Beyond the night skies I'm trudging towards, a lone crow lies in wait
Cawing as if to hasten my gait
From the annals of history, shadows of skulls laughed at me
Laughing in my face with glee
So I just bleed and feel the blood I have inside me
Holding to the creed and blade to slay thee
Carry on the oath until my last scene
Higher than the sky and deeper than the sea
Keep your precious justice to yourself, bud
Use it till they're torn, become a pile of mud
I don't need their choice or voice to judge me
The one and only way I had and always seek
Anyone, everyone, I will crush 'em all
Enemies, let 'em see, now I see you fall
Kings and gods, change the odds
I'm the one who makes my final call
My scars, my past and even my solitude
I'll quell them all with just my feud
Keep your crown, I'll take you down
I'm the one who makes my final call
In 1014, York was occupied by the Vikings of Denmark, led by King Sweyn.
The land was used as a base
for exporting slaves all over Europe.
The Vikings served as slave traders.
Look, I know how you feel, pops.
But we don't have the wealth to free slaves out of pity.
Reunion
It's been eleven years.
Isn't it about time now?
We would not be where we are now if not for Thors.
That debt must be paid.
Hurry! All of these over here!
What's this?
Hey! You!
Move that filthy little knarr!
Hurry it up!
The next ship is already—
Heave ho!
Heave ho! Heave ho!
Get moving!
A whole line of important ships is coming to use this pier!
All right, sheesh!
So this is the town of Jorvik.
It is a large place.
Aye.
It's an old town that prospered in the days of the Romans.
Men and goods from Northern Europe and England both find their way here.
His Majesty the King likely intends this to be the base of his new reign.
It is a wise choice.
I would do the same.
Bah!
Important ships. Yeah, right.
Nothin' but a bunch of louts.
Hey, pops. Moor the aft, will ya?
That man...
Yes... That's definitely him.
I'd never forget that face!
Askeladd!
He's the pirate who killed Thors!
Hey! Don't push!
Whose ships are those?
What will you do?
Prince Canute's.
The king will make his move at tomorrow's banquet.
Well, about that...
It is clear that we will be shunted aside in the order of business at the meeting.
For example, he might grant you and Thorkell separate territories to isolate you.
It would be both a reward and an order.
If you refused, it could be considered rebellion.
It's entirely up to His Majesty which way he wants to slice and dice you.
I do not want Thorkell taken away from me.
Right. That would be bad.
So what are we to do?
How about this?
Why don't we expose this whole sorry state of affairs to the people?
Expose it to the people?
Which one is the prince?
Isn't that him?
Prince Canute.
I'm suggesting...
that you die here.
He's been shot!
The prince has been shot!
Where the hell did the bolt come from?!
From the north bank!
Find him!
He was shot from here? No way!
That was easy enough.
Where the hell is he?!
Wh-What's going on?
I don't like the look of this.
We don't want none of this—
Hey! Where are you going, pops?!
It's him!
He was there!
What's this?
Are you all right?
You're bleeding!
Tch. Waste of my fucking time.
You vile dogs!
Yes, you!
What's the meaning of this?!
You must be the assailants!
It wasn't me.
It was him.
He had a weapon.
What's that supposed to be?
Some kind of bow?
That's the weapon?
You with him?
No, I—
You can't fool us!
So you think you can pin the deed on your fellow there and escape justice?
I said it wasn't me!
Not so! I can tell from your eyes!
They're dead inside!
You've got the face of a wicked man. Anyone would agree!
You dare resist, you little shit?!
Wait, wait, wait!
He wields knives.
He's short, young...
Don't tell me— Are you...
Thorfinn Karlsefni?
Thorfinn?
Karlsefni?
Who is he?
You ignorant brute! You don't know?
He's the man who challenged Thorkell the Tall with just two knives and won!
What? You're joking.
Wait, ain't that a bad thing?
He's in His Highness's retinue, ain't he?
Seriously?
P-Pardon me.
Could...
Are you...
You're from Iceland, right?
Your name is...
Thorfinn, son of Thors?
Is that...
Mister Leif?
You're alive!
Oh, thank God!
Thank God!
Move it, move it!
Don't jostle him, you fools!
Where was he hit?
Right in the chest! It's bad!
Hang in there, Your Highness!
Your Highness! I've got to cut your shirt open!
I've, uh, always had my doubts, but...
His Highness is a woman after all!
Holy crap, this changes everything!
What the fuck?!
You fools.
I'm right here.
Oh, I should've known.
Why did you choose a woman?
I was unable to find any male slaves who matched your appearance.
Will she live?
Huh? Er...
Not with where she got shot.
If the bolt was poisoned, she won't last very long.
Forgive me for what you've been through.
See that she is treated properly.
Do her every possible respect.
Y-Yes, Highness.
Well now...
It seems our constant vigilance has paid off handsomely, Your Highness.
It appears that Jorvik is home to some who wish you harm.
I see.
So you've been seeking vengeance.
Yes.
I'm going to be the one to kill him.
With father's short sword.
He's all tattered up.
Such a young boy survived on the battlefield.
I've no doubt he's seen hell.
No. I must stop this.
If I am to save him,
I must ignore the eleven years that have happened.
Mister Leif.
What's happening in Vinland right now?
My father wanted to go there.
I sometimes see it in my dreams.
Have you already built a village there?
Why do you not ask me about the mother and sister you left behind?
After you two left,
Helga's condition grew much worse.
Show her your face, Thorfinn.
That is the healing she needs.
I asked you about Vinland!
Don't try to change the subject!
Hey.
Hey! Where are you going, Thorfinn?
