Episode 26

"Ketil's Farm" (ケティルの農場) is the twenty-sixth overall episode of the Vinland Saga anime and the second episode of Season 2, produced by MAPPA.

Synopsis
Danish landowner Ketil orders his slave Einar to work with Thorfinn to exploit a vast forest. Einar is excited by the condition that he will be given "freedom" if the value of the harvest from the cultivated fields exceeds his own price. Even so, Thorfinn's expression remains as dark as ever.

Summary
Ketil introduces Einar to Thorfinn and explains that starting today they will be friends and will be doing the same job. Ketil proceeds explaining what they will be doing and points to the forest and asks Einar what it looks like to him. Einar guesses its a forest, but Ketil corrects him, saying it will be a future wheat farm. Ketil owns the forest and will let the two borrow it. Einar and Thorfinn will clear the land, work it, and reap the harvest, and then Ketil will buy it from them for a fair price. Once that price exceeds their own price as slaves, they can buy their own freedom. Einar realises that means they can buy their freedom and Ketil confirms it, stating that if they work hard, they may be free in three years. Einar is shocked, but gladly accepts. Ketil tells them to turn to Pater if they have any problems or questions. Pater explains he became a free man by the same means, and wish them all the best of luck. Before leaving, Ketil tells Einar he can rest today and observe how Thorfinn works.

Thorfinn returns into the forest. Einar follows him and wonders what kind of man is Ketil and if what he said is normal for Denmark, because in his homeland, a slave is a slave for life. Einar reveals he is from Northern England and wonders about Thorfinn. Thorfinn stays quiet for a moment but reveals he is from Iceland, but Einar doesn't know where that is. Seeing the cut trees, Einar is impressed how many Thorfinn had cut already and wonders how much are left. Thorfinn points at river and explains that all from that side of the river must be cleared. Einar then realizes that there are quite a lot of trees left.

Thorfinn returns to cutting trees. Einar decides to do it too, but his axe is stuck on the tree on his first strike. Thorfinn reminds him he was told to rest, but Einar states he wants to earn his freedom faster. Thorfinn asks him to them start a bit further away from him and cut the trees so they fall perpendicular to the river. Einar then realizes that way, they can float them down the river. As they work, Einar gets a bit hungry and wonders about lunch. Thorfinn explains that when the time comes, farmhands will bring them lunch. Einar hears some voices and guesses the food is coming.

Einar meets the men, who give him a bag with the food, but Einar is surprised how little it is. The men guess that its his first time being a slave and state he is lucky to be fed at all. They are free men who bring him lunch, so he needs to thank them. Einar gets angry, but Thorfinn comes, takes the food and thanks them. The man tells Thorfinn to teach Einar some manners, and to not injure the horse. The four men then go to sleep under a tree. Thorfinn ties the horse to a tree and tells Einar that he and the horse will be pulling, while Einar pushes from behind. Einar asks if they could cut the tree more, but Thorfinn explains its owned by their master and they can't cut it more without his permission. Einar guesses this is those four men's job, but Thorfinn tells him to forget it. The two along with the horse, then start pulling the trees toward the river.

In the evening, Einar is hungry and tired, and angry at the farmhands. He guesses that farmhands don't have their own land and need to serve the master and Thorfinn confirms it. Einar then states they are halfslaves and are just bullying those that are under them to feel superior. Einar wonders if Thorfinn agrees, but Thorfinn doesn't care. Einar states that they are owned by the master and his farmhands shouldn't order them around. He wants to report them to Ketil, but Thorfinn tells him to not do it otherwise they will harass them even more. Einar is furious that Thorfinn is fine with that. Ketil shows up and wonders how their first day was. Einar states he has a report, but then sees a woman and gets distracted by her beauty and stops talking. As Einar isn't responding, Ketil guesses there is nothing to report and continues on his way.

Next day, Ketil and his farmhands are harvesting wheat. The kids bring some fresh water and after drinking, Ketil tells them they finish this batch by noon. Einar is surprised to see Ketil working as he thought rich people never worked. Einar then sees a young man struggling to harvest wheat properly, and is evidently annoyed at having to be on the field in the first place. The young man is Olmar. Ketil attempts to help Olmar, however Olmar states that he is already doing what he told him to do. Ketil tells him to use hand sickle and cut below the knee. Olmar states it doesn't matter since its still getting cut, but Ketil states that after the harvesting comes the grazing, and they leave long stumps so the livestock can eat them. Olmar gets more annoyed as Ketil keeps explaining on how to harvest. Einar wonders who is that and Thorfinn tells him its Ketil's son. Olmar gets angry and states he had enough. He decided to help once, but Ketil won't stop complaining. Ketil tells him that he needs to listen and he will inherit the farm, but Olmar isn't interested in doing boring farm work. Olmar attempts to pull out his sword from behind his back, but as the blade is too long he can't take it out of the sheath. He then takes it back and runs off on his horse, stating he wants to make a name for himself with his sword one day.

Later that night, Olmar practices his sword play and states he will be going to England soon and joining Prince Canute's army. He sees a moth and attempts to cut it, but misses. Olmar is with a woman in his bed who wonders when he’ll be leaving, but Olmar doesn't know and states that King Harald should be calling for reinforcements soon. The woman thinks its better if he takes over the farm, explaining she is worried about him and invites him back in bed. Outside, the woman’s father and mother are listening and hope that Olmar keeps sleeping with their daughter so that their future will be secured. Moments later, Olmar comes out angry and the two wonder if their daughter done something. Olmar yells at them, stating he knows they just want to become part of Ketil's family and live in luxury. Angry, Olmar leaves stating all women are rotten.

Olmar rides frustrated. He sees two drunk farmhands, who tell him its dangerous to ride at night. Olmar wonders what are they doing there and the two explain they went to see a woman, but other retainers got there first. They couldn't start a fight as they will get in trouble and find Olmar lucky as he can do what he wants. The two realize that Olmar is angry and decide to take him with them to continue drinking and chat.

In bed, Einar mumbles that Olmar should take the farm. He doesn't know war and probably thinks warriors are cool but anyone who goes to war is a beast. Thorfinn tells him to go to sleep as they will be waking up early. Einar explains that soldiers came to his village twice. First came the King of England's soldiers, who burned every house. His father fought them, but died. After that came the Danes, claiming they were saving them from the tyranny of the King of England, but they pillaged everything they could. Einar thinks they are beasts in human skin. Einar asks Thorfinn if he is asleep, but Thorfinn doesn't respond as he recalls similar scenes from his own past.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Einar
 * Thorfinn
 * Ketil
 * Pater
 * Arnheid
 * Olmar
 * Fox
 * Badger