Chapter 1

"The losing side will be on edge. The envoy might be gutted before anyone even gets to the table. Happens all the time. And who cares if we lose one measly brat we picked up along the way?"

- Askeladd

Normanni (, Noruman'ni) is the 1st chapter of the Vinland Saga series, and also the first chapter of the War Arc; the prologue.

Overview
A turbulent siege is ongoing between two Frankish tribes for a fortress by a river, as the attackers fail miserably in their attack. Seeing a lucrative opportunity, the leader of a Viking band, Askeladd sends Thorfinn as an envoy messenger to the siege army. Thorfinn bregrudgingly agrees once Askeladd promises him a reward - on the condition that Thorfinn brings him the defending commander's head. Arriving at the camp, Thorfinn negotiates a deal with the Frank leader Jabbathe. The following day, Askeladd and his men arrive on the battlefield carrying their ships straight to the river bed on foot. While his comrades arrive, Thorfinn reaches the fortress and takes the head of the defending commander. Navigating through the riverbed, Askeladd and his men reach the exposed backend of the fortress and go on the offensive. Gloating over "His" magnificent victory over the fortress enemies, Jabbathe learns that all of the treasure in the fortress had been stolen. To Askeladd's surprise, Thorfinn climbs aboard the ship with the defending commander's head in tow, demanding a duel with Askeladd as his reward. With their treasure, Askeladd and his men make their escape to the open sea all while dodging Jabbathe's forces merciless attacks. Askeladd states he will grant Thorfinn's request for a duel once they are back to safety.

Summary
In 11th A.D. Frankish Kingdom Territory, nobleman Jabbathe's troops (numbering about 800 men) attempt to capture another Frankish fort. They attempt to bring down the fortress gate with a battering ram, but alternate row crossbow shots soon have them retreating to regroup. The fort's people believe that the coming snow will force the enemy to abandon the siege shortly and that they must simply survive until then, needing only to reinforce the hillside gate, as the lake behind them will keep them safe otherwise. On a nearby hill, Askeladd and his men observe the situation, noting that it is a skirmish between Frankish tribes. Bjorn notes that the attacking Franks number about 800, with far fewer in the town. Askeladd takes note at the local stronghold, which seems to hold treasure, and agrees that the band will side with the attackers, as there is more in store for them that way. He plans to seize every last coin within the stronghold. Calling on Thorfinn, he tells him to send a message to the leader of the attacking army - insulting their tactics and offering the band's aid when the siege resumes in the morning, which will lead them to victory at the price of half the spoils of war on the day of the fortress's fall. He instructs Thorfinn to stay with the enemy to observe the tide of battle after delivering his message. Thorfinn asks for a reward in return, unimpressed when Askeladd offers him three gold coins for a successful negotiation, coldly replying Askeladd knows what reward he wants. Askeladd says he was joking and says he will grant his request if Thorfinn brings him the head of a commander, at the very least. When one of the men comments on Thorfinn's attitude and asks Askeladd why he entrusts him with handling the negotiations, Askeladd replies that the envoy might be gutted before even delivering his message, and that no one would care if they lost a "measly brat" they had picked up along the way.

Thorfinn arrives at Jabbathe's Frankish camp, greeted by wary soldiers who do not speak any Norse. When one tries to seize him, he quickly neutralizes him, stating he is a messenger and asking if anyone speaks Norse. Having found an interpret, Thorfinn is brought to speak with Jabbathe, who comments on the mercenaries' boldness in asking for half the spoils. Thorfinn notes that even he can see attacks on the main gates are causing nothing losses on Jabbathe's end, and that Askeladd's men would attack from the open lakeside. One of Jabbathe's soldiers comments that it is an ignorant plan, as a fierce river and waterfalls are preventing any ships from sailing into the lake. Thorfinn warns that Askeladd will take his hundred men straight to the defenders if Jabbathe refuses, which will happen even if Jabbathe kills him, as it would prevent him from giving Askeladd the all-clear signal. Jabbathe states he will have Thorfinn's head if he is lying, but that they will grant Askeladd's band a fair share of the riches if they hold up their end of the deal. Thorfinn asks for his short swords back, saying they are a memento of his father. He fires up four flaming arrows, three high and one low, signaling to Askeladd that Jabbathe's forces have accepted the deal and will be striking at sun-up. The defending Franks notice the signal and prepare for a suspected change in tactics from the enemy in the morning, as they probably made contact with another company. Back in his own tents, Jabbathe admits that he will not give the "uncouth barbarians from the far north" half the spoils. Meanwhile, Askeladd and his men set off. A group of Jabbathe's men, marooned half a mile downriver guarding their ships, spot a dragon head on the mountain top.

