Episode 10

"Ragnarok" (ラグナロク) is the tenth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
After having a dream involving his homeland and father, Thorfinn meets Askeladd on top of a hill and the two talk. A messenger for King Sweyn's army informs Askeladd and his men that Thorkell's raided Prince Canute's base and captured him too. Delighted by this news, Askeladd kills the messenger and proclaims to his men that they'll rescue the captured prince.

Summary
As Canute doesn't give any order, the siege of London have not advanced and soldiers start to feel bored. Especially Thorkell, who starts throwing large rocks at the vikings, insulting and provoking them to attack. Angry, the soldiers go to Ragnar and asks that they attack Thorkell, but Ragnar is against it, stating that when the time is right, Canute will give order. Inside his tent, Canute is praying. Ragnar goes inside and tells him that when winter comes, they will receive orders to withdraw.

Thorkell is annoyed as if the vikings don't attack, they can't fight. Asgeir tells him that they are just careful, since they are under the command of the Prince of Denmark. Thorkell is surprised to learn that Canute is here and starts grinning and laughing.

Young Thorfinn wakes up on a field full of flowers. He sees his mother and sister, and recalls its dinner time and goes to call his father. On their way back, Thors states he likes that they moved here as there is enough grass for the animals. Thorfinn states that Ylva find it inconvenient living here as they can't get slaves, even though they never had slaves. Thorfinn likes it here and feels his mother is also feeling better after they moved here. Thors tells Thorfinn that he is his oldest son and he must protect his mother and sister, who are waiting for him to come home. So he must stop thinking about revenge, as that won't make Thors happy. Thorfinn then sees their village is under attack. Some men then shoot arrows and hit Thors. Thorfinn then wakes up screaming. Recalling his dream, he wonders where was that place.

November 1013, Outskirts of Bath. Having pillaged another village, Tore complain about what their leader is thinking. The main army withdrew to the north, while they are still pillaging gloomy villages. He wants them to attack a bigger city, like Bristol, but Ake tells him he is stupid if he thinks they can do it with 100 men. Torgrim guesses that they can pillage two-three more villages this year, and then can continue next year. Bjorn isn't sure they will be able to continue next year and explains that with the King of England's exile, it means the King of Denmark has won and the war is coming to an end. Torgrim wonders about Thorkell, who is in London, but Bjorn is sure that when the English are about to lose, he will ditch them. Bjorn then hears some noise and as he checks, Ear tells him that Ake called Tore stupid, which made Tore mad. But Ake wouldn't apologize and instead insulted him more calling him "cattle thief", so they are now fighting. Bjorn then leaves, telling Ear to tell Askeladd afterwards of what happened.

Thorfinn goes up a hill and looks at the fields ahead, noting that the land is fertile, like in his dream. He then recalls his father's death. Askeladd is nearby and notes that Thorfinn is up early as the sun isn't even out yet and wonders if its due to how loud are the other vikings. He asks Thorfinn to go easy on them as they are just frustrated since they have been marching a lot these days. Thorfinn tells him to not talk to him like they are friends. Thorfinn isn't his friend and is sure that Askeladd thinks that he has him under his control. He is so full of himself, but that will change when Thorfinn kills him one day. Askeladd states that time is on his side. As he is getting older, Thorfinn is growing and eventually he will defeat him, as even the strongest die some day. Askeladd tells Thorfinn to look around and see the ruins. Those were made by the people who lived here before the Saxons. The Romans were strong people, but 500 years ago they were destroyed by the Saxons. Their country name was Britannia and had more advanced civilization than current one. Thorfinn wonders what is his point and Askeladd states that the Saxons destroyed the Romans, and now they are going to destroy the Saxons. The Christians are saying that the Last Judgement is coming in 20 years and God will kill everyone. Meanwhile, Tore kills Ake. As the dawn comes Askeladd and Thorfinn see a soldier on a horse. Askeladd recognizes him as an ally and calls him wondering from where he came. The man explains he is from Ragnar's unit under Prince Canute and has a message for the main forces. Askeladd explains that the main army is far north, on their way home. The man is surprised that Askeladd separated himself from the main army, but Askeladd states he is just trying to earn some more money and seeing his horse tired, he offers to give him a new one.

Askeladd invites the man to his camp, where he reveals that Thorkell is coming with 500 men and is going after the main army. Askeladd wonders about the siege and the 4000 men that were there, but the man states they were defeated long time ago and he is one of the survivors. Earlier, Thorkell lead his men and attacks Ragnar's unit, obliterating them. Ragnar goes to Canute's tent, telling him they should leave, but Thorkell arrives. The man explains that Thorkell then captured Canute and right now is with Thorkell's army. The remaining men are trying to regroup and then free Canute, but they are only 400 and their morale is low. He is on his way to ask for help from the main army, but would be grateful to have even just 100 extra men. Bjorn states its Askeladd's decision. Thinking for a bit, Askeladd states its not their time to fade away. He pulls out his sword and beheads the man. He then orders for his men to bury him, along with his horse. Askeladd then tells his men that they are going to save Canute. They will be against 500 of Thorkell's men, but they are not going to ask for help. As Canute is second in line for the throne of Denmark, they can make a lot of money no matter which side they hand him over to. The men get hyped. Bjorn asks Askeladd if he has a plan, since they are against Thorkell, however Askeladd states he doesn't and that its the age of twilight and they will go out with a bang.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Thorkell
 * Ragnar
 * Canute
 * Willibald
 * Asgeir
 * Thorfinn
 * Helga (dream)
 * Ylva (dream)
 * Mord (dream)
 * Magni (dream)
 * Ari (dream)
 * Grimm (dream)
 * Hakon (dream)
 * Thors Snorresson (dream)
 * Bjorn
 * Torgrim
 * Tore
 * Ake
 * Ear
 * Askeladd
 * Atli

Differences from the manga

 * This episode features anime original content depicting Thorkell breaking the siege of London and kidnapping Canute and expanded characterization for Asgeir.
 * In the manga Thorfinn leaves the barn after waking up from his nightmare because some of Askeladd's men dragged an English girl into it to rape her. This is removed in the anime and Thorfinn leaves the barn because the band is being too loud for him to fall back to sleep.

Trivia

 * This episode was originally meant to air on September 8, 2019, but it was delayed to September 15, 2019, due to TV coverage of a typhoon affecting Japan.

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