Thorkell continues on his way to catch Sweyn's army with Ragnar and Prince Canute as his hostages, but a group of the Danish army catch up to them and threaten to wipe them out. Thorkell cunningly releases the hostages, but then goads the Danish soldiers into a senseless attack which they cannot win, fighting at close quarters. Meanwhile, Askeladd starts a forest fire, causing smoke which confuses the combatants, and sends in Thorfinn to capture the prince. Thorkell decides not to waste his men by fighting Thorfinn and allows him to take the prince.