Torvard, konung of the Fjords, is cursed by his wife—the goddess of the island of Tuval. No wish of his can be fulfilled. But the witch Herdis, Torvard’s mother, managed to add to the curse: above all, her son will desire death. And now Torvard seeks his end in battle—and remains alive even in the cruelest bloodshed. Yet if Torvard finds a girl who won’t be afraid of him, the curse will vanish. But now Torvard is feared even by his own warriors.