In the morning, Jabbathe stands with his troops awaiting Askeladd's forces. He receives the ship guards' report of a dragon spotted climbing the mountain and makes light of the ill omen. Jabbathe notes Thorfinn's "friends" are no shows - Thorfinn insults him in Norse and tells him to move on with the attack. Jabbathe notices Thorfinn likely insulted him, and warns his head will be the centerpiece of their victory feast that night. Jabbathe's forces set forth with ladders and the defenders start shooting arrows and throwing boiling water and rocks at the attackers below in response. Thorfinn asks his interpret to point out the enemy leader, who identifies the feathered helm solider atop the wall. Thorfinn makes a run for the target, leading Jabbathe to order him killed, as he believes he was lying and is now attempting to escape. He speedily avoids the arrows. Jabbathe further loses his cool and yells at his men, who note that there is a strange sound coming closer. Askeladd's band suddenly comes through the forest, carrying their three ships on foot, with Askeladd atop the middle ship. The defending commander is shocked by their cleverness, while Jabbathe giddily orders his forces forward. Askeladd's men reach the lake and set their ships in the water. The defending Frankish commander orders 80 of his men to the landing to prevent the attackers from disembarking, and orders the rest to remain at the gate and start shooting their crossbows. Olov, one of Askeladd's men, is shot in the head through the head - Askeladd notes the enemy has many crossbows and that they will have some casualties.

Thorfinn, who has reached the gate on foot, jumps over the moat and anchors himself into the fortress wall with his short swords, using them to climb up and over the wall. He quickly and successfully attacks the soldiers who are coming for him despite their initial surprise at seeing a young boy attack them. A soldier drops his sword when Thorfinn slices off his gripping fingers; Thorfinn grabs on to the soldier's airborne sword, holding one of his own daggers in his mouth as he makes straight for feathered helm commander. He swiftly beheads the commander, swears upon seeing his head fly over the wall into the moat below, and immediately jumps after it.

Askeladd, surprised the crossbow bolts have stopped coming, orders his men to disembark, encountering little resistance from the enemy. Jabbathe's forces finally make it through the main gates with their battering ram, surprised to see the carnage inside. Jabbathe, who sees carnage within the gates, receives a report of the defending commander being killed by a mere child and deduces it was Thorfinn. Thinking on the Normanni's deadliness, he worries they may return as enemies of the Frankish nobility if he lets them leave and plans to attack them as they carry their ships back, weighed down with their battle riches. He is however soon shocked to find the treasury empty, while one of his men reports the wealthier house and church were ransacked as well. Out on the lake, Askeladd's three ships are afloat, filled with the spoils. Askeladd is standing on one of the ships, wearing a rich cloak, a crown, and varied ransacked jewelry. He states that in the interest of a fair split, his band grants Jabbathe the victory and the fortress, while they humbly accept the treasure. Jabbathe is unable to send his own ships after them, as Askeladd's forces already smashed them to bits. Their fastes horses are sent down below the falls to try to intercept them. On one of the boats, Askeladd tells his men to stow the treasure in the bilge and set to leave. He is told Thorfinn has not returned, and states that it is a shame, but that he is unsurprisingly bound to be dead and that it only leaves more treasure for the rest of them. He is startled when the defending commander's head is suddenly thrown onboard, soon followed by Thorfinn, lifting himself from the the frigid water below. He glares at Askeladd and says that they had a deal and he cannot back out now. He declares that as Thorfinn, son of Thors, warrior of Iceland, he seeks a duel with Askeladd upon his father's blade to avenge his father's death. Askeladd replies - son of Olaf, upon the name of his ancestor Artorius, he accepts Thorfinn's challenge. He however says he does not accept right this instant, as they are still being attacked by the defenders who remain on the shore and have to escape. The group of Jabbathe's men who had remained marooned half a mile downriver guarding the ships are still discussing the dragon they spotted, when they see the dragon appear atop the waterfall, scaring them. Askeladd and his men, atop their dragon-headed ships, boldly go down the waterfalls and regain the river, sailing away from the "land of the Franks".

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Bjorn
 * Askeladd
 * Thorfinn
 * Jabbathe
 * Olov