Vinland Saga

Synopsis

In the year 1014, on instructions from King Selwyn, Canute takes his followers to York, a Danish occupied town in the Northumbria Region. As their boats row up the Ouse river, Canute is shot in the chest by a crossbow arrow fired by an assassin who is tracked down and killed by Thorfinn. Thorfinn is recognized by Leif from his village in Iceland and they are joyfully reunited. However Thorfinn is not interested in returning home, but intent only to extract his revenge on Askeladd. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Canute was not shot, but instead it was a woman slave dressed as his double. Canute orders that everything be done to save her. As they pass Floki, Askeladd loudly infers that Canute has enemies in York. It is revealed later, that Askeladd himself hired the assassin to promote rumors that the king wants Canute dead. To further his plans, Askeladd also feeds information to Gunnar who is spying for the king. Meanwhile, Thorfinn, whose broken arm has not yet healed, is anxious to settle his debt with Askeladd. Thorfinn calls him out to a duel to be observed by Canute and Thorkell. Before they start, the mortally wounded Bjorn challenges Askeladd to enter Valhalla. Bjorn is defeated, but also receives Askeladd's assurances that they are true friends before the latter mercifully kills his friend. Askeladd then prepares to face Thorfinn.

(Source: Wikipedia)