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?
The Land on the Far Bank
Are they biting, old timer?
Even the fish should be preparing for the winter by now.
Whether they bite or not doesn't matter.
My real job is to man the ferry.
You guys are Danes, right?
Your English is quite proficient,
but I detect a slight accent to it.
Your accent is much like the brogue of my own land.
How much is the fare to cross?
Two silver pieces.
I will also take alcohol if you have no silver.
But...
I can't begin to guess how many days it will take to ferry all of you across.
No, the only cargo is this message.
And here I thought I had a profitable new client. That's too bad.
So, who does this go to on the other bank?
To anyone with authority. At once.
Tell them it's a message from Askeladd, son of Lydia.
It shall be done.
At once.
Askeladd!
Askeladd! Where are you?
Hey!
Please quiet down, Ragnar.
Why have we stopped marching?
Thorkell is going to catch up!
We're not supposed to make noise while The Ear is at work.
Ear?
Bjorn, would you stop that conehead from breathing?
Ear!
What's the status?
They've gotten closer since yesterday.
Foot soldiers and horses are on the march.
There's about five hundred.
They're right on our tail.
Not a day's march behind us.
Are you certain, Ear?
Yesterday, you said they were two days away.
Do you doubt my hearing?
They're moving fast.
Must be setting quite a pace.
They'll catch up to us in just a few days.
Quiet, you guys.
Horses. On the hill. Two.
They've got us now.
What do we do?
If we plan to strike, we must shore up our defenses right away!
There's no point.
We're no match for them.
But if we don't do anything...
I've sent a request for reinforcements.
We'll have to stay on the run until they arrive.
What?
Reinforcements?
NOVEMBER 1013 AD EAST BANK OF THE RIVER SEVERN, WEST ENGLAND
Reinforcements?
We're deep in enemy territory!
Well, that's what Askeladd said.
You ever known him to lie about something like that?
Hmm...
You're right. He hasn't.
Where's the nearest friendly outpost?
It's Leicester.
Seriously? It'll take two weeks to get there!
You think the reinforcements will come in time?
Wait, if they do show up, won't we have to split the spoils with 'em?
Askeladd said we could handle this with just our hundred, didn't he?
I can't take all this walking! Just put me on a boat!
I'm with ya.
If only we had a boat...
What? Do you need something?
The men are rattled.
They need an explanation.
Let 'em be shaken.
A little fear will hasten their step.
What?
If that's all, then go to sleep.
You've been acting strange these last few days.
What's on your mind?
Ever since you saw the prince's face. Right?
I've lived among wicked men for over two score years.
I can tell what a man is like,
whether he's a big shot or a nobody, whether he's smart or stupid, just by looking at his face.
I took a single look at the prince's face, and I knew him for what he was.
"That's not the face of a king."
Aye. He does look fairly girlish.
But he's still a kid, you know?
Well, I suppose.
He's just a lad after all.
Wait, what do you mean?
All right! Rise and shine, boys!
Prepare to march!
Thorkell's gonna catch up if you lag behind!
Seriously?
It's still dark.
Hey.
Yeah?
Get any sleep?
Nah.
Hey.
What? Quit talkin' to me.
But if I don't keep talking,
I'm gonna fall asleep.
This is bad, Askeladd.
They're right behind us.
Yeah, I know.
They're going to catch up.
I said I know.
We're almost at the meeting point.
Right there.
Reinforcements?
That's our backup? Just two?
They aren't some kind of mist demons, are they?
It is an honor to be personally greeted by the commander himself.
It has been a long time, Askeladd.
So,
the ships came and took them across the river?
Could you tell whose ships they were?
No, not accurately.
The fog was as thick as goat's milk.
They weren't no Nordic ships, I reckon.
No dragon heads.
They were kinda squat and flat.
I think I saw some eyes on 'em.
Big 'n' wide, right at the stern.
They don't sound like King Sweyn's ships.
Well, in any case, we've lost Thorfinn's trail now.
Looks like we didn't give our quarry the proper respect.
I never thought they'd have allies on the other bank of the Severn.
Does that mean the people across the water turned against England to side with the Danes?
You fool. Are you really that ignorant?
The other side of the river ain't even part of England in the first place!
It's Wales.
Wales. A mountainous land to the west of England.
The steep mountains have few natural resources.
Arable land suitable for agriculture is scarce.
Compared to England, it is a bleak and harsh land.
After the end of rule by the Roman Empire,
Wales was never unified under a single country.
Several centuries passed as petty kingdoms rose, fell, united, and divided.
It was one of these principalities that responded to Askeladd's request.
WALES - EASTERN MORGANNWG
You have my compliments, Askeladd.
I can just see Thorkell gnashing his teeth with impotent rage on the far bank!
