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Vinland Saga Chapter 13 Summary : Smell
The tense standoff continues as Thors orders the pirates to leave, declaring that they cannot defeat him. On the cliffs above, one of Askeladd’s archers prepares to fire, but his comrade stops him, reminding him to wait for Askeladd’s signal. The archer wonders why Askeladd, usually decisive, is waiting. Meanwhile, Leif observes Thors standing his ground against two enemy ships, amazed at his courage. Mols expresses a desire to fight alongside Thors, but Leif warns him to stay put due to the archers positioned above.
Thors evaluates the situation: he recognizes the enemy crew’s tenacity and sees that the archers have held their fire. He notes he could handle the thirty men aboard the enemy ships, but a full-scale melee could put Thorfinn and the others in danger. To avoid a reckless fight, Thors devises a strategy.
Thors calls out to Askeladd, pointing his sword at him and challenging him to a duel. He invokes the name of Almighty Odin, declaring that if he wins, Askeladd’s men must leave. If Askeladd wins, he can do as he pleases. Thors adds that refusing the duel would result in a costly fight for little gain. Askeladd’s men are confused by Thors’s confidence and wonder how he knew Askeladd was their leader. Thors cryptically responds, “It’s the smell.” Askeladd, amused by the answer, accepts the duel.
Thors orders his men to stay back at the prow. Askeladd leaps onto Thors’s ship, acknowledging that he can “smell” something on Thors too, referring to him as the “Troll of Jom.” Thors deduces that Floki hired Askeladd, a realization Askeladd praises as quick and clever.
As the duel is about to begin, Thorfinn steps forward angrily, defending his father’s honor and declaring his hatred for Askeladd. He childishly boasts that Thors will defeat him. Thors calms Thorfinn and asks Askeladd if he has a wife or children. Askeladd says no and questions the relevance of the inquiry. Thors simply acknowledges the answer and advances.
As the fight begins, Askeladd analyzes Thors’s confident stride, understanding it as a display of overwhelming assurance. In a quick move, Askeladd slices a rope holding the ship’s sail, causing the sail and its wooden spar to fall directly in front of Thors. Askeladd uses the momentary distraction to charge under the falling sail, aiming to catch Thors off guard.