Freydis lives a quiet life on her family's farmstead, until her father, Eirik the Red, is to remarry. His new wife does not want Freydis around, and does everything she can to send her away. She convinces Eirik that he's better off without his daughter, and so she's sent off to the gothar to serve the Norse Gods.
Upon her arrival, there are many who think Freydis does not belong because of who, and what, her father is. But alas, she is the daughter of Aud, and hears the gods like any other gythia, which is her ultimate goal - to become a priestess of the old gods.
As she learns the ways of the gods, she also learns the way of man - sickness and greed rule the land, power above all. Will she ever see Brigid again, the woman who raised her? Or Brein, the thrall to their neighbor, who she now thinks of more often than not. She saves every bit she can so she can free him, but as the fates unfold, Freydis finds that their will isn't as clear as she'd hoped. She must put her faith in the gods to reunite her with those she loves most.