Original subtitles

that sail reef!

And so, by the storm's fury, he lost all that he loved most in this world, his

ship and his shipmates.

But he was washed ashore, alone, the only survivor.

Then the monks found him and took him to their monastery, where they tenderly

nursed him, never asking his name or his country.

And gradually, he grew stronger.

Now, as he slowly recovered, he saw that the holy men collected tiny colored

stones and, with great patience and loving skill, made pictures from the

stones to decorate their chapel.

And the pictures told a story, a story of a mighty bell made of solid gold.

For days without number, the holy men labored to make this mighty bell.

They made ready a great cauldron, and under it... A fire burned day and night.

Then came the gold.

Gold from the ends of the earth.

Gold offerings of the crusaders.

Gold urns from the lands of Islam.

Gleaming, liquid gold.

A kingdom of gold.

Gold idols.

Golden rings taken from the harems.

from wives, from princesses, from courtesans, gold money, gold from ships

and mines and caravans, from mosques and palaces and sacred cities, gold stolen

by grave robbers from the tombs of the pharaohs, golden cups, golden plate,

treasure won by conquering armies.

And from its hiding place.

came the fabulous chain of Nimrod Dagg of the 10,000 golden links.

At last, the huge cauldron was so filled with molten gold that no more could be

added. Then it was poured into a gigantic clay mould.

For days it stood cooling until the hour struck when the clay was torn away.

And so the great golden bell came shining into the world.

They smoothed it.

They polished it.

Then they called on it to speak.

And they ran back in terror and in awe and covered their ears.

For this was the mother of voices.

Thank you, my friends, for listening to my story.

A romance, you think?

A legend?

No, my friends.

May Allah strike me dead if all I have told you is not true.

Somewhere, lost, stolen, perhaps hidden away, hangs that

great golden bell.

Where? What happened to the bell?

There are those who know.

Do you?

Perhaps.

Tell us. Tell us. What happened?

What became of the man?

Now, wait.

Wait, my friends.

First, I must have encouragement.

My friend, thank you. Thank you.

Please. Please.

Please, my friend. How can we believe a man with eyes as pale as yours?

I am a Circassian.

I have the eyes of the north.

Please.

You have the cold look of a liar.

I come from Byzantium, my friend.

That is how I know about the bell.

And you?

Take him.

You must not make this journey, my lord.

We are not sailors.

The ocean is not like the desert.

It was not meant to be crossed by us.

I have searched from the mountains to the sea.

Now I must know what lies beyond the horizon.

Understand? That is what I must do.

Then take me with you. Your duties are here.

My duties are with my husband.

I can no longer sit and wish away the days as the other women do... while you

chase a legend, a fairy tale... that has already cost us dearly in lives and

gold.

I am your wife, my lord.

Without your affection, I wither and die.

How long am I to be denied your attentions?

How long must I endure your abstinence from pleasure?

Until Allah's divine guidance leads me to the treasures of Islam...

that bell is made of pure gold stolen by the Christian armies... when they

plundered and raped their way across our cities... to the dishonor and

humiliation of our ancestors.

Then neither is your appetite for power.

Do not say that again, Amina.

The bell does exist.

Somewhere in this world, it rests in a Christian land.

So do the pyramids and the gardens of Babylon exist.

Where will you stop my husband?

A man from the marketplace, a stranger.

He was talking of the mother of voices, my lord.

They can do that.

I... I'm afraid that... I'm afraid

there's some grave error, sir.

I'm informed that you know the whereabouts of a golden bell.

The one people call the mother of voices.

Oh, I see.

Then that must be the mistake. No, no, no. I only know the legend.

So do I.

I want to know the truth.

But there is no truth.

I was just trying to earn enough for food and shelter. No more than that, I

swear.

But... You know, there are always dreamers who believe anything.

I am no dreamer, Sir Cashin.

As you shall see.

Yes.

The bell, Sir Cashin.

Oh, uh, please let me explain, my lord. I'm not a Sir Cashin.

I'm from the north.

A Norseman?

Yeah, I'm a Viking.

You see, I was shipwrecked. I'm simply trying to get back to my homeland.

You're lying.

No, my lord, I'm not lying.

What's that?

