Chapter 86

"Yeah, I'll admit that my men and I aren't exactly heroes! We're thugs, idiots, or what have you! Just a bunch of drifters who can't even go by our real names 'cause of some laws we broke or trouble we caused here and there. But that doesn't give you the right to treat us as expendable! Or are you trying to say that Gardar's life is that much more important!? More important than the lives of 5 men!?"

- Snake

No Going Home (帰れないふたり) is the 86th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Thorfinn and Snake fight and realize how strong their opponent is. Snake places himself beside the carriage Gardar is in; he ignores Arnheid's pleas to spare him and Sverkel's offer to compensate him for the deaths of his five subordinates, as to him it's not about money and their lives were not expendable. He stabs Gardar in the chest. Gardar rises and grips Snake by the neck until he passes out; Thorfinn is unable to make him let go of Snake, but Gardar lets him drop when Arnheid asks him to go home to Hjalti with her. Sverkel gives them his carriage and Arnheid thanks Thorfinn and Einar for what they've done for her. Although she knows he's beyond saving, she leaves with Gardar. They talk for a bit until he collapses; Fox and the guests close in on them.

Summary
Thorfinn and Snake fight, both noting that their opponent is strong and wondering how someone like them ended up in their position on the farm. Snake wonders how Thorfinn is managing to dodge all his slashes one after the next, especially since he's unarmed. Thorfinn notes that he can't close in on Snake quickly enough and that he must be an experienced warrior — he's faster than anyone he's even gone up against. Thorfinn trips on a rock; he rights himself, but realizes that Snake has placed himself beside the carriage carrying Gardar. Arnheid begs Snake to stop and not kill Gardar. Snake tells her to cut it out, as Gardar killed five of his men and he won't be satisfied until he kills him. Sverkel adds that he'll personally compensate him for the deaths of his subordinates. Snake tells him to stop talking and that it isn't about money; he and his men may be a bunch of drifters going by fake names, but their lives are not expendable. He asks Thorfinn and Arnheid to explain how Gardar's life is more important than the lives of five men; neither of them can answer. Snake states that blood will be repaid in blood and stabs Gardar in the chest with his scimitar. Arnheid collapses to her knees. Snake asks if Thorfinn wants to keep fighting to avenge his death. He adds that as the one who cut Gardar's ropes, Arnheid is guilty as well, and that he'll tie her up until Ketil gets back. Gardar rises up behind Snake and grasps him by the neck until he loses consciousness. Thorfinn yells at Gardar to let go of him, as he'll kill him if he keeps choking him. He tries to pry Gardar's arms away, but his grip is too strong. Arnheid tells Gardar to go back home with her. She tells him that everything is alright, that no one will try to stop them anymore, and that Hjalti is waiting for them to return. Gardar, heavily bleeding from his new wound, lets Snake drop and asks Arnheid where Hjalti is. Thorfinn realizes that Gardar's chest wound is fatal and that he's beyond saving. Arnheid tells Gardar that she sent Hjalti to his brother's in Birka for safety before the raid. Gardar notes he'll have to find a good gift for him before they go pick up their son. Gardar asks Thorfinn if he can borrow his carriage. Sverkel, lying close by, tells him the carriage is his and that he's giving it to them so they can take it home; Gardar thanks him. Arnheid says she doesn't know how she can thank him and Einar. Thorfinn tells Arnheid to wait and starts to say Gardar will die, but Arnheid tells him it's fine and that Thorfinn can stay there. Arnheid and Gardar leave on the carriage. Gardar asks how old Hjalti is now, noting it looks like he lost track of time when he was enslaved. Arnheid replies that Hjalti is six. Gardar laments missing out on seeing him as a cute baby, and notes that Hjalti must have forgotten him by now. He guesses that Hjalti must be running wild and playing pranks like lighting horse tails on fire. Arnheid laughs and asks him if that's what he did when he was young. Gardar confirms, noting that his father was always angry at him for it. He says he's sure Hjalti will want to sail out as a Viking when he grows up, but that he won't allow him. He collapses on Arnheid and tells her that he's fine, but tired, and asks her to let him rest for a moment. Arnheid cries as he promises her he'll never leave her and Hjalti again. Fox and some of the guests close in on the carriage as Arnheid holds her dying husband.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Snake
 * Thorfinn
 * Gardar
 * Arnheid
 * Sverkel
 * Wild Dog
 * Mole
 * Fox
 * Toad