Chapter 35: Contact

Confronted by Thorkell's arriving warriors, Askeladd's mutinous band throws down its weapons. Torgrim introduces himself, promises no resistance, and begs a hearing, though Thorkell only narrows his eyes at the discarded axe in the snow. When Asgeir points out that the prince is missing, Torgrim insists they meant to deliver Canute but that Askeladd let him slip away, adding that a dozen of their best already give chase. Thorkell stops listening and crouches beside Askeladd instead, noting how clever he looks, then asks about the absent Thorfinn. Askeladd says the boy is unharmed and was placed on the prince's guard, with no part in the mutiny. Relieved, Thorkell announces the wait is over and orders his men to kill everyone except Askeladd.

The traitors panic, protesting that this was not the deal, but Thorkell's men tell them to take up their weapons and die as warriors, since no one enters Valhalla unarmed. As they pick up their blades and charge, Torgrim argues that killing them forfeits any chance at the prince. Unbothered, Thorkell says his men can catch the prince themselves, hands Torgrim back his fallen axe, and invites a swing, promising to help him die like a man. Askeladd offers Torgrim mock sympathy, earning a snarl that all of this is his fault. Thorkell keeps goading, but the pressure snaps something in Torgrim, who drops the axe and stares vacantly, drooling, unresponsive even when Thorkell taps his head. The giant judges that he has gone hollow inside.

Askeladd spots a horse tearing through the melee. Thorfinn bursts from the crowd, screaming and making straight for Thorkell, who grins at the sight of him. Thorkell punches the charging horse in the chest, sending mount and rider flying, but Thorfinn twists in midair and lands cleanly. He warns Thorkell not to lay a finger on Askeladd, who belongs to him to kill, and vows to end the giant if he does. Askeladd, already stunned by the entrance, privately marvels at the depth of Thorfinn's foolishness, likening him to a mouse squaring off against a bear. Confused, Thorkell had assumed Askeladd was the boy's master, but Thorfinn angrily denies it.

Thorfinn demands Askeladd be handed over or Thorkell will die. Delighted, Thorkell refuses and instead declares that he and Thorfinn will duel for possession of Askeladd, calling his whole force to witness. Askeladd grumbles that no one consulted him. Thorkell offers Thorfinn a horse and a clean escape if he wins, and Thorfinn casts off his cloak, readies his shortsword, and warns him not to expect a repeat of London. Thorkell answers that this is exactly what he hoped to hear from the son of Thors, the last of that warrior's blood.

Askeladd's band surrenders, and Thorkell orders his warriors to slay everyone but Askeladd. Torgrim collapses into catatonic shock under Thorkell's goading. Thorfinn charges in, survives Thorkell's blow to his horse, and lays claim to Askeladd as his own kill. Thorkell proposes a duel with Thorfinn over who gets to keep Askeladd. Thorfinn accepts, invoking their prior clash at London as the two prepare to fight.

This Volume 5 chapter is adapted within Episode 17 and carries the Japanese title Ryogun Sesshoku. Its ending pages include a Map of Thorfinn's Travels, charting Gainsborough, the village in Mercia, and Gloucester with images of key figures. An accompanying afterword muses on the thousand years dividing the Vikings from the author's own era and how they might have imagined life in the distant future.