The bell, Sir Cassian.

My lord, I know nothing about the bell.

Out there in the marketplace, I was lying. Believe me. I do not believe you.

My lord, I know nothing but stories and legends.

I've picked them up in Sicily, Castile, everywhere.

Why, I don't believe for a minute that the bell exists.

Stop lying to me, Rashid. By the gods, why does this always happen to me? I

tell the truth, nobody believes me. I lie, everybody believes me. Rashid.

What? Where did he go?

Oh, now wait.

Now wait a minute. Wait!

Wait!

I'll tell you what I know.

Everything I know.

Thank you.

Well,

you see, we were on our way south on a

raiding voyage.

It had been a hard month. It had been blowing for days on end.

And when we did find palm water, it was only along with fog,

my lord.

A thick, dense fog.

And then...

He knew Rashid.

Did he tell you his name?

No, my lord.

He was nothing.

A sailor, a dreamer, a Norseman.

A Viking.

waste a good timber on pitch never thought i'd see the day when we build a

fighting ship like that for old slang that's to burn on at least our village

won't be so poor for a while

Father, she's beautiful, like something alive.

Oh, less enthusiasm, child, or he'll raise the price.

Well, Croc, is she strong enough to sail a dead king?

My people have never built a better ship, my liege.

Never in all our long history of shipbuilding.

She could sail to the end of the world.

It is a pity that she will never fight.

But it's only to be burned.

For my funeral?

I know what you really think, Croc.

You wish I was already laid out on it, my black funeral sail all aflame,

drifting my soul to Valhalla.

And drifting me out of your sight.

Sire, nothing could be further from my mind.

You will surely outlive me.

I'll see to that cross.

We'll never be able to stop.

Now comes the true test.

My men were handling her. Don't forget that.

But the ship is good.

And I've spent everything I had in building her.

And the question of payment... Not so fast.

First I must get my shipmaster to the port.

How did you find her, Sven?

The best I've ever handled, sire.

I've traded my place in Valhalla to sail in her.

Don't be so eager for Valhalla.

Prepare for sailing home, sire.

I, Harold, King of Northland, take...

the long ships and the tall men.

Now they're merely hot-bellied swillers of aid.

Speak for yourself.

But they haven't made the bargain yet.

Well, go and get them.

Boy, see what's holding up the ale.

That's enough. Get out! Get out!

What's wrong? We need more ale. I'm sorry, no more credit.

We must have more ale. Come on, money, money. Just a few more barrels. We'll

pay. I swear by money, no ale.

You miserable goat!

What is this?

Get some more ale in there.

Go on, you mongrel. Tell him. The time comes when a man has to look to his own.

No payment, no ale.

You, you dare stand there before your lawful...

How much?

Twelve gold pieces.

I don't want to do this to you, but... A badge of my fandom is worth a hundred

times your miserable twelve pieces.

Take it and take the king pays me.

I don't want to... Come on, get these barrels open.

All is well, my liege.

Length of age.

Would you like some more, sire?

No, thank you.

Our youngest son is nearly a man.

It's time for him to leave the women and children and join his elder brother.

Wherever he may be... Rolf, my son.

Why, he's plundering the towns and villages along the coasts of Barbary.

He's a true Viking.

They'll be singing sagas about him for ages to come.

Enough of him.

Now to the business of my funeral ship and the matter of payment.

A trifling matter.

Silence!

Silence!

Hail! Hail for everyone!

Let your drinking-horns be filled, my friends!

And let us train them to His Majesty King Harald and his new longship, his

funeral ship!

Thank you, Fran Croc, even if you weren't completely sincere.

Sven.

Two gold pieces.

The difference between the agreed price of the ship... and the two years'

tribute you already owe me.

But, my lord, I told you.

You agreed.

To wait for the tribute.

The ship is another matter.

It was another matter.

The matter is now closed.

We sail the day after tomorrow.

with a stink of treachery.

Let me come with you. Not now, Wilbur.

I'm not fit company for anyone right now.

Why, great Odin?

What did we do that you turn your rage against us and ruin my father?

I have no rage against you.

Let's go in the smokehouse. It's warm in there.

I'll make you forget Odin's rage.

And even the king's daughter.

