Episode 16

"History of Beasts" (ケダモノの歴史) is the sixteenth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
As Thorkell's forces approach the village, Askeladd leaves the village to prevent a confrontation. Tensions stir within Askeladd's men as they start a mutiny, while Thorkell and his men are not far off from Askeladd's location.

Summary
Ragnar's body is brought back to Canute. Askeladd tells Canute that Ragnar was stabbed from behind by a spear while he was fighting the English. Askeladd then states they need to leave immediately and leaves Thorfinn to guard Canute.

Bjorn wonders if killing Ragnar was a mistake and notes that Canute will figure it out one day. Askeladd states it would be fine, since Canute won't have any proof. He also states that he had to remove Ragnar, since he is spoiling Canute, which is why Canute is weak. Bjorn thinks that being weak was good, since he can more easily control him. Askeladd explains that he is free to choose is lord and wants his lord to be a man who makes Askeladd to want to serve him. Since Askeladd is making a gamble, Bjorn wonders what will happen if Canute gets depressed and don't recover. However, Askeladd states he will simply abandon him then.

Askeladd then joins his men, who are beating the English captain, wanting to get information from him. However as the man refuses to speak, Askeladd stops them, so that they don't kill him. Askeladd asks that they bring him shears and asks the captain three things: how many reinforcements they have; how long until they get here; and how did they found them. He promises to let the captain live if he speaks, but the captain still refuses. A man then brings shears to Askeladd, who states that the captains nails are too long and he will cut them. However, he cuts his finger and acts like he did it by mistake. Askeladd proceeds to cut more fingers, but the man still refuses to speak, but states they tortured and killed his wife and daughter, that the Danes are beasts and they should leave their land. Askeladd decides to teach him some history and explains that this land belonged to the Celts. One day the Romans came, and while they were rulers, they lived alongside the Celts and gave them knowledge, technology and culture. When the Romans left, the Anglos and Saxons came, the captain's people. That was 500 years ago, and they forced the Celts out, making them live in the wastelands. If Danes are beasts, then so are the Anglo-Saxons, as they too stole the land with violence. The captain doesn't believe him and states he is lying. Askeladd then states that his nose looks to long and prepares to cut it with the shears. Ear then comes running and Askeladd realizes that the English are coming. Ear explains that he doesn't know how many are coming, but they are a lot. Askeladd is surprised that the English are attacking at night. The captain then starts laughing, deciding to finally tell him what is happening and states that Thorkell is coming. The news of Thorkell coming quickly spreads among Askeladd's army, causing then to start panicking.

Outside the village, Thorkell splits his army in three, telling them to kill anyone they see, except the prince and Thorfinn. Askeladd tells Bjorn to bring Canute, who refuses to leave, wanting them to take Ragnar's body or at least have a funeral for him. However, Askeladd explains that there is no room on the sled for a dead body and that they don't have time for a funeral. Canute keeps yelling Ragnar's name, and Askeladd slaps him, telling him that Ragnar is dead and won't be coming.

Two deserters, who wanted to join Thorkell, are brought in front of Askeladd. They state that Ragnar was right and luck isn't on Askeladd's side. They also state that the other men know it too as Thorkell is already here. Askeladd states that everyone is free to follow whoever leader they want. They can leave, but if they want to stay with Askeladd, they should all start marching. They won't be stopping to sleep or eat, and those who can't keep up, will be left to die.

In the morning, Thorkell reaches the village. Some of Askeladd's men had stayed, wanting to join Thorkell, explaining that they no longer follow Askeladd, however Thorkell proceeds to kill them all. Asgeir states that Thorkell should have left them join him, but Thorkell explains that those men where worthless as he doesn't need cowards surrender without putting up a fight. Meanwhile, after Askeladd's army crosses a bridge, he tells Atli and Torgrim to destroy the bridge. While preparing to start cutting down the bridge, Torgrim states the river is too swallow and they will be able to cross it, so there isn't much reason to destroy the bridge and guesses that Askeladd has no longer good ideas. Askeladd looks at them and some other men. He then calls Bjorn and Thorfinn, and tells Bjorn to take Canute on the other sled and he to be the driver, while Thorfinn rides with Canute and be on his guard. Askeladd states its his special talent, where he can tell what a man is someone by looking at their faces, and he sees some traitors among the loyal men.

Torgrim tells Atli that they should take Canute and give it to Thorkell as a gift. He feels the army is done for and half of the men already agree with him, and they are right now convincing the other half. Atli doesn't really want to betray Askeladd and states they should be able to escape, just like until now. However, Torgrim states that Askeladd had run out of luck and he keeps making wrong decisions and now Thorkell is right after them.

After they take down the bridge, Askeladd states that now Thorkell will have a hard time passing with his cargo and sleds. Bjorn wonders what will happen if they abandon their cargo, and Askeladd explains that they won't be able to chase them for too long without food and that they will lose time looking for it. Askeladd then tells his army to start marching again, but in that moment, Ear hears Thorkell as his army shows up on top of the hill. Seeing them, Thorkell gets excited that he found them and throws a spear, killing four men with it. Askeladd's army is shocked as the distance was too big and he manages to kill several people with it. Askeladd calms them down, stating that his army is still far away and they also destroyed the bridge. Torgrim states they can easily cross the river, and destroying the bridge was useless. Askeladd states that if he thinks that, then they need to start marching right away. Torgrim is angry as they keep on marching only. Askeladd tells that they can't win against Thorkell and bear with him for one more day. He explains that Thorkell's army will have trouble crossing the river with their cargo, and if they leave their cargo, they will be with no supplies and won't be able to chase them for long. Torgrim states there is no guarantee that they can even survive a day. Hearing that, Askeladd states that this means they are going separate way and heads towards the sled, stating he is in a hurry. His men then surround him and the sled.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Canute
 * Ragnar
 * Thorfinn
 * Askeladd
 * Bjorn
 * Ear
 * Thorkell
 * Asgeir
 * Atli
 * Torgrim
 * Willibald

Trivia
Odcinek 16