Episode 13

"Child of a Hero" (英雄の子) is the thirteenth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
Suspicious that the ambush is a scare tactic to force negotiations to their favor. Askeladd and Gratianus successfully negotiate a deal with the ambush leader Asser, due to Askeladd’s ethnic background.

Summary
A young boy comes out of the sea carrying his mother. He faces younger Gratianus and his men and explains that his mother will soon die. Her wish was to return to her hometown, so he brought her here.

November 1013 AD, Wessex, South of England. The Danes main army defeats the Wessex resistance army. Floki reports it to King Sweyn and states its a matter of time until they conquer the land. Sweyn asks about London and where is Canute. Floki reports that Thorkell's army attacked Canute's army and they haven't heard anything back since then. He did hear a rumour of them fighting at Marlborough, so they may have joined with the local soldiers, but he isn't sure if they got away safely. Sweyn states that Canute is his dear son and if he learns anything new to inform him right away.

Back at Wales, Askeladd's army faces an ambush. Askeladd orders his men to do nothing and to not return fire. Askeladd then turns to the messengers of Brycheiniog, Asser, noting that was a rough welcome. Asser is surprised that he is able to speak their language, as he heard they are just beasts. Gratianus tells Asser to move his troops and not cause trouble with the Danes as that won't benefit Wales. Asser respects Gratianus concern about Wales, but states they have different values, wondering what kind of promise are they trying to make with the Danes, but stating they won't fulfil it as they have no morals. Torgrim and Atli wonder what is Asser saying and if they are going to fight or not, but Bjorn states that it doesn't feel it will turn into a battle. He doesn't understand what they are saying, but if they wanted to kill them, they would have done it with their first shots and not just kill a horse. He guesses they are trying to intimidate them so they can control the negotiations.

Asser states he observed their war with England and they have entered three cease-fire agreements in the last ten years, and violated them all. They won't make that mistake and will take Canute as a shield. Askeladd tells Gratianus that Asser is just making trouble to see how they will respond. Gratianus wonders if he will tell them his plan and Askeladd guesses he can do it, but is also fine continuing with their act.

Askeladd takes Canute up front and introduces him, stating he will now speak. He then tells Canute to say something spirited. However Canute panics and Askeladd tells him he can say anything, including that he will boil them alive and eat them. If he says something, they will get scared and let them go. Canute gets scared and hides behind Ragnar, who explains that Canute dislikes talking in front of people. Ragnar wishes to talk instead, but Askeladd stops him, stating that Canute is the prince and he has responsibilities. Askeladd wants him to speak so that they avoid fighting and he can't hope to succeed Sweyn if he keeps his mouth shut. Ragnar tells him to shut up as he doesn't understand Canute. Ragnar states that the palace is a fox nest where parents, children, and siblings eat each other and it was quite hard for the fragile and sickly Canute to survive, so he silenced himself and made sure he didn't stand out to survive. Ragnar states its not Askeladd's place to try and control Canute. Asser wonders what are they arguing about. Askeladd then tells Gratianus that he will go and tell them the plan. Gratianus agrees and states he will go with him. Askeladd then tells his men to stay put as he will go and talk to Asser. Askeladd tells Ragnar that he is correct. He was worried about Canute, so he ended up overstepping his bounds. Askeladd then apologizes and asks Canute for forgiveness. Canute calms down as Askeladd leaves, but Thorfinn states he is a loser.

While Askeladd and Gratianus head to Asser, Gratianus states that Ragnar doesn't realizes that he needs to let go of Canute one day. He also notes that Askeladd's plan depends on that too. Asser tells his men to move away and let him speak alone with Askeladd and Gratianus. Asser tells Askeladd that they also have a reputation and can't just let them pass and provide provisions as they need something in return too, otherwise his men will think that the king is scared of 100 Danes. Askeladd agrees and apologizes for not showing more consideration. Gratianus explains that he wrote the letter to their country, but mentioned he can't talk about their reward in order to maintain secrecy. Asser then asks about what is that secret. Before revealing it, Askeladd wants to know if depending on the reward would he considered joining them in the war. Asser laughs and states that a small country like them isn't a match for the king of Denmark.