Leave me alone.

I'm gonna see.

You must learn the northern sea is for sailing on.

Not for drinking.

Now, Evo, up and out with it.

Ah, that's it.

No beer.

Get some socks. Rub some warmth into it.

Poor devil's half frozen.

Half the fjord in my guts.

What happened to you? Where did you come from?

The last I remember, I was in the water.

The Irish pounding at me with their oars.

And your ship? What happened to your ship?

Your ship, Rolf. Ale.

My throat's caked with salt. Get me some ale.

Get him some ale. Lots of ale.

And, Ilva, bring some warm clothes and something to eat. And tell no one, huh?

Ilva.

Then this must be the old smokehouse.

Now I know I'm home.

There's nothing broken but...

Rolf, where's the ship?

I, uh, left it some distance away.

Tell me, how have you managed these past two years?

Rolf, father gave you a ship to bring back gold from Barbary. Now, what

happened to her?

It's good to be home again after two long years. How's the fishing been?

Can't you ever give a straight answer?

Rolf, where is the ship?

Where all good ships go, dear brother.

You lost her.

Ship sink. What can you do about it?

Get another ship.

What happened to the crew?

Well, now, that's quite a long story. I'll have to tell you about that later.

Rolf, that ship cost father the tribute money he owed the king.

You've ruined him.

You know, I'm beginning to think no one's very happy I came home again.

You're dead for nothing, son-in-law!

Father! Now, father, control yourself, will you? Hell's fun!

Father, now, control yourself.

Father, the gods have sent me home to you.

And I should have you spit into a herring tap. Between high water and low,

you ruined me. Oh, father.

Oh, my head.

Oh, my son, see if there's...

The nasty rats have left a drop of ale.

My mouth feels as if a she-cat had licked it in me. No, no, no. Please

listen to me, Father. I want to try to explain. I'm not going to listen to you

any longer.

I'm a ruined man, an old, broken, ruined man because of you. Oh, now, Father.

Ship, crew, and the loot of Barbary lost at the bottom of the sea.

Yet you managed to return.

Why? To disgrace me? To shame me in front of hell?

I had to come back.

Why?

Because I need another ship.

What? Another ship?

Another ship and another crew.

By the God! Wait, hear me out.

I've heard enough!

Just listen to me for one moment. Remember when Orm and I were boys and we

used to creep into the Great Hall to listen to the storytellers?

What's that to do with it? There was a girl, a dark-skinned girl, who used to

sing for you, remember?

Yeah, I remember.

A girl from Egypt. That's right.

We brought her back with us after the winter expedition.

Yasmin. Yasmin.

Skin like honey.

Yes. She used to tell one story we especially loved.

The story of the bell.

That's right. The mother of voices.

Yeah, I remember.

The great golden bell.

Cast long ago by the monks of Byzantium. A treasure that's been lost for

centuries. The richest prize in all the world, Father.

And that's why I returned for a new ship.

What?

I found the bell.

You found it? Yes, Father.

I don't believe you. I found it.

Nothing else would have brought me back after losing my ship.

You're lying. I don't believe you. No, I'm not. It was only a story. The girl

was just repeating some old legend.

I tell you, I found it.

I've heard it.

I've seen it.

You've seen it? Yes.

Where?

What? Where have you seen it?

Many leagues to the south in Moorish Barbary.

You see, we'd been running before a storm when we ran into fog.

And then through the mist, we heard it.

Booming away like a god's hammer on a mountain of ice.

The golden... Bell of Byzantium. Now, how did you know it was the Bell of the

Legend? How could you be sure it was a mother of voices?

It had to be, dear brother. It could be nothing else.

I don't believe you. Wait, Father.

You know, he just might be telling the truth. No, he's a liar.

He always has been a liar, and he always will be a liar. Yes, that's the way it

goes. The truth nobody ever believes me.

But this time, Father, I think you'll have to believe me.

Why, a thane whose entire fortune consists of two gold pieces must believe

in the offer of a bell of solid gold.

Solid gold?

Solid gold.

As tall as three tall men.

Three tall men?

Father, I swear to you by all the gods, I swear I'm telling the truth.

Don't swear by the gods. The gods have deserted me. All right, but I know the

bell exists.

