Episode 3 of "Vikings: Valhalla" commences amidst the chaos of Kent, where Vikings unleash a relentless raid upon an unsuspecting settlement, painting the landscape with a grim crimson. The scene descends into a gruesome bloodbath, culminating in the tragic spear-thrust death of a devout Christian priest. As the chaos rages outside, Leif and Harald forge an unlikely alliance, valiantly fending off the advancing horde.
Meanwhile, Olaf stumbles upon a clandestine hideout beneath the floorboards, where a cluster of trembling women, including the formidable Mistress of Kent, huddle in fear. With her face pressed to the cold earth before the blood-splattered Vikings, she utters a solemn revelation: Aethelred, their erstwhile target, has been dead for ten long days, and his son, Edmund, now sits upon the throne. This revelation shifts the tide of their vengeance, focusing their ruthless gaze on the new king.
Within the castle walls, Edmund's desperate skirmishes against scattered soldiers pale in comparison to the grandeur of true battle. Amidst his arrogance, Godwin steps forward, daring to challenge the young king one-on-one, scorning the hesitance of his comrades. In a swift display of combat mastery, Godwin reduces Edmund to a humbled pupil, a stark reminder that the might of the Vikings is not to be trifled with. "I am not your foe, Your Highness," he declares, "but your own arrogance stands as our adversary."
Elsewhere, Freydis embarks on her sacred pilgrimage, accompanied by Yrsa, their journey fraught with peril. Suddenly, a figure emerges from the shadows, brandishing a sword with murderous intent. A fierce struggle ensues, with Yrsa succumbing to a fatal stab and Toke choked into silence. Freydis, unyielding in her resolve, leaps upon the assailant's back, a garrote of string tightening around his throat, her every squeeze a testament to her ferocity. As the attacker perishes, the group is left reeling from the loss, Toke's life extinguished, and Yrsa clinging to her final breaths. Dangling from the corpse's neck, a cross serves as a haunting symbol, a grim reminder of the religious tensions that simmer beneath the surface.
This formidable Pagan hunter, now fallen in battle, leaves Freydis with the daunting task of securing a healer for Yrsa's care, while she presses on towards Uppsala. Meanwhile, the echo of their fallen brother's fate resounds, drawing the attention of other Pagan Hunters, notably Kare, who embark on a relentless pursuit to uncover Freydis's whereabouts.
Queen Emma, a beacon of wisdom amidst the council's turmoil, issues a stern warning: the presence of the Vikings at their doorstep is a direct consequence of their own deeds, urging the nobles to brace themselves for the impending storm of war. And as if on cue, the Vikings' shadows already loom large over them.
The vast expanse of marshlands stretches endlessly, a seemingly endless tapestry of mist and water, where Leif is entrusted with leading an expedition to assess the defenses and gauge the Englishmen's resilience. Torches flicker in their makeshift procession, casting eerie shadows that dance with the wind, only to reveal a treacherous trap. Archers from nearby boats unleash a barrage of arrows, turning the night into a chaotic symphony of death and survival. Leif narrowly escapes the grasp of doom, with Harald's timely intervention turning the tide.
Six brave souls lie fallen, their sacrifices etched in the memory of those who remain. As the King's banner dares the enemy, Leif and Harald forge an alliance, blending seamlessly into the local populace as they make their way towards the bridge. There, they behold villagers busy amassing supplies, a stark testament to their preparations for the inevitable siege. This chance encounter also affords them a strategic vantage point, allowing them to scrutinize the bridge and its vulnerabilities, plotting their attack with meticulous precision.
Edmund, fueled by ambition and hubris, seizes the crown for himself, unwittingly placing England's fate in the hands of his own folly. The coronation ceremony unfolds amidst Emma's growing trepidation, her heart heavy with the realization that this is a perilous gambit.
