Chapter 26

"For that, I can only appeal to your trust. But apart from my own background... I despise the Danes."

- Askeladd

Artorius (アルトリウス, Arutoriusu) is the 26th chapter in the series.

Overview
Bjorn, who did not know Askeladd could speak Welsh, sulks about knowing next to nothing about the standoffish leader after being in his band for over a decade, longer than anyone else. Askeladd tells Asser that he is Lydia's son and a direct descendant of the hero Artorius, which Gratianus attests to, as he first met Askeladd as a boy of fourteen on his first visit to Wales, carrying his dying mother Lydia. Askeladd explains that his mixed blood allowed him to assimilate into Nordic society and that he is well placed to become an important figure in Prince Canute's retinue, act in the cause against the first prince in the matter of succession, and exert a direct influence on Danish politics if they can put Canute on the throne. Asser likes his bold plan, but asks Askeladd how he can be sure the blood of Artorius will always triumph over his Danish half, to which Askeladd simply replies that he hates the Danes. Asser agrees to help Askeladd. Askeladd's men willingly relinquish their weapons on Askeladd's order (save Ragnar and Thorfinn) and pretend to be prisoners escorted across Brycheiniog by Asser and his men, a compromise which preserves the Welsh's honour while preventing a pointless battle. Ragnar thinks it odd that Askeladd would use his own forces as a strategic tool while at the same time seeming weirdly concerned with the honour of the Welsh. On the march, Canute furtively looks at Thorfinn, who rudely asks what he's looking at and tells him to spit it out if he has something to say. Canute stutters a reply and Thorfinn keeps antagonizing him, leading Canute to shout at Thorfinn for his insolence, to Ragnar and the nearby men's surprise. The march continues and Canute eventually signs a document. Askeladd's men, presumably over the border, get their weapons back and keep marching as the snow starts to fall.

Summary
Askeladd and Gratianus reach Asser, who sends his men out of earshot, saying it would be unbecoming of the Brycheiniog royal family if the Danes believed they couldn't negotiate without an armed guard. Asser tells Askeladd that he sympathises, but that their kingdom has to save face and that their king can't look like he's afraid of a mere hundred Danes by leaping to their aid after receiving a message out of the blue demanding passage and provisions. He says the exchange needs to happen on equal footing and asks what Brycheiniog can expect to get in return for their assistance. Askeladd, who realizes Asser is smarter than he thought, apologizes for his lack of forethought, but Gratianus specifies he was the one to write the message and that he did not elaborate on the terms of the deal for the purpose of discretion. Askeladd asks if it's possible that the contents of his offer will lead to battle, but Asser laughs it off and says he's not foolish enough to think their humble country could anger King Sweyn and survive it. Askeladd smiles and says he was just making sure. Askeladd's men wait on the road below, observing the negotiations from afar. Bjorn comments that Askeladd is strange and that he had no idea he spoke the language of Wales. Torgrim notes that Bjorn has been in the band longer than anyone else and is surprised that he doesn't know everything about him. Bjorn replies that what he doesn't know outweighs what he does, and that the only thing he is sure of is that Askeladd is from Denmark. He sulkily says Askeladd is a standoffish prick, who won't tell him a thing even after over a decade together. Torgrim pokes fun at him for sulking and Bjorn asks if he wants a fight. Torgrim tells him to settle down and asks him why it matters who Askeladd is. He says all that matters to him is that Askeladd is a lucky, smart leader who gets his men paid, and that he'll leave his service richer for it. Asser is shocked, saying Askeladd's story is difficult to accept, but too far-fetched for a lie. Gratianus reiterates he has his word that Askeladd is Lydia's son and of the direct line of the greatest of the Roman Celtic leaders. Asser asks Askeladd if that means he is not a Dane. Askeladd specifies that he is half-Welsh, half-Nordic, as his father Olaf raided the coast of Wales and took his mother Lydia as his concubine, resulting in his birth. Asser says he had heard the bloodline of the hero of Old Britannia had died out, and asks if Askeladd claims he is truly the descendent of the great Artorius. A military leader of Britannia in the fifth and sixth centuries A.D., Artorius had soundly crushed the invading Saxons at the Battle of Baden Hill in 516, bringing peace to Britannia. Asser asks if Askeladd as any evidence. Gratianus says he does, as he himself met Askeladd when the latter was fourteen, on his first visit to Wales with his mother Lydia. A flashback shows a younger Gratianus watching fourteen year old Askeladd walking to shore after disembarking, carrying his mother on his back and stating, in broken Welsh, that his sick mother will die soon and that he is bringing her home at her request. Askeladd tells Asser that his mother was unlucky, as his father kept her trapped in his bedroom for most of her life and sent her to the stables when she fell sick. Asser says he had heard she was beautiful and said to ressemble Gwenhwyfar. He add that it is a tragic tale, and a shame that the last man in such a great line is soiled with the blood of a Dane. Askeladd does not take offense and tells Asser that his mixed blood is the key. He says that he assimilated into Nordic society, secured status, and that it will result in the lords of Wales having a powerful agent in the ranks of the Danish army. He says that at that rate, he will become a principal figure in Prince Canute's faction and can be a flagbearer in the cause against the first prince when the matter of succession comes to a head. Askeladd adds that if they can put Canute on the throne, he will be in a position important enough to influence the direction of Danish politics. Asser bursts out laughing and says he likes Askeladd and his audacity, as few men would undertake such a daring and ambitious career course. More seriously, Asser says he has one concern and asks how Askeladd, a born and raised Dane, can be certain that the blood of Artorius will hold sway over his Danish half. Askeladd says he can only appeal to his trust, but specifies that he despises the Danes.

