In the 11th century, the invasion of the Danish army and the Vikings
only continued to intensify.
1012 A.D. ENGLAND
Then in October,
after years of continuous assaults,
a turning point was reached.
ESTATE OF KING SWEYN NEAR JELLING, DENMARK
Then you wish to withdraw our soldiers from England?
Not withdraw. Let them rest.
Marching in winter will deplete our military strength.
And our soldiers abroad need to recuperate.
Yes, as you wish.
The summer.
We will launch a major attack next summer.
I, too, shall lead an army into battle.
So we have a break all of a sudden?
I want to go home.
There's no need for the pirates either.
I thought we could earn a lot this year.
The regimented soldiers aren't moving either.
This is what it means to work for hire.
What will Askeladd do?
Askeladd.
If this keeps up, winter's gonna be awfully hard.
And we've ransacked all the good villages.
That's true.
What do you plan to do?
We'll do as we must.
We'll migrate like the birds.
We'll go where the food is.
NEAR THE LOIRE RIVER, KINGDOM OF FRANCE
Move it!
They've got a ram!
Gather the crossbows!
One, two…
Shoot in two groups!
Ready!
Shoot!
It's no use! Retreat!
Looks like the Franks are having a skirmish?
There are few men in the fortress, while the offense has 800.
I can't believe they're sieging through the front.
So this is a clan base?
What do you think?
Doesn't it smell of treasure?
So that's your aim?
Shall we do it, Askeladd?
We'll side with the attackers.
We'll break open their treasury and take what's inside.
All right!
I was wondering what we were doing in the middle of nowhere.
Askeladd comes through!
Our leader's judgment is never wrong!
We'll regain what we lost in England!
Thorfinn.
You're up.
Time to fight.
EPISODE 7: PARTNER IN WAR
Time to fight.
Contact the attacking side's leader.
Tell him this:
"You're terrible in battle. Watching you is unbearable.
Thus, our contingent is here to help.
We're a once-in-a-lifetime godsend.
We will surely guide you to victory.
If the fortress falls, we will take half the spoils.
We can join the attack tomorrow morning."
After delivering the message, stick around to see the reaction.
Then leave.
What's wrong?
Go, Thorfinn.
How many do you think I've killed so far?
I've been your scout and support from the rear.
I've accomplished enough.
Yet…
you…
What?
You want a reward?
Once you've reached an agreement, I'll give you three gold coins.
I swear to the God Tyr.
Don't mess with me.
How long will you evade me?
You're scary!
I was only teasing.
However…
in that case, you'll have to bring me at least one helmeted head.
He never changes.
Is it wise to task him with important negotiations?
Inferior soldiers can get nervous.
They're often killed before negotiations even begin.
Who'd bother with a stray like him?
What do you want, kid?
This is no place for a child!
I'm an envoy.
Does anyone here speak Norse?
What's with this kid?
What language is that?
He's not a Frank.
A spy from the fortress?
We'll just take him.
I am an envoy.
Is there anyone who speaks Norse?
Give you half the spoils?
These mercenaries are pushing their luck!
"Give you half the spoils…"
You're very confident, aren't you?
You Norman brat.
Norman?
The northerners who attacked England?
"The northerners who attacked…"
You're strategy is obvious.
If you just attack the front gate, your men will only die.
Defense around the lake is light.
That's where we would target.
That's ill-advised.
The rivers flowing into the lake are treacherous
not to mention the waterfalls.
Our ships were wiped out going downstream.
That's what it means to attack from the lake.
"That's what it means to attack…"
Do you
refuse our offer?
In that case, Askeladd's 100 men will side with the fortress.
"…side with the fortress."
My death won't change that.
If I don't signal the end of our negotiations,
you will make an enemy of 100 of the north's fiercest fighters.
Fine.
Your Excellency!
However,
if we learn your words are false, we will chop your head!
If you are sincere,
in the name of Jesus Christ, we will equally share our bread.
"…we will equally share our bread."
Return my dagger to me.
It is a memento of my father.
That's Thorfinn's signal.
One high arrow, two low.
Let's hurry.
