第23話: スウェインがウェールズ遠征を宣言する一方、トルフィンが投獄され、レイフが脱出を提案する

23

While in York, King Sweyn convenes the Imperial Council, but the situation is tense among the Danish leaders following the assassination attempt on Canute. Sweyn addresses the elders of Denmark, and after announcing the successful Viking conquest of England, he openly praises Canute and Thorkell. He hands control of Mercia, the most prosperous part of England, to Canute and then announces preparations for an attack on Ireland in revenge for the humiliation of King Harald by Brian Boru. Askeladd believes his strategies for Canute's ascendancy have worked, however he is horrified when Sweyn also announces his intention to subdue Wales in the coming spring because he believes they are sowing the seeds of rebellion. Meanwhile, the badly beaten Thorfin is thrown in jail after creating a disturbance in the street. Leif Erikson visits Thorfinn in jail, and promises to return him to Iceland and then onto the warm and fertile Vinland. Back at the Imperial Council, Floki tells Sweyn of Askeladd's reaction to the announced attack on Wales which he believes shows a weakness for the Welsh. Askeladd vainly tries to think of a plan to thwart the king and confesses to Thorkell that his mother was Welsh, but swears him to secrecy. Askeladd is then called before the king, and wonders why his luck always deserts him at the eleventh hour. (Source: Wikipedia)