19
Thorfinn has a broken arm and ribs from Thorkell's kick, and Thorkell allows him to be treated by Askeladd. Thorkell explains that he and Thors were commanders of the Jomsvikings and their leader Sigvaldi, who was Thorkell older brother, gave him one of his daughters, Helga. This means that Thorkell is Thorfinn's great-uncle. Thors was considered dead after falling into the sea at the sea battle of Hjörungavágr, but three months after a funeral was held for him, Thorkell found him leaving the Jomsvikings with Helga and their daughter. Thors renounced a life of fighting and after knocking Thorkell unconscious, he left. The duel resumes, but as Thorkell is about to finish Thorfinn, Askeladd reflects light into Thorkell's eyes, blinding him for a moment, and Thorfinn knocks Thorkell to the ground by hitting his weak chin, and gouges out an eye. Thorkell's men prepare to kill Thorfinn, but Thorkell stops them, claiming that Thorfinn has won the duel. Canute arrives at the scene, and tells Thorkell that there is no value keeping him hostage because King Sweyn has already chosen his older brother Harold as his successor and expected Canute to be killed in battle. With newfound resolution, Canute declares that he will march against the king at Gainsborough, and both Askeladd and Thorkell agree to join him. (Source: Wikipedia)
11/25/2019