Now we can simply take to the sea and circle back to Gainsborough!
No. We march inland.
What madness is this?
There are ships right there!
Don't look at it from the perspective of a large nation.
These three warships are crucial shore defenses for a small kingdom like this.
You should be thankful that they helped us escape Thorkell at all.
Then we can make do with only two ships! We could fit a hundred!
No means no.
Now behave yourself, or we'll leave you behind.
You want us to march across Wales?
That's ridiculous!
The people in this land despise us!
We cannot expose His Highness to such peril!
A falcon.
It's so low.
Catch it, Ragnar.
Pardon me, Your Highness.
We're in the midst of a very important talk.
It's better than marching north through England with Thorkell on our heels.
At least we have allies in this land.
But if you're still worried...
Thorfinn!
I'll assign him to guard Prince Canute.
Wow! You're the guy from back there...
Don't tell me what to do.
He's small in stature, but he's quite skilled.
And he's the same age as His Highness. They'll get along well.
Introduce yourself, Thorfinn.
Are you an idiot?
Why are you staring holes through him?
I assume you'll make this worth my while.
I know, I know.
You'll have your duel when we get to Gainsborough.
Are you ready now, Askeladd?
Just finished. Coming.
Goodness. We're so busy.
This is Captain Gratianus of Morgannwg's military.
He will be guiding us on our journey.
Ah. A bit sharp, but he has a fine face.
Not him, Captain. He's one of mine.
His Highness Prince Canute is over there.
There is no strength in his eyes.
This is the boy to whom you will entrust the future of England?
What? You ill-mannered brute!
How dare you!
There is only one reason for us to aid the Danish prince in his escape.
It is to ensure the forging of a non-agression treaty.
That relies upon your word.
Swear to me, prince.
Swear that once you are king of England,
you will not interfere in Welsh matters.
I see. I'll settle it.
His Highness speaks thus!
If you will provide us with three ships, he will—
I was asking the prince, not you.
What?
Very well. I will broach the matter again later.
I will have documents prepared first.
Get ready to depart.
Why, that pompous snob!
He dares extort us for protection?!
Is he so presumptuous to think he can speak as equals to royalty?!
That impertinent troglodyte!
March, march, and march some more.
Now we're taking mountain passes?
I'd rather trek through the mountains than deal with Thorkell.
Why don't we talk about something nice?
Nice? Like what?
Our reward from King Sweyn.
We saved his precious son from Thorkell's clutches, didn't we?
It's been a hell of a slog. I'd appreciate a farm or two.
Or a cool new sword.
Screw that. Just gimme the gold.
Ain't nothin' better than gold.
You said it.
I heard the king has a hundred beautiful slave women from around the world in his bedroom.
Come here.
Just the thought gives me chills!
Any other juicy hearsay?
Hey, monk!
You've been to the palace, right?
What kind of things does the king have there?
Well, nothing much of particular value, I thought.
Nothing? No beauties?!
Oh, there were plenty of women slaves.
Huh? You don't sound all too excited about it.
You saying you got no interest in women?
Nay.
Compared to what I desire,
riches and women hold no worth at all.
Then tell us. What is it you desire?
Love.
What? Love?
Yes.
What's that? Never heard of it.
I've heard of this.
It's some kind of magic spell all the Christians talk about.
Not some kinda food?
How many pounds of silver is it worth?
It cannot be measured in silver,
for it is love that gives silver its worth.
Without love, gold, silver, and beautiful women are all worthless.
It gives them worth?
That don't make sense to me.
Silver's valuable because it's silver.
It's as easy as that.
He's just pretendin' to be all deep.
Just ignore him.
You there. Priest.
Go on. I'd like to hear a little more.
We'll soon be entering the Kingdom of Brycheiniog.
Fear not. I've sent word ahead.
Your assistance is most appreciated.
I do not do it for you. We both stand to gain from this.
The kingdoms of Wales have long been prey to raids from England.
If you Danes can wrest control from them,
it would suit our ends.
I have no doubt that His Highness will accede to your request.
Is that your king, Askeladd?
His bloodline is above reproach.
As for the rest, he is young with room to grow.
The more fascinating the man, the more unpredictable his actions are.
Perhaps someone of his character is just what we need.
We are proud descendants of Britannia.
I will not serve a Danish king.
Gratianus.
Do you still believe in the legend?
It says that King Artorius will return from Avalon in the west
and restore Britannia to its glories of old.
Askeladd!
You're certain?
That's what The Ear says.
It is good that you have come, Danish prince!
They're the envoys from Brycheiniog.
Hail and well met!
Just a moment, Gratianus.
They're onto us.
How do you know this?
I keep a man with a good set of ears.
But it's too late.
What is it, Thorfinn?
Stand! Hurry up!
Let's 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