Thors!
Helga!
Thors!
YEAR 987 HJÖRUNGAVÁGR
Why were you just standing there?
Are you feeling unwell?
Sorry. I dozed off.
We're too spread out.
We won't be able to hold off their second wave.
Thorkell, when Floki approaches, bring up the frontline.
You mean that blockhead?
I don't mind. What about you?
I'm going to stop the enemy.
Stop? What do you mean?
How are you going to get there—
I see. You're nimble.
Wait. You're sneaking off alone?!
Maria. Sorry...
In order to survive, it's sink or swim
They've always said it's a dog eat dog world
What went wrong?
Survival of the fittest, the strong eat the weak
If it's the world that our wisdom will lead
Well tell me what went wrong
What went wrong?
I've paid my dues, I've sold my soul
So tell me what is left for me
When I've given up everything
So, what was I envisioning?
No matter how picturesque it was,
I never felt anything
You see, even if I reassessed my outlook
I was only longing for that scenery
I'm probably emotionless
I wonder what was I envisioning?
But no matter how picturesque it was,
I never felt anything
You see, even if I reassessed my outlook
I was only longing for that scenery
I'm probably emotionless
Is this world so far torn from the truth?
To maintain a balance between good and evil
Is it just kill or be killed?
Is the world so simplistic?
Could someone please try and fucking tell me?
Somewhere Not Here
YEAR 1002 ICELAND
Thorfinn, can you feed the sheep and milk the cow?
Okay.
After leaving Markland,
our ship chartered a course further south.
"There are better lands."
That's what the wind was telling us.
And then we found it.
The new continent!
A new world full of ripe fruit and rippling plains.
I stood upon this new land and gave it a name.
It would be known as Vinland.
How 'bout that, kids?
Now are you impressed with the daring feats of the great Leif Ericson?
That's amazing, Mister Leif!
What happened next?
Was anyone there?
Was it warm?
Was it bigger than Iceland?
You bet. It was much warmer than here too.
There was grass growing everywhere!
We saw some skrælings too.
We couldn't understand each other, but we quickly became friends.
This feather headdress and pipe are gifts from them.
Listen. See this thing here?
Only true warriors are allowed to wear it.
See, stunning, ain't it?
That's amazing!
What? The kids are still awake?
Can I touch it?
Sorry.
I wanted them to hear Leif's stories.
A true warrior? You really are amazing.
Ain't that right? You're a good boy, Thorfinn.
Why don't you come sail with me when you grow up?
What? I want to sail with you now!
Now?
Something's not right, Mister Leif.
My grandpa told me
that Jörmungand prowls the seas to the west and gobbles up every ship that ventures too close.
And beyond that, the sea just disappears into nothingness.
That's exactly why you should realize how amazing I am!
See? This is the proof. I'm a true warrior.
Mister Leif, you're not even a warrior.
What? You don't know anything!
The battlefield isn't the only place where warriors are found!
Sailors fight against the sea. They're amazing.
I knew it.
Yeah.
Huh? What?
Everyone says you're just a big kid with whiskers.
You're always going off on adventures. You're no good in a real fight!
You just can't think for yourself.
Thorfinn, you believe me, right?
Do you mean I'm just a wandering old man who can't fight?
You don't believe me?
W-Well, if my father says you're a warrior, then it must be true...
Thors!
These kids think I'm a fool!
Beat some sense into them!
All right. That's enough for today.
Will you walk them home, Ari?
Sure thing, Thors.
See you later!
Bye!
I see.
So the people are freezing in Greenland.
The cold snap will be fierce this year.
Much of the livestock will be lost.
The problem is that it gets harder to endure the cold as you get older.
It is freezing out there!
Thanks.
These two are the only ones getting weak.
You must be terribly cold, Ylva!
C'mere, I'll warm you up.
No thanks, you ol' perv.
Go to bed, Mother. You'll catch a cold again.
I'm fine. Can you help me tie up the sheep?
Okay.
Looks like life is tough here too.
Yeah.
Someday we might get a winter so cold that no one survives.
Back in my country, my brother is making plans to emigrate right now.
Isn't it far?
What?
I made the round trip, didn't I?
Onward! Vinland is just beyond the horizon!
Captain Thorfinn!
What?
It's Jörmungand!
Bring it on, you monster!
That hurts...
Sister, sleep in your own bed! There's not enough room!
What? Don't wanna.
That's not fair! I'm the one who warmed up this bed—
They're still talking.
Don't worry about that stuff.
Worrying's for the grown-ups.
Now get back here.
Let big sis hold you tight!
Ugh, I can't take this.
Hey, Father, why don't we just buy a slave already?
Mother's health is poor, and I have to help with the chores.
That's not what we do.
You ask that every year.
You're so weird.
Ylva!
Saw my life flash before my eyes.
Are you hurt?
I'm fine.
What's wrong?
There's something down here.
Ylva?
Hey, old man. How much of your story yesterday is true?
How much? It's all true.
Okay, then let me ride on your ship.
I'll believe it if I see it with my own eyes.
Fool.
That's not what it means to believe.
If you want a ship to ride on, why don't you ask your father?
Our longship is sitting over there.
Our village has been using it for many generations.
I'm sure your father would be happy to lend it to you.
Father's no fun at all.
Every time I ask, he always says no.
It's not that he's no fun.
Y'know, Thorfinn, the sea here's deadly.
