Chapter 32

"It's my special skill. One look is all I need... to know a man's true nature. Whether he is great or small... cunning or foolish... I can even detect... when traitors lurk in the midst of the faithful."

- Askeladd

Defectors (逃亡兵団, Tōbō Heidan) is the 32nd chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
In January 1014, Thorkell and some of his men reach the Mercian village Askeladd's band had been hiding in. The defectors who had stayed there to join Thorkell beg him to spare them and tell him they left Askeladd to join his side. Thorkell learns their leader's name is Askeladd, but kills the defectors with no regret, preferring that to letting them join him when they're the type of men who would switch sides at the first sign of trouble instead of fighting. Up ahead, Askeladd's band crosses a bridge. Askeladd tasks Torgrim and Atli with smashing the bridge behind them, in the hopes of slowing Thorkell down. Under the bridge, Torgrim tells Atli that they should steal the prince and offer him to Thorkell to get on his good side. Atli seems uneasy about betraying Askeladd, but Torgrim tells him they are simply holding him accountable for his actions as leader, since his luck has turned and all his plans have been thwarted lately. He tells Atli more than half the men are on their side in this and that the rest will see sense soon. Askeladd, who's able to know a man's true nature with one look, notices what's happening. Anticipating a betrayal, he beckons Bjorn and Thorfinn closer, tells Bjorn to captain the prince's cart and tells Thorfinn to ride with him and be ready. The men resume their march once the bridge is smashed, but Ear announces Thorkell and his men are here. In the distance, their spears glint in the sun. Thorkell throws his spear with great power, skewering four of the men near Askeladd.

Summary
In January 1014, Thorkell and some of his men, having reached the Mercian village Askeladd's band had hidden in, kill the defectors who had chosen to stop following Askeladd and stay behind to join Thorkell's side. Thorkell learns the band leader's name is Askeladd when one of the deserters begs Thorkell to stop and tells him they're not with Askeladd anymore and are there to join his side. Thorkell kills him anyway. He notes that Askeladd's men must be quite unsettled if they're trying to desert, and that the main force must not be far away. Asgeir says they could've let the deserters join them, but Thorkell replies it's better they be dead than among them, as they don't need cowards who would switch sides when trouble arises instead of fighting. Upstream of the River Severn in the Earldom of Mercia, Askeladd's band crosses a bridge while on the run from Thorkell. Askeladd orders the destruction of the bridge behind them, putting Torgrim and Atli in charge — when asked if Thorkell is close, Ear says he guesses they have enough time to smash the bridge. Having run out of alcohol, Willibald rummages through the cart for more, but the driver tells him that if there is some he will not get any, as there's hardly enough for the rest of the band and they're in quite a bit of trouble. Willibald notices Canute is silently sitting in the cart, his eyes downcast. Down in the freezing stream, Torgrim asks Atli if their task is a joke, as the water barely comes up to their waist and Thorkell's men will be able to wade right through it. He asks if there's any point in cutting it down; Atli says it's better than doing nothing and that it ought to harry them a little. Torgrim looks up to where Askeladd is standing and wonders if he's run out of brilliant schemes and what he's thinking. Askeladd notices Torgrim looking at him. He beckons Bjorn and Thorfinn over, tells Bjorn to captain the prince's sled, and tells Thorfinn to ride with him and be ready. Bjorn startles and asks him if he's certain. Askeladd says that his special skill is to be able to know a man's true nature with one look, including the ability to detect when traitors lurk in the midst of the faithful. Under the bridge, Torgrim tells Atli they should steal the prince. He says the band is done for and that the prince can be used as a gift to Thorkell to get in his good graces; that half the band is already on their side and that the rest will come to think like them soon. Atli seems shocked that they're betraying Askeladd. Torgrim tells him betrayal is an ugly word and that all they're doing is holding him responsible for his actions as the band's chief. Atli says they always make it out clean and that they'll be fine. Torgrim replies that they've been fine until now, but that recently, all of Askeladd's plans have been thwarted and that his luck has turned, which is why Thorkell got right on their heels after they were supposed to have lost him. When Atli still looks uneasy, Torgrim says Askeladd's been a good leader and that it pains him to do this, but that there's no other way, since Askeladd took his gamble and lost. They find it odd and wonder why a cautious man like Askeladd would decide to take on someone like Thorkell. The bridge smashed, Askeladd tells the men it is well done and that it will cause problems for Thorkell and his men when they try to drag their sleds across. Bjorn asks what happens if they decide to leave their sleds behind; Askeladd says it would force them to scrounge for food and that they wouldn't get far without eating. The march resumes, but Ear suddenly warns them that they're here. The men notice a flash on the hill behind them, followed by other flashes; the spears carried by Thorkell and his men. Thorkell points out to Askeladd's band in the distance and smiles that he found them. He throws his spear with great power, skewering four men at once near Askeladd, who is splattered by their blood.

Characters in order of appearance

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