We'll pass over the ridge before the moon rises.
We've been guarding the ship this whole time.
I want to fight too.
Damn that fat.
Over there.
Dragon!
On the mountain!
A dragon…
A dragon climbed the mountain?
Yes.
A report said all the ship's guards saw it last night.
It's an omen, Your Excellency.
I'd like to see one someday.
Brat.
Are your comrades coming?
"I'd like to see…"
The sun is already high.
"The sun is already high."
Just start the assault, fatty.
You'll soon see.
You just insulted me now, didn't you?
It seems tonight's entertainment will be your beheading.
Advance!
Charge!
Oh, no. It's already started.
We're late, you bastards!
Give it all you've got!
The battlefield is waiting!
It's the same as last time!
Damn it.
Put a ladder up on the west side!
Sacrifice as many as needed!
Hey. Which one is the opposition leader?
You see the one with feathers in his helmet?
That's him.
"A helmeted head."
Hey, you!
You lied to me, didn't you?
Kill him!
Kill the brat!
You bastard!
He escaped and the fortress won't fall!
What's wrong with this army?
You think I'll let you go home if it snows?
But I won't!
Not until you take that fortress!
Huh?
Heave-ho!
Row!
Full speed ahead!
-Aye! -Aye!
First to arrive gets twice the payment!
Put everything into it!
I see!
They're on our side!
Everyone advance! Take the fortress!
They carried their ship over the ridge.
Don't waver!
The 80 men on the right, go to the harbor!
Crossbows, come with me!
You're ill-prepared!
The lake is not only a poor bulwark, but it's also a perfect entry point.
All right! Head straight in!
What? They're piercing through our shields at this range?
-They got Olov! -We're in trouble!
Askeladd!
Crossbows, huh?
Those will cause some fair damage.
Now's our chance.
Maximum hits before they land!
A child?
What?
The assault stopped?
Maybe they ran out of arrows.
Prepare to land, you bastards!
This is our chance!
Oh, no!
-Kill the bastard! -Damn kid!
Don't let him get away!
Go!
Storm the fortress!
All right, tear this place apart!
Are they sure they can hold the front gate?
Men, take care of these guys quickly.
Heave-ho!
These Normans are incredible.
My strategy easily wore this fortress down.
The fortress captain was killed in battle.
According to the enemy soldiers, it was the work of a child.
That brat?
These Normans are serious.
If we let them go now, they'll become our enemy.
What shall we do?
They came over the ridge, so they'll carry their ships back again.
That's when we'll strike.
They're like sitting ducks with their ships on land.
Your Excellency!
Report for Jabbathe!
What is it? Speak.
The treasury…
Huh?
Where is my treasure?
The houses and church have been raided too.
They took everything of value.
I see…
I wish to congratulate the leader of the Franks!
We've divided the spoils in two.
Your half is the victory.
Our half is the treasure.
No complaints, right?
I think this is fairly modest
since we're letting you keep the fortress!
You bastard!
-They're going down the waterfall. -Barbarians!
Ready the ships!
But all the ships in the fortress have been destroyed.
Crooks!
Sorry, but I don't understand Frankish.
Now then, shall we set sail?
Thorfinn isn't here yet.
Oh, you're right.
Well then, he must be dead.
I guess we'll take his share, too.
He's alive!
What a tenacious kid. Are you injured?
Askeladd!
The 's head.
So… you got it.
You promised.
You cannot refuse me.
I, Thorfinn, warrior of Iceland, son of Thors,
by the sword of my father, challenge you, Askeladd, to a duel
to avenge my father.
What? He's doing it now?
He's tough.
I, Askeladd, son of Olaf,
in the name of my ancestor Artorius,
accept your challenge.
However…
let's do this later!
We've got to escape now!
Row, you bastards!
Hey!
Don't linger, or else they'll seize us on the river!
Bastard! Stop taunting me!
Who cares about a dragon?
-I'm not scared! -That's right!
But you know…
There it is!
This is farewell!
Farewell, Franks!
We're rich!
We can get through the winter!
All right!
Subtitle translation by Astrid Oliver