The Vikings Page #2

half-mad with starvation...

and trained to appreciate

the flavor of human blood.

You see?

The English are civilized!

Can you think of anything worse?

I can think

of something far worse.

I guess you can...

with your pretty,

dainty face spoiled.

But he was a good slave.

Kill him quick.

No...

No quick death for him.

What do you suggest

I do with him?

Nothing.

Nothing?

I want this slave alive.

You want him to live

after tearing your face apart?

Yes.

The sun will cross the sky

a thousand times...

before he dies.

And you'll wish

a thousand times...

that you were dead.

Kitala!

You can't kill the slave.

What do the runes say?

If Odin willed

that Eric should die...

Thor's hammer would sound

his death knell.

But the sky is silent.

The curse of Odin

waits on him...

who kills the slave.

Then no man shall kill him.

Let the tide of the sea do it!

Bind him! Cast him into

the slop pool at lowtide.

Take him out.

You'll not kill him...

but you throw him

into the slop pool...

to be drowned

and eaten by crabs!

Then let the crabs

be cursed by Odin!

That's my decision.

If he survives the pool,

what then?

If he's still alive

when the tide turns...

then any fool who fishes him out

can have him.

Survives.

Odin...

send a wind and turn the tide.

Put her in the testing board.

I think I'll go and watch

that slave drowning.

Stay here!

You'll see something

more interesting.

It does look rather

an interesting game.

It's not a game.

It's Odin's test

for unfaithful wives.

Is she an unfaithful wife?

Ask Einar.

Her husband says she is.

Which is he?

He's throwing the axes.

But if she's innocent?

Her husband will succeed.

The braids will be cut.

Supposing he misses the braids

and hits her?

Well, then, she's guilty.

Oh, I see.

But what happens

if he misses...

both the girl and the braids?

Three misses and we drown him.

One!

You're too drunk!

You'll split her wide open!

Drunk, am I?

I haven't had enough!

You missed her, didn't you?

What a son!

Kitala.

Kitala, my legs.

Move your legs, Eric.

You must move them.

Where did this slave boy

come from?

Bjorn brought him here

from a raid.

He was taken

from a ship on the sea.

And this was found

about his neck?

Yes. It's the only possession

he ever had.

He has no need of it now.

He's going to die.

Listen to me, little slave.

Einar is in the hall

celebrating your death.

Einar is laughing at you!

Live, Eric. Fight the cold!

Live and fight Einar!

Fight Einar.

Fight Einar.

Odin has answered you.

They were only flying clouds.

You are blind.

They were Odin's daughters.

I heard the singing

of their battle swords...

as they rode across the sky.

They bring the wind!

They bring the wind!

Listen!

The North wind!

It's turning back the tide!

Cut him loose!

Tide is going out.

Your job is done.

I'll take the slave.

He's mine, Einar.

The wind turned the tide,

and I pulled him out.

I'll take him, Englishman!

If your father's word

means anything, he's mine.

Why such a sudden interest

in the slave, my lord?

Shall we say

an English passion...

for converting the wicked

to the paths of righteousness?

Well, you're not in England now.

And you never will be...

unless I draw maps of England

for your father.

All right.

You can keep the slave...

for as long as you live.

Odin's thanks for saving him.

And at no little risk to myself.

Do you know what this is?

Some day,

I'll tell you what it is...

and you'll remember then

that I saved you.

I'm still a slave.

You won't be

when we get to England.

I'll never get to England.

You're like a wounded animal.

You trust no one.

Good day, my lords.

Hail, Egbert!

How's the boat coming along?

She'll be ready in a week.

Well, she's no Sea Dragon,

but she'll do for a toy.

Does Einar still bear me

a grudge?

I still think you're a fool

to anger my son.

He'll kill you one day.

You're not still angry,

are you, Einar?

That depends.

On what?

On how well you draw maps.

See for yourself.

This is a map of Wales.

Wales? That slag heap?

That's not worth

one night's raiding.

It holds

the richest prize of all...

King Rhodri's daughter Morgana.

Rhodri couldn't raise enough

to ransom a skagerrak moose.

No, but Aella could.

He's to marry her in the spring.

I think our Englishman

has a good idea.

She's leaving soon

and must go round this point.

Here? You're sure?

I'd stake my life on it.

You already have.

Let me intercept her

and bring her back here.

How many men would you need?

One boat.

-Only one boat?

-No more.

What about him...

without the collar?

You'll take him along?

Naturally,

I'll take along my slave.

You stay here and draw maps.

I'll kidnap the girl.

Ragnar, try to get him

to draw maps...

that'll guide

a ship through fog...

and then maybe

he'll be worth having around.

There is no map

of any use in fog.

Then what use are you to us?

Think of that while I'm gone.

And don't let anything

happen to that slave.

It's a strange metal...

that fell to earth

from the North star.

Sandpiper brought it

from far away.

The price he paid

was his ears and his tongue.

No matter how you hold it...

it always struggles

to return homeward...

to the star

from which it fell.

It always points to the north.

Not in the fog.

It cannot see the stars

in the fog.

Watch.

Can it see the star

through these walls?

This could lead you

to many places.

Even to the land

beyond the Poison Sea...

Valhalla.

You will go there one day.

Only great heroes

have ever reached it.

See what the runes say.

Will this take me there?

A woman will point the way.

What will she look like?

You will know her

when you see her.

When will that be?

Soon enough.

Will she love me or hate me?

Love and hate

are horns on the same goat.

What woman would ever

look at a slave?

This one will.

You're lying, Kitala.

All your tales are lies.

Don't look so sad, my lady.

It doesn't become you.

Bridget, how can I marry

a man that I hate?

It's not easy to be

a princess...

but you have a duty.

This alliance

will help your people.

You must marry Aella.

I would rather that I were dead.

The Vikings! Turn back!

It's the Vikings!

Quick, my ladies, inside.

Steersman, cut to the wind!

Forecastle, men! Forward!

Remember,

she's not to be harmed...

or she's worthless in trade!

Pull forward the bowline!

Bend your backs.

No! No!

Bridget!

My lady!

My lady! Help!

My lady!

Help! My lady!

Help!

Welcome aboard, my lady.

Aella will kill you for this.

Aella?

Be a pity to send you

back to him.

What do you know of Aella?

I know he'll pay all

his treasure to get you back.

I'll keep you for myself.

By Odin, she'd make

a fine Viking queen!

Get away from me!

Hey...now, first

a little kiss of welcome.

Get away!

Little kiss of welcome.

No!

Yes...

Remember,

she's not to be harmed...

or she'll be worthless

in trade!

Pretty bird. Pretty feathers.

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