While king Edward attempts at Aylesbury to placate the people of Mercia with penance and fasting for the death of the Ealdormen, news of the slaughter reaches Eoferwic. Deeply troubled, seeing Edward's actions as the methods of a bloodthirsty ruler intent on war, Sigtryggr sends a rider south to warn Edward not to approach Eoferwic. Aelfwynn and Aelswith take shelter at Buxton where Aelswith reveals her plan to marry Aelfwynn to her lover Cynlaef, one of Uhtred's men, hoping that once marries a commoner, Aelfwynn won't be perceived as a threat or political pawn. Queen Ælfflæd, seeking solace in her faith as she sees her marriage to Edward fail, secretly travels north to Lindesfarne in the company with Christian visionary Aalys. Unbeknownst to them, Aethelhelm has sent men to murder Aalys and blame on the Danes, hoping to foment a war between the Danes and the Saxons which 'ideally' leaves Edward dead, the Danes defeated and the throne open for his grandson Ælfweard. The women are ambushed but Ælfflæd is mistaken for Aalys and killed. Discovering this and surviving Aalys, Haesten has the bodies concealed and goes inform Uhtred in Rumcofa. As the news spreads, Danes and Saxons blame each other for trying to start a war. Uhtred and his men desperately try to uncover the truth to prevent more bloodshed, but Sigtryggr and Edward prepare for battle, encouraged by Aethelhelm, who ignores he ordered his daughter's death. A militia secretly raised by Aethelhelm in Edward's name attacks Rumcofa, killing Osferth. Discovering Ælfflæd's death, a devastated Aethelhelm contemplates suicide until his lieutenant persuades him to continue his plan. Meanwhile, Brida releases Pyrlig to return to Wessex, but he convinces her to come with him to atone for her sins, after they first seek out Uhtred..
—KGF Vissers