Askeladd's men pile their weapons, separating them by type. Ragnar refuses to be parted from his sword. Askeladd, unsurprised by Ragnar's reaction, tells him it's only for show, as they'll pretend to be prisoners while crossing Brycheiniog and will have their weapons returned to them once they are "exiled" over the far border, a compromise in which the Welsh retain their honour while Askeladd and his men avoid a pointless battle. Ragnar says he cannot wrap his mind around the men willingly surrendering their weapons at Askeladd's order, since they could be massacred as soon as they're unarmed. Askeladd chuckles and says that even now, his men really trust him. He tells Thorfinn to surrender his shortswords, but Thorfinn refuses. Ragnar comments on the aforementioned "trust", but Askeladd simply says Thorfinn is different. Thorfinn tells Ragnar not to get the wrong idea, as Askeladd is not his leader, but his enemy. Ragnar is confused by the statement. Askeladd says Thorfinn and Ragnar can keep their weapons, as he's sure the Welsh will be benevolent enough to overlook two men. The men resume their march, unarmed and escorted by Asser and his men. Nearby Welsh people rush to the road after hearing Asser rounded up a bunch of Danes. They comment they look like savage monsters; one is held back from throwing them a stone. They run away once two of Askeladd's men yell at them. Askeladd tells them to settle down and save their energy for the long march ahead. In the cart, Ragnar wonders about Askeladd, who uses his own forces as a strategic tool while seeming weirdly concerned with the honour of the Welsh. Canute furtively looks at Thorfinn, who brusquely asks the "princess" what he's looking at and tells him to spit it out if he has something to say. Canute stutters that he is not too cowardly to speak, but that unlike him, he is a prince with a position who has to choose his words very carefully, as they have a political weight, especially in a foreign land. He says he is simply being careful and that he cannot simply sign non-aggression treaties without the King's permission, or express his anger. Ragnar is shocked to hear Canute speak to someone other than him and the nearby men are startled, having never heard his voice before. Thorfinn laughs at him and says maybe he's not so dumb after all, since he at least knows how to make excuses. Canute angrily shouts that Thorfinn is an insolent rogue and that he's never been spoken to that way before. Thorfinn tells him it'll build character. Canute demands that he take back the slander and tells him he isn't making excuses and that Thorfinn knows nothing of the troubles of royalty; Thorfinn tells him to sit down and stop whining. Ragnar does not interfere and supposes he should be glad Canute is speaking to someone other than him.

The march continues and Canute eventually signs a document. Askeladd's men, presumably over the border, have their weapons back and keep marching. The wind picks up and Askeladd makes note of the snow starting to fall.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Askeladd
 * Gratianus
 * Asser
 * Torgrim
 * Bjorn
 * Lydia (flashback)
 * Thorfinn
 * Canute
 * Ragnar