King Guthred keeps ignoring Uhtred's wise military counsel, preferring abbot Eadred's advise. So instead of overpowering the Danish brothers Erik and Sigefrid, the king negotiates an alliance looking weak, agreeing to a siege of Durham, which requires too many men and may drag on years. Therefore they seek to add as ally Uhtred's hostile uncle lord Aelfric, who promises 200 warriors in exchange for royal sister Gisela's hand and his nephew's head, eliminating her lover. Guthred agrees but instead sells Uhtred to slaver Sverri , who chains him to a pirate ship ore, while Guthred is deserted by all allies as a weak liar. Uhtred survives toiling is tail off under the whip, bonding with other rowing slaves, an escape during the frosty winter stay on Iceland fails. Alfred seeks an alliance against the Danes with fellow-Saxon king Ceolwulf of Mercia, who has a fatal heart attack during the grim negotiation and is eagerly succeeded by son Aethelred, sealed by marriage to Alfred's daughter Aethelflaed. Alfred let 'hostage' Ragnar set out with Gisela and a rescue party, which waits for Sverri and kills the pirates while liberating Uhtred and his surviving slave mates. Uhtred wants to reclaim Babbenburg but is honor-bound to rejoin Alfred's service.
—KGF Vissers