Episode 43

"The Battle of Ketil's Farm" (ケティル農場の戦い) is the forty-third overall episode of the Vinland Saga anime and the nineteenth episode of Season 2, produced by MAPPA.

Synopsis
A battle between the peasants led by Ketil and the Jom warriors led by Canute has started. However, the peasants were killed one after another because they were no match for the veteran Jom warriors. Meanwhile, Thorfinn and the others carry Arnheid, who has been severely injured in the confusion of the battle, and head to Leif's ship to escape the war.

Summary
Ketil gathers 350 men. Fox notes that only about 100 of them can fight and wonders if they truly believe they can defeat the king. Snake explains that they all owe money to Ketil, and he promised to clear their debts if they fight. The men probably won't have showed up if they knew they would be fighting the king, but now their vanity as Norse men won't allow them to leave. Additionally, as their numbers increase, they do start to believe they have a chance. Snake is surprised at how good strategist Thorgil is, as waiting to tell them who they would fight was the right choice.

Thorfinn sees that Ketil intends to fight and that the farm will become a battlefield, however they can't leave the farm when Arnheid is in such bad condition and wishes Leif to leave without them. Leif states that Thorfinn had changed a lot, but as he finally found him, he can't leave without him. Leif asks Pater if they can move Arnheid, but Pater isn't really sure. She is also with a baby and its best to rest for now. Leif then decides that they should wait one more day.

Spider sees the king's ships and informs Snake, who then order another man to inform Ketil. Badger and some archers wait at the beach. A man shoots without orders, but his arrow doesn't reach the ship. Badger scolds him, stating that he should only shoot after he hears an order and that at this distance, they can't reach the ships anyway. Arrows then come down from the ship, taking dozens of men and forcing Badger and the rest to retreat inland. Canute and his army reach the beach. Canute realizes that Ketil intends to fight him and decides that they take positions here. He then tells Wulf to send a messenger and wait for Ketil's response.

The messenger meets with Ketil and reads that he and his clan are sentenced to ten years of outlawry. Normally they should be executed for their crimes, the king will show kindness and allow them to live if they accept their punishment. The messenger tells Ketil that he needs to leave the country if he wants to live and that they will be waiting for his response until tomorrow morning. As the messenger leaves, Ketil is angry that his men let Canute land without a fight. Thorgil returns and explains that Canute has two warships and two cargo ships. They set a camp near their landing location and are about 100 men without the slaves and servants. Ketil and the men start laughing as that is less than a third of what their numbers are. Ketil then tells the men that whoever brings him Canute's head, he will grant him whatever he wants.

Meanwhile, Snake and Fox are also checking on Canute's army. Snake sees some thegns, who are the king's guards and among the strongest men in Denmark. As they are former brothers-in-arms of Thorgil, Fox realizes that it means they are as strong as Thorgil. Fox wonders about the men in white capes and if they are weaker than the thegns. Snake is surprised that Fox haven't seen them before and explains that they are Jomsvikings. Fox gets shocked the moment he hears that. A bit later, Snake tells his men that they don't stand a chance with their ragtag peasant soldiers, however Ketil won't understand it until they start fighting. Snake tells his men that they can run if they want to. Fox wonders about Snake, and Snake explains that he is the commander, so he can't run away. Fox suggest that they tie up Ketil and turn him to Canute, however the others are worried about Thorgil. Fox is sure they all can defeat him; however, another man points out it's not just Thorgil, but the Iron Fist Ketil as well. Snake explains he knows the Iron Fist. He met him when he was 15 or 16 and Iron Fist was quite strong and taught him how to fight. When Snake got into trouble several years ago, he had to flee and hoped that Ketil will shelter him and followed the rumors of him to this farm. However, when he met Ketil he was completely different person from the Iron Fist he knew. Snake reveals that Ketil is no one and is just taking advantage of having the same name. Since Snake didn't have where else to go, he decided to stay here and had a free life, but it's time to repay it. Snake leaves to join the main group, telling his men that they are free to run, however, they decide to join him.

Thorgil explains the enemy lines to Olmar. He tells him that Canute has the sea at their back and his forces had formed two lines in front of him. Their backs are undefended, since they know Ketil doesn't have proper forces. Surprise attacks won't work due to the terrain and Thorgil asks Olmar on how he would attack. Olmar guesses at night, but Thorgil states that only first-class soldiers attack at night and amateurs can't pull that off. Thorgil states that the army they have is useless and all will before he can count to 100. Olmar wonders why did they gathered them. Thorgil then explains that they will be used to draw the king's attention.

Ketil's forces faces Canute's forces. Snake warns Ketil for a last time, stating that if they fight, they will lose for sure, but Ketil doesn't want to listen and orders his men to fire. Thorfinn sees that the battle starts. He returns to the cart where they have loaded Arnheid and tells them they should leave while they are fighting. Arnheid dreams of being a cart with Gardar and her two kids. Gardar tells her that their road was painful and long, but it will soon end, they will leave this dark forest and will be back at their warm home. Seeing a deer and a wolf, Arnheid states that there are still lives who try to survive in this dark forest. Gardar then stops the cart and turns towards Arnheid. He tells her to say her farewell with the ones who looked after her, while he waits here with the children. Arnheid agrees that she needs to thank Einar and the rest. Arnheid opens her eyes. Seeing it, Einar tells Bug-Eyes to stop the cart.

Meanwhile, Ketil's forces are being slathered by the Jomsvikings. With the first line of 70 Jomsvikings advancing, Canute states they won't need the rearguard and tells Wulf to use the second line of thegns and capture Ketil. Ketil tries to keep his men from retreating and wonders where his sons are. Barely breathing, Olmar comes out of the water, stating he can't swim with a sword on his back. He cries and apologizes to Thorgil, stating he can't be like him. Meanwhile, Thorgil comes out of the water behind Canute.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Ketil
 * Snake
 * Thorgil
 * Fox
 * Olmar
 * Thorfinn
 * Leif Ericson
 * Pater
 * Arnheid
 * Einar
 * Spider
 * Badger
 * Floki
 * Canute
 * Wulf
 * Bug-Eyes
 * Gardar