Episode 15

"After Yule" (のあと) is the fifteenth episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
Learning that Askeladd and his men are snowed in by a local village, Thorkell and his crew make their move. To allow Prince Canute to mature faster, Askeladd has Ragnar murdered. Before he dies, Ragnar warns Askeladd of King Sweyn’s plan to kill Prince Canute.

Summary
Floki explains that Ragnar's unit engaged Thorkell's army, trying to save Canute, however Canute went missing during the battle. Sweyn guesses that Canute may still be alive, but states they can't send help until spring. Sweyn states that if Canute was talented as his brother, he might not have ended up missing.

Thorkell is disappointed its winter already as that means the war is temporary over. He also regrets losing Canute as he could have used him to start a new dynasty and gather an army, and would have preferred to lose Canute to the English as it may cause another war. Asgeir tells him more bad news, as he heard that the English will be recognizing King Sweyn as the Bretwalda at the next Witenagemot in Wessex. Thorkell is surprised to hear that, as its a total surrender, but Asgeir explains that the English nobility wants to end the war, even if it means surrendering the throne. Asgeir wonders if Thorkell will attack Sweyn, even if it means certain death. Thorkell calls him an idiot and explains that he loves to fight, but not to lose. Thorkell feels that things are becoming boring. A moment later, a messenger appears.

At the village that Askeladd took over, Ear complains that he can't hear well as the snow silences the sound. However, Askeladd explains its better than putting up guards as someone may see them. Ear then asks him to do something about Willibald, Ragnar and Canute as they keep praying for the dead and obstruct his hearing. While they pray, Willibald starts questioning God, wondering why he tests them as they are powerless and that he started to doubt his love. Canute stops him immediately, telling him to not doubt God as every Father loves his children.

Thorkell hears about an army of Danes that occupied a village at the head of Severn River, and that soldiers from around the area are already gathering to fight the Danes. They are also inviting Thorkell to join them as he has military fame. Thorkell asks Asgeir what he thinks and Asgeir states that there aren't that many Danish units who would act alone at such time of the year. Thorkell states that they must have feigned that they are going by sea, but continued by land and snowed in and stuck. Thorkell gets excited and tells Asgeir to wake up the man and prepare them for march. The inn's owner gets happy that they are leaving as Thorkell and his men were eating all of his food, but as Thorkell tells him to prepare food for 500 men for five days, he starts crying.

Ear hears soldiers gathering and informs Askeladd. Realizing they have been found out, Askeladd wants them to leave. He asks one of his men if he is done making sleds, but the man explains he only finished two of them. He tells the man to finish as many as he can by tonight as the English had found them and they need to leave. Askeladd tells Bjorn to prepare the men for battle and to capture the enemy commander as he wants to know how they found them. Askeladd tells Bjorn that this is also a good opportunity and they should do what they discussed. While Askeladd's men prepare for battle, Torgrim feels that things are bad as Askeladd's luck has never been that bad: they have been stuck in the snow and they have been found that fast.

Ragnar sees that Thorfinn had caught a rabbit and invites him to his place, so that he makes a soup with the rabbit. Canute and Ragnar then cook the rabbit, making a dish that surprises Thorfinn as he ends up enjoying it. He guessed that royalty didn't cook, but Canute explains its his hobby, but only Ragnar knows about it. Canute recalls that when he was young, he prepared food for his father, but Sweyn got angry and flipped the table, telling him to not act like a slave. Ragnar suggest that after the war Canute can cook some poultry for Sweyn. While the two discuss on what poultry can Canute make, Thorfinn hears someone and as the man enters, he puts his knife on his throat. The man explains that he brings a message that they have been found and a battle had already begun. Ragnar is surprised as its been only ten days since they came to the village. The man tells Ragnar that once they defeat the English, Askeladd ordered them that they will be heading for Derby. Ragnar is angry as that is another enemy territory and wants to talk to Askeladd, but the man tells him that he is on the frontline and he if wants to talk with him, he needs to go there. Ragnar is angry, but agrees and follows the two men to the battle.

While heading through the woods, Ragnar hears that the battle is coming from the other way. The two men then note that he finally noticed. Ragnar takes a few moments, but realizes what is going on. He draws his sword, but a man hiding in the snow, pierces him from behind with a spear. As more men appear, the man apologizes, but states its Askeladd's orders. Ragnar realizes the wound is fatal, and tells them to bring Askeladd as he needs to tell him something important about Canute. The man tells him to say it and he will relay it, but Ragnar insists on telling it directly. Askeladd then shows up, wondering if they should talk in private.

Askeladd is left alone with Ragnar and thanks him for keeping Canute alive and states that with his death, Canute will grow stronger. And from today, Askeladd will be taking care of Canute, since Ragnar died "fighting the English". Ragnar tells Askeladd to swear that he will take care of Canute and protect him. After Askeladd swears, Ragnar tells him that the court in Jelling, have split in two, fighting on who would be the next king of Denmark. One supports Canute, but the other Harald, although neither side cares what Canute and Harald want. Sweyn also feared that Denmark will be split, and probably already decided to kill one of the princes. Ragnar guesses that Sweyn took Canute to battle so that Canute can die. Ragnar warns Askeladd that Canute's true enemy right now is his father. He tells Askeladd to go into exile and that his brother will help at Gainsborough. Ragnar then falls on the ground. He asks Askeladd to let him see Canute one last time, but Askeladd denies it. In his dying moments, Ragnar states he wants to cook poultry with Canute, saying it will make the king happy.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Sweyn
 * Floki
 * Thorkell
 * Asgeir
 * Ear
 * Askeladd
 * Bjorn
 * Willibald
 * Ragnar
 * Canute
 * Thorfinn
 * Anne
 * Torgrim
 * Atli
 * Harald

Trivia
Odcinek 15