Ep. 11: Thorkell outsmarts Danish soldiers while Askeladd uses fire to aid Thorfinn's capture of Prince Canute.

11

Thorkell travels toward Sweyn's army with Ragnar and Prince Canute as hostages. A Danish unit intercepts them, threatening total destruction. Thorkell releases the captives to provoke a futile melee, ensuring the enemy cannot win. Simultaneously, Askeladd ignites a forest fire to create smoke that disorients the fighters. He then directs Thorfinn to seize the prince. Recognizing the futility of engaging Thorfinn directly, Thorkell chooses not to expend his men's strength. He allows Thorfinn to successfully take Prince Canute without further conflict, securing the hostage's transfer while avoiding unnecessary casualties among his own forces.