1014 A.D. YORK, NORTHUMBRIA DAY OF ROYAL COUNCIL MEETING
What's in the barrel?
Wine.
There are so many soldiers.
Well, of course.
A great many lords are gathering here today.
Wow.
And are these lords going to eat all this?
You can't be serious.
-You're exaggerating. -No, it's true!
The guy was nearly stabbed and didn't even notice.
He really is oblivious.
So, what do you think really happened yesterday?
There was an assassination attempt.
The implication is troubling, but we can't entirely ignore the rumors.
So the king prefers Prince Harald over Prince Canute?
The Canute faction can't be too pleased.
Lower your voice.
It's still only a rumor.
We may have to change our plans.
Moreover, Canute has succeeded in bringing Thorkell to his side.
And he more than compensates for the loss of Ragnar.
Yes, but Thorkell isn't capable of governing.
Prince Canute may not be able to control him.
Then there are the other two who've recently joined Canute's side.
I believe his name is Askeladd, meaning "of the ashes."
That's a name I haven't heard.
Lords!
Please rise!
His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Prince have arrived!
Look at that mountain of food!
What happened to Thorfinn?
Not sure.
But you needn't worry about having a guard at this time.
No one would be so foolish as to attack you here and now.
Can't you wretches walk any faster? Hurry up!
Stupid kid.
Hey!
Huh? What do you want?
What? It's just a kid.
Hold on!
How dare you grab me with your filthy paws!
What's with this kid?
Look at us, you little bastard.
Hey!
Can you talk?
Is he for real?
You some kind of joker?
Give us whatever you have.
You little--
Get out of my way!
You morons!
You again?
You'll be sentenced later. I can't waste time on a day like this.
Is this a good idea?
I heard he's the prince's personal guard.
The prince is attending the Royal Council.
His guards aren't wandering the streets at a time like this.
You are the eminent lords of Denmark.
You have done well to gather here today.
After pursuing the dream for many years,
my dominion over the country of England has finally been formalized.
This great day has come to pass because of your courageous efforts.
Furthermore, my faithful friend Thorkell
and my dear son Canute
have returned home under the divine protection of the Gods.
It is an extraordinary happiness.
I am pleased you have returned, Canute.
Your father is overjoyed.
Of our new territory, I bestow on you Mercia to govern.
We will work together to bring prosperity to this land.
Thorkell.
It is my wish that you provide support to my son.
Gladly.
Mercia?
The richest land in all of England?
I guess the rumors were unfounded.
Well, you never know.
He might be saying that precisely because they are true.
Gentlemen, I will also reward you according to your merits in battle.
In addition, let us ready all our strength for our next campaign in Ireland.
The land of Ireland
is where the odious tyrant Brian Boru
fought our armies and dealt a bitter loss to our late King Harald.
I did it!
The king reacted just as I had predicted.
He had no way of contravening my strategy.
In the battle of wits, I have gained the upper hand.
What a reaction on Floki's face.
Sorry, but you'll be pulling the short end of the stick from now on.
In this fight, I'll be taking the lead.
All the pieces are in place. I alone can make this work!
However, gentlemen…
this land remains occupied
by impudent men who know not how to respect a king.
I must address this issue.
I sent envoys who offered these kingdoms to become my vassals.
I have made the offer twice.
Despite my efforts, they flatly refused.
If rebellion is threatening to take root in the new territory,
we must spare no effort to weed it out completely!
Wales.
We will show it's people
just how much power a real king can wield to reach his goal.
Next spring, we will lead a charge.
Prepare yourselves, gentlemen.
Wake up.
Did you hear me?
Wake! Up! Now!
You've got a visitor!
Is it one of Canute's men?
Turn him away.
Why would it be one of Canute's men?
He's just a sailor.
Thorfinn.
A merchant told me that someone fitting your description had been arrested.
I was alarmed, Thorfinn.
It's got nothing to do with you.
It's been eleven years.
You have suffered much anguish.
It is just as you said.
I could never understand.
As long as that man is alive, your heart will never be at peace.
If you say you remain unsatisfied…
then it must be true.
However…
I remember our lives as if it were yesterday.
The crackling hearth.
The smell of hearty stew.
Thors.
Helga.
Ylva.
And…
your smile when you were a child.
I once told you
about how I was trapped by an ice floe off the coast of Brattahlid.
The food had run out and my ship was wrecked.
All six of my companions were dead.
Regardless,
I continued to walk across the ice.
Do you know why?
Because no matter how violent the sea,
or how frozen the water…
a seaman never gives up his fight with the sea
just like a warrior!
This is how we maintain our honor!
When Thors left this world,
and you disappeared,
I made a promise and put my honor on the line.
That's why, Thorfinn,
I don't say this for your sake alone.
It is for my own sake!
I will take you home back to Iceland no matter what!
This is how I will bring honor to the memory of Thors!
Next, we will hear from the lord of Schleswig,
son of Erik,
Lord Ivar.
Come forth.
For your victories in battle,
the king grants you this silver and land in the new territory.
Accept your reward with honor.
It seems the news had no effect on him.
He's only just heard it.
But the blood went from his face when you said "Wales."
Wales.
He may have a weakness in connection with that country.
We should bear this in mind.
Slow down a bit. Don't devour everything like a boar.
Shut up!
This is how I honor the God of the harvest.
Are you trying to get even more gigantic?
Damn it.
What the hell was that? This I didn't expect from King Sweyn?
Has he learned of my relationship with Wales?
No, that's highly unlikely.
I didn't tell Floki.
And even if he knew,
the king wouldn't redirect his entire army just to antagonize me.
Then, maybe it's just be a coincidence?
Never mind, that doesn't matter.
The problem is that come spring, Wales will be turned into a sea of fire.
Damn it.
Think.
There is no time.
What can I do before spring?
Have the prince lead a revolt?
No. In that case, I could only rely on Thorkell's 500 men.
We'd be completely outnumbered.
It will take time to bring the generals to our side.
Perhaps, I could I incite a civil war among the English?
That's no good! Wales would be the main battlefield.
War can't be the solution.
Besides, the king's assassins
could take advantage of the confusion and kill Prince Canute.
Go home?
Now, of all times?
Far to the west,
beyond the sea…
there is a new land where the fruit is plentiful
and waves of green grass ripple across the hills and meadows.
This is Vinland.
Thorfinn.
Vinland!
Come back home, and once things settle down,
we can look for Vinland together!
Why?
Because you yourself said it!
You said Thors wanted to go there.
Thors resettled in Iceland to escape the fighting.
If he were alive…
I am sure Thors would have wanted to find this place.
A place without slavery or war,
where everyone can live in peace
in a rich and abundant land.
We can do it.
In Vinland…
In Vinland, I'm sure we could do it!
By the way,
about Wales.
When I was pursuing you, you evaded me by disappearing into it.
What trick did you use to pull that off?
How did you get the Welsh to help a Danish army?
My mother's grave is there.
That land…
is my home.
My country.
The land is poor.
But the people are proud.
It is the country my mother loved.
I see.
Well in that case,
I'm sorry.
I'd appreciate if you didn't tell anyone.
I know.
Retainer to Prince Canute,
son of Olaf, Askeladd.
Come forth.
Here we go.
I wonder why
my luck runs out
at the very last moment.
Subtitle translation by Astrid Oliver