Daughter of a chieftan in the Far North, Gunnhild was sent into the wilderness to study magic with two shamans. From them she learned how to send her spirit afar and draw to her the man she wanted, Eirik Blood-ax. Together they will bear sons, each bearing the name king.

But, Eirik must win supremecy in a deadly struggle with his half-brothers. Aided by Gunnhild's wiles and witchcraft, she is looked at as his co-equal. When Eirik's rivals lure him to his death, Gunnhild carries on the struggle. Never yielding, always fighting on, she spent her life searching for meaning in a ruthless and bewildering world.