OCTOBER 1013 AD LONDON, ENGLAND
The Battle of London Bridge
Is that supposed to be a bridge?
Looks more like a fortress wall.
I'd expect nothing less.
London's held up against countless raids over the years.
They're old hands at this.
Now's not the time for idle contemplation, Askeladd.
This'll be a tough nut to crack.
I only came along on this one because you promised me an "easy win."
Sorry, Bjorn.
I never expected Thorkell himself to side with the defenders.
Thorkell the Tall?
How could that traitor sell us out for gold?
Come now, we're all in it for the gold.
I'm only with Denmark because I expect King Sweyn will be the victor.
The others are thinking the same thing.
Every tribe's desperate to ensure they get a large share of the spoils as possible.
Of course, with this many men, there'll only be so much treasure to go around.
I'm not in it for the money.
I'm here for the killing.
That's why I like you, Bjorn.
Then again, I can see why the muckety-mucks want to get their hands on London.
If we can capture the Thames River, that'll give us a supply line right into Wessex.
So this is a crucial battle to the bosses.
Indeed. If you want to get a reputation, this is the place to do it.
Is that so?
Got any clever plots up your sleeve?
Well,
no plots as such, but there is something.
Thorfinn!
Time to go to work.
Get me Thorkell's head.
Promise me a reward.
Okay. Okay.
Let me guess, the usual? I thought you'd learned by now.
A fight you can't win becomes an obsession.
I guess that makes you just like your old man.
Don't forget, Askeladd.
My only wish is to destroy you, as a warrior, in a proper duel.
The next duel will be your last.
I'll carve out your heart and offer it up to my father's spirit.
Then get to work.
Only those who do their jobs on the battlefield get the rewards they desire.
That's the life of a warrior.
My head won't come cheap, boy.
I'll give you that duel, and anything else you want.
Just go bring me Thorkell's head.
{OP}
In order to survive, it's sink or swim
They've always said it's a dog eat dog world
What went wrong?
Survival of the fittest, the strong eat the weak
If it's the world that our wisdom will lead
Well tell me what went wrong
What went wrong?
I've paid my dues, I've sold my soul
So tell me what is left for me
When I've given up everything
So, what was I envisioning?
No matter how picturesque it was,
I never felt anything
You see, even if I reassessed my outlook
I was only longing for that scenery
I'm probably emotionless
I wonder what was I envisioning?
But no matter how picturesque it was,
I never felt anything
You see, even if I reassessed my outlook
I was only longing for that scenery
I'm probably emotionless
Is this world so far torn from the truth?
To maintain a balance between good and evil
Is it just kill or be killed?
Is the world so simplistic?
Could someone please try and fucking tell me?
{Part A}
Hey!
Askeladd!
What?
One ship is heading towards the bridge.
It's the Jomsvikings! The Sea Deer!
An envoy, eh?
That'll be Floki.
Probably thinks he can buy off Thorkell by offering twice London's price.
Thorkell will follow the money.{tlc}
Apparently he can be bought. I'd expect it will work.
You think? I wonder.
They're here!
It's just one ship!
This way! Hurry!
Kill 'em all!
Take that!
Loose arrows!
Don't shoot! I am an envoy!
I wish to speak to Thorkell!
Shit-bags!
Drop dead!
We didn't come here to fight!
Where might I find Thorkell?
Piss off! Bite the dust!
Hey.
Stop.
Yes, sir.
All men, cease fire!
Ahoy, Floki! It's been a long time!
You look like you've been doing well.
Enough with the pleasantries.
My liege, King Sweyn, has sent me to deliver his words!
In the words of His Majesty:
"The King of England has escaped to the land of the Franks.
Resistance is futile.
Surrender.
If you surrender, then in the name of Thor,
I will guarantee you and your men your lives and belongings."
Return to the fold, Thorkell!
Those are the wishes of His Majesty.
King Sweyn is here?
I'm impressed! To travel so far at such an old age.
Thorkell!
Why do you choose to turn your sword on your own countrymen?
Think of the months and years we spent as comrades, fighting and sailing for the same side!
Do not find yourself on the wrong side of history, my friend!
Your brother Sigvaldi is concerned for you, as well.
Wrong side of history?
I see.
I fought these Englishmen up until last year, so I know what they're worth.
They're a shockingly weak lot.
They're a bunch of sheltered city boys.
What?
Is that Nordic?
They lack spirit.
I guess so.
The only man who could go toe-to-toe with the likes of you was Prince Edmund.
This kingdom is a lost cause.
Oh, in that case...
What I'm saying is...
it's much more fun to fight against you.
What?
All right, enough chit-chat.
Let's get back to business.
Wait, Thorkell!
I promise you double what England's giving you!
You ready, Floki?!
E-Evade! Hard larboard, you fools!
Time for the deadly Keel-Buster!
Ah, drat. Just missed!
Full speed!
Withdraw!
Men. Kill them.
Yes, sir.
Retreat! Retreat!
Hey, Floki.
Go and ask King Sweyn something for me!
"Doesn't it ever get boring always being on the winning side?"
He showed no signs of being swayed by our offer.
I see.
It was a waste of time.
Then, Majesty, what shall we do?
Resume the siege.
H-Hey!
Shit!
All right!
Damn. They're attacking the pier.
You bastard!
Quickly!
Fuck!
Goddammit! I missed!
Get more rocks!
Out of my way, you louts.
Holy...
Here we go!
How'd you like that? That was my special...
er... Log-Dropper!
