Vinland Saga (2009)

[ヴィンランド・サガ]

Volume 8

Author/Artist: Makoto Yukimura
Publisher: Afternoon KC

Synopsis:
Askeladd's plot to undermine King Sweyn seems to be gaining traction, but the real test will come when Prince Canute appears before the King.

Story/Characters:
We learn that the assassination attempt on Canute was actually set up by Askeladd to stoke suspicions about King Sweyn and hopefully force his hand to put Canute in a more advantageous position. Askeladd warns Canute not to trust Gunnar, as he rightly suspects him of informing on them, but also recommends him to leave him be, as there are ways to make use of a known spy. The big day arrives and we hear some of the gossip among the jarls before they're assembled in the King's hall. Sweyn awards Canute with Mercia, a rather plum piece of England, and then announces his plans to subdue Ireland next. Just when Askeladd thinks it's all in the bag, Sweyn then announces that he plans on attacking Wales as well. While Askeladd is racking his brain trying to figure a way out of this mess, Thorkell remembers Askeladd running off to Wales and Askeladd explains that it's his home country. Then it's his turn to receive his reward. Askeladd goes off script to try to dissuade the King from the Wales campaign. His little dance of words seems to do the trick as Sweyn commends him for his wisdom and faithfulness, but when the King embraces this faithful retainer, he gives him a choice: Wales or Canute. Either Askeladd turns on Canute or sacrifices his homeland. Under other circumstances, I don't know how Askeladd would've played the hand he's been dealt, but then Sweyn takes it further and insults Askeladd's mother. Big mistake on Sweyn's part. Askeladd spits a little venom of his own in the King's face and then draws his sword. Canute and Sweyn both try to talk Askeladd down, but then Askeladd reveals his real name: Lucius Artorius Castus, the rightful King of the Britons. King Arthur II then takes the head of the Danish invader.

Canute realizes what Askeladd has done for him and plays his part, calling on the men-at-arms to put down the kingslayer. Thorfinn, who didn't want to participate in the festivities, is outside and unaware of the commotion that breaks out. Askeladd is mowing through the men sent against him, so Canute plans on sending Thorkell out to finish the job, but he refuses to play along with the farce and tells the Prince to deal with it himself. Floki enters the fray, but even the captain of the Jomsvikings is no match. Askeladd is distracted briefly when Thorfinn manages to break through the crowd and that's when Canute's blade plunges into his chest. Askeladd compliments Canute for playing the role that was set for him. As you can imagine, Thorfinn doesn't take losing the object of his revenge well. He lashes out at Canute, which is a really ill-advised move. Thorfinn narrowly avoids being killed on the spot, but that doesn't mean he's going to get off scot-free. But first, Canute takes charge of the situation and starts giving orders to the jarls. As he declares the new plan to strengthen the Danes' grip on England, a mentally broken Thorfinn is dragged off.

We next find ourselves on stormy seas where a merchant ship is having to lighten its load to survive. That includes chucking an ailing slave, much to the dismay of this new character we're following. Meet Einar, the descendant of Norse colonists in northern England who was sold into slavery. He's not too happy about his lot, but his attempts to run away don't make things any better. We find that Leif is still looking for Thorfinn and is understandably disappointed when the slavers try to present Einar as the person he's looking for. (Note: Einar looks nothing like Thorfinn.) Einar is then approached by Ketil, a landowner in Jutland, who puts him to work clearing a forest for new farmland, and the person he'll be working with is none other than Thorfinn. Thorfinn has changed quite a lot since we last saw him. Instead of the wild beast, we have a quiet, submissive, dutiful worker, someone who meekly accepts the abuse of Ketil's freeman hands. Einar isn't as good about rolling with the punches, but when he sees a beautiful female slave in the bossman's company, he decides that maybe this isn't such a bad deal.

Art:
We get some great expressions out of Askeladd's face-off with Sweyn and the subsequent rampage is a thing of beauty. I'm going to miss that summagumma. The introduction of Einar gives us a very expressive character to act as a counterweight to the now muted Thorfinn. The introduction of Arnheid also leaves quite an impression.

Other:
We get the travel map and the layout of Sweyn's hall in York.

Conclusion:
We get an explosive conclusion to this arc of the story. Talk about a blaze of glory. As we move into the next arc, we see the tone has changed dramatically. For people who have enjoyed the battle focus of the previous arc, this is going to be quite an adjustment, but we're heading into a more introspective phase of the story, so if you're looking for some really strong character work, you're in for some good stuff. This one deserves a spot in your collection, so be sure to get it.

Rating:
Own It