Chapter 24

"It cannot be measured in silver. For it is love that gives silver its worth. Love provides the worth of everything in the world. Without love... gold, silver horses, and women... all are worthless."

- Willibald

The Land on the Far Bank (対岸の国, Taigan no Kuni) is the 24th chapter in the series.

Overview
Thorkell is notified that Askeladd's band took ships across the River Severn, surprised they had allies on the other bank, in Wales. Asgeir notes they'll have to head back to Bristol for ships if they want to cross. Askeladd's band reaches the shore of the principality of Morgannwg. Ragnar wants to take the ships to circle back to Gainsborough, but Askeladd says they can't just take a small kingdom's shore defenses and that they'll be marching inland instead. Askeladd assigns Thorfinn to guard Canute; Thorfinn reluctantly accepts once Askeladd promises him a duel once they reach Gainsborough. The legatus who brought the ships to ferry Askeladd's men, Gratianus, asks that in exchange for their help in his escape, Canute promise to forge a non-aggression treaty and swear not to interfere in Welsh matters once he is King of England. Canute doesn't reply and tries to have Ragnar handle matters for him, but Gratianus says he was asking the prince and will bring up the matter again at a later time. Marching in towards the mountains, Askeladd's men fantasize about their reward for saving Canute from Thorkell and ask Willibald what sort of valuable things King Sweyn keeps in his palace. Willibald replies it's all worthless to him since all he desires is love, a concept the men do not understand. Talking to Askeladd, Gratianus specifies that they are helping the Danes because their putting down Mercian raids would suit their ends. He questions Askeladd backing Canute, having thought him a better judge of character. They see the envoy from Brycheiniog up ahead, to whom Gratianus had sent a message to ahead of time. Bjorn relays news from the Ear to Askeladd, who stops the march and tells Gratianus. The envoy realizes the Danes are on to them, but notes that they're already surrounded. Thorfinn notices something is amiss. On the surrounding cliffs, Welsh archers point their arrows at Askeladd's band below.

Summary
Thorkell looks across the River Severn and asks his scouts whose ships came to take Askeladd's band across the river. The scouts say they could not accurately tell through the fog, though they had no dragonheads, were more squat and flat, and may have had eyes at the stern — not Nordic ships. They note they were eerily silent, and Thorkell says that in any case, they've lost Thorfinn's trail. Asgeir asks Thorkell what the plan is and tells him they'll need to go to Bristol for ships if they want to cross. Thorkell replies he did not give them the proper respect, never having thought they'd have allies on the other bank. One of the men asks if that means the people on the other bank turned against England. Thorkell implies he's ignorant, since across the river isn't a part of England, but Wales.

The ships Askeladd's band onboarded arrive at one of the principalities of Wales, in Eastern Morgannwg. Ragnar laughs about what Thorkell must be thinking, gives his compliments to Askeladd, and comments that they can now start sailing and circle back to Gainsborough. Askeladd says they won't and that they'll be marching inland, which confuses Ragnar. Askeladd says he's looking at it from the perspective of a mighty nation and that they cannot take three warships from the shore defenses of a small kingdom like Morgannwg during dangerous times. Ragnar tries to bargain for two ships instead, but Askeladd refuses and says they'll leave him behind if he doesn't behave. Ragnar calls Askeladd's plan insane, since the locals despise Nords, something Askeladd should know well after years of pillaging, and says they cannot expose Prince Canute to that much risk. Canute, not paying attention, observes a low flying falcon and tells Ragnar to catch it for him. Ragnar, bemused, tells him they're in the middle of an important conversation. Askeladd tells Ragnar that it's better than marching north with Thorkell after them, as they at least have allies in the southeastern part of Wales. He calls Thorfinn forward and tells Ragnar that if he's still worried, he'll assign him to guard Prince Canute. Thorfinn frowns and tells Askeladd he doesn't tell him what to do. Askeladd ignores him and tells Ragnar that Thorfinn is skilled with the blade despite his small stature, and that he'll get along well with Canute since they're the same age. He tells Thorfinn to introduce himself. Thorfinn glares at Canute without saying anything and Canute hides behind Ragnar. Askeladd asks him why he's starting holes through him and Bjorn laughs. Thorfinn tells Askeladd he assumes he'll make this worth his while, and Askeladd replies that he knows and that he'll get his duel when they reach Gainsborough.

