Episode 37

"Dark Clouds" (暗雲) is the thirty-seventh overall episode of the Vinland Saga anime and the thirteenth episode of Season 2, produced by MAPPA.

Synopsis
Near Ketil's farm, a slave murders his master's family and escapes.

In the farm, Thorfinn and Einar, whose freedom was before their eyes, reflected on his future actions. Einar worries about Arnheid, who cannot be free on her own will while Sverkel collapses on the pitch.

Summary
At a burning house, an escaped slave holds a sword after killing some people. The master begs him to not kill him, promising that he will free him and give him money. However, the slave states that isn't enough to wipe away the insults he suffered. The master then offers that he will become his slave and kisses the slave's boots. The slave tells him that as he is now his slave, he gets to choose if he lives or not. After that, the slave kills his master. He leaves the burning house and spares a woman with a child, while stating that he is now going to get "her".

While heading towards Sverkel's house, Einar guesses they soon won't be borrowing tools from Sverkel anymore. Thorfinn asks Einar if he decided what he will do once he is free. Einar explains that he lived too long as a slave and now that as a free man, he still can't make a decision. Thorfinn wonders if Einar considered staying in the farm given Ketil's proposal and Einar explains that while they are not liked by other retainers, if he stays, he may get the chance to free Arnheid. Thorfinn is surprised that Einar loves Arnheid that much, but before Einar can explain himself, Snake comes out of the house, yelling at Sverkel for being late as he is hungry. However, as he sees Einar and Thorfinn, he wonders where Sverkel is. Snake explains that Sverkel still haven't returned since he left in the morning. Einar and Thorfinn are surprised that Sverkel still haven't come home. Since its almost dinner time and Snake had also skipped lunch, he feels that Sverkel is trying to kill him. In that moment, he realizes that something may had happened to Sverkel and rushes to his horse, telling Einar and Thorfinn to follow him. Snake goes to the farm and looks for Sverkel. He finds him lying on the ground.

Sverkel is still alive. He spends some time in his bed, and tries to pour himself some water, but ends up knocking the glass and breaking it. He then gets annoyed that he will die in bed and not in his farm. Arnheid visits him, saying that the mistress sends her. After Arnheid cooks, seeing all the food, Snake, Einar and Thorfinn are speechless. Einar wonders if there is enough for them too and Arnheid confirms that Sverkel told her to cook for them too. Hearing that, the three of them start eating as fast as possible. Arnheid goes to fee Sverkel, telling him that she will be taking care for him from now on and will be staying there. Sverkel refuses to eat, stating that he isn't hungry right now. Snake tells Arnheid to just shove the spoon in his mouth as he is just embarrassed about being fed. Snake tells Sverkel to get used to it as she will be feeding him until he recovers. Sverkel states again that he isn't hungry, but in that moment his stomach growls, which makes everyone laugh, which annoys Sverkel, who tries to make them all leave.

After dinner, Einar helps Arnheid wash the dishes. Arnheid shares that she is glad that Sverkel seems better than she heard and that he isn't as scary as people say. Einar confirms that Sverkel is kind man at heart but can sometimes be scary. Arnheid states it's been a while she had this much fun at dinner and she felt like she is free again.

Fox shows up looking for Snake. He informs Snake about a runaway slave, who escaped three days ago from Kjallakr's farm. Snake recalls that Kjallakr treats his slaves quite poorly and feels he got what he deserved. Fox explains it isn't just as the slave have killed Kjallakr and his son, and also set his house on fire. Kjallakr's uncle is giving three horses to whoever catches the slave and Fox wonders if they should do it. Snake doesn't care much about the horses, but states they need to take some precautions and if they spot him, to not try too hard to catch him and to call reinforcements right away.

Fox, Badger and Lizard spot a man in the forest, resting next to a tree. As he has a sword and looks suspicious, Badger and Lizard start to get excited this may be the slave and that they will be getting the reward. Fox tries to tell them to speak quietly, but the two keep talking loudly and loudly as they start to argue if they should call reinforcements or not, as more people will mean less share for them. As they are yelling in the end, the slave wakes up and attacks them.

Meanwhile, Arnheid is doing the laundry and Einar is chopping some wood. He asks Thorfinn to bring more, but Thorfinn asks him to wait for a moment. Arnheid wonders what Thorfinn is doing, and Einar explains that Snake is reading the Bible to Sverkel and Thorfinn is eavesdropping. He isn't a Christian but is interested in hearing it. While reading the bible, Sverkel falls down from the bed, wanting to go and help with the harvest, but Snake picks him up and explains that the harvest is done, so he can rest. He sees that Sverkel had pissed himself and calls Arnheid to come. While Arnheid cleans after Sverkel, Snake washes his hands and tells Einar and Thorfinn that Sverkel is going senile and as his legs no longer hold him, he doesn't have much time left, and the two should repay his kindness while they still have the chance. Thorfinn asks Snake what his relationship with Sverkel is, but Snake explains its nothing special and he plans to inherit and sell the book once Sverkel dies.

Everyone continues with their work. Snake then notices a person on a horse who is riding fast, but he isn't one of his men. Moments later, Fox and injured Badger are riding behind and Fox yells at Snake that this is the slave and he had killed Lizard. Snake goes inside to take his sword. Arnheid recognizes the slave and yells his name, Gardar. Gardar then stops and recognizing Arnheid, he states he finally found his wife.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Gardar
 * Kjallakr
 * Einar
 * Thorfinn
 * Snake
 * Sverkel
 * Arnheid
 * Fox
 * Badger
 * Lizard