supernatural weave into a backdrop of a turbulent historical period marked by Norse invasions. At the start of the novel, we meet Ailsa, who is disheartened by the absence of her friend Kenric, while simultaneously a hunt is underway in Bute. The scene swiftly shifts to Kenric’s casual yet adventurous nature as he joins Ailsa, and together they encounter Elspeth, a mysterious old woman rumored to be a witch, who warns them of imminent danger regarding Kenric’s father, Earl Hamish. The plot thickens with the arrival of three Norsemen, whose intentions initially appear friendly, especially as they engage in a hunting expedition with Earl Hamish, but foreshadowing hints at treachery in their midst. The opening chapters set up a complex web of relationships and impending conflict, highlighting the themes of both human and supernatural stakes in their lives. (This is an automatically generated summary.)