Edward S. Aarons Book order (chronological)

Gunnar Black Wolf, son of a Viking lord and a Moorish slave, grows up as one of the chosen of Odin and the companion of prince Harald Finehair. He returns home from fun and free-booting to find his adoptive parents, wife, and child dead, and vows vengeance against their slayer. In the course of this quest, he becomes outlawed and is driven to lead a mighty raid against the Franks.

Ira Sanderson had gotten himself kidnapped. The Tamil rebels of Ceylon had taken the American and were making strong demands for his release. Durell's mission was to get Sanderson released and, if possible, eliminate the Naga, or head of the Tamil fighters.