Chapter 43

"No matter what... you must not draw your swords. In this sort of fight... he who draws first loses."

- Canute

The Prince Returns (王子生還, Ōji Seikan) is the 43rd chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
In Gainsborough, King Sweyn and Floki receive word that Canute has survived and is on his way, Thorkell now his loyal servant. Floki believes that is impossible and that it is a plot of Thorkell's; he readies his men. Floki is surprised when Canute comes back, now a commanding presence, with not only Thorkell at his side but also Askeladd. Askeladd assists Bjorn in settling into the room Canute procured him and they agree to see each other the next day. Canute tells his retinue they must wait to act, since he has little support now and would be branded a rebel if he acted against King Sweyn. He instructs Thorkell, who is charismatic, to go gain the minority chieftains' favour. He asks Askeladd for his opinion on their plan; Askeladd says assassination is their best route in the short term, as Canute would automatically command the forces in England with his brother Prince Harald far away, but that they would have to pin the deed on an officer, preferably a powerful one. Canute says it is unforgivable for God to watch them suffer and do nothing, and that he will take the first step needed to create a Paradise on Earth. At King Sweyn's hold, King Sweyn beckons Canute forward, but Askeladd holds him back. He and Thorfinn observe there are about twenty men ready to ambush them, including archers above. Canute tells them to keep their swords sheathed no matter what happens, as this is the sort of fight where the first to draw his sword loses.

Summary
King Sweyn receives the news that Prince Canute has returned alive and will be there in two days. The messenger notes King Sweyn must be pleased; King Sweyn does not reply. Stationed near Gainsborough with the army, Floki receives the news Canute survived and is on his way. He assumes it must be false and that it is Thorkell's plot. The messenger insists on what he heard from the messenger from Derby, but Floki interrupts him and orders his men to thicken their left flank, since they cannot look down on Thorkell and his five hundred. The messenger tells Floki that if the report is right, the treatment is unjustified. Floki asks the messenger how he could believe that Prince Canute could return alive with Thorkell as his loyal follower. In January 1014, Prince Canute arrives on horseback, with Askeladd, Thorfinn, Thorkell and Thorkell's five hundred men behind him. Thorkell says hello to Floki and tells him he's up for a duel if he is, but Canute tells him to stand down. Floki cannot believe what he is seeing. Canute tells him he sent a herald days ago with news of his return and asks him if he always greets princes with armed men. Floki notices Askeladd behind Canute. Askeladd smirks at him and Floki demands to know what he is doing with the prince. Canute asks him if he is hard of hearing and how he dares draw arrows against a prince of Denmark. Floki tells him no and that the Jomsvikings are loyal, but that they received an inaccurate report about an ambush. Canute tells him not to form ranks when he's not certain and tells him to send an accurate report to King Sweyn that he will visit his hold by evening. Floki thinks Canute seems like an entirely different man. In Gainsborough, Askeladd helps the wounded Bjorn sit down on the bed in a room Prince Canute arranged for him. He tells him to rest for now. Bjorn jokes that it's pretty cramped after he risked his life. Askeladd tells him a servant will change his bandages later and to stay off his feet until then. Bjorn tells Askeladd that he saw where he got hit, and that he might be dead by the time the servant gets there. Askeladd tells him that Atli wanted to apologize to him. Bjorn brushes it off and says that unlike Thorfinn, he doesn't hold grudges and what happens on the battlefield stays on the battlefield. Askeladd smiles and says he's off to speak with King Sweyn and that he will see Bjorn the next day. Before he leaves, Bjorn sits up straighter and asks Askeladd how wounded his leg is. Askeladd replies that it took plenty of arrows and will take time to heal, but that he can still swing his sword. Bjorn smiles and reiterates he'll see him tomorrow. Askeladd agrees and leaves. Canute asks Thorkell, Askeladd, Thorfinn and Asgeir to listen as they walk. He tells them they must wait to act, as he still has few allies and needs to make arrangements; he'd be branded a rebel if he challenged the king now. Thorkell is surprised Canute would speak about this out in the open. Canute tells him it's safer that way since the walls have ears there. He tells Thorkell to meet with the minority chieftains, get along with them and gain their favour, since he is still a charismatic figure among the warriors despite betraying the Danish forces. Thorkell is ecstatic his orders boil down to drinking and making merry on Prince Canute's tab. He happily says he was right to follow Canute and leaves with Asgeir, cheering. Canute tells Askeladd to come with him to meet the king, since he'll need his skill in judging character. He asks Askeladd how he would proceed with their plan. Askeladd replies that in the short term, assassination would be best, since with his brother Prince Harald is far, Canute would become the commanding officer of the forces in England by virtue of lineage if King Sweyn fell. Askeladd specifies that that plan would require someone else to be framed for the assassination, preferably a powerful officer. Canute tells Thorfinn to be prepared, since he might have tasks for him that do not involve his personal protection soon. Thorfinn tells him not to tell him what to do, as he doesn't recall swearing fealty to Canute. Askeladd asks Canute to forgive Thorfinn's insolence and that he'll see to it that he carries out his orders; Canute simply smiles. Canute looks at a cross atop a stone wall and supposes God is watching them even now, sitting on his throne and choosing to watch them lose their friends and see father and son kill each other. He says it is unforgivable and that he will create a worldly paradise on Earth, a place of peace and prosperity ideal for those who live in suffering. He notes that the work may be finished after his time, but that he will take the first step. He smiles that when his time comes, God will surely call him to His side with love, and that he'll be able to tell him that they no longer need Heaven or his trials, as they have their own Paradise on Earth. Canute says they must take back what they have lost, even if it means becoming demons. Askeladd tells him he will have his assistance. Canute, Askeladd and Thorfinn reach King Sweyn's hold; Canute is announced and the doors are opened. King Sweyn, sitting on his throne, acknowledges Canute and says he is pleased he has returned. Canute bows and thanks the King for his kind words, saying he is unworthy of them since he lost the contingent of men the king granted him. King Sweyn beckons Canute forward. Canute starts to take a step, but Askeladd grabs his arm and tells him to wait a moment. Askeladd asks Thorfinn what he thinks and Thorfinn agrees that they're there, about twenty, and archers above them. They agree that the king seems to have an idea of their plot and has an ambush ready. King Sweyn asks Canute what the matter is and tells him to come closer. Canute tells Askeladd and Thorfinn that no matter what happens, they must not draw their swords, as he who draws first loses in this sort of fight. They start to walk toward the king.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Sweyn
 * Floki
 * Thorfinn
 * Thorkell
 * Canute
 * Askeladd
 * Bjorn
 * Torgrim
 * Atli
 * Asgeir