Chief Sigvaldi has ordered all forces... to return to Jomsborg for further instructions. No man is excepted. None. Whether he be active... or deserter...— Floki
Troll (戦鬼 Senki?) is the 5th chapter in the series and the last chapter of Volume 1.
Overview[]
The chapter opens with an invasion of a Viking village in northern England on bathday, Saturday 13 November 1002. The invaders are given orders to leave no survivors. Back in the present day, an incredibly large warship arrives at the village's harbor and requests to see Thors. Thors recognizes them as the Warriors of Jom, and invites them to talk. Thorfinn and some of the village boys listen in and learn that Thors is a deserter. Floki tells Thors the Danes are preparing to invade England and that his participation in the coming battle is required.
Summary[]
On November 13th, 1002 A.D., the English, aware of the Vikings customarily bathing on Saturdays, attack a Viking settlement in the Earldom of Northumbria, Northern England. They catch them unaware and unarmed and, on their King's orders, kill the women and children as well.
In Iceland, Thorfinn and the children of his village play at war with wooden weapons and shields. Thorfinn, as usual, is "killed" right at the beginning of the fight. He speaks to his friend Faxi, who always "dies" first and does not mind, as dying on the field of battle would mean valkyries would come and bring him to Valhalla to feast on meat daily anyway. Thorfinn ponders whether that means his mother and sister cannot go to Valhalla, as they are not warriors. Leif walks by Thorfinn and Faxi, who follow him to his knarr to talk to him. Leif tells them he is leaving for Norway the next day in order to trade rugs and furs for wine and other goods; the wine is needed in Greenland before year's end to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Thorfinn tells Leif he should simply ask Thors for mead, but Leif specifies that the wine is symbolic. Leif spots a warship in the distance and asks Thorfinn to run and tell Thors.
Floki and the Jomsbikings bow to Thors "The Troll"
Thors is working in the blacksmith's shop, attempting to patch a hole in a stewpot. He fails, and one of the smiths teasingly tells him it's because he puts too much strength into it. Thorfinn runs in and tells Thors that a warship, bigger than Halfdan's, is coming. At the shore, armed helmed men bearing shields stand on their warship, silent after asking for "Thors the Troll", confusing the villagers. Thors arrives and tells them he is here, addressing them as "Warriors of Jom". The warriors flip up their axes and bow to Thors while their leader removes his helm. Thors tells the Warriors of Jom's leader, Floki, that he did not expect him to follow him all the way to Iceland. Floki tells Thors he hasn't seen him since the Norwegian expedition and finds it hard to imagine a man like him hiding at the ends of the earth. Thors asks him to state his business, but Floki requests permission to disembark first.
Thorfinn, Ari, Magni and some of the village boys listen to Thors and Floki's discussion
Floki tells Thors his participation in the coming battle is required
Floki and Thors discuss by the fire in Thors and Helga's home. Ylva listens from the other room. Ari, Magni, Thorfinn and a couple of other village boys watch from from the cracked open front door, wondering who Thors really is. They'd often hear he'd seen his share of battles, but he'd never spoken about himself much and they do not know who the "Warriors of Jom" are. They assume Thors must have been quite the hero. Floki tells Thors that countless Danes in the Danelaw were recently murdered by the English during the surprise attack in the Earldom of Northumbria during bathtime on November 13th, including Princess Gunhilde, sister to King Sweyn of Denmark. King Sweyn now has a great pretext to start a great war: avenging the death of his sister. Floki tells Thors the Jomsvikings are joining the Danish side and are amassing their fleet to prepare for an invasion of England in the spring. Thors tells Floki that their tiny Icelandic village does not concern itself with the matters of great kingdoms across the sea. Floki disagrees and tells Thors that Chief Sigvaldi ordered all of his forces to return to Jomsborg for further instructions, be they active or deserters. He says the the participation of Thors the Troll, Jomsviking Captain, is required in the coming battle.
Supplemental Material[]
The end of Chapter 5 includes a Map of Thorfinn's Travels (including information boxes for "Thorfinn's home village", with images of Thorfinn, Thors and Halfdan; "Feudal Lord Gorm's village", with images of Askeladd and Gorm, and; the "Home town of a local Frankish clan", with images of the Frankish fortress army commander and General Jabbathe).
It is followed by the short Heroic Exploits of Viking Girl Ylva ("Math Time" and "I'm a Viking, After All").
A supplemental design of Thors' home is included.
The Afterword talks about the etymology of the name "viking".
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Snorre (Debut)
- Thorfinn
- Faxi (Debut)
- Leif Ericson
- Thors Snorresson
- Floki (Debut)
- Helga
- Magni (Debut)
- Ari
- Ylva