"Reunion" (再会 Saikai?) is the twenty-first episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.
Synopsis
A fake assassination attempt against Prince Canute is orchestrated by Askeladd the moment they reach York. Thorfinn kills the assassin and reunites with Leif. On his last leg of life, Bjorn duels in mortal combat with Askeladd and dies by his hand.
Summary
York, 1014, Mols tells Leif that they can't buy all the slaves and he should give up since its been 11 years already. Leif states that they wouldn't have been alive if it wasn't Thors, so he wishes to repay him. A men then tells Leif and Mols to move their ship, since a nobleman is coming. Canute's ships arrive and seeing Askeladd on it, Leif immediately recognizes him, stating he could never forget his face. Canute wonders what is the plan and if they are going to strike at the king's banquet. Askeladd then states they should try exposing the secret and kill Canute now. A crowd had gathered watching Canute and his ships. A man with a crossbow then shoots Canute and Askeladd yells that the Prince got shot. The shooter tries to escape, but Thorfinn comes out and kills him.
That all happens in front of Leif, who is shocked to see a man killed in front of him. Some other men arrive and one blames Thorfinn for being the shooter. Thorfinn denies it and explains the other man was the shooter, but the man doesn't believe him and keeps blaming him, since Thorfinn has "villain's eyes". Annoyed, Thorfinn then knocks him out. The men see that he uses two knifes and being short, they guess he is Thorfinn Karlsefni, the one who fought and beat Thorkell in a duel. Hearing that his name is Thorfinn, Leif approaches him and asks if he is Thorfinn, son of Thors. Thorfinn then recognizes Leif and Leif hugs Thorfinn, crying and glad that he is still alive.
Canute has been shot in the chest. The men try to help him and cut his shirt only to see that he is actually a woman. They are all surprised, but also had already felt that Canute is female. The real Canute then shows up and asks Askeladd on why he used a female double and Askeladd explains they couldn't find a male slave that looked like Canute. Canute wonders if they can save the girl, but a man tells him that place she is shot is fatal and if the arrow is also poisoned, she can be considered dead already. Canute apologizes to the woman and tells the men to do everything they can for her. Askeladd then states loudly so Floki can hear him that Canute's precautions have paid off, as there are indeed people in York, who want him dead.
Thorfinn tells Leif that he is with Askeladd, so that he can get his revenge. He then asks him if he already build a village in Vinland, but Leif wonders why he isn't asking for his family and explains that Helga's health got worse and he should go and see her. However, Thorfinn gets annoyed and tells him to not tell him about things he didn't ask about. Leif asks Thorfinn to go back home with him, but Thorfinn states he won't do it until Askeladd is alive and he doesn't know through what he went through. As Thorfinn leaves, Leif tells him that he will remain in the town until he changes his mind.
Askeladd visits Bjorn and tells him that Atli wanted to apologize to him. Bjorn explains that he has no hard feelings for anyone who cuts him on the battlefield, and only Thorfinn holds grudges about such things. Bjorn wonders how is Askeladd's leg. Askeladd notes that he got hit by a lot of arrows, but he is good enough to still hold a sword. Bjorn then tells him they should do it tomorrow and Askeladd agrees.
Floki reports to Sweyn about Canute's double and Sweyn states that they got outwitted. Sweyn notes that Askeladd did well and has laid a curse on the town. The whole town talks about how Canute's double got killed and wonder why the assassin wanted Canute dead. They wonder why the assassin didn't went after Sweyn, but figure out that there are two heirs and Canute is the youngest one. A man then spreads a rumor that it was Sweyn's orders. Askeladd had arranged the assassination and the rumor, and states that with the assassination attempt, the rumor gets even stronger and wonders how will this affect the tomorrow's meeting. Canute guesses that this way Sweyn can't issue orders that will put Canute at disadvantage. Askeladd confirms and explains that this way Sweyn can't take Thorkell away or send Canute to a warzone, as that will only feed the rumors. Canute guess that Sweyn won't strike for the time being, but states that he no longer wants to use a double. Gunnar then excuses himself, stating he has things to do and after he leaves, Askeladd tells Canute that he shouldn't trust Gunnar as he is probably communicating with Sweyn. Its only his gut feeling, but Askeladd is sure about it. He is fine with Gunnar telling Sweyn what hey discussed as there was no details. Askeladd also made Thorfinn follow Gunnar. Canute wonders if Askeladd will kill Gunnar if he ends up being a spy. Askeladd states he will let Gunnar tell the king that they don't want a short-term battle, which Sweyn will likely believe, since its coming from his spy. Meanwhile Thorfinn follows Gunnar to meets another man, and then follows the other man back to the king's place, confirming that Gunnar is a spy.
The next day, Thorfinn challenges Askeladd to his promised duel. Askeladd wants them to do it after Thorfinn's arm heals, but Thorfinn insists to be now. Canute will act as observer and tells them that the duel is over when he tells them. Askeladd is fine with that, but asks Canute to wait a bit, since he also have a previous engagement. Bjorn appears barely walking and apologizes to Thorfinn, but states they will be over soon. Askeladd and Bjorn then prepare for a duel. Bjorn states that Askeladd is strong and smart and Bjorn have been looking up to him, even though Askeladd hates him. Since Askeladd hated all of his comrades, Bjorn wonders if he wasn't lonely, and states that he wanted to be friends with him. The two then start their duel and Askeladd beats Bjorn piercing him in the chest. Askeladd immediately apologizes, stating he missed the vital spot and prepares to quickly finish him off. Bjorn grabs him stating that he wanted to be friends with him. Askeladd then tells him that Bjorn was his only friend. Bjorn then recalls his time with Askeladd and asks him to finish him off. Askeladd apologizes for keeping Thorfinn wait and tells him to come.
Characters in order of appearance
- Mols (Debut)
- Leif Ericson
- Thors Snorresson (Flashback)
- Bui (Debut)
- Canute
- Askeladd
- Bjorn
- Thorkell
- Thorfinn
- Floki
- Sweyn
- Gunnar
- Asgeir
Original Soundtrack
| Soundtrack | Starting Point |
|---|---|
| Dark Crow (TV Size) | OP |
| The Hero | 01:50 |
| Small Village | 05:55 |
| Intertwined | 12:55 ; 13:11 ; 20:25 |
| Somewhere Else | 22:14 |
| Drown (TV Size) | ED |
Differences from the manga
Trivia
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