Episode 19

"United Front" (共闘) is the nineteenth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
Thorfinn's badly beaten with his right arm broken, Thorkell discloses his relation to Thors. The duel continues and thanks to Askeladd's advice and help, Thorfinn wins. Prince Canute then arrives and has Thorkell and his men join him. Askeladd then admits to having Ragnar killed and asks to join Canute in order to repay him for killing Ragnar.

Summary
Thorfinn awakens after the fall. He is a bit confused at first, but quickly realizes he was in a duel with Thorkell and stands up. Thorkell decides to give him some time to recover as he can't fight him in that condition. Initially Thorfinn states he doesn't need it, but then sees his arm is broken. Askeladd comes to check Thorfinn's condition and help him. While Askeladd helps Thorfinn, Thorkell states he haven't had such fun in a long time and as promised, he decides to tell Thorfinn more about his father, Thors.

Thorkell reveals that he and Thors were Jomsvikings commanders. Thors was quite strong and got the title "The Troll". The Jomsviking leader, Sigvaldi, liked Thors and gave him one of his daughters, Helga. Thorfinn is surprised to learn that the Jomsviking leader is his grand-father. Thorkell then reveals that Sigvaldi is also his brother, which means Thorkell is Thorfin's great-uncle. In the Battle of Hjorungavagr in Norway, the Jomsvikings lost and during the naval battle, Thors fell into the sea and didn't come back. Thorkell was devastated, since he wanted one day to beat Thors with his own hands. However, Thors wasn't dead and Thorkell last saw him three months later in 987 BC, at Jomsborg, the home base of the Jomsvikings.

Thorkell is drinking on top of Thors house. As the hooded people come out of Thors house, Thorkell wonders if they are thieves. Thorkell states he would normally ignore the thieves, however he lost a close friend and is in bad mood these days. Thorkell jumps down and attacks one of the hooded people. The man blocks his axe attack, but the wind from it, blows his hood and reveals its Thors. Thorkell gets happy to see him. Seeing the other person, he sees its Helga and wonders why are they in such shabby clothes. Thorkell wants them to go and wake up Sigvaldi, but Thors refuses and explains that he is leaving the town and the Jomsvikings, and asks Thorkell to forget that he saw him. Thors had decided to not fight anymore. He now knows what it means to be a true warrior, which is why he can't stay here. Thorkell gets angry and reminds him that anyone who leaves without the leader's permission will be sentenced to death. Thorkell prepares to fight Thors and wonders where is his sword, but Thors states he doesn't need one. Angry, Thorkell strikes, but Thors breaks his axe and knocks him out.

Thorkell explains that when he woke up later, Thors was already gone. Fifteen years later, he learned that Thors had really died. Thorkell had been thinking for Thors for 15 years and had realized that it didn't matter if Thors was dead or alive, since the important thing for a warrior is where his soul is and Thors' soul had gone somewhere far away. Thorkell still doesn't understand it, but guesses that Thors became a true warrior there. Thorkell asks Thorfinn on how did Thors spend his time, however Thorfinn refuses to say. Thorkell gets annoyed, but guesses that Thorfinn probably doesn't know, and by looking at his eyes, he can see he doesn't have the same mysterious sparkle that Thors had. Thorkell then mocks him that he is probably embarrassed that Thorkell now knows that Thorfinn didn't learn anything from Thors. Thorfinn gets angry and prepares to fight, however Askeladd stops him, stating he will lose if he fights like usual. Since Askeladd's life also depends on this duel, he decides to tell Thorfinn on how to defeat Thorkell. Thofinn wonders why he didn't fight and defeat Thorkell then, but Askeladd explains that the battle doesn't end just because you beat their captain. However, this is different and Thorkell stated he will let them go, if Thorfinn wins. Since he values honor, he will keep his vow. Thorfinn agrees and listens to what Askeladd has to say. Meanwhile, the men that were send to find Canute, are surprised to see him coming their way.

