Chapter 89

"The master's planning to fight, and the enemies will soon be here. This place will be a battlefield."

- Thorfinn

The Eve of the Battle (開戦前夜) is the 89th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Thorfinn, Einar, Leif and Mols see Arnheid's poor state. Pater tells them she's yet to regain consciousness and that he doesn't know if she'll survive. Ketil riles up his gathering of 350 men and tells them they'll be fighting against King Canute, who framed him and has come to confiscate his lands. Fox tells Snake that only about 100 of the men have proper armour and weapons. Snake tells him they don't have a choice to fight, as it's Ketil's orders. Thorfinn thanks Leif for coming all this way for him, but says he cannot leave Arnheid at the farm in her state. He asks Leif to go on without him. Leif asks Pater if they can move Arnheid; he says it's best not to while she's still unconscious. Leif says he will wait one day to see if she wakes, though he cannot say what he'll do after. The guests spot Canute's fleet in the north; they arrived sooner than expected.

Summary
Thorfinn, Einar, Leif and Mols walk in to see Arnheid bruised and heavily bandaged in a bed. At her bedside, Pater tells them that she's alive, but has not regained consciousness. He cannot say whether or not she'll survive. He warns Einar not to touch her, as it's best for her not to be moved right now. Ketil, armoured, stands on a tall rock before a group of armed men and tells them their so-called King Canute is coming to rob them of the lands they've inherited from their ancestors and protected for generations. He tells them he framed him and made up an excuse to confiscate the farm and asks them how they'll welcome those lowly thieves. They scream back that they'll welcome them with blood and kill them. Ketil riles them up and asks them what their creed is; they reply it's strength and justice. Ketil tells them to fight with him, Iron-Fist Ketil, and show the thieves their brand of justice.

Fox tells Snake that they have about 350 men, but that only about 100 of them have proper armour and weapons. Snake tells him to go count exactly how many fighters they have. Fox dubiously asks him if he's really thinking of fighting; Snake replies that he heard what Ketil said and that they don't have a choice. Fox asks him if he really thinks their crew of farmers can take on warriors hand-picked by the king. Snake tells him everyone there owes money to Ketil and has been promised their debts would be waived if they fought, though he believes most of them would've run away if they'd known the enemy they'd be up against was the king himself. However, because of their pride as Norsemen, they will not run away now. Snake adds that seeing everyone gathered together will boost morale and that Thorgil must be more knowledgeable about war than he thought, as not telling them they'd be fighting the king before the meeting was a good move. Thorfinn watches the meeting from afar; Snake meets his eye. Thorfinn returns to the house and tells everyone that the master is planning to fight and that the enemy will arrive soon, which will turn the place into a battlefield. Mols replies they'll be dragged into it if they don't leave soon. At Arnheid's bedside, Einar tells Thorfinn not to call Ketil "master" anymore, as they're no longer his slaves. Thorfinn apologizes to Leif, as he cannot leave Arnheid at the farm in her state despite Leif coming all this way for him. He thanks Leif for bothering to worry about someone like him, but asks him to go on without him. Leif smiles and tells Thorfinn that he's changed and looks much better than when he saw him in York. He tells him he's all grown up and that he can't leave her and escape alone after he finally found him. Arnheid starts to heave; Einar tells Pater she's doing it again and he tells him to turn her over on her side so that she doesn't choke when she throws up. Leif asks Pater if it's possible to move Arnehid; he replies it's probably best for her to rest undisturbed. If she wakes, he'll be able to ask her where it hurts and how she feels, but he can't accurately gauge her condition while she's unconscious. He notes they also have to think of the child she's bearing. Leif agrees to wait one day to see if she'll wake or not. Mols asks him if he's serious and what he plans to do after; Leif doesn't reply.

At the guests' lodgings, Spider calls Snake up the watchtower and tells him he's spotted the enemy in the north. Snake says they've come sooner than he thought and tells some of the other guests to report the sighting of the king's fleet to Ketil.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Leif Ericson
 * Mols
 * Einar
 * Thorfinn
 * Pater
 * Arnheid
 * Ketil
 * Snake
 * Fox
 * Thorgil
 * Spider
 * Canute
 * Wulf