Episode 23

"Miscalculation" (誤算) is the twenty-third episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
The day of the Imperial Council finally arrives. In the council meeting, King Sweyn announces a war campaign against Wales. Thorfinn is arrested due to causing a public disturbance and Leif visits him in jail.

Summary
York, 1014, the lords and elders gather for the king's feast. In silence, majority of them discuss the recent rumors about the assassin trying to kill Canute and that the king had chosen Harald as his successor. Sweyn and Canute then arrive. Canute asks Askeladd where Thorfinn is, but Askeladd assures him of his safety as no one would dare to attack him here.

Meanwhile Thorfinn is wondering around, still not recovered from his injuries. He sees a man and chases him, confusing him for Askeladd, but realizing he isn't Askeladd, he turns around. The man and his two friends, then pick up on Thorfinn for touching the man with his dirty hands and want to take his money. As they attack him, Thorfinn quickly beats them up. The guard from the other day, who confused Thorfinn as Canute's assassin, then shows up and recognizes Thorfinn. He arrests him and puts him in a cell, waiting for orders on how to punish Thorfinn. Another man wonder's if that would be okay, since he is Canute's guard, but the guard states that if he was indeed his guard, he would have been with Canute right now and not walking around town.

Sweyn speaks in front of the elders, thanking them for coming and also helping him conquer England. Sweyn is also happy that his son Canute returned safely and hugs him. Sweyn tells Canute that he will put Mercia under Canute's rule, and also asks Thorkell to support Canute. As Mercia is the most prosperous land in England, some of the elders start to believe that the rumors were not true, while others believe that makes the rumors even more true. Sweyn intends to reward elders for their battle achievements and wish that they continue fighting together in Ireland, their next battleground. The previous king, King Harald, was humiliated in Ireland by Brian Boru. As Sweyn continues to speak, Askeladd smiles, realizing that Sweyn is reacting the way Askeladd predicted, and that would mean he has no counter to Askeladd's strategy, and becomes even more sure of his victory.

However, Sweyn reveals that in this land, there are still fools who show no respect for their king. He send messenger to ask them to become his vassals, but they refused twice. Since they may threaten the land with rebellion, Sweyn intends to show Wales the power of the true king, and intends to attack them in Spring. That news shocks Askeladd.

The guard informs Thorfinn that he has a visitor. Leif then shows up, stating he heard that someone looking like Thorfinn was arrested and was worried. He knows that Thorfinn went through a lot and he can't understand him, however he remembers the old days and the smile on the young Thorfinn, like it was yesterday. Leif had been telling him a story on how one time he got trapped on an ice floe. He ran out of food and his friends had died, but he kept walking across the ice. Because no matter how stormy or frozen the sea is, a sailor is always fighting a battle against the sea, just like a warrior with their own honor at stake. When Thors died and Thorfinn disappeared, Leif swore on his honor, so no matter what happens, he will bring Thorfinn back to Iceland.

While rewarding the elders, Floki tells Sweyn that when he mentioned Wales, Askeladd turned pale for a moment, and believe that something in Wales is Askeladd's weakness. Meanwhile, Askeladd wonders if Sweyn knows about Askeladd's connection to Wales, but doubts it, since he never told Floki about it. Askeladd doesn't believe that Sweyn would mobilize his army just to piss him off, so he guesses it was just a coincidence. Either way, Wales will turn into a sea of fire and Askeladd starts to think on what he should do before Spring comes. He considers a revolt with Canute and Thorkell's army, but finds it too small and it would take him time to convince other lords to join him.

Thorfinn doesn't wish to go home. Leif then tells him that they should go to Vinland. Thorfinn had told him that Thors himself wanted to go. Thors escaped to Iceland to avoid battle and if he was alive, Leif is sure that he would have tried getting there.

Thorkell recalls that Askeladd escaped to Wales and wonders why did Wales help the Danes. Askeladd states that his mother's grave is there and that land is his home. Given the news from Sweyn, Thorkell is sorry to hear that. Askeladd asks him that he doesn't tell anyone and Thorkell agrees. Askeladd is then called to come in front of the king.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Thorfinn
 * Sweyn
 * Floki
 * Canute
 * Askeladd
 * Thorkell
 * Haldor
 * Gunnar
 * Bui
 * Leif Ericson
 * Thors Snorresson (vision)

Differences from the manga
A large portion of this episode is anime original material. In the manga, Thorfinn is not arrested or thrown in jail and does not meet Leif a second time while they are in York.

Trivia
Odcinek 23