Chapter 56

"What the hell! Even though they're practically half slaves, they treat us like dirt just so they themselves don't feel like they're at the very bottom!"

- Einar

Ketil's Farm (ケティル農場, Ketiru Nōjō) is the 56th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
In late June of 1015, Ketil introduces Einar to Thorfinn, whom he will be working with. Ketil tells Einar that he is lending them the land they are deforesting and that he will buy the crops they grow on it at a fair price; if their harvests earn them more than the amount they were bought for, they will be able to purchase their freedom, likely within three years. Einar meets Pater, who works for Ketil after having bought his own freedom the same way. Einar enthusiastically begins working, but soon finds out that the workers do not treat the slaves well when they barely bring any food for his and Thorfinn's lunch. Against Thorfinn's advice, Einar almost reports the workers to Ketil at the end of their workday, but he is distracted when he spots a beautiful light-haired woman in Ketil's party.

Summary
In late June 1015, at Ketil's Farm (in the southern region of Jutland, Denmark), Ketil introduces Einar to Thorfinn. He tells them they Thorfinn be friends and will be working together from now on. Einar immediately notices that Thorfinn is small, but assumes he cannot be a child due to his slight beard. Ketil tells the pair that the forest belongs to him and that he will lend the land to both of them. They will learn to cultivate, grow and harvest crops, and he will buy the latter from them at a fair price. To Einar's surprise, he tells them that if their harvest earns them more than the price they were bought for, they can buy back their freedom. He anticipates they could do so within three years if they work hard. Einar thanks him earnestly. Ketil indicates that they can ask Pater, a man knowledgeable about the farm who's served him for many years, if they have questions or run into trouble. Pater says hello and shares that he bought back his own freedom the same way. Ketil tells Einar to just watch Thorfinn work for the day, as he must be tired. When Ketil and Pater leave, Einar excitedly talks to Thorfinn about how amazing their Master is. He tells him that he had anticipated he would be a slave forever, since it's what happens to the slaves in his home country of Northern England. He asks Thorfinn where he is from, but does not know where Iceland is. Einar is impressed to see how much land Thorfinn has already cleared, though he soon learns they still have to clear everything from their side to the river. He picks up an axe and starts to help. Thorfinn is confused, since Einar was told to simply watch and learn for the day. Smiling, Einar tells him he can't just watch someone work alone, and that this way, he'll become free a day sooner. Thorfinn tells him to cut a tree further away so that it falls pointing toward the river. Einar understands this means they will be floating the trees on the river to transport them. Later, Einar starts to get hungry and asks Thorfinn how lunch is done. Thorfinn says the other workers will bring lunch soon and Einar assumes that means they're being nice. The workers come and immediately note Einar has the face of a slave and looks like an idiot. They cut him off as he starts to introduce himself and one hands him a bag with their lunch, a meagre piece of cheese and a small portion of bread. At Einar's confusion, one of the workers tells Einar that he should be grateful free men like them took the time to bring them their lunch. He asks to be thanked and starts to get angry at Einar's glowering look, but Thorfinn diffuses the situation when he steps in front of Einar and thanks the worker. The worker tells Thorfinn to teach Einar some manners and hands him the reins to their tired horse. Thorfinn tells Einar the workers have gone off to nap. As they start roping a fallen tree to the horse, Einar tells Thorfinn that they should tell the master about the workers and that Thorfinn should stand up for himself. Thorfinn simply instructs Einar that they will make a raft out of the trees, as they will be used as building materials and thus cannot be cut into smaller parts. Einar is still irritated, as it's supposed to be the workers' job. At the end of the day, Thorfinn and Einar walk back from the field, sore and tired. Einar notes he is hungry and that they should definitely tell the master about the workers. Thorfinn says he should not, as that would make things worse. Einar replies that the workers, despite not having fields of their own and being half enslaved themselves, only treat them badly so that they don't feel they are at the bottom. He asks Thorfinn if he thinks so as well, but Thorfinn replies that it doesn't matter. Ketil comes up on the path on his horse and asks Einar how his first day of work was. Einar starts to report the workers, but gets distracted by the pretty woman riding in the cart behind Ketil. When Einar doesn't continue his sentence, Ketil states he is strange and takes his leave. As they recede into the distance, Einar tells Thorfinn he thinks he likes the place.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Einar
 * Thorfinn
 * Ketil
 * Pater
 * Arnheid (debut)