I can get it for you.

All I need is a ship.

But how can a fane with only two gold pieces find even equipment on the ship?

I can arrange all that.

Because of you, I've nothing left. Yes, you do, Father.

You do have something.

You have the finest ship in the north.

No, not that ship. That's the king's ship.

It's your ship.

It was built by your men.

It's King Harold's ship. He practically stole it from you. That's right.

Well, he bought it. He paid for it.

Father, Harold cheated you.

It's still your ship. He speaks the truth.

But what about the crew?

Oh, Father, getting the crew will be no problem.

One whisper of a golden bell as tall as three tall men and you could fill a

hundred ships.

That's right.

But they may not be as craggilous as I.

You just leave the crew to us, Father.

And the king?

And leave him to us.

Hang me! No, he won't hang you. He'll hang no one. He'll harm no one.

We'll take a hostage.

The forward stay is slack. Tighten it.

Check the lashings on those plows.

Good evening, shipmaster.

What do you want?

King Harold ordered us to bring you down sail.

King Harold?

Just to wet your whistlers before you sail.

All right.

Right, bring them aboard.

All ready for sailing, then? We sail at first light.

Well, not before.

Everything's ready.

That's all I want to know.

Wait!

Then follow in the other ships, but they smashed yours.

They've stolen my ship, your sons.

I know, my lord.

It was at my command.

Where did they go?

Where?

Answer me.

Then I'll scour the seas until I find them, and when I do, I'll hang them.

This I swear by Odin. And I pray that Odin will protect them.

Pray for yourself, old man.

Guards, take him.

Hang him from your own tower.

You won't hang me, my lord.

My sons have taken your daughter as a hostage, my lord.

Gather all my longships.

Make ready to sail!

You've been ashore too long.

You're as weak as old men.

Strike, ho!

Strike, ho!

Strike, ho!

Vikings, subjects of King Harold, I order you to turn back.

This man has tricked you, and you're all traitors.

Row, you devils!

I command you to turn back, or you'll all be hanged in the king's name.

like hysterical old women.

For doomed men, you all look remarkably healthy.

So the black sail makes it the king's funeral ship. What of it?

Yesterday, you greedy devils begged to sail with me to find the bell, half the

gold in all the world in one piece.

And not one man will live to see it.

This is a funeral ship, a death ship.

No one sails in her but ghosts.

If you want to see your wives and children again, turn back.

Turn back now.

The black sail means the ship is cursed and every man aboard her.

Stories for old women.

Legends to frighten children into nightmares.

As true as your dream of a golden bell.

Really think the ship is cursed, Sven?

Aye. But we sailors are practical men, aren't we?

Aye.

Then you tell us, Sven.

You tell us how to lift the curse.

There's only one way.

And what is that one way?

To sacrifice a maiden.

A maiden must die.

A maiden must die.

So be it.

Sweet dreams.

Almighty Odin!

Almighty Thor!

Accept this maiden whom we are about to sacrifice.

Give us fair winds and a prosperous voyage in return for her young life.

Lift thy curse!

You satisfied? Who was that girl?

Just a poor wench.

You satisfied or would you prefer a long swim to shore?

No, I'll stay.

Then it's a pity to waste a good seaman. I could do with your skill.

What about these?

I'll have those off.

In return for your word that you'll not try anything again.

And Ola?

All I need is his word.

You have it.

Fine. And you have mine, too.

Good. But I warn you, I'll live for the day I see you hanged.

Well, now, that seems a fair bargain.

Eric, release them. But wait. You're not going to leave me here rowing alone.

Why not?

Well, that's ridiculous.

Look at my hands. They're all raw. I'm not used to this kind of life. You

should have thought of that before and stayed at home.

I wish I had done.

And so will many of us, friend Pauline.

Before this voyage is over.

You don't feel so well, huh?

I'm finished with you, Ralph.

Come here. What for?

Come on.

Stay out of sight.

I'm used to the gray mist of our cold northern seas, but this warm fog clings

to my flesh.

Nothing to worry about.

I can't see anything.

The wind.

Why did the wind die down all of a sudden?

Cluster your hides! Row!

Keep the matter, Dricker.

Well, there's an end to the Golden Bell.

