To the west of medieval Britain lies an island of enormous beauty and unspeakable danger. It is here that a band of warriors has traveled seeking refuge in their exile. Led by one man, Eirik the Red, the Vikings have settled this land and given it a name: Greenland. Across the sea, unaware of the journey he is about to take, Bishop Arnald of Le Mans spends his days in his cathedral recording the histories of his land and tending to his plants. Acting on a request from his king, Arnald is soon faced with the most dangerous task of his life: go to Greenland and convert the Vikings to Christianity. There is only one problem. The Vikings, especially Eirik the Red, have no desire to convert. Alone in a frozen wasteland, Arnald soon finds himself confronted with a hazard more dangerous than the elements: the axe of Eirik the Red.