I got trapped in an ice floe once when I was young.
I had just moved to Greenland.
I was careless.
We went through our rations in no time. We ate ice to make us forget our hunger.
The ice finally crushed our ship.
We were left with no choice but to walk on the sea.
And then one day, I noticed I was the only one left.
My six companions were all dead.
Why?
Why did we come so far north to live on this freezing island?
Helga, boil some water.
Ylva, bring the fur blanket.
Okay.
Oh no, what happened?
He was buried in the snow.
That looks like it hurts.
What happened to him?
Add more wood to the fire.
Okay.
H-Hey, Father.
Are you sure he's not already dead?
His hands and feet are already rotting.
This guy's nothing but bad news.
He's not from our village.
Poor thing. Why was he outside in the blizzard?
Why?
He's a runaway slave.
You'll get in trouble if you hide him.
We ran away.
A long time ago, our ancestors used to live much further to the east.
In a land called Norway.
It's warmer than here. The seas did not freeze.
It's a nice place that's protected by many lush fjords.
But one day, there came a powerful man named Harald.
Harald's forces swept through our villages like a raging fire.
He proclaimed himself to be the first king of Norway and became its ruler.
The people were faced with a hard choice.
Kneel and serve the king or leave Norway forever.
Many people did not take to the heavy hand of the king.
They moved to a faraway land, away from Harald's reach.
Thus they landed here on Iceland.
You're lying.
You're just a dirty liar!
My father and our ancestors would never run away!
Stupid old man! You wandering old coot!
Father!
Father! Listen, Mister Leif says that...
Welcome back, Thorfinn.
Who is he?
He's someone's slave. He ran away.
H-He came back to life!
Hey! Can you tell me your name?
I'm so cold...
The fire, Ylva. Make it stronger.
O-Okay.
Where did you come from?
Are you going to make me go back...
to Lord Halfdan's household?
Halfdan?
I knew it. He's from over the mountain.
I hate it there.
I hate it.
But...
I don't...
have anywhere else to go.
Thors!
Come quick! Halfdan is down at the dock!
They've come with another bone to pick.
You're the only one who can talk him down.
They said something about a slave. They forced their way onto shore.
Leif is trying to smooth things over, but I'm afraid the youngsters might start a fight!
Just come!
Chains are the only neckwear that truly suits a human being.
Not gold. Not silver.
Cold iron chains.
Only a chain of hard iron around the neck can turn a man into something better.
Do you not agree?
One of my slaves cut his chains and escaped last night.
Do you know anything about this?
Keep your flimsy excuses to yourself!
This is just your chance to settle our old score, isn't it?
What a bunch of sissies.
We've had problems with him before.
You think your numbers scare us?
We just had it settled at the last Thing.
I remember that filthy mug of yours, you little shit!
You cut off my left arm during that one fight!
I remember yours too!
It belongs to the man who cut my brother's leg off!
Knock it off, Ari!
My brother will never be able to walk again!
I'm gonna chop off your leg!
Bring it on! The laws and Things are dogshit!
H-Halfdan...
I will chain you like the vile dog you are.
I will not tolerate insults to the law.
The law is a chain.
Only when he is chained does a savage become a man.
Do not forget this.
The runaway slave is a young Slav.
Have you seen him?
Where am I?
I've never felt so peaceful before.
Hang in there! Hey, you!
Stay awake, or you'll die!
Thors.
Dad.
Mom... Sister...
You're all here?
I was so worried about you.
We all got sold to different places.
But... where is this?
Why am I...
Far to the west,
across the sea, there's a place called Vinland.
It's warm
and fertile.
It's a faraway land free from slavery and the fires of war.
What do you think?
Come live there with us someday.
Vinland...
I see...
So this is Vinland...
There it is.
Forgive my intrusion, Thors.
I am the rightful owner of that slave.
I will have it back.
F-Father...
Come, Thorfinn.
Halfdan!
You know...
We weren't trying to hide him!
We saved your slave when he was about to die!
Halfdan. How much did you pay for this man?
Why, Father! Don't you think that's a little rude?
Two sheep. Both young ewes.
I'll give you three to buy him from you.
What do you think, Halfdan?
I will be bringing him back.
I have to make an example of him and torture him in front of the other slaves.
Then I'll give you four sheep.
Didn't you hear what Halfdan said, you son of a—
Silence.
What if I said I want twice that many?
You'll have it. All ewes under three years old.
Eight sheep for a man who's as good as dead?
It's too good of a price to refuse.
You're kidding... The deal's done?
Thors, do you believe you've freed him from his chains?
Where will you take him now?
I will choose the sheep myself.
Ylva, are you sad?
Of course I'm sad!
We coughed up eight sheep and he died right afterwards!
Father, you idiot! You're a weirdo!
Father.
Did we run away too?
Mister Leif told me
that our ancestors came here from the east.
He said they ran away and came here.
Yes. That is what is said.
Then...
Then, if someone wants to run away from here,
where do they go?
It’s just like a burning torch in the storm
Like a little flower blooming in the home
Bear a strong, unwavering volition
As long as you still show some kindness
A misty moon
I’m missing you
Lap up the sprawling scenery
As the beat of your heart runs free
Listen to me, sail away again, again
I pray you light the way through uncharted seas
The voices of those behind you are torn towards the unknown world
Unfurl your sails, you're not alone
So brave the stormy seas
Face that darkness