Chapter 78

"My patience runs thin, so answer quickly. If you do, I shall spare your life. Why did you let Olmar win? Who is the mastermind of all this, and what is his purpose?"

- Thorgil Treason (反逆罪, Hangyaku-zai) is the 78th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Ketil is horrified that Olmar and Thorgil killed the King's messengers despite duels being forbidden by law. Thorgil notices Brodd's eye injury. He maintains that they did nothing wrong, as the soldiers knowingly challenged the honour of someone carrying a sword. He notes that that law is normally never enforced. Soldiers arrive and wonder why Olmar is still alive; they move to arrest Ketil and his family. Thorgil quickly kills two of the soldiers and injures another, demanding to know why they let Olmar win, who masterminded the plan and what their purpose was. After Thorgil stabs him in the eye, the soldier admits Olmar was set up to kill the messenger as an excuse to have Ketil arrested for aiding in committing high treason. The soldier doesn't know why, but to Ketil's horror, Thorgil deduces the goal was to take Ketil's farm. Wulf tells Canute that they confiscated Ketil's ships, but that he and his family managed to escape. Canute sees Sweyn's head again, who notes he's grown to resemble him. Canute replies everything he does is to build a paradise on earth. On Leif's ship, now far enough at sea and with no pursuers, Leif tells Ketil and his family that it's safe to come out of the barrels they'd hidden in. Thorgil thanks Leif for hiding them and bringing them home; Leif reminds him he's done so for the promise he'll be given Thorfinn.

Summary
Ketil comes to the scene of the fight and is visibly shocked. Thorgil tells him to calm down; Ketil asks how he could possibly calm down after he killed the king's messenger and asks him what he'll do now. Thorgil is distracted by the deceased Brodd's bloody eye and comments it looks like it was crushed by a rock. He turns to Ketil and says that they are guilty of nothing, as Olmar was insulted and trying to preserve his honour. Although he himself joined the fight, there were five opponents. Ketil reminds him that duelling is forbidden by law, but Thorgil points out that that law is never enforced. He says that the men knew the ramifications of insulting the honour of one who carries a sword, but nevertheless underestimated Olmar and ultimately deserved their deaths. Ketil sees the corpses more closely and nearly throws up. Thorgil repeats that they are not in the wrong and that a duel like this is not uncommon and would normally end with no one being held accountable. Thorgil emphasizes "normally" and Ketil wonders what he means. Soldiers approach and ask who dared cause a ruckus so close to the king's residence. He sees the three and asks his colleague why Olmar is still alive, pointing out he's with Ketil and wondering who the third man is. His colleague guesses it's another family member. Thorgil introduces himself and says the scene they see is the result of a man's honour being challenged. The soldier tells him that he has committed a crime, as duelling is forbidden by law. He announces he will arrest all three of them. Ketil tells Thorgil he told him so. The soldiers tell them to put their hands behind their backs and start unravelling rope to bind them. When one of the soldiers tells Thorgil to hand over his sword and put his hands behind his back, Thorgil draws his sword and beheads him, then beheads the soldier next to Ketil. He slices off the soldier's right hand and Ketil asks him if he's gone mad.

Thorgil ignores Ketil and tells the wounded soldier he'll spare his life if he answers his questions: why they let Olmar win, who masterminded the plan, and what that person's purpose is. The soldier starts to reply that he doesn't know and Thorgil stabs him in the left eye. He tells the soldier he's getting impatient and again asks why Olmar was set up. The wounded soldier screams that Olmar was set up to kill the King's messenger so that Ketil could be arrested for his involvement in committing high treason. Ketil is shocked; Thorgil asks if the purpose was money. The soldier replies that he doesn't know any more than that, as he just did as Jarl Wulf ordered him. He begs Thorgil to spare him. Faint, Ketil wonders why King Canute would do this after saying he and his farm were Denmark's treasures. Thorgil says that it's likely Canute wanted that treasure for himself by taking Ketil's farm. Ketil despairs that everything is over now that he's been marked for death by the king himself. Thogril tells him he's wrong — he grins that it is only the beginning, and that this time around his opponent is strong. Wulf announces to Canute that Ketil and his family managed to escape and apologizes for it. He notes that they've managed to confiscate their ship and have searched their lodgings, but that they are nowhere to be seen. Wulf apologizes for failing to restrain Thorgil before the plan was underway; Canute notes that he's quite the warrior, and Wulf agrees that he was an excellent subordinate. Canute says that his plan is not affected and that they'll head to Ketil's Farm as planned. It will be good if Ketil is not there, but he will subjugate him if he is. Wulf agrees and tells Canute he'll have a force of 102 elite soldiers: 32 royal guards and 72 of Floki's Jomsvikings. Canute agrees it should be enough and asks when Floki is set to arrive; Wulf tells him he'll be there in three days, and Canute says they'll depart then. He dismisses Wulf and turns to see King Sweyn's chuckling decapitated head. He asks him what he's laughing about. Sweyn asks what's wrong about a father rejoicing about how much his son grew to resemble him. Canute tells him to mock or curse him if he wishes, as he's doing this to build a paradise on earth for the sake of the love that was lost. On Leif's knarr, at sea, Leif announces they have no pursuers and that it should be fine for everyone to come out. Thorgil and Olmar emerge from two barrels. Thorgil thanks Leif for his help and goodwill, but Leif reminds him that he saved them not out of the goodness of his heart, but because they made a deal. He tells him not to forget his promise, as it was very hard to convince his crewmates to harbour criminals and safely see them home. Thorgil tells him they'll buy all his shipments at three times to usual price. Leif tells him he wants Thorfinn, and Thorgill confirms they'll gladly hand him over. He asks Ketil to confirm and reminds him he can come out. Still in his barrel, Ketil yells at him to shut up and leave him alone.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Canute
 * Ketil
 * Thorgil
 * Brodd (corpse)
 * Olmar
 * Wulf
 * Sweyn (vision)
 * Leif Ericson