Episode 12

"The Land on the Far Bank" (対岸の国) is the twelfth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
Askeladd sends a message for reinforcements and it is answered by the commander of the Welsh army Gratianus. The army transports Askeladd across the river to Wales and as they head to Brycheiniog, they ambushed by an unknown force.

Summary
Askeladd sees a man fishing and approaches him. He wonders if he is catching anything as the fish should be hibernating right now. The man explains that he doesn't care if he catches anything as his real job is operating the ferry. He tells Askeladd that his English is good, but he has an accent and guesses they are Danes. Askeladd then asks him how much it would cost him for the man to take them on the opposite shore. The man states its two silver pieces, but he can also take alcohol. He then laughs it would take him days to transport all, but Askeladd states he just needs to transport a letter. He then hands him the letter and tells him to delivery it to any one of the elders and to tell them its from Askeladd, son of Lydia. The man then tells him he will hurry up and leaves right away.

Ragnar looks for Askeladd, wanting to know why they stopped marching. Bjorn tells him that they need to keep quiet when Ear is working. Askeladd comes and Ear reports that the enemy got closer than yesterday and are one day away from them. Bjorn is surprised as yesterday they were two days away. Ear then reports he is hearing two horses on the hill on the left. Askeladd and the rest then sees the horsemen. Askeladd explains that he send request for reinforcements and they need to keep running until the reinforcements arrive. Askeladd's army keeps marching with the men wondering from where the reinforcements would come.

They stop for the night. Bjorn goes to Askeladd and explains that the men are worried and he needs to explain things to them, but Askeladd is fine with them being worried as that will make them march faster. Bjorn states that Askeladd has been acting weird for the last few days, after seeing Canute's face. Askeladd explains that he has been living among criminals in the last 40 years and can tell what a person is someone just by looking at their face. Seeing Canute, he knows that he isn't a king. Bjorn states he is still just a kid and Askeladd agrees, stating his future still awaits. Askeladd then wakes up the men, telling to get up and start marching or Thorkell will catch up to them.

They march for a few more days with the men starting to get tired due to lack of sleep. Ear tell Askeladd that Thorkell is right behind them. Askeladd knows, but states the reinforcements are just right away. As they come out of the foggy forest, they see 2 men waiting on a bridge. Askeladd approaches them and getting on his knee, he states he is honored that the commander came himself. The man greets Askeladd and then whistles. A ship then comes out of the fog to take them all.

Thorkell learns that a ship carried Askeladd's army across the river. His men explains that they couldn't see very well the ship due to the fog, but it wasn't Norse. Thorkell is surprised to learn that the people across the Severn River were Askeladd allies. One of his men wonders if that means the people across the river switched sides from England to Denmark. Thokrell states that the other side of the river isn't part of England and its Wales. A mountains region that is scarce on resources. After Roman Empire's rule ended, Wales was never unified into a single rule and had many rival kingdoms for hundreds of years. Askeladd's request was answered by one of the kingdoms there.

East of Morgannwg Kingdom, Wales. Askeladd and his men land and Ragnar is happy, stating that they can continue by sea and return to Gainsborough. Askeladd states that they are going by land and for a small kingdom three warships are a valuable asset, so they can't take them and should thank them for helping them escape Thorkell. Ragnar feels its too dangerous to travel across Wales as the people there hate them. Askeladd explains its better than having Thorkell behind them and that this country is an ally of his. Askeladd calls Thorfinn and states that he will be protecting Canute. He tells him to greet Canute, but as he looks at him, Canute gets scared and hides behind Ragnar. Thorfinn asks if he will be reward and Askeladd agrees to duel with when they get to Gainsborough. The commander from earlier comes and Askeladd introduces him as Gratianus, general of the Kingdom of Morgannwg, who will be showing their way. Gratianus looks at Thorfinn and states that he has a threatening look, but has a good face. Askeladd then explains that Thorfinn is one of his men and Canute is over there. Looking at Canute, Gratianus states he has weak eyes and wonders if he is really going to be the next ruler of England. Gratianus explains that there is only one reason they are helping Canute escape and its because they want to enter a treaty of non-aggression, and asks him that once he becomes king of England, he won't interfere in the matters of Wales. Canute whispers something to Ragnar and Ragnar then states that Canute said that if they give them three ships, however Gratianus interrupts him stating he asked Canute and not him. However, Gratianus decides to leave, stating he will ask later and also prepare a document.

Askeladd's army continues to march. Atli complains that they are now marching in a mountain, but Torgrim states its better than marching away from Thorkell. He then changes the subject and wonders what will they do with the reward money they get from King Sweyn for saving Canute. The men then start imagining what they will do. They also heard that King Sweyn has a hundred beautiful women. They ask Willibald what else King Sweyn has in his place, but Willibald states he has nothing of value. He do confirms that he had slave women, but explains that gold, silver and women are nothing compared to what he seeks and finds valuable. As the men wonder what he is seeking, Willibald states he is seeking "love". Torgrim haven't heard of it and Antli states its a spell that Christians are always chanting. The men can't understand what is love and Willibard states that without love, gold, silver and women are all worthless as "love" gives them value. As they can't understand him, they just decide to ignore him. However, one of the men asks him to continue talking as he wishes to hear more.

Askeladd's army is approaching the Kingdom of Brycheiniog and Gratianus explains that he already spoke with them. Gratianus explains that they live in fear that England can one day invade them and they are doing this so that won't happen. Gratianus asks Askeladd if Canute is his king. Askeladd explains that he has high hopes for him and maybe someone like him is just what they need. Gratianus states they are descendents of Britannia and won't follow any Danes King. Askeladd wonders if Gratianus still believes in the legend of Artorius returning from Avalon and restoring Britannia. Ear hears something and tells Bjorn, who then reports to Askeladd.

They see two messengers from Brycheiniog, however Askeladd stops Gratianus and shares what his man told him. The messengers wonders if they figured it out, but states its too late. Thorfinn also hears something. Moments later, men appear on the hills and start shooting arrows at Askeladd's army.

Elsewhere, Leif sees a blond young slave and confuses him for Thorfinn.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Askeladd
 * Ear
 * Bjorn
 * Ragnar
 * Torgrim
 * Atli
 * Canute
 * Gratianus
 * Thorkell
 * Asgeir
 * Willibald
 * Thorfinn
 * Asser
 * Leif Ericson

Trivia
Odcinek 12