And we're so close.

Where are we, anyway? Somewhere on the Moorish coast.

See if you can get them moving.

We've got a lot of work to do.

Come on.

We've got a ship to repair.

Come on.

Move.

Move. Come on. Move.

Move. Come on.

Get up. Get up there.

Come on, everybody, up.

You get it?

Yes.

Someday, somehow, I'm gonna make up for all this misery I've caused you, I

promise.

It's all right, dog.

At least you are still alive.

You seem to be both in good condition.

You all right?

We'll need your help.

And, Princess, I think you'd better go.

You brought us to this.

May the chosen sea devils drag you down to hell.

First, you offered King Harald's daughter as a sacrifice to lift the

curse.

Then you invoked the sea gods and tricked us.

But you cannot lie to the gods and they sent the maelstrom to destroy us.

The maelstrom was there. It had nothing to do with any gods.

We should have cut his throat when we had the chance.

You have the chance now, you fat-gutted rat. Why don't you take it?

No defense.

What do you mean no defense? No defense.

I thought you said we didn't give up.

There are too many of them.

I said no defense.

You'd wonder how they dare go to sea in a ship like that. They don't go in the

real sea.

She'll founder in a light breeze.

I missed you.

You came back for the bell.

I did.

Where is it?

I don't know.

You're lying!

Well, now, that's for you to decide, isn't it?

Forgive the intrusion.

How good it is, Nosman, to have you...

Once again, as my guest.

I wish I could say the same, my lord.

I have made some small changes to the room.

I hope you approve.

Yes, they... They do make a difference, don't they?

Well... Let us discuss the bell.

First, I'd like to know...

what you're going to do with my people.

Well, Viking, since you are the only one of importance to me, they are, of

course, to be sold as slaves, which is what we customarily do with our

prisoners.

The bill.

Well, you seem to have me at a disadvantage again, my lord.

Even so, I'm afraid it will do you no good.

No patience with you, savage.

Now speak up.

I can tell you nothing.

Please, my lord.

We sailed in violent storms, blown many leagues off our course. I have no idea

how to find your bell.

A hundred lashes will give you an idea.

Even if I knew the course, you'd never get there.

Why not?

I have a ship.

Your ship?

Forgive me, my lord.

I don't mean to be critical, but you Moors don't make very good sailors.

For the last time, nozman, where is the bell?

I don't know.

Girls.

What about that Viking girl?

You mean the savage who calls herself a princess?

I have ordered her not to be sold.

Why, my lord? Because I want to know what she knows about the bell. Now

prepare her to come to me tonight.

That dirty animal.

She's a barbarian, fit only to tend pigs.

Jealousy becomes you.

Jealous, my lord?

How can you think that?

This means you have learned nothing from the Viking.

He's stronger than you thought.

Perhaps not.

So you have failed with him again.

You were unable to make a single Viking talk.

So now you choose to conquer a savage girl.

With jealousy in your eyes and fire in your cheeks, you are lovely, but watch

your tongue before you find yourself in a slave market, whipped and sold.

That may be better than the loneliness of weeks and months without love or

affection.

It will be better soon.

And when this time is behind us, you shall have everything you want.

You shall be the most envied woman in all Islam.

I promise.

I only want to share my life with you again, like when we were children.

A little laughter, a tender word or two.

An imaginary trip to Damascus on a magic carpet.

Remember, my lord?

We never found a carpet that could fly.

Did we?

Be patient, Amina.

And we shall share the greatest prize on earth.

Let me deal with the girl, my lord.

I will get from her whatever she knows.

Let me help you.

No, I shall attend to it myself.

Now go and prepare her.

Oh, she's beautiful.

Attention! There'll be freedom.

The best of food and wine.

Women.

All this to the man who will tell where the bell is to be found.

Speak up!

A helmet full of gold from my lord in Mansu.

We... we heard something... Take him away.

Where's Roth?

Gone to make a bargain with the moon. Not Roth.

You saw how they had him beaten last time. He said nothing then, he'll say

nothing now. He's had time to think since then. He'll get himself out and I

think we should do the same.

Oh, you'll never get beyond the palace.

Look, we...

We've got two

choices. To try and get out or stay here and rot.

