Chapter 24: The Land on the Far Bank

Thorkell studies the far shore of the Severn and learns from his scouts that strange, dragonless vessels ferried Askeladd's group across the water. He concedes he underestimated his quarry, who slipped into Wales, beyond England's reach, and lost the trail. On the eastern coast of Morgannwg, Ragnar assumes they will now sail back toward Gainsborough, but Askeladd refuses to steal warships from a small principality's defenses and insists on marching inland instead. He assigns the reluctant Thorfinn to guard Canute, softening the order with a promise of their duel once they reach Gainsborough.

The Welsh captain Gratianus, who provided the ships, bluntly doubts that the listless boy is meant to rule England and asks Canute to swear a non-aggression treaty and stay out of Welsh affairs once crowned. Canute stays silent and pushes Ragnar forward to answer for him, so Gratianus sets the matter aside for later. As the band climbs into the mountains, the men daydream about King Sweyn's rewards and pester the friar Willibald about the palace's riches. Willibald tells them he craves neither gold nor women, only love, which he calls the source of all worth, a notion the raiders cannot grasp.

Privately, Gratianus admits Wales aids the Danes only to weaken Mercia's raids and questions Askeladd's judgment in backing Canute. Askeladd defends the boy's bloodline while musing that a more timid ruler might actually suit their plan. As they near the envoy from Brycheiniog, Ear passes a warning through Bjorn and Askeladd halts the column. Thorfinn senses danger moments before Welsh archers rise on the surrounding cliffs, arrows leveled at the band below.

Thorkell realizes his quarry escaped into Wales and abandons the chase. Askeladd chooses to march inland and assigns Thorfinn as Canute's bodyguard. Gratianus demands a future treaty and openly doubts the prince's worth. Willibald lectures the uncomprehending raiders about love. The Brycheiniog envoy springs an ambush, with Welsh archers surrounding the party on the cliffs.

The twenty-fourth chapter belongs to Volume 4 and was adapted in Episode 12 of the anime. It was published on August 25, 2006. The featured quote, spoken by Willibald, argues that love gives every silver coin and every worldly thing its value.