Chapter 85

"Now then, what will you choose? Stick to your newly-sworn principle of non-violence? Or break it for the sake of the helpless? Which path is that of a true warrior, I wonder?"

- Askeladd

Confrontation (対決) is the 85th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Snake and the two guests get on their horses to catch the man they believe is Gardar. Einar, covered in a hooded cloak, runs towards the forest to lure them away. Snake realizes that the man is running too fast for someone who's badly wounded; he tells Spider and Badger to keep chasing him and leaves. With the guests gone, Thorfinn and Arnheid come inside Sverkel's house to move Gardar to the carriage. Sverkel demands to be taken to the carriage as well, as they'll draw less suspicion if he's the one riding. Snake arrives at Sverkel's, having dismounted as to not alert Thorfinn; he draws his scimitar. Thorfinn hears and sees Askeladd, who asks him what a true warrior would do and if he'll fight for the helpless or keep his new promise of non-violence. Thorfinn wonders if he could knock Snake out with a strike to the chin, then tie him up and escape. They begin to fight.

Summary
Thorfinn lies in wait in the tall grass and waits for all three of the guests to be on the move to chase down the hooded figure. He wishes Einar luck. Einar, in a hooded cloak, starts to run, the guests on his tail on horseback. Snake tells Badger and Spider to split up and close in on him from different angles. Spider points out that the man is running towards the forest, and Badger adds that he must know they won't be able to chase him on horseback there. Snake realizes that the man is running too fast for a wounded person. He tells Spider and Badger to keep chasing after him, but to not approach him recklessly and to call for backup if needed. To Badger's confusion, Snake turns his horse the other way and leaves. Thorfinn and Arnheid enter Sverkel's house. Thorfinn lifts Sverkel out of bed and places him on a chair. He tells Sverkel that they'll need to take the horse and carriage and apologizes, promising he'll pay him back someday. Sverkel tells him there's no need and asks to be taken on the carriage with them, as they'll draw less suspicion if he's the one riding. Thorfinn counters that they can't get him involved in this mess, but Sverkel points out that he's already involved and tells him to do as he says. Thorfinn thanks him, then lifts Sverkel's bedframe, under which the wounded Gardar lies. He tells Arnheid that she treated his wounds well, as he's still alive, but notices that he's very cold and must have lost too much blood. As he carries Gardar to the carriage, he says they must make it to the south borders quickly so that they can cross over to the next kingdom and lose their pursuers. He adds that Sverkel can accompany them to the edge of the farm, and that he himself will create a diversion and split off around there as well. Thorfinn sees Snake and realizes he must have left his horse behind to catch them by surprise. Snake notes that it makes sense he couldn't sense Gardar inside, since he was unconscious. He draws his scimitar and tells Thorfinn this is not a negotiable matter: if he doesn't hand him Gardar quietly, he will cut him down. Arnheid looks over to Thorfinn, worried. Thorfinn assesses the situation — Snake is there alone and he cannot sense any other guests nearby, so knocking Snake out and tying him up would allow them to escape. Thorfinn hears Askeladd beside him, telling him he's in quite a predicament and asking him if he's going to fight. He tells him the fight wouldn't be personal and would be to help those in need, and that it would therefore be justifiable for him to fight. He notes that it's not like Snake doesn't have his own good reasons for fighting and asks Thorfinn what he will choose: to stick to his newly-sworn principle of non-violence, or to break it to help the helpless. He asks which is the path of the true warrior and tells Thorfinn he doesn't have anymore time to think about it, as Snake is heading his way. Thorfinn closes his eyes, takes a breath, and strikes at Snake with his fist. He dodges Snake's scimitar. Snake thinks to himself that Thorfinn has an odd combat style that isn't congruent with using a sword, an axe or a spear, and wonders if maybe he used daggers.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Gardar
 * Arnheid
 * Hjalti
 * Thorfinn
 * Einar
 * Badger
 * Snake
 * Spider
 * Sverkel
 * Askeladd (vision)