Thorfinn and Thorkell resume their duel, however as Thorfinn is fighting with one arm, he is more on the defense and mostly runs away. Askeladd recalls the Battle of Maldon, where he was fighting alongside Thorkell. The battle was fierce and even Thorkell got severely injured. But for just a moment, Askeladd saw Thorkell collapsing. Thorkell disarms Thorfinn. Askeladd notes its all going to plan as he needs to make Thorkell think that Thorfinn used everything he had and make him get closer. Thorkell is disappointed, seeing that Thorfinn is too tired and out of breath. Thorkell comes closer to deliver the finishing blow. Askeladd then blinds him by reflecting sunlight with his sword. Seeing that, Thorfinn then jumps and kicks him in the chin, which knocks out Thorkell and he falls on the ground. Thorfinn is surprised, but then jumps on Thorkell and pokes out his left eye. Thorkell's men react quickly and take Thorfinn off Thorkell and prepare to kill him, however Thorkell stops them. Thorkell is angry that his men humiliated him and tarnished his duel. Asgeir doesn't care if Thorkell will kill him, but Thorkell must live as he is the only one who can unify these 500 men. Thorkell is angry, but lets Asgeir.

Canute shows up and states they no longer need to fight. Atli sees all the men from his army has been killed. He sees Torgrim and checks on him, however Torgrim had lost his mind and can't recognize Atli. Thorkell doesn't care if Canute is royalty, as he has no right to spoil his duel. Looking at the captured Thorfinn, Canute states that this no longer looks like a duel, and if Thorkell is their leader, he needs to show his men pride and honor. Thorkell is angry, and yells that he doesn't need to tell him, something he already knows. Thorkell then orders that they let Thorfinn go and that he lost the duel. His men disagree, but Thorkell tells them to shut up as he needs to preserve his dignity. Thorkell sits down, stating this is the worst day in his life. Thorfinn tells Askeladd that they should go, but Askeladd refuses and tells him to shut up and listen.

Canute tells Thorkell that he needs a sled and supplies, and that he will also be taking his followers, Thorfinn and Askeladd. Thorkell wonders if he is an idiot and he won't be letting him go. Canute guesses that he intends to use Canute to bargain with Sweyn, and Thorkell confirms. He realizes that Canute had matured quite a lot and wonders what happened, since he saw Ragnar's body. Canute reveals that he has no value as a hostage, because his father doesn't love him, and is going to give the throne to Harald. Since Canute is second to for the throne, that caused some vassals to fight and Canute's existence is a source of distress for Sweyn. Thorkell then realizes that Sweyn was hoping that Thorkell would kill Canute. Canute confirms as its better to die in a battle, than having to send assassins. Thorkell wonders where will Canute go and Canute reveals he is heading to Gainsborough to fight his father. Canute notes that his life has no value. Thorkell then stands up and faces him. He states that a lot of men stated they don't care for their lives, but start crying when they get punched. Thorkell then prepares to punch Canute, but stops in the last moment. Seeing the look in Canute's eyes, he recalls seeing it in Thors and wonders at what is Canute looking. Thorkell tells his men that there is one thing he regrets and that is that he didn't follow Thors when he left. Since Thorkell either way was planning to fight Sweyn, he states he will help Canute. Thorkell will be watching what Canute does from now on and who he will become. However, if he do anything soft, he will kill him. Canute accepts it and states that Thorkell is now also one of his followers. Askeladd starts laughing and kneels in front of Canute. He gives his sword to Canute and confesses that he killed Ragnar, so Canute can kill him. However, if he lets him live, Askeladd will serve him even if it costs him his life. Canute gets angry, but tells him that he needs to work on Ragnar's behalf, too. Canute then tells them to follow him, as they will drag Sweyn down the throne.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Thorkell
 * Thorfinn
 * Askeladd
 * Thors Snorresson
 * Sigvaldi
 * Helga
 * Ylva
 * Canute
 * Atli
 * Asgeir
 * Torgrim

Trivia
Odcinek 19