Chapter 14

"I'm the leader of these men. The one thing I can't do is admit defeat before them. Why don't you just kill me? If you don't kill me... this duel will never end."

- Askeladd

The Sword of Thors (トールズの剣, Tōruzu no Ken) is the 14th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Askeladd is impressed when he only manages to land a shallow cut on Thors' chest with his surprise attack. Thors, realizing Askeladd succeeded in drawing blood and is indeed strong, apologizes to him and tells him he can no longer spare him the brunt of his strength. The duel continues and Askeladd blocks Thors's powerful blows, which chips away at his sword. Noticing that Thors's sword has become brittle as well, Askeladd allows one of Thors's attacks to hit his breastplate, breaking the sword at the hilt. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Askeladd goes for the kill. Thors hits Askeladd's arm near the elbow, causing him to drop his sword. Thors catches Askeladd's falling sword and holds him at swordpoint. Askeladd realizes the entire fight went according to Thors's plan. Askeladd tells Thors to kill him and asks him why he hesitates. Thors says there is no need and that all he wants is Askeladd's surrender. Askeladd says the only thing he cannot do as his men's leader is admit defeat and tells Thors the duel will never end if he does not kill him.

Summary
Askeladd quickly ducks underneath the falling spar and sail to surprise Thors with an attack, but Thors dodges. Askeladd is shocked he only managed to graze him. Thors counters with a kick and Askeladd narrowly avoids it. Askeladd's band cheer him on, saying no man alive can match him in combat. Askeladd thinks it is incredible Thors countered him, noting surprise attacks will no longer work on Thors. He is happy Thors was a catch worth coming all the way to the Faroes. Thors's cut bleeds a little, and he notes Askeladd is indeed strong. He apologizes to Askeladd, saying he can no longer spare him the brunt of his strength. They start fighting in earnest, clashing swords. A man in Askeladd's band wonders if their chief is in trouble, but another points out he is blocking every blow and is just biding his time and waiting for an opening. Thors's men and Thorfinn are amazed by Thors's display and cheer him on. Askeladd notices his blade's edges chipping away and realizes Thors was after his blade, which will give way soon enough. He however deduces Thors's sword must be in a similar state. He anticipates Thors's next blow and allows it to hit his armor, shattering Thors's sword. Askeladd, believing he read Thors's intentions, goes in for the big swing. Thors hits Askeladd's sword arm near the elbow, causing Thors to drop his sword. He catches Askeladd's falling sword in midair and holds it up to Askeladd's neck. Askeladd realizes that Thors fooled him and had planned to lower his opponent's guard enough to snap his own sword, betting on Askeladd going in with a strong hack afterwards. He muses that the entire fight went according to Thors's script and that he danced to his tune like a fool. Thorfinn and Thors's men cheer about Thors's victory. Thors keeps Askeladd at sword-point. Askeladd asks him why he hesitates and tells Thors to kill him. Thors declines and says there is no need, as all he wants is his surrender. Askeladd says that he is his men's leader and that the only thing he cannot do is admit defeat before them. He asks Thors why he does not kill him and tells him that if he doesn't, the duel will never end.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Askeladd
 * Thors Snorresson
 * Thorfinn
 * Magni
 * Ari
 * Leif Ericson
 * Mols
 * Mord
 * Grim
 * Hakon