in love with her. Rheda returns to her hometown to see her brother Abrecan. In Bregan, she is confronted with some alarming revelations.

Rheda returns to Herot alone, with news of familial betrayal and that the fearsome Wulfing army are coming for them all. Now desperate, she sends word, calling for the help of the other tribes in the Alliance.