‘Vinland Saga: Season 2’ Episode 13 Recap & Ending Explained: Who Is Garnar?

Welcome to the Recap and Ending Explained for Vinland Saga: Season 2, Episode 13, titled “Dark Clouds.” Season 2 enters its second half with a new opening that, in classic anime fashion, spoils us the rest of the season by giving us some very clear images of what is to come. The second half of the second season seems to be filled with more drama and even more conflict than in the first half. Thorfinn and Einar are about to find themselves in the eye of the storm as many storylines start to converge on Ketil’s farm.

The previous episode left us with an amazing setup for what is to come. We discovered that Canute was planning to take Ketil’s farm to fill his coffers, as the king requires money to maintain his army in England. Instead of raising the taxes further in either England or Denmark, Canute has decided to requisition the things he needs from certain parties simply. Thorgil, Ketil’s older son, saw through the conspiracy and is now ready to make war against Canute, and he and his father are on their way to the farm alongside Leif, who has been searching for Thorfinn for years.

The following paragraphs contain spoilers for Vinland Saga: Season 2, Episode 13. Read at your own risk.

What Will Einar And Thorfinn Do When They Are Free?

The episode’s core sees us returning to our friends Einar and Thorfinn, who are finishing a hard day of work at Ketil’s farm. The pair returns to their place to rest, and they start talking on the way. In a previous episode, before Ketil went to see King Canute, he told the pair of friends that he would free them when they managed to plant all the seeds for the next harvest. Ketil also offered them a place to stay if they decided to keep working on the farm after being free. It all sounded too good to be true, but at that moment, Ketil sounded completely genuine.

However, at this precise moment, Thorfinn asks Einar if he has decided on their future options. Einar answers that he has lived so long as a slave that he doesn’t feel right when deciding by himself. Especially a decision as important as what to do with his freedom. Einar definitely feels like staying on the farm and doing what he knows, which is farming, seems like the best option. He also interjects that he would like to stay because doing so would mean he would have the chance to free Arnheid.

Arnheid was presented early in the season, and Einar fell for her instantly. However, it became clear that Arnheid didn’t have the same deal as Einar and Thorfinn. Arnheid doesn’t have the option to be free. Einar still believes that he can free her somehow. Thorfinn is surprised at such an answer. Thorfinn didn’t know that Einar was so in love with Arnheid. Einar disagrees in his embarrassment, but for us, he clearly has strong feelings for her.

When they arrive at Sverkel’s house, they find Snake inside. The three of them surprise themselves by realizing that Sverkel is nowhere to be seen. Snake grabs a horse and searches alongside Thorfinn and Einar for the old man. Sverkel might be old, but he has a very strict routine. Snake finds the old man, he was working the land, and it seems like his legs gave out. Snake and the slaves take Sverkel to their house and place them in bed. Snake, Thorfinn, and Einar talk about how Sverkel might not have too much time.

Who Is Garnar?

This episode begins not with Canute or Thorfinn but with a new character. We see this character surrounded by flames and with a bloody sword in his hand. This man is tall and strong, and he seems quite angry. We see an older man in the same room on fire, scared and begging for mercy. The strong man has cuffs on his wrists, which identify him as a slave. We also see a woman hiding behind a bed. It is quite a powerful scene, telling us a lot without having to stop and describe it to us.

The old man is the strong man’s master, and here he begs for mercy. He even decides to exchange roles. He proposes that he should be the slave now, and the other man should be the master. The slave accepts, and now in his position as master, he decides to kill the man anyway. He leaves the woman and her baby alive, though. The former slave now grabs a horse and rides through the forest. He seems to be on a mission to find a woman.

Back at the farm, Thorfinn and Einar ask Snake about his relationship with Svelker. Snake dismisses the question by saying he only wants to inherit the big Bible, the old man has once he dies. Snake’s men arrive and tell him about the runaway slave. It seemed the slave killed not only his master but also the master’s sons. Snake tells the men to patrol in groups of three and ask for reinforcements if they happen to see him. A group of Snake’s men finds the slave, but they are too loud, and the slave catches them off-guard.

At the farm, Anheid arrives, and she cooks a big meal for everyone. Unlike the old man’s cooking, Arnheid’s cooking looks and tastes delicious. They have a great time eating and laughing. Einar helps Arhheid to wash the dishes, and she confesses she has never had that much fun at a meal. She says that she felt like she was free again. Einar agrees. However, in the distance, the slave gallops towards them with two of Snake’s men in pursuit. Anrheid recognizes the man’s face and calls him Garnar. Garnar recognizes her as well and calls Arnheid, his wife.

It seems that there will be a huge conflict between Garnar and Snake. Arnheid, on the other side, seems completely shocked. It is difficult to say if she is happy to see her husband or if she is just in shock. This, on top of Ketil and Canute coming to the farm as well, set up a series of chaotic events in the future.