Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands

Heroic legend Beowulf gallops through the epic and mythical Shieldlands, to his childhood home of Herot, hoping to set right past wrongs.

Having left the rugged frontier town twenty years earlier, warrior come mercenary Beowulf, returns to pay his respects to ailing ward and Thane of Herot, Hrothgar. However, his gesture of goodwill soon opens old wounds. Beowulf is met with cold steel leaving him no choice but to fight his way into the Great Hall to be heard by new Thane Rheda, wife of Hrothgar, whose appointment has caused controversy within Herot and afar.

With its defences fast fading, Herot falls under attack from within and when Rheda's loyal servant is killed, Beowulf vows to remain until the enemy is routed out, justice is served and Herot is safe once more. It's a race against time for Beowulf as he seeks to protect the town and catch the killer, be it human or beast…

With a killer on the loose, the tribal Thanes put on a gathering to elect a new leader of the Shieldlands. Beowulf feels the pressure as he knows he has to catch the perpetrator. Rheda's enemy is closer to home then she first believed.

Slean is still missing, so Beowulf and Rate go searching in the forest for him. However the forest is a dangerous place as Herot's peoples enemy is still at large. Rheda hopes she can find answers before the people turn against her.

The fate of the Shieldlands is decided in Herot's Great Hall as judgement day arrives and a new leader is chosen. Rheda has to prove herself worthy to become the ruler of all the Shieldlands, whilst been aware of the turmoil between the tribes and the ever-present threat of a civil war.

Beowulf, Elvina, Vishka and Breca continue towards the Mere, having barely survived the first part of their journey. However on the way new dangers await them, as they fall under Thane Gorrik's suspicion and unmask the Mere tribe's fatal secret.

Slean feels that the walls are closing in on him, as his intended bride is now in Herot, but his true love elsewhere. He has to decide whether to remain loyal to his mother or not.

The Barghest Wolves under control from the Wulfling raiders and their element of surprise attack the people of Herot. Beowulf hopes he can outmaneuver the enemy and protect the village.

Slean and Kela prepare themselves for their wedding. Soon secrets are revealed between the couple, which tests their loyalties. Abrecan has to make a choice after Rheda's new laws come into effect. The harvest season is upon the people of Bregan.

Herot's Huskaria patrol takes to the forests to look for signs of the enemy. Elvina decides to enter the forests without a guard, worrying Beowulf who comes after her. The pair enjoy their romance and soon become distracted from the threats surrounding them, they are soon captured by a band of Mudborn creatures. Beowulf learns a dark secret about Elvina as the pair try and escape.

Beowulf grapples with the revelation of Elvina's secret and the fact that he has fallen in love with her. He feels ultimately betrayed and his feelings of conflict are compounded by the news that Slean knew the truth of Elvina's past but loved, and still loves her. Can Beowulf and Elvina survive and close this gulf that now separates them?

For now however, the more pressing issue is Herot's defences, which are too weak to withstand any more attacks. Meanwhile, wanting answers to questions of loyalty that have arisen about Bregan, Rheda returns to her hometown to see her brother Abrecan.

In Bregan, Rheda receives a warm welcome, though rather than being reassured, she is confronted with some alarming revelations, one of which is that a large Wulfing army is set for Herot, to take the Iron town, knowing, that whoever takes control of the seat in Herot, controls the wealth of the Shieldlands – can she rely on her brother's support or will she be forced to accept his betrayal?

After escaping capture in Bregan, Rheda now faces the greatest threat of all. Will a last minute bid from Slean help to save Herot from the brink of death? And can a great personal sacrifice on Rheda's part bring a powerful foe back to her aid?

The battle of all battles falls upon the people of Herot. Men, woman and children brace themselves to wage a brutal attack with Beowulf. Elsewhere Wulfing Raiders and Abrecan's army are back at the Draca Bridge. Slean awaits for the troops from the Alliance to arrive. Along the way, secrets are revealed, new loyalities and friendships are forged.