Vikings: Valhalla

Take this to your mother.

Mother!

I got it.

It is wonderful. Good boy, Harald.

Now, go check your traps for rabbits.

Ships in the harbor!

What took you so long?

You were supposed to be back from Kattegat two days ago.

How about, "Welcome home, Akí."

"Thank the gods you're still alive. You didn't drown in a storm."

Did you at least get everything for the wedding?

Everything. Just like you asked.

Even some sweets for the children.

Take these to the kitchen.

There is much cooking to be done. Come! No time to waste.

How was Kattegat?

Bustling. Full of boats.

If we had a hundred swords, we could have traded them all.

We will soon.

Any news about my brother or Harald?

Some say they've seen them in distant lands.

Africa. Greece.

There are rumors that they fight for the Emperor of Constantinople.

They're gone but not forgotten, Freydis. Remembered as heroes.

Thank you for always asking for me, Akí.

Of course.

Your Eminence, their Emperor has joined the battle.

Hold the line!

- -

- Emperor! Emperor! -

Forward!

Get the Emperor back! Riders!

Protect the Emperor!

- -

- -

Emperor!

-Riders! -

Get him back!

Back! Get him back! Get the Emperor to safety!

Get him to safety!

You brought me here to witness victory.

And I barely escaped with my life.

If not for my Varangian Guard,

the Saracens we came to conquer

would have brought the Byzantine Empire to its knees.

Despite what you witnessed, my Emperor, the siege is working.

They are becoming more desperate by the day.

The battlefield is littered with our dead.

And while your army remains here,

the center of my empire, Constantinople,

lies undefended and at the mercy of our enemies in the East.

If we leave Sicily now, the Emir will be emboldened

and the Saracens will use this victory to spread their hatred of our God.

They will consolidate their holdings and not only threaten Constantinople,

but Jerusalem.

Silence!

Prepare your men.

We return home in the morning.

Emperor, if I may...

General Maniakes is not incorrect.

His siege has taken a toll on the enemy.

And though I do not share his passion for a religious war, I agree.

I believe there is another solution.

Yes, my men have already begun a new plan...

With respect, General, I'm not talking about your men.

Or your plan.

I'm saying it is time to let my warriors deliver you Syracuse.

Your warriors? Your 700 Varangians?

You think they can take that fortress?

They are nothing but a mongrel mix of lost Vikings and mercenaries.

Vikings are never lost.

-And we will take that fortress. -

Put them to the side, huh? You can use them later!

I cannot decide which is worse,

the smell of pig guts or the stink of the sulfur.

Here.

Spread this beneath your nose. It will help. A little.

Is that what you're looking for inside the castle?

It's called a library.

It contains writings from ancient Greece and Egypt.

Treasures from Africa...

and maps...

of places few people have ever seen.

It's beautiful.

We have enough.

I have informed the Emperor.

We'll be taking the fortress tomorrow night.

Then you misspoke.

It will be at dawn.

I can get you through the barbican wall.

The castle is another matter.

-Now we go up. -

Leif, the noise... The Saracens will know we're tunneling.

Good. I want them to know.

Easy. Hold. Good.

We are under the wall.

When the time comes, make it loud.

This way.

To where? You didn't mention a second tunnel.

You didn't ask.

Just in time.

I brought you some help.

Ah.

The future King of Norway, huh!

As soon as we take this castle.

Soon.

Is there really as much treasure inside as you say?

More, my friend.

Enough to fund all our dreams.

If you don't blow yourselves up first.

My God.

How are you going to light all of this and get out safely?

We aren't.

They are.

Trust him.

- -

I mean no trouble, friend.

I am just a peaceful traveler.

What are you doing here?

I'm looking for Jomsborg.

-Then why do you come by the forest? -I don't own a boat.

Just my legs.

He is alone!

What is in your bag?

Just my supplies.

Careful.

The contents are fragile.

Stop!

What is going on?

He says he is looking for Jomsborg and has evil in his bag.

No evil. I only said it must be handled with care.

Happy to show you.

You're a healer?

Among other things.

What is this?

Turmeric. It reduces swelling.

Where's it from?

India.

It's a land far east and south.

Have you been there?

Yes, I've been to many places.

Are you a Pagan or a Christian?

I am neither.

But I'm not here to harm you.

My name is Stígr.

-Where did you learn to fight like that? -I wasn't fighting. I was defending.

Show me.

Now? Here?

- -

You are welcome to stay in Jomsborg.

-But everyone works for their keep. -I will.

Thank you.

Harald! Come.

Acquiring the blessing of the Pope is not only a religious duty,

it is a political necessity.

England will be gifted the southern states of Denmark

and in return, you will build 200 churches.

Two hundred churches? On land that I could clearly take?

Yes. But His Holiness will bestow upon our people

his infinite blessings, and you cannot put a price upon that.

And yet he has.

And a high one.

When we meet, I will tell him.

Unfortunately, that is not possible, Your Highness.

You will be speaking to the Pope through his emissary, the Cardinal.

I am the King of Denmark, Norway and England.

And he is the supremely powerful Pope.

Ambassador of God to all Christians on Earth.

His Holiness will see you now.

Yes, it is a matter for discussion...

May God crown you with a crown of glory and righteousness.

His Holiness welcomes this dear son in Christ

and he appreciates the reparation you've made to the Church

to compensate for the centuries of pillaging

and desecration that your people have inflicted on its sacred sites.

To fully attain the atonement, however,

the Holy Father has increased his request to 300 churches.

300?

Yes. And that he may feel assured that the agreement is binding,

you will also provide him with the name of your successor.

An heir?

Ah.