Svein is a young Viking prince whose one concern is to be worthy of his father's sword - to prove himself capable of succeeding to the throne one day. He has in him much of his father's steel, but he has another side as well, inherited from his mother, now dead, who believed in kindness, gentleness and peace, making her a rarity in a world of warriors. Svein keeps her royal ring close to his heart at all times, but wrestles with her influence on him...