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
1014 AD: NORTHUMBRIA REGION, YORK DAY OF THE IMPERIAL COUNCIL
What's in there?
J-Just some wine.
There's so many soldiers here.
Miscalculation
Of course there are.
Plenty of chieftains are gatherin' here today.
Wow, so they're gonna eat all of this, aren't they?
Really?
It's a load of bull.
Anyway, when he was about to get stabbed, he didn't even notice!
What do you think about yesterday's incident?
You mean the attempt on the prince's life?
It's a dreadful topic, but we cannot overlook the rumors.
I suppose His Majesty prefers Prince Harald over Prince Canute.
Canute's faction will be unhappy.
Pipe down.
It's only a rumor.
Perhaps it's time to reconsider my allegiance.
Now, now.
Canute has the great Thorkell on his side.
That more than makes up for the loss of Ragnar.
But Thorkell is a man unsuited for politics.
He's far too much for Canute to handle.
But there was another new face on Canute's side.
His name was Askeladd, "the ashen lad."
Was there? Never heard of 'im.
Lords!
All rise!
His Majesty and His Highness will now make their grand entrance.
Whoa!
It'll be a feast to remember.
What happened to Thorfinn?
Well...
There's no need to worry about your safety here.
No one would be foolish enough to draw his blade in this company.
All right, get movin'!
Quit draggin' yer feet!
Foolish boy.
Whoa, hey!
Huh? What's your problem?
The hell? It's just some brat.
Not so fast.
Who the hell do you think you're touching with those filthy hands?
What's up with this boy?
Don't give us the cold shoulder now.
What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?
Hey, hey!
Is this some kind of joke?
Cough up some coin, bitch!
Hey, what the—
Move it!
Make way!
You bumbling buffoons!
You again?!
We'll let you know of your punishment later.
Jeez, causing trouble now of all times.
Are you sure this is okay?
I heard he's the prince's guard.
The prince is attending the imperial council right now.
Why the hell would one of his guards be strolling around town?
Leaders of Denmark.
Thank you for joining me on this day.
Our long held dream has at last come to fruition: I am finally king over the land of England.
This joyous day was only made possible through your prowess and valiance.
In addition, through the grace of the gods,
my old friend Thorkell
and my son Canute have both returned to us.
It is truly a cause for celebration.
Welcome home, Canute.
My heart is glad.
Out of our new lands,
I place Mercia under your rule.
Work with me to make this a truly great realm.
Thorkell.
Give my son your aid.
I ask you this from the heart.
'Mkay.
Mercia!
That's the most prosperous land within England...
So were the rumors merely rumors after all?
No, you don't know that.
If they're true, then he has no choice but to say that.
All of you will be rewarded in accordance with your success.
There are plenty more spoils to be won in Ireland next.
After all, Ireland is home to the arrogant usurper, Brian Boru,
who sorely vexed the good King Harald.
I've got him!
The king's reaction is well within my range of expectations.
It's proof he hasn't matched my plan yet.
In a battle of wits, I can maintain the lead.
Just look at Floki's face.
Sorry, old fellow.
You'll be drawing the short straw from now on.
I'm the one who's in control of this battle.
All my pieces are in place.
I can do this!
There is but one thing, however.
This land still harbors those who lack the proper fear and reverence for their king.
I wanted to inform you about this matter and have a discussion.
I have sent my vassals as heralds in the past.
They have, however, been rebuffed not once but twice.
If the seed of rebellion that threatens our new lands takes root,
then we must pull it from the Earth by force!
Wales.
It is time for them to see the strength of a true king.
We will invade in the coming spring.
Steel yourselves, men.
Get up.
Are you deaf?!
Get! The fuck! Up!
You have a visitor!
Is it one of Canute's men?
Send him away.
What?
It's not one of the prince's messengers.
It's just a sailor.
Thorfinn.
I heard from one of the traders
that someone who looked like you was taken away.
I was in a panic, Thorfinn.
It's none of your business.
It's been eleven years, huh?
You must have been through a lot.
It's just as you say.
I don't understand.
As long as that man is still alive,
your heart will never be at peace.
If you say it's still not enough...
then you're probably right.
But...
I still remember it as if it were only yesterday.
The sound of the crackling fire in the hearth.
The delicious smell of the soup.
Thors.
Helga.
Ylva.
And...
the smile on your face when you were a kid.
I once told you of my story of how I long ago got trapped in an ice floe in Brattalihd.
My rations, gone.
My ship, destroyed.
My six friends had all died.
Yet, I still kept trudging along the ice.
Do you know why?
No matter how stormy the sea is,
no matter how frozen the sea gets...
a sailor is always fighting a battle against the sea!
Just like a warrior...
With their own honor at stake!
When Thors died,
and when you disappeared,
I swore on my honor.
So, Thorfinn, I'm not saying this for you.
I'm saying this for myself.
No matter what happens,
I'm bringing you back home to Iceland.
It's my responsibility to Thors.
Next, the lords of Schleswig.
Ivar, son of Eirik,
come forward.
In recognition of your deeds, you are hereby granted silver and land.
Accept your reward with gratitude.
He seems unfazed to me.
He was earlier for just a second.
He bolted upright when you mentioned Wales.
Perhaps there is some weakness of his to be found there.
Please keep that in mind, Your Majesty.
Quit scarfing down your food.
It's unbecoming.
Shaddup!
I'm showin' off my fanks to the gods of proffperity!
Do you intend to grow even more, you great lout?
Shit.
Just what the hell is Sweyn plotting?
Does he know of my connection to Wales?
But no, he can't.
I've never told Floki about it.
And even if he knew,
he wouldn't mobilize all of his forces just to punish me.
So it is but a mere coincidence.
But does it matter the cause or reason?
The real problem is that Wales will be set to the torch in the spring!
Damn it!
Think!
There's no time!
What can I do by the spring?
Do I have the prince raise his flag in rebellion?
No, the only strength I can count on is Thorkell's five hundred.
Even then, the difference in strength is still too great.
We still need the time to sway some of the chieftains to our cause.
Is it possible to get the English back on their feet?
No!
In any case, Wales will end up a battleground!
I cannot plan on battle!
The king's assassins might make another attempt on the prince in the midst of all the chaos!
Home.
Not now.
Far, far across the western sea,
there lies a new world where the trees are laden with fruit...
and grassy plains cover the land.
It's Vinland.
Thorfinn.
It's Vinland!
After you go home and things have settled down,
let's head for Vinland together!
Why?
You said it too, right?
You said that Thors wanted to go too.
Thors came to Iceland to escape battle.
If he were still alive...
I'm sure he would have tried to go there too!
A place without slaves or war,
a place where everyone can live in peace.
A warm and fertile land.
Let's build a country like that.
If it's in Vinland...
I'm sure we can do it there!
Speaking of Wales,
that's where you scampered off to when I was on your trail, right?
What kind of trick did you pull there?
Why would the Welsh take the side of a Dane like you?
My mother's grave is there.
That land...
is my home.
It's my country.
The land is poor, but the people are rich in pride and spirit.
My mother loved her land.
I see.
Well, then, er... that is a shame.
Don't tell anyone what I just told you.
I know.
Vassal of Prince Canute:
Askeladd, son of Olaf.
Come forth.
What to do now?
Why...
Why is luck never on my side in the eleventh hour?
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