The dull misery of Aiden's peasant life in 8th century Northumbria is shattered forever when Norse Vikings land on his shore. The bastard child of a pagan woman who died when he was a child, Aiden's life in the devoutly Christian village has never been easy, but it is unremarkable. Isolated and lonely, he tends his sheep and resigns himself to being alone; at night, however, he dreams of someone- anyone- taking him away from his misery. His prayers...