A little on-the-nose.
But amazing!
Bring in the next.
Hurry up!
Yes, sir!
What's wrong, Sweynsmen?!
Can't you use your heads a little?!
I know you can do better than this!
At this rate, it'll be a hundred years before London bridge comes falling d—
Huh?
Finally, someone who looks like a bit of fun!
Thorfinn, can you hear me?!
The great big idiot holding the log.
That's Thorkell.
It's no use! Lie to!
Any closer, and we'll suffer!
Larboard!
Just a little further.
All right, close enough!
Jump!
Stay back, men!
If he's foolish enough to charge me...
I'll take him down!
Yeah!
You nimble little shit.
Come on!
Not bad,
young one.
{Part B}
Keep your paws off this one, you louts.
I'll give this little suicidal freak the death wish he's looking for.
It's one-on-one!
Show me what you've got, shrimp!
A one-on-one duel, bare-handed?
He's not taking me seriously.
Oh, you were after my wrist, eh?
Not bad, little one!
It's no wonder he's so cocky.
With a body and fists as big as his, one solid blow would kill me.
I like you!
Uncle Thorkell's gonna make this worth your while!
What?
Take that!
Oops.
That was a close one.
I can't reach him.
His vital points are too high.
Under his arms,
his neck...
That's it!
He's coming in low.
Then...
I'll kick him.
Get in there!
That hurts like hell!
I've got you now, though!
Got 'im!
Thatta boy, captain!
Kill him!
I'm not done yet!
Here we go!{I wanna make this striiiiiike, but bowling probably didn't exist back in the early 1000s lmao}
Oh, dear.
This won't work.
Thorfinn's getting his arse handed to him.
Guess it was too much for him.
Askeladd.
That's the signal.
Right. Well, let's go, then.
Retreat!
All ships withdraw!
What? Oh, drat.
I take just a few seconds to enjoy a fight with the runt, and the whole battle's over
Hey, kid.
Looks like they've left you for dead.
Poor thing.
You put up such a good fight, too.
What? Are you dead?
Hey.
Got the life beaten out of you, kiddo?
You still haven't lost the will to fight?
Quite impressive for such a scrappy little fellow.
Warrior.
I would like to hear your name.
Thorfinn.
Son of Thors.
I'm Thorfinn.
Thors?
Hey! When you say Thors, do you mean...
Oh, there he goes.
What's the call, captain?
Shall we shoot him?
Let him go.
He can live another day.
Hey!
Warrior Thorfinn!
I enjoyed our battle!
We should do it again!
We'll finish it for good next time!
That's a promise, you hear?!
It hurts!
Put me out of my misery!
Anyone want a merciful end?
I'll make it quick!
Nope, he's a goner.
He's been stabbed in the gut.
He won't last long.
Hey, bring some onion soup over here!
Torgrim!
Take care of this, will you?
I see.
So, we can't capture London.
No.
It's not that we can't capture London.
It will just take some time.
How much time, Floki?
Well, it depends on their stockpile within the city, but...
A year.
No. If the siege goes well, six months.
It is already autumn.
We cannot dedicate so much time to a single town.
The war is our ultimate concern.
We must prioritize control of the entirety of England.
Yes, sir.
Send the main force west.
Leave 4,000 men to continue the siege on London.
As you command, Your Majesty.
The 4000 men will be under the command of...
Canute.
This is a good chance to boost his standing.
What?
That's not what we agreed upon.
His Highness came to serve as a good example for the people.
That's what you said!
Hold your tongue, Ragnar.
His Majesty has spoken.
If our entire force could not defeat that infernal Thorkell,
how are we to succeed with one-fifth the strength?
It's impossible!
Having so few men is the only way to help him.
But...
His Highness is unfamiliar with battle, and is experiencing emotional distress.
This is your responsibility, Ragnar.
Perhaps it is because of his Christian upbringing,
but he has grown too soft for a man of his station.
It's because you spoiled him.
I apologize.
To Canute, I shall leave the soldiers laying siege to London.
You shall accompany him. Advise him well.
Your Highness...
My shoulder's dislocated.
Right ankle's sprained.
Got a few ribs broken, too.
Fuck!
That insane, giant bastard!
Hey. Can you see them?
Most of them have retreated.
What?
Does that mean...
Did we... win?
We won?
They ran away with their tails between their legs?
Then we have won.
Wait.
What's going on?
We did it! We won!
What?
We won!
Hey, hey!
Wait!
Let's fight some more!
Come on, just a little longer!
Hey!
You sons of bitches!
Don't you want London?!
Come back, you miserable cowards!
Fight me!
Oh, what a pain.
That Thorkell's a freak.
What's this? You're still alive?
You don't look so good.
Guess he was just out of your league, Thorfinn.
Anyway, we're off to Wessex. What will you do?
If you can't keep up with the march, we'll just leave you here.
We're going to get rich in Wessex!
I can't wait!
You only got one arm!
I can handle anyone.
I'll kill them all.
I enjoyed our battle!
We should do it again!
Fucking madmen.
What's so fun about war?!
{ED}
It’s just like a burning torch in the storm
Like a little flower blooming in the home
Bear a strong, unwavering volition
As long as you still show some kindness
A misty moon
I’m missing you
Lap up the sprawling scenery
As the beat of your heart runs free
Listen to me, sail away again, again
I pray you light the way through uncharted seas
The voices of those behind you are torn towards the unknown world
Unfurl your sails, you're not alone
So brave the stormy seas
Face that darkness