Thorfinn suffers a serious injury in his fight against Thorkell. Thorfinn is told to think about what he has to do to beat Thorkell. Askeladd treats Thorfinn’s wounds so that he may fight again someday, and proposes a joint strategy to help the two of them survive longer.

Canute’s party arrives in York to attend the Imperial Council. Although Canute had wanted to strike out against King Sweyn, the King was being guarded by the most powerful Jomsviking unit in the Northern Sea while keeping a close eye on Canute. With the situation strained to the breaking point, Askeladd comes up with a plan. Meanwhile, Thorfinn is reunited with a person who knew his former self.

After the sudden turn of events, young Canute must rise up to claim the throne to a kingdom much reduced and under attack.

Finally, after three long years, Einar and Thorfinn chop down the final tree in the forest. With hope in their hearts, they talk about the future.

While in Jelling, Ketil, Thorgil and Olmar meet a man named Leif Erikson who is searching for Thorfinn, the son of his close friend.