Come back home with me, Thorfinn.
You've done enough!
Come with me!
Enough?
What would you know?
What the hell do you know about what I've been through?
Huh?!
As long as Askeladd lives, breathes, eats, and shits, I haven't done enough!
It'll never be enough!
My God...
That cheerful little boy...
I will stay in this town until you change your mind!
Thorfinn!
Come home!
Hey. Here's some booze.
Thanks.
Nice room, Bjorn.
I'm jealous.
It's a bit too cramped to be worth risking my life over.
By the way, Atli said he wanted to apologize to you.
What happens on the battlefield stays on the battlefield.
I don't nurse grudges.
I'm not Thorfinn.
You can go. I'll be fine.
You have to cook up some more of your evil schemes.
Yeah.
See you later.
Askeladd.
How wounded is your leg?
Well, it took a bunch of arrows.
But, then again...
It won't stop me from swinging my sword.
I see.
Then, till tomorrow.
All right.
Tomorrow.
We have been outwitted, Floki.
I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty.
Askeladd, huh?
He is a clever one.
And he has brought a curse upon this city.
They killed the prince?
No, it was only a stand-in.
It's so dangerous out there.
Can't even get a good night's sleep without keeping an eye open.
So what I don't get is
why was that assassin tryin' to kill the prince to begin with?
What's not to get? He's a nobleman, after all.
Of course someone would be after his life!
Well, King Sweyn's here in this town, ain't he?
If they wanted to take someone out, why wouldn't it be him?
Oh, now that you mention it...
Besides, there are two heirs.
If they went after the younger brother, couldn't that mean...
You there!
I have some interesting information regarding that.
Now, keep in mind, this is nothing more than a rumor.
"Nothing more than a rumor"
is exactly what we want.
It's better not to offer definite proof.
We want His Majesty's side to remain a bit lax.
Was the assassin your work in the first place?
It's all self-orchestrated?
Executed to perfection, wasn't it?
Only spreading rumors isn't enough.
But after our little production, there's now a touch of validity to the rumor that'll make people buy it.
Everyone knows of the dispute over the succession within Denmark's royal family.
And now there's been an attempt on his life.
My question to you is:
How is this going to affect tomorrow's meeting?
I see.
Now the king cannot give me orders that are meant to put me at a disadvantage.
Exactly.
If he takes Thorkell away from you,
or sends you to a war zone, it will only fan the flames of the rumors.
The king depends on the favor of his people.
He cannot simply disregard the rumors among his soldiers, should he lose favor.
Particularly charges of filicide.
Oh, aren't you a devious one.
Where'd you learn stuff like this?
Muscle is not all that counts in a fight.
Picking up a few new tricks?
This would seem to have tied the king's hands for the time being.
It's a good plan. It's bought us time.
But you are forbidden from using another body double for me.
Yes.
I apologize, my prince.
Goodness!
I am simply amazed, Askeladd!
I feel as though we've amassed an endless army!
Gee, thanks.
Since it seems we've reached a conclusion here,
I must heed the call of nature.
My, my! He is a stout and worthy man!
Your Highness.
We must not trust Lord Gunnar.
I suspect he is in league with the enemy.
Why do you think so?
State your proof.
Just a feeling, but I have no doubt.
Ain't this bad news, then?
They'll know everything we just said.
Not a problem.
I didn't say anything I didn't want them to know.
If Gunnar is indeed a traitor, he will tell them of our ploy before the night is over.
I have Thorfinn on his tail to ascertain his loyalty.
What will we do if Gunnar is a spy?
Kill him?
Let him go for now.
Through him, we can tell the king that we do not seek a confrontation in the short term.
He will trust information coming from his own spy, and he will be at ease.
For us to avoid conflict, both sides must understand and agree.
And that completes my plan.
My goodness, you are incorrigible.
I can't wait to see how the king reacts tomorrow.
Must be the king's place.
That settles it.
They're all so wrapped up in their stupid feints.
Is this what warriors do?
There's only one thing I'm supposed to do.
Must we do this just before the meeting, Thorfinn?
Shouldn't you wait until your arm heals?
Whatever.
Makes no difference to me.
I will serve as witness.
The duel ends when I say so.
Is that understood?
Very well.
But a minute first, Your Highness.
I have a prior engagement.
He'll be here soon.
Sorry, Thorfinn.
It won't take long.
Very well.
Begin.
Askeladd.
You're clever and strong.
I respect you.
Even though you hate me from the bottom of your heart...
Tell me, Askeladd.
It wasn't just me.
You hated our lost comrades.
You even hate yourself.
Isn't it lonely?
Shutting out anyone and everyone?
You know...
I...
I wished...
that I could be a friend to you.
Sorry, I missed the sure kill!
Hang on, I'll end it!
Askeladd...
I just wanted to be your friend...
You are, Bjorn.
My one
and only
friend.
Send me to...
All right.
You've waited long enough, boy.
Come.
I'll entertain you.
I feel like I'm almost there, but I'm not
Hounded by bones drifting along on silent winds
Unceasing echoes of voices won't ever fade
We can't well turn back without knowing what lies ahead
We may see in the same colors
But the breaths we draw are shaded differently
You're gonna make me go
You're gonna make me drown
I've nothing left to even lose
You're gonna make me go
You're gonna make me drown
No I don't want it, I don't want it,
I don't want it
Don't let me go
You're gonna make me drown
I'll head towards an answer that affords no footing
You're gonna make me go
You're gonna make me drown
No I don't want it, I don't want it,
I don't want it
But I know no one's there
I will stay right here
I'll walk the precipice