Chapter 91

"You still haven't said a proper goodbye to all the people who've helped you, right? So go on and tell them. I'll be waiting here in the meantime."

- Gardar

The Battle of Ketil Farm (ケティル農場の戦い, Ketiru Nōjō no Tatakai) is the 91st chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Thorgil tells Olmar that their numbers don't amount to anything and that their men will be slaughtered quickly; when Olmar asks why they'd bother assembling them at all, Thorgil replies it's to distract the king for a short time. Ketil sends his men forth to fight the Jomsvikings despite Snake once again warning him that they'll lose if they fight. Thorfinn observes the battle start from afar and gets to the cart, loaded with the still-unconscious Arnheid. He, Einar, Leif and Bug-Eyes will take advantage of the commotion to take her away. Arnheid dreams she is healthy and in a cart steered by Gardar, Hjalti on her lap and her baby in her arms. The cart stops and Gardar tells her he'll wait while she says goodbye to the people who've helped her. Einar notices Arnheid open her eyes and tells Bug-Eyes to stop the cart. On the battlefield, Ketil's men are getting slaughtered. The King's second line rendered unnecessary by the Jomsvikings' effectiveness, Canute tells Wulf to send their men forward to arrest Ketil quickly. Unable to keep up with Thorgil, Olmar swims back to shore. Swimming, Thorgil reaches the king's ships and starts to draw his sword as he makes for Canute from behind.

Summary
Near the shore, Thorgil tells Olmar about their situation and possible battle plans and draws in the sand with a stick to illustrate. He tells Olmar that King Canute's ships are docked ashore with no attention paid to their rear, as they know Ketil has no warships to threaten them — something they probably found out from questioning the servants Ketil left behind in Jelling. An ambush is not an option, as they have a good view of their surroundings. Thorgil asks Olmar how he would attack. Olmar weakly suggests a night raid. Thorgil brushes off the idea, as it's only something they could pull off with skilled warriors unlike their own. He notes their numbers don't mean anything and that their army of peasants will be slaughtered. Olmar asks why they'd bother assembling them at all if that's the case. Thorgil says it's to distract the king for 100 seconds. Ketil and his men are across the field from Canute's; a row of Jomsvikings stares them down. Ketil calls out for Thorgil, who doesn't answer. He wonders where he could be, as he's not the type to run away. Snake tells Ketil that their forces are ready; Ketil tells the men to draw their bows and shoot on his signal. Snake warns Ketil one last time that they will lose if they fight. Ketil yells at him to shut up, lest he lower the men's morale, and states that Iron Fist Ketil will not be bested by some young upstart king. He tells his men to shoot; the Jomsvikings block the arrows with their shields. Further away, Thorfinn observes the fighting has begun. He prays for Pater's safety, as he's on the line with Ketil's men. Thorfinn runs toward Sverkel's cart; Einar, Leif and Bug-Eyes await him, with the still unconscious Arnheid in the cart. Thorfinn tells everyone it's time to go now that the battle has begun. Einar, by Arnheid in the cart, asks that they make sure the ride's not too bumpy, as it'd disturb Arnheid's condition. Holding the reins, Bug-Eyes asks if they're really stealing a slate right now. Leif tells him to pay it no mind, as he's left an appropriate amount behind in exchange for her. Bug-Eyes starts to argue that's not what he meant, but stops and simply says Leif has guts. Leif says that she's Thorfinn's friend and that he couldn't just leave her behind. He adds that he misjudged Ketil and that she'd certainly eventually be killed by him if she remained on the farm. Now is the best time to take her away, as no one will notice one missing slave during the commotion of battle. Einar notes that if the farmers lose, the king will not let Ketil or the rest of his family off the hook. It's his only concern, as he couldn't care less about Ketil himself. Arnheid dreams she's holding a baby with Hjalti on her lap, sitting in a cart steered by Gardar. Gardar asks her if the kids are sleeping and she says yes, laughing at the fact that that cart's rocking always puts them to sleep quickly. Gardar tells her they'll be home soon and that their hardships will soon be behind them after a long, hard trip. Arnheid smiles; the cart stops and Arnheid asks why. Gardar tells her he'll wait there, as she hasn't said a proper goodbye to all the people who have helped her yet. He tells her to go tell them and that he'll wait in the meantime. Arnheid remembers she needs to thank Thorfinn and Einar for everything they've done for her. She opens her eyes in the cart; Einar tells Bug-Eyes to stop the cart. Agitated, he asks Arnheid how she's feeling. On the battlefield, Ketil's troops are getting slaughtered. Floki directs his men to keep advancing and showing their strength. Behind the lines, Canute observes the ongoing battle with Wulf and some guards. Wulf notes that the Jomsvikings definitely live up to their reputation — just 70 of them in one thin line aren't so much as wavering. Canute adds that their second line is unnecessary and tells Wulf to send their men forward to arrest Ketil quickly. Ketil yells at his quickly deflating troops to keep charging and wonders where his sons are. On the shore, Olmar swims back to the sand, noting it's impossible to swim so far while carrying a sword. He sends a silent apology to Thorgil, saying he can't do it and can't be like him. In the water, Thorgil reaches the king's ships and starts approaching Canute from behind, commenting that the king better watch his back.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Canute
 * Wulf
 * Thorgil
 * Olmar
 * Ketil
 * Snake
 * Thorfinn
 * Pater
 * Leif Ericson
 * Bug-Eyes
 * Arnheid
 * Einar
 * Hjalti (dream)
 * Gardar (dream)
 * Floki