The sixth in the Renshai sequence of Norse fantasies tells of King Griff and his new wife Matrinka and of their allies Tae, a rapscallion made diplomat, and Rakhir, a knight - both of whom have fathered sons on Kevral, a Renshai. Matrinka has a daughter by the bard Darris and Griff is expecting a child by his elfin lover. These children are the children of wrath, their destinies intimately bound up with the Balance that guards the continuance of humanity. Their actions and those of their parents will seal the fate of their entire world - overshadowed as always by the gods in Valhalla, who do not always have the best interests of humanity at heart.