Askeladd introduces Captain Gratianus of Morgannwg's military, who had stepped forward to ask Askeladd if he was ready, and says he'll be guiding them. Gratianus looks at Thorfinn and says he is a bit sharp, but has a fine face. Askeladd specifies that Thorfinn is one of his and points out the prince. Gratianus comments that there's no strength in his eyes and pointedly asks if that's the boy Askeladd means to entrust the future of England to. Ragnar is insulted about his insolent comment. Gratianus says that Wales is only helping the Danish prince escape to ensure the forging of a non-aggression treaty and asks Canute to swear that once he is King of England, he will not interfere in Welsh matters. Canute does not make eye contact with him and pulls Ragnar forward, muttering to him. Ragnar says he'll settle things and starts speaking in Canute's name, once again asking for three ships, but Gratianus interrupts him and says he was asking the prince. When Canute doesn't respond, he says he will have documents prepared and bring it up again later. Ragnar is incensed that he would extort them for protection and thinks he can speak as equals to royalty. Askeladd is silent, simply sighing as he sees Canute twirling his hair absent-mindedly. Askeladd's men start marching, complaining about having to march even more, now through mountain passes, but are nonetheless happy to take that option over facing Thorkell. They start to talk about the possible rewards they could get from King Sweyn for having saved his son from Thorkell's grasp. They ask Willibald what kind of things the king has in his palace, to which he replies he doesn't have much of value. The men are shocked and ask if it means there's no women, but Willibald says there are plenty of women slaves. The men ask if Willibald is saying he has no interest in women. The friar says that riches and women have no worth at all compared to what he desires, which is love. The men are confused, one never having heard of it and another asking if it's some kind of food. Another says he's heard of love, some kind of magic spell the Christians speak of. They ask how many pounds of silver it's worth. Willibald says that it cannot be measured in silver, since it's what gives silver its worth, along with the worth of everything in the world, which would all be worthless without love. Some of the men don't understand and comment Willibald is just speaking in riddles and trying to sound deep. Several ask him to tell them a little more. Gratianus tells Askeladd that they'll soon reach the Kingdom of Brycheiniog, but that they won't be harried since he sent word ahead. Askeladd says he appreciates the assistance, but Gratianus specifies he does not do it for him, but because they also stand to gain. He says that after long having been prey to raids from England, particularly from Mercia, the Danish taking control from the English and putting down Mercia would suit them. Askeladd says he has no doubt Canute will accept Wales's request. Gratianus asks if that is truly his king, commenting he thought Askeladd was a better judge of character. Askeladd says that he is still young and has room to grow, but that his bloodline is above reproach. Thinking back to Thors, he says that the more fascinating the man, the more unpredictable his actions, which means perhaps a more timid person is what they need. Gratianus says he will not serve a Danish kind, being proud descendants of Britannia. Askeladd asks Gratianus if he still believes the legend that says Artorius will come back from Avalon and restore Britannia to its former glory. Before Gratianus can respond, Ear walks up to Bjorn to tell him something. Bjorn relays the message to Askeladd. Two men up on the path, including the envoy from Brycheiniog, greet the party. Askeladd approaches Gratianus, tells him to wait a moment and mutters something to him, specifying that he has a man with good hearing in his company when Gratianus asks him how he knows. The envoy realizes they've stopped marching because they're on to them, but that it is still too late for them to do anything since they're already completely surrounded. In the cart, Thorfinn looks around, noticing something is amiss. Ragnar asks him what it is. On the surrounding cliffs, Welsh archers point their arrows at Askeladd's band below.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Thorkell
 * Asgeir
 * Willibald
 * Ragnar
 * Canute
 * Askeladd
 * Bjorn
 * Thorfinn
 * Gratianus
 * Thors Snorresson (flashback)
 * Asser