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Vinland Saga Chapter 4 Summary : Unbreakable Chains
Halfdan and his men arrive in the village uninvited, demanding the return of a runaway slave who escaped in a blizzard. Tensions rise as villagers recall past conflicts with Halfdan over grazing boundaries. Ari accuses Halfdan of exploiting the situation to settle an old score, while one of Halfdan’s men confronts Ari over previous injuries inflicted during their disputes. Before the confrontation escalates, Halfdan demonstrates his dominance by disarming and punishing his man with a chain, emphasizing his belief that chains are necessary to “civilize” humans.
Meanwhile, the dying slave hallucinates about a peaceful life with his family, separated long ago when they were sold into slavery. Thors tries to comfort him, speaking of Vinland, a place free of slavery and war. As the slave fades, Halfdan arrives to claim him. Ylva nervously explains they were only helping the slave recover. Thors offers to buy the slave, eventually settling on eight young ewes as payment. Halfdan warns Thors that the chains binding people cannot be so easily severed, leaving with a veiled challenge about Thors’ ideals.
Later, under the aurora borealis, Thors and his family bury the slave, honoring him with a proper grave. Ylva, upset over losing eight sheep for a slave who died in a single day, criticizes Thors’ generosity. Thorfinn asks his father if their ancestors truly fled to Iceland to escape oppression, as Leif said. Thors confirms, and when Thorfinn questions where people can escape to next, Thors solemnly places a hand on his son’s head, silently reflecting on the question.