Queen Inos was badly shaken. Rap - loyal, trustworthy Rap - had appeared to her, obviously from beyond the grave. His insubstantial image, the echo of his voice...She stiffened her resolve. She would serve her people, whatever the cost. Rap would have wanted her to.

But Rap was alive, armed with a magic word and unwavering resolve to find his beloved Inos and give her whatever help a galley slave could give a queen.

Then Kalkor, cruelest of the vicious Nordland raiders, sailed into port in his longship Blood Wave; and Rap's life took a hellish turn for the worse...