Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands

People fear Skinshifters more than any other Mudborn

because they can live amongst us undetected.

- Can you find it and kill it? - If it's still here.

Rate wishes to see himself made Jarl of the Shieldlands instead of you.

I'll see you don't get the majority you need at the Gathering.

It's you! You killed them.

To protect my family.

I believe the Skinshifter was acting on someone else's part.

It was about stirring up the tribes.

Uh! Uhh...

My son, has he returned?

That's Slean's horse!

Hey! Get away from there!

Oi!

I hear there will soon be a new widow in town.

Ah!

Uhh.

It's me you want. Let him go.

Can we kill him now?

Someone will pay to have him back. In one piece!

Look at the sword.

- What do you say? - I say he's barelyable to grow a beard.

And this?

This is a man's blade.

Beowulf.

Feel the weight.

'Twas a gift from my father.

Uhh!

Get up!

Move your arses!

If we don't get Scorann to Ramin's Tomb, we don't get paid.

Where I come from, we have a name for scum like you.

Move!

When Slean's horse passed this way, it still had a rider.

My brother?

If Slean met Scorann, it wasn't here.

These lands aren't as safe as they once were.

There was a Mudborn, out by the Silver Lake.

A strange thing.

With a severed hand?

We met.

If you're scared, you can wait here.

And leave the fate of The Shieldlands in your hands?

I'm here for Slean.

Did the Skinshifter regain consciousness yet?

As soon as Koll can be questioned, I'll be informed.

Until such time, his wife is our only means of finding out

who ordered the creature to murder my Reeve.

- I'll have her brought to you. - (DOOR OPENS)

Why aren't you out searching for Scorann and my son?

I ordered the Huskarla be stationed around Herot.

It must be seen to be protected.

Your people are scared and angry.

They don't understand why you've chosen to keep the Skinshifter alive.

Tomorrow morning, the other Thanes will vote at the Gathering.

Without Scorann, I will not have enough support to become Jarl.

Scorann will be found. His brother Rate and

Beowulf are out there looking for him now.

There are no finer warriors in The Shieldlands.

They will find Slean, I am certain.

Admit it, you've lost the trail.

I heard you could handle yourself in a fight.

- Could? - Mm.

All those years in the Farlands might have left you a little... soft.

I can still handle myself.

You look a little soft yourself.

A man becomes Thane all he has to do is talk a good fight.

It's at least a week old.

A Warig?

Come on! (LAUGHS)

Faster!

Urgh!

- Drop it. - (GROWLS)

Drop it before you hurt yourself.

Give the man his sword.

Urgh! Uhh!

- No. - (CHUCKLES)

Watch me talk it to death.

- Come on. - Yaah!

Ahhh!

Uhhh!

In my tribe, if a man loses his sword to an enemy,

he's no longer fit to be a warrior.

Really?

We let him walk into the mountains and die alone.

And what if he loses his sword to some half-grown Warig?

Ah, then we usually just get it back.

And let him die of shame.

Scorann's men.

- Leave him for me. - No. Another day.

Slean's not here.

Come. We have no time to lose.

There! She's coming!

There she is! She's here!

The Skinshifter's wife!

Kill! Kill her!

They should stop this before it gets out of control.

Where are you taking her?

That thing they're keeping in there, that she calls a husband,

butchered my son!

I am sorry for what happened to your son.

But what Koll did he was forced to do.

He's a good man.

Urghh!

Ma! Ma!

No!

- No! - Aah!

This isn't right.

The punishment for consorting with a Skinshifter is death!

Ma!

Only if she knew.

She knew! Didn't you?

You knew!

Deny it.

I deny it.

I never knew.

Say it. What is he?

A filthy Mudborn.

Louder!

A filthy Mudborn!

A killer!

Who deceived me and my daughter!

Stand aside! Move!

What do you think you're doing?

My orders...

... were for you to bring this woman SAFELY to me.

Not stand aside and watch as she is torn apart!

No!

I claim this woman's life for the life of my son.

Rheda, I would willingly give her my life.

It means nothing to me any more.

But I still have a daughter.

It still has value to her. Please?

Your people want her dead.

But I need her alive.

Or I'll never know who the Skinshifter was acting for.

This woman has a right to make her case.

At trial.

Have her brought to my chambers.

- (CROWD JEERS) - What?

In my tribe, she would have been cut

down the moment that thing was revealed.

Different tribes, different laws.

Your loyalty to your sister is quite touching.

But, if you were back in Bregan,

would you, as its Thane, countenance a trial,

for someone who slept between the same sheets as a Skinshifter?

No.

But we're not in Bregan. Are we?

Hey.

If Scorann isn't here for the vote, your sister might be in trouble.

Don't underestimate her.

A little early in the day for that, don't you think?

As Thane, I can show you mercy, but, if

I'm to do that, you must help me now.

I knew nothing of what Koll was.

- Who did he act for? - I don't know.

- Sylvi... - I swear it!

I think she speaks the truth.

If you don't help me...

Rheda, when others doubted your becoming Thane,

I spoke out for you.

I would never lie.

Not to you.

This isn't about a ransom. They're being paid to take me.

Isen!

Move!

The embers are warm.

You think they have Slean, too?

It doesn't strike you as convenient that your

brother vanishes on the eve of the Gathering?

Convenient for who?

For anyone who wants Rheda to lose the vote.

You assume Scorann would cast his vote for her.

But he has the sense to see the Shieldlands need a strong leader.

And that would be you?

At what price?

For the good of all?

Whatever price need be paid.

The life of a brother?

Aaah! Urgh!

Uhh.

Get up!

My ankle.

Now!

Urgh.

Move!

Don't let them get away!

They're getting away! Move it! Come on!

Jump!

You could have told me you were

- going to do that! - I didn't know.

You're enjoying this.

Sssh-sssh-sssh!

Spread out!

Come on, move on!

Aaah!

Hold him!

Aaah...

Let's go.