Episode 17

"Servant" (仕えし者) is the seventeenth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
With Prince Canute, Willibald, Thorfinn, and trusted partner Bjorn out of the picture, Askeladd faces off against his former men, until Thorkell arrives and Thorfinn returns. Ultimately, Thorkell decides for him and Thorfinn to duel over Askeladd.

Summary
Askeladd's men surround him and request that he hands over the prince. Askeladd then remembers his mother when she was sick and living in the stables. She tells him about Avalon, where King Artorius lives and how once his wounds heal, he will return and save them for their suffering. As he is the true king and warrior, she asks him what when he returns, Askeladd to become his staff and sword.

Askeladd tells his men that he wants to say something before they get separated. He explains that they have been together for a long time and have gone through hell and back. However for the last decade they spend together, he hated them all. He then states they are useless Danes and cuts the heads of two of his men. Torgrim tells the rest to get Canute, but Thorfinn kills them with throwing knives. They then make a quick run with the sled, making Torgrim realize Askeladd had figured them already and tells the other men to go after Canute. Askeladd remains, facing the other half of his men. Thorkell sees from a distance that Askeladd's group had started for fight between themselves, and gets angry that they started to fight without him.

Atli and some men catch up to the sled. Atli tries to convince Bjorn to stop, however another man tells him that Bjorn only listens to Askeladd. Bjorn confirms and tells them that if they want to take the prince, they should be prepared to die. In that moment, he sees that a man prepares to kill one of the horses and warns Thorfinn that they are about to crash. As they kill the horse, the sled hits the horse body and flips over. While still in the air, Thorfinn kicks Atli and takes his horse and heads back towards Askeladd. The other men check on Canute and are glad to see that he is safe. Bjorn then comes out from under the sled and eats a berserker mushroom.

Askeladd had taken down several men, but as he keeps fighting the rest, he starts to struggle due to his old age. A man hits him with an axe on his back, but the hit wasn't strong enough to pierce his armor. Angry, Askeladd then slices the man in half along with his helmet. Seeing that, the rest get intimidated. As he calms down, Askeladd realizes he lost his temper and tells the men that he is no longer mad and they should continue. However, fearing him, the men point their arrows at him. Askeladd asks Torgrim if he is leading the men and explains that if they kill him, Bjorn and Thorfinn will then kill them all. If they take him a hostage, then Bjorn will be willing to exchange him for the prince. Torgrim then tells the men to aim for his legs. Askeladd tries to grab a shield, but several arrows pierce his legs. Torgrim then approaches and tells Askeladd that he isn't acting like himself. He would normally avoid fighting worthless battles and wonders why he risks his life for the coward prince. Askeladd then states he is old already and doesn't have many active years remaining and he just couldn't wait anymore for the true king to return from Avalon.

Torgrim doesn't know what Askeladd is talking about and tells his men to finish him, however three of them fall dead, shot by arrows. Thorkell and his men then show up behind Torgrim's group. Thorkell then asks who is Askeladd as he wants to meet him. Torgrim and the rest then drop their weapons and Torgrim states he wants them to talk. Thorkell's men state that Canute isn't there and Torgrim explains that he wanted to talk about that. They wanted to give Canute to Thorkell, but Askeladd let Canute get away. However Torgrim had send ten men to bring back Canute. Thorkell ignores Torgrim and goes to Askeladd, stating that he is quite smart. He then wonders where Thorfinn is and wonders if Askeladd killed him. Askeladd explains that he put him to guard the prince, and that Thorfinn isn't part of the rebelling. Thorkell is glad to hear that and tells his men to kill everyone except Askeladd.

One of Thorkell's men tell Torgrim and the rest to pick up their weapons, otherwise they won't be able to go to Valhalla. While they start slaughtering them, Torgrim asks Thorkell if that is okay as otherwise he can't get the prince, however Thorkell states he will get the prince himself and hands an axe to Torgrim, telling him to fight him. Thorkell tells telling Torgrim to fight him, however as Torgrim gets more and more scared, his mind breaks and he becomes unresponsive.

In that moment, Thorfinn arrives and makes his way towards Thorkell and Askeladd. As he approaches them, Thorkell punches his horse and sends it flying. Thorkell is happy to see Thorfinn, however Thorfinn yells at him to not touch Askeladd, as he is his prey and if he touches him, Thorfinn will kill Thorkell. Askeladd is surprised, noting that he knew Thorfinn was crazy, but didn't expect to see a "mouse" picking a fight with a "bear". Thorkell is surprised as Askeladd is supposed to be his boss, but Thorfinn denies it. Thorfinn tells Thorkell to give him Askeladd or he will kill him. Hearing that, Thorkell then decides to not hand him Askeladd. He then tells his men that he and Thorfinn agreed on a duel over Askeladd. Thorkell promises that if Thorfinn beats him, that he will let him go with Askeladd and even give him a horse.

Characters in order of appearance

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

Trivia
Odcinek 17