Bjorn didn't knew that Askeladd could speak Walsh. All he knows that he is from Denmark. They have been together for decades, but Askeladd isn't telling him anything. Torgrim doesn't really care as Askeladd is a good leader for him and as long as he is making them money, he doesn't mind following him.

Askeladd tells Asser the secret. He finds it hard to believe, but also unbelievable to be a lie. Gratianus confirms that Askeladd is Lydia's son and had inherited the blood of the great leaders of the Roman Celts. Asser then realizes he isn't a Dane, and Askeladd states he has mixed blood, both Danish and Welsh. His father Olaf conquered the coast of Wales in the past and carried away Lydia as his concubine. Asser heard that the bloodline of the war gods of Old Britannia had gone extinct, but that makes Askeladd a descendant of Artorius.

Artorius was the commander of the Britannia army, a country of native Celtic inhabitants of England in the fifth and sixth centuries. In 516, he defeated the invading Saxons and the English at the Battle of Baden Hill, and brought peace to Britannia. He is the person that the legend of King Arthur was based on.

Asser wonders if Askeladd has any proof for what he is saying. Gratianus then states that when Askeladd was 14, he visited Wales with Lydia where they met for the first time. Askeladd states that Lydia was unlucky person. She was held in his father's bedroom for a long time and after she got sick, she was then kept at the stables. Askeladd then explains since he has a mixed blood, if he can make Canute a king, he can get a high position, and then can make a treaty of non-aggression with Wales. Asser states since he was raised by Danes, is he sure that his Artorius blood is stronger than his Danes. Askeladd states he has to believe him on that, but besides his blood, he hates Danes.

They reach an agreement and are pretending to be Asser's prisoners, however Ragnar refuses to give his weapon. Askeladd explains it again and that once they are past their territory, they will return their weapons. Ragnar wonders why his men are following his orders and Askeladd explains that they trust him. Askeladd tells Thorfinn to hand his weapons too, but Thorfinn refuses. Thorfinn then tells Ragnar to not get the wrong idea, as he isn't one of Askeladd's men, but his enemy. Askeladd gives up and guesses they will agree to let Ragnar and Thorfinn keep their weapons.

The army continues to march. Some of the locals heard that Asser caught Danes and go check on them as they march. They are impressed by Asser and act tough in front of the Danes. Thorfinn sees that Canute is bothered by something and tells him to speak if he wishes to say anything. After a bit, Canute states that the reason he isn't talking isn't because he is a coward, but because he is cautious. Ragnar is shocked to see that Canute is speaking. Canute explains that his words has political repercussions, especially in foreign country. Without permission from his father, he can't make promises. Canute then realizes the marching has stopped as everyone was shocked to hear him speaking. Thorfinn states his excuse isn't bad and that he is a smart enough "princess". Canute is outraged that Thorfinn speaks to him like that as no one has done it before, and wants Thorfinn to take his words back. As the two continue to argue, Ragnar can't believe that Canute is finally speaking to someone other than him.

As they travel, Canute signs the document that Gratianus wanted. It soon starts to snow and Ragnar complains that they need to hurry before they get trapped by the snow. Askeladd's then plan to cross the northern edge of Mercia and reach Gainsborough in a week. Ragnar is worried that they are re-entering enemy territory and that they will have problems with the supplies, but Askeladd states its better than getting trapped in the Welsh mountains due to the snow and he already thought about the supplies. He then tells his men that they are changing directions and the army continues to march.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Askeladd
 * Lydia (flashback)
 * Gratianus
 * Sweyn
 * Floki
 * Torgrim
 * Atli
 * Bjorn
 * Thorfinn
 * Asser
 * Canute
 * Ragnar
 * Lucius Artorius Castus (flashback)

Trivia
Odcinek 13