Under the cloak of darkness, Niall is forced to leave the only home he has ever known after his father is murdered. Fearing for his life, he flees Iceland in search of a grandfather he has never met in far off Ireland who turns out to be King Mael Seachlinn. But Niall is also charged with an important task, to give Brian Boru a prized relic of the Norsemen -Thor’s ring. Will he be able to accomplish his goal?
Already in the first port that his ship lays anchor, he finds out that his father’s wicked murderer has followed him there and is plotting to kill him too. Narrowly escaping, he makes it to Ireland where he must travel on foot alone in a country that is beset with political strife among discontented Kings. The treacherous Queen Gormflaith’s hooded soldiers seem to be everywhere.
On his dangerous journey, he learns of the Norse kings' plot to seize Brian Boru’s throne. As the Norse kings gather more support from surrounding, rival thrones, the odds appear overwhelmingly against King Brian. The story climaxes with the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Will Niall be able to help save Ireland from the pagan North?
There are Catholic references sprinkled throughout the story, reminding the reader of Ireland’s conversion to the Catholic faith.