Episode 11

"A Gamble" (賭け) is the eleventh episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
Thorkell and his men are ambushed by Ragnar’s men in a naked forest. Taking advantage of their surroundings, Askeladd creates an inferno smokescreen and has Thorfinn is ordered to retrieve Prince Canute. Reunited with Thorfinn, Thorkell informs him a bit of his relation to his father Thors.

Summary
Thorkell's army is marching. Seeing the falling leaves, Thorkell notes that its Autumn already and states how everything tastes better in Autumn. His men also start sharing what they like during Autumn. One of them also states he liked the Christian women here. Another states he may even convert to Christianity, but Asgeir states he wouldn't as he saw a status of Jesus in London and he looked quite weak, so their gods like Thor or Odin, won't have any trouble beating him. A man states he heard that Jesus is like a magician as he could walk on water, but that makes the men laugh. Thorkell then decides to ask a Christian himself, and asks Canute if Jesus is better than their gods. Canute doesn't answer and Ragnar is angry that he speaks with Canute with such impudence. Thorkell explains that taking hostages isn't his thing, however King Sweyn is ignoring him and he thought that if he takes Canute as a hostage, King Sweyn will fight him. His men states that Thorkell sounds like a girl in love with Sweyn and Thorkell joins on the joke and acts girly.

Ragnar states that they are crazy and know only war, however they will all die as they are just 500 men against 16,000 Denmark soldiers. Thorkell doesn't believe they will die and reminds him that as he is Christian for some time now, he may have forgotten the honor of a Norman warrior, and how they will go in Valhalla. Ragnar tells him that he is old-fashioned and a child as he only went from a battlefield to a battlefield and doesn't know anything, about the royal court, King Sweyn or Canute. Thorkell wonders what he means, but in that moment Willibald, the priest hostage with Ragnar and Canute, wakes up and starts yelling that he can see the lord. Ragnar realizes that he is out of booze and asks them to give him some, so that he calms down. After Willibard gets drunk again, he calms down. Thorkell laughs and decides to ask him who is better his or their gods. Willibard then states its the one who made alcohol, which causes all the men to start laughing and agree with him.

A moment later, Thorkell and all of his men become quiet and stop moving. Thorkell then takes a spear and throws it, killing a man on the hill and revealing that they are being ambushed. A man then states they are from Ragnar's unit, 2000 men and Thorkell is surrounded. Thorkell states that if they reveal their numbers its means its a bluff. The man demand that they return Canute and Ragnar, but while still speaking, he sees that Canute, Ragnar and Willibard are already coming. Thorkell states that he is returning Canute to them and they no longer need to hesitate and can attack him. The men are prepared to fight him, but Ragnar stops them, wanting them to retreat. The men explain that if they retreat they will be considered cowards, however Ragnar still insists that Canute safety is their priority. Thorkell continues to provoke them that they are scared and wanted to use the excuse that he had Canute so they don't attack. As he guesses that's the truth, Ragnar's unit loses their cool and rush attacking Thorkell's army. Nearby, Askeladd hears that they have started fighting and continues with preparations for his plan.

Thorkell goes wild and starts killing with ease. After killing dozens, he stops and guesses that they are no more than 400 men and the battle will be over in less than a half hour. He then smells something and Asgeir states he smells charcoal too. Thorkell and Asgeir then see smoke from over the hill. As the fire comes at them and smoke fills the area, Asgeir suggest they back off as at this point they can't see who is who. Thorkell states that someone started that fire and seeing Ragnar's men also dying from it, he guesses its not them as they won't risk hurting Canute. Thorkell and Asgeir then realize that a third party has joined the fight.

Askeladd and Bjorn observe the fire, but Askeladd states Thorkell won't die from it and he just wanted to confuse them for a while. Askeladd then calls Thorfinn. He gives him a horse and splash water on him and then sends him to get Canute. Bjorn guesses they should have joined Ragnar's unit, but Askeladd doesn't believe they would have won. And if they did somehow win, Ragnar's men would take the prize. Even if they end up killing Canute right now, no one would know it was them.

One of Ragnar's men almost kills Ragnar and he scolds him for attacking from the smoke without seeing his opponent as he could have killed Canute. Another man then yells asking where is Ragnar and Ragnar tells the first man that's how smart men do it. The first man then yells back stating that Ragnar is here, but a moment later, he gets killed from the smoke by Thorkell's men, who were pretending to be from Ragnar's unit to find Canute. Moments later, Thorfinn jumps between the two groups and faces Thorkell's men. Figuring he isn't important, they decide to kill him. A man then attacks Thorfinn, but he easily kills him. Thorfinn then tells Canute that he came to save him, so he just needs to stay there. In that moment, Thorkell shows up and recognizes Thorfinn. He guesses his men had a hard time against him as Thorfinn is a great warrior as he even managed to cut Thorkell's fingers.

Thorfinn prepares to fight Thorkell, however Thorkell stops him, stating he wants to ask him two things. Thorkell then asks if they were the ones who started this fire, but as Thorfinn doesn't answer he gets his answer. Second, he called himself Son of Thors. Thorkell then asks if his father is Thors and his mother Helga. Thorfinn then wonders how he knows it. Thorkell laughs and confirms that he is the son of the Troll of the Jomvikings. Thorfinn wonders if he knows his father and Thorkell confirms, stating that he is the only man in the world who is stronger than Thorkell. A burning tree then falls between them. Thorkell states they don't have time to talk and will leave Canute to him. Thorkell then leaves, stating they will meet again as they are headed for the same place, to King Sweyn's main forces.

Askeladd is waiting for Thorfinn's return, killing any soldier from Ragnar's unit or Thorkell's men that comes towards them. Thorfinn then comes with Canute. As they get together, Ragnar states that thanks to Askeladd's reckless plan, his men are scattered, however due to the situation he has no choice but to entrust Canute's safety to him. Askeladd agrees to take him to the main army, but requests that he sees Canute's face. Canute then takes off his helmet, surprising the men as he is quite feminine.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Thorkell
 * Asgeir
 * Ragnar
 * Canute
 * Willibald
 * Ear
 * Askeladd
 * Bjorn
 * Thorfinn
 * Torgrim
 * Atli

Trivia
Odcinek 11