Chapter 44

"I had done much good. And I would do more, I thought. Until I wore this... The crown possesses... will of its own. With its power, you control a thousand ships, ten thousand warriors. It can bring you the treasures of far-off lands. The crown's power is akin to that of the Gods. But... but, Canute... it is not the King who wields the power... but the crown's own will."

- King Sweyn

The Curse of the Crown (王冠の呪い, Ōkan no Noroi) is the 44th chapter in the series.

Overview
Canute, Askeladd and Thorfinn approach King Sweyn. King Sweyn notes Canute has changed a lot in a short amount of time and that he ressembles him when he was young. He tells Canute he drove his father into exile and wanted to do good, but that once he had the crown, he found out that the crown has a will of its own. Canute asks if it's the crown that told him to kill him; King Sweyn says that the crown wants to gain and use power, and does not desire Canute. He reveals his ambush and gives Canute a choice: to live out his days in Cornwall, or die here. Askeladd steps in before Canute can goad King Sweyn further. He tells King Sweyn that Prince Canute's sacrifices brought Thorkell to the fold, leaving London's riches ripe for the taking once King Sweyn has the English crown. He adds that the chieftains would be unsettled before they are ceded lands if Canute was to be punished for it and asks the king to reconsider if this course of action is for the best. King Sweyn assumes that Askeladd is an epithet and asks what name his father gave him; Askeladd replies he gave him none. King Sweyn notes that must mean he was the son of a slave; Askeladd freezes, furious, surprising Thorfinn. King Sweyn tells his men to stand down and tells Canute that Askeladd is correct and a good vassal. He tells Canute that he is leaving for York the next day and that he is to attend a feast there, where he will be honoured.

Summary
As they approach King Sweyn, Askeladd looks forward to finally seeing the king's face. When they are close enough, King Sweyn halts them and tells them to kneel. Askeladd is surprised that this is the King of the Danes and thinks that his eyes are tired. Canute tells the distracted Askeladd to kneel. King Sweyn asks Canute what happened to Ragnar. Canute replies that he died in Mercia; King Sweyn says that he was a loyal vassal and that his loss is lamentable. He continues to say that normally, Prince Canute's return would be greeted with a celebratory feast, but that he has long wanted a chance to speak with Canute unfettered by social custom. He tells Canute to stand and to take ten steps forward. King Sweyn says that his face has changed in a short amount of time and that he now looks as he did when he was young. Canute replies that he must then understand what lies in his heart. King Sweyn says he ressembles him even in that he is a troublesome child. Canute says that King Sweyn could not blame him for it, as a son grows by watching his father. King Sweyn removes his crown and holds it. He tells Canute that when he was young, he drove his father into exile and seized the crown for himself, believing he was the best thing for the realm. His father was a cruel fool who loved war, but a coward, the type of man under whom the world suffers. Thorfinn scoffs and, whispering, asks what that makes of the man setting an ambush. Askeladd tells him to shut up, or King Sweyn will hear him. Askeladd wonders why Canute would not hide his ambitions in a nest of vipers. King Sweyn continues on to say that he had done good and thought he would do more, but that that was until he wore the crown, which has a will of its own. He says the crown's power is akin to that of the Gods: the control of thousands of ships and warriors, as well as the ability to bring the treasures of far-off lands. He says it is not the king who wields this power, but the crown's own will. Canute asks if that means the crown ordered the king to kill him. King Sweyn says the crown commands him to do two things: use power and gain power. He says it is futile to resist, as the crown does not desire Canute. He signals to his men — sword-yielding guards come forth, while archers stand above them. Askeladd reminds Thorfinn to listen to Canute's order to not draw. King Sweyn tells Canute that he will give him part of Cornwall and see that he lives out his days comfortable and in peace, reading the Bible if he wishes. He tells him he will die here if he refuses. Canute smiles and asks him if those are the words of the crown. Askeladd, who doesn't want Canute to goad the king any further, asks King Sweyn to forgive Canute's insolence. King Sweyn asks who he is. Askeladd tells him he is Prince Canute's loyal vassal, Askeladd son of Olaf, and asks the king if the turn of events really represents the will of the crown. He tells King Sweyn that Prince Canute succeeded in gaining the loyalty of Thorkell and drawing him away from London, and that if King Sweyn is crowned King of England, London will now have no choice but to surrender, bringing him all of London's riches at minimal cost. He adds that Prince Canute is the one who made the sacrifices necessary for that victory and that punishing him for it will unsettle the king's chieftains before they are ceded new lands. He asks the king to please reconsider. King Sweyn notes that Askeladd, "Ashen One," must be an epithet, and asks what name his father gave him. Askeladd says he is only known by that name, as his father gave him none. King Sweyn notes he must then be a bastard son, but then guesses he is the son of a slave. Askeladd freezes; Thorfinn is surprised, realizing he'd never seen Askeladd so furious before. King Sweyn stands and tells Canute that Askeladd is an excellent vassal and that he is correct that his deeds ought to be rewarded. He signals his men to stand down. As he leaves, he tells Canute that he leaves for York the next day and that Canute will attend a feast there, at which he will be properly honoured. He tells Canute he may go. Askeladd, Canute and Thorfinn now alone in the hall, Askeladd exhales and tells Canute that set his blood to freezing. Canute tells him there's no need to panic, as as Askeladd suspected, the king can do no more than threaten and does not have justification to kill him now. Canute notes King Sweyn wishes to be known as a wise king, and that if they do not act foolishly, it's safest for them to remain within his grasp. Askeladd tells him that's all the more reason not to provoke him like he just did, since even a thoughtful king can be taken by sudden urges. Canute comments there's nothing to worry about, since King Sweyn is a slave to the crown, but that he will wield the crown's power with skill. On his way out, King Sweyn thinks to himself that Askeladd is a man to be wary of.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Askeladd
 * Canute
 * Sweyn
 * Thorfinn