Chapter 66

"Hey, Thorfin. It's clear that we'll eventually be able to become free... but what do you think will happen to that girl Arnheid?"

- Einar

Budding (発芽, Hatsuga) is the 66th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Snake and some of the guests investigate one of many recent thefts on the farm, but quickly lose the tracks as they mingle with others. Einar speaks to Arnheid by the well in the morning and becomes flustered and overjoyed when she calls him nice. When Thorfinn and Einar leave for the fields, Arnheid is slapped by her mistress, Ketil's wife, who chastises her for loafing around before doing her morning work. Thorfinn and Einar see that about 80% of the seeds they've planted have sprouted; Thorfinn comments they look frail, but is amazed that such a thing could make bread. Einar leads Thorfinn to join him in an animated prayer to any diety for the growth and safety of their wheat, as Einar claims that they have to pray twice as hard since they have no offerings to give. Ketil returns from a citizens' meeting with his eldest son, Thorgil, in tow. Thorgil comments that the battlefield could change Olmar as it did King Canute, but Ketil does not wish to lose the farm's successor to the battlefield. They run into Snake, who's leading bound thieves he planned on handing over to Ketil. The thieves are two children — Snake tells Ketil that they should be punished for their thievery despite their age.

Summary
At night, Snake and some of the guests investigate a theft by torchlight. By looking at the footprints, they determine that it was done by two people, and that they stole a sack of flour and some dried meat. Snake comments that it's unfortunate that the theft happened when the master was not at the farm. Fox apologizes for losing the track, since the footprints got mixed up with others, but Snake replies that is is fine since it's gotten too dark to keep searching regardless. He comments that the thieves' meagre haul is laughable, but that they must think no one's on to them since they haven't been caught yet. Now in November 1015, Einar is once again woken up by Thorfinn thrashing and screaming in his sleep. They run into Arnheid at the well as they wash up. Arnheid comments that the old master, Sverkel, must like them a lot if he's lent them a horse, a plow, and even served them dinner. Einar replies that they did a lot of chores for him and it was only a repayment. Arnheid points out that as slaves, they don't get rewards just for working. Einar questions why the old master would act that way if that's the case, and Arnheid says it's because Einar is a nice person. She tells him he's the only one who hasn't realized it. Einar immediately furiously blushes and gets tongue tied. Thorfinn tells Einar he's going, and Einar wonders if he's a bit ticked off. He tells Arnheid that Thorfinn is a good person once you get to know him, even though he's quiet. Arnheid is called by her mistress and Einar apologizes for holding her up — she counters that it's fun to have someone to speak to in the mornings. Einar dances away, still overjoyed that she called him nice. Meanwhile, Arnheid is roughly slapped by her mistress, Ketil's wife. She chastises her for loafing around in the morning before even preparing breakfast, and says she keeps her around and feeds her to work, not to take it easy. She tells her that Ketil is coming back from a meeting later and may bring back guests, whom Arnheid should get things ready for. Looking at Einar in the distance, she comments that a female slave falling for a male slave is fitting, then sends Arnheid to do her morning duties. At the field, Einar points out to Thorfinn that the wheat has started to sprout. Thorfinn comments that the wheat sprouts look frail and asks if that's normal; Einar confirms. Happy 80% of what they've planted has started to sprout already, he states that they should be able to double the crop yield by next year. Thorfinn comments that it's strange bread is made from something like this. Einar asks if it fills him with awe — Thorfinn smiles and says it's amazing. Einar says it's their first step towards freedom, and that as they grow and sell for several years, they'll be able to buy back their freedom. Although he's certain they'll eventually become free, he wonders about Arnheid's case and asks Thorfinn what he thinks about it. Thorfinn tells him to ask Arnheid in the morning, though Einar is not sure it's an appropriate question to ask. Thorfinn asks what they have to do with the crops now, and Einar tells him all they can do is wait. Thorfinn gets up, assuming it means they can get back to chopping trees in the meantime, but Einar declares that they will pray and dramatically falls to his knees, yelling out a prayer begging the Lord to watch over their fragile crops, bring rain to ensure their growth, and smite molds that could harm them. He pulls on Thorfinn's sleeve and tells him he has to pray too — Thorfinn asks who he has to pray to. Einar tells him he can pray to any divine figure, be it Jehova or Freya, since the farm's yields is at the mercy of the gods' whims. He says that since they have no offerings, they have to make it up with faith and pray their hearts out. Thorfinn begins to pray rather meekly, but Einar eggs him on until Thorfinn livens up his prayer. Ketil heads back to the farm with his eldest son, Thorgil, who comments the farm hasn't changed one bit. He inquires about how Olmar and the others are doing. Ketil replies that they're all doing well, in particular Olmar, who's just dying to fight on a battlefield. Thorgil laughs it off, since Olmar has always been that way despite being a coward. He points out that everyone has things they can and cannot do. Ketil states that Olmar will not go to any battlefields and that it would be best for him to live out his days on the farm. Thorgil says that sometimes, battlefields can change a man's nature unexpectedly, as it did King Canute. He tells Ketil that no one refers to him as "Prince" anymore, since his days of being a kind, soft little boy are far in the past and he's become as intimidating and tough as other generals. He tells Ketil that Olmar might come back a proper man if he's sent off to the battlefield. Ketil says it's a bad joke, if it's one at all, since it'd only lead him to lose his successor for the farm. Ketil spots Snake and some of the guests in the field and calls out to him. Snake tells him he needed to speak with him, then notices Thorgil. They fist bump as they greet each other; Thorgil tells him he came back to Denmark less than a week past, met up with Ketil at the citizens' meeting and is just now coming home. Snake comments that he's tenacious, since he's managed not to die yet. Thorgil credits it to Snake's training, but Snake asks if it wasn't just that the English were too weak. Ketil interrupts the reunion and asks Snake what is going on, seeing two children being led to walk behind one of their horses, their hands bound. Snake replies that he planned to hand them over to Ketil, as they're thieves that they caught. He adds that there's been several thefts recently and that he's fairly certain they were all committed by the boy. He tells Ketil that he's a thief and should be punished accordingly despite being a child — Ketil looks conflicted.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Arnheid
 * Snake
 * Badger
 * Einar
 * Thorfinn
 * Thorgil
 * Ketil
 * Sture
 * Thora