Shifting Alliances and Potential Empire

This chapter explores the motivations and actions of the Great Army leaders, particularly Half-Dan, Guthrum, Oskitel, and Anwend, as they consider their next moves after subduing Mercia and extracting tribute from the southern Anglo-Saxon lands. It discusses Half-Dan's desire to go north and potentially unite his kingdom with the territories of Ireland, while his allies see an opportunity to claim their own lands, leading to a potential conflict within the Great Army.