He's fast!
Faster than anyone I've fought before.
And that sword...
He uses the curve of the blade.
He's handling a dagger's range well, too.
Are you serious? He's unarmed.
I'm a warrior of Miklagard.
He hasn't experienced a single good thing, huh?
The Road Home
No kidding.
What kind of monsters surrounded him?
I'll overwhelm him with a flurry of blows.
Dodge this!
He's strong.
What's a warrior this skilled doing defending a farm?
How'd a man this skilled end up a slave?
No, don't get worked up.
Don't follow his lead.
The important thing is...
He can strike even faster?
But...
I see it.
He got me.
He's next to Gardar...
Snake!
Please don't, Mister Snake!
Please don't kill Gardar.
Please let this go.
Don't be so self-centered, Arnheid.
He killed five of my men.
I can't overlook that.
Snake! I'll do whatever I can to express my condolences for the loss of your men.
I'll even sell my farm to—
Shut up, Gramps! This isn't about money!
Both me and my men are a bunch of stupid, nasty scumbags.
We're drifters who can't use our real names because of what we've done elsewhere.
But does that mean it doesn't matter if we die, huh?
Is Gardar's life worth that much?
More than the lives of five of my men?
Tell me, Thorfinn! Arnheid!
Tell me how much more he's worth.
They're not that different, huh?
In that case...
Don't—
The cost of life...
...can only be paid with life!
You still want to fight?
Will you avenge Gardar?
Arnheid, you're the one who cut Gardar's bonds, aren't you?
You two will be punished accordingly.
Until the master returns, you'll be bound—
Enough, Gardar!
If you keep choking him, he'll die!
Gardar!
Damn! He's so strong...
Gardar!
Let go!
Gardar!
Gardar.
Let's go home, Gardar.
That's enough.
There's no one to get in our way anymore.
Hjalti is waiting for us.
Hjalti...
Where is he now?
He's with your brother in Birka.
I sent him to safety before the fighting started.
I see. My brother's always done so much for me.
I'll need to bring something to thank him when we go to get Hjalti.
You there...
Is this your cart?
I'd like to borrow it.
Uh, actually...
It's mine.
You can have it, Gardar.
Ah!
Sorry for talking down to you from up here.
Old man, what's your name?
It's Sverkel.
Go on. Return to your home.
Thank you, Mister Sverkel.
Thorfinn...
And Einar.
I can't thank you enough.
This is reckless, Arnheid.
Gardar is already...
It's fine.
Please send us off.
I feel cold...
Cold to my core.
How miserable.
Such unfortunate men, abandoned by the gods.
You...
You are my new pride.
Hjalti...
Hjalti, son of Gardar.
Father shall fight for you.
For honor, so you can be proud of him.
For wealth that will someday be yours.
Wait!
For honor and wealth...
Gardar?
How old is Hjalti now?
Eight? Nine?
He's six.
Ah, forgive me.
I lost track of time since being enslaved.
Six. I see. That's a shame.
I missed his cute years.
He was still only one when I last saw him.
Good grief. He's probably forgotten about us.
He's my son. He's surely grown into a prankster.
I bet he lights horses' tails on fire.
You did that as a child?
Yeah. I got in a lot of trouble with my father.
Once he's old enough, he'll probably say he wants to go adventuring.
All boys do.
But I won't allow it.
Gardar.
I'm all right. I'm just a little tired.
Let me rest.
We're really doing this?
Yeah. We've made up our minds.
The villagers' lives will be easier if we acquire iron.
So will your family's.
Fine. Let's go.
All right.
Everyone's already gathered in the square.
Hurry.
Arnheid...
Hjalti...
I'll never leave your sides again.
I'm home.
Welcome home.
Welcome home, Gardar.
The First Method
"The First Method."