Two young couples, thrown together by a powerful fall storm, join forces to survive the coming northern winter. They are very different—one fled the far north to escape barbarian raids, while the other, far from their peaceful southern fishing village, knows the dread northern raiders only from old stories. Together they establish a secure winter stronghold and begin building a life. But renewed savage raids change everything, threatening even the fishing village far to the south—and bringing the story to a surprising and violent conclusion.