9. Resurrection

Complete story — includes the ending

In Iceland, Ubbe is introduced to Othere, a wanderer who glimpsed the coasts of a golden land to the west. Torvi has difficult labor and almost dies, but survives and gives birth to a boy whom she and Ubbe call Ragnar. Othere is revealed to be a former Christian monk named Athelstan, who has adopted the identity of a dying wanderer. Ubbe wants to sacrifice Othere to the gods, but he is reminded by Torvi that he himself was once baptized. Othere gives Ubbe Floki's wedding ring, saying that he met him before he disappeared; Ubbe is skeptical. In Kattegat, Bjorn takes Ingrid as his second wife, with Gunnhild's blessing. He asks Erik to patrol his borders; Erik's party is attacked by Ganbaatar and his Rus' soldiers. Bjorn sends Erik to Vestfold to ask Harald to join forces against the Rus', but Harald instead arrests Erik for being an outlaw. After Olaf's plea, Harald listens to Erik and agrees to join with Bjorn. Hvitserk is found by the Rus' and Ivar takes him to Kiev; Hvitserk tells Ivar he killed Lagertha, and is received by Oleg and Katia. An informer tells Ivar that Dir expects him to help overthrow Oleg after the invasion. Oleg parades his army outside the city walls, declaring this to be the end of paganism.