Episode 3

"I want to get a look at this guy. "The Troll of Jom." I hope he's a fun guy."

- Askeladd to Bjorn

"Troll" is the 3rd episode of the Vinland Saga anime.

Summary
Askeladd, the leader of a band of a hundred Vikings, bargains with Floki and demands double the price to kill Thors. Back in the village, the young men buzz with excitement as they prepare for their first battle. Together with five men and Leif Erickson's crew, they prepare two ships for their journey to England. However, Leif Erickson reveals to a young woman that Thors has no intention of taking the young men to the battlefield, instead of wanting to leave them behind in Norway. Once at sea, the young men find the going tough and Thors angrily discovers that Thorfinn has stowed himself away on the ship. When they stop to rest and resupply in the Faroe Islands, they are caught in a trap set by Askeladd. One of Askeladd’s fighters, Bjorn, eats a fly agaric mushroom and prepares to fight Thors alone to test his skill, but Thors jumps aboard their ship and attacks them instead.

Overview
Continuing from the previous episode, Askeladd remembers that Thors is the "Troll of Jom" and asks Floki if he really wants him dead, since he is a hero to their people. Floki says that if Thors was a hero, he wouldn't have asked Askeladd to kill him. He says that Thors broke the Jomsvikings laws and deserted the army during a battle, and orders to have him executed were over fifteen years ago. Askeladd says that he knew the Jomsvikings had strict laws, but wanting to kill Thors after fifteen years is very excessive, before tossing his cup away. Floki gives him stern look, which causes Askeladd to hastily say that they will kill Thors as long as they get paid. However, Askeladd asks that if Thors is former member of their group, why don't the Jomsvikings kill him themselves, especially since Floki tracked him down in Iceland. Floki says that it is none of his concern and warns Askeladd to stop asking questions, while watching his men kill a Christian monk. Askeladd complies, but asks for another hundred coins in advance for the job. Outside, Bjorn turns and watches Askeladd and Floki talk. Floki sternly tells Askeladd that he is confident and must think that he has upper hand on him. Suddenly, a spear is thrown in their direction and lands in between the two men at a sheet on the wall. Bjorn apologizes for throwing the spear at them and Askeladd gets up and jokingly tells him to be careful. Askeladd reiterates that he wants an extra hundred coins, which Floki begrudgingly accepts. Askeladd happily says that he is a good man and bids Floki farewell. Before he leaves, Askeladd asks for the warrior Thors' physical features and fighting style to identify him. Floki bitterly says that Thors is no longer a warrior. Askeladd spills the barrel of alcohol and tells his men that it is time to work. Askeladd commends Bjorn for his spear throw, who says it was easy, and says that Floki was shocked. Floki removes the sheet and sees the spear has impaled a Jomsviking who hid behind the wall. Floki says that Askeladd is more than just talk. At dawn, Ari visits a sleepy Ylva at her home and promises to return from his conquest from England with a necklace for her. He also tries to ask her hand in marriage but is cut off by his mother who brings him his lunch. Ari is embarrassed and takes his mother away, but promises Ylva that they will continue their conversation when he returns. Ylva remembers that they are going to war today and hopes that no one dies. Suddenly, all of the other young men approach Ylva and try to talk to her, much to her annoyance.

At the docks, the young men bid their families goodbye. One of the villagers says that only five young men are not much military power and barely enough to move a ship, but believes that if Thors said it was enough, it should be alright. Mord asks Ari what he said to Ylva, who replies by telling him to shut up and stay away from her. Mord threateningly tells him watch his back on the battlefield, and Ari returns the threat. A young woman approaches Ari and tells him to be careful, however, he and Mord continue arguing. Leif approaches the young woman and comforts her with a secret: Ari and the other men won't go to battle. On the trip to Jomsborg, they will stop by Norway and leave the young men behind. While in Norway, Thors will hire a crew from the king to help him get to Jomsborg. Leif says that it will be possible because he was friends with the previous king of Norway. Once Leif has finished with his business, he will take the young men back to Iceland. The young woman is relieved to hear this and is content that the boys will be safe. Leif says that five people is the maximum number of people he can ferry back to Iceland in his little ship and Thors won't have to take a single one of them to England. The young woman asks Leif if that means Thors will go to battle alone. Meanwhile, Thors is searching the village for Thorfinn and wonders where his son went.

Afterwards, the men are ready to set sail and man the oars. On Thors' ship, the five men row on one side and Thors rows with one giant oar on the other. Ylva wonders why Thorfinn isn't here to see their father off and believes that he is still angry from yesterday. Thors asks Helga to tell Thorfinn something for him, but seems embarrassed to say it out loud. Helga understands what he means and promises to tell him. Leif bangs a drum and tells the men to row. The two ships sail away from the docks and the young men are surprised that Thors can row with the giant oar by himself. The villagers wave them goodbye and Helga and Ylva look sad as they depart.

After a large period of rowing, the young men are all tired, except for Thors, who is none the worse for wear.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Floki
 * Askeladd
 * Bjorn
 * Ylva
 * Ari
 * Grimm
 * Mord
 * Magni
 * Harkon
 * Leif Ericson
 * Thors Snorresson
 * Helga
 * Thorfinn
 * Mols
 * Atli
 * Torgrim

Trivia
Эпизод 3 Odcinek 3