Finally returning to his estate, having defeated the Danes again, Uthred finds bishop Erkenwald Christianized it but reverts that, with 'help' from Skade, whom he seems to have accepted as his new partner, but after one more love act in the lake drowns her to undo the spell, discretely observed by loyal retainer Osferth. prince Aethelwold arrives at Alfred's court, forced to attempt eliminating Uthred for the Danes, but Edward's father in law has him arrested instead and charged with the capital offense high treason. Alfred wrestles with his own impending divine judgment and decides to apply 'mercy': the kin is 'only' demi-blinded with a hot iron in one eye.
—KGF Vissers