I say we should wait for Roth. So do I.

When I say we should see what he's doing.

What are you looking for? You wouldn't happen to have your husband hidden

around here somewhere, would you? We are quite alone.

We are?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, that's good.

Well, what can I do for you, my lady?

I would like to do something for you.

You would?

And, uh, what would that be?

I can offer you and your comrades the chance to live... and to sail from these

shores as rich men.

What do you say?

Just name your price.

Who spoke of price? Who gives anything without one?

I only want the bell.

You too.

No, I'm afraid I can't help you, my lady.

You disappoint me. Why?

You don't think I would speak without full knowledge, do you?

The bell, Viking.

The bell which lies near the Pillars of Hercules.

From the description, it can be no other place.

What description?

The man, Valin, talked.

Oh, did he? Did he now?

Well, I don't know anything about the...

Pillars of Hercules, you call it?

But if you know where this bell is, why don't you and your husband get it for

yourselves? Because my husband needs your skill.

Your Viking seamanship.

We are invincible in this desert.

On the high seas, we are as children.

You are seafarers. We are landsmen.

It is as simple as that.

I see.

So, what are you offering me?

A ship and your own men to man it.

A Moorish ship?

What else?

I'd as soon go to sea in a fish basket to get through the maelstrom that guards

the... And you didn't know about that.

All right, all right, my lady. Anyway, you need a ship, a real ship. A Moorish

galley will never make it.

You must try. No, it's impossible.

Absolutely.

I have an idea.

My own ship lies beached down there on the coast.

She got through rough waters once.

You let me repair her and she'll do it again.

How long would you take to repair your ship?

Not long, just a few days, given the timber and my crew.

I'd like to ask you something, my lady.

In whose name are you making this offer?

Your husband or yourself?

I speak for both.

My husband and myself.

I see.

And why should he leave such a delicate problem to you?

Because tonight he's occupied.

They told me you tried to scratch your cheeks with your knits.

That would have been a crime.

You are beautiful.

And they have prepared you well.

I can see now that you possibly are the daughter of a king.

Touch me and my father will burn your city to the ground.

Are you afraid?

But the smell, it must be the herring. I won't find Sven in here.

No, but we might find Gerda.

Where's that northern girl who was brought here today?

Tell me or I'll cut your head off.

She's with my lord.

Where? At the door at the end of the passage.

them from the city walls.

Then leave them for the kites and jackals.

Who, my lord? The barbarian was with you.

Yes, I had him brought to me.

On whose authority?

You weary me, my lord, with such questions.

While you were busy with your snow princess, I arranged for the barbarian

to lead us to the bell.

What are those arrangements?

All in good time, my lord.

I want to see your master. Where is he? Where is Delman Sue?

Where is El Mansou? I must speak to him at once.

I shall wait upon you later, my lady.

If ever we had children, my lady.

What princely liars they would be.

You must go now.

All right. No, this way.

Amina, you shall pay for this insult to me.

You shall ride the mare of steel.

Bravely? Well, I have little choice.

You have not seen it at work before.

Fortunately, no.

Had you done so, I promise that you would not be prepared to die so calmly.

Milord, I assure you, I am anything but calm.

I shall arrange a demonstration.

My lord.

Yes?

Please.

Not one of my men.

Never fear. I need them. They have work to do.

I will show you how a Moor can die.

You Vikings are eternally boasting of your courage.

I shall give you an example of real courage.

The courage that comes from authority.

My authority.

Amina? Yes, my lord? Select me a man, one of my guards. He must ride the mayor

of steel before the viking.

Amina?

You believe in Allah?

Go then.

Your turn Viking.

My lord, I hope you realize this revenge of yours will lose you the bell.

You need more than just a Viking ship and crew.

You need a navigator.

You need me.

But I have a Viking navigator.

A man in every way as skilled as yourself.

The sailing master to King Harald of Norseland.

He will lead your crew.

The Vikings don't go without Roth.

Aye.

Then you shall be next.

We go together, either to the ship or to the Mare of Steel.

That's right. Aye.

No arm.

Yes.

Either you live or we die together.

Then the bell will be gone forever.

Then we shall take the Viking girl.

And if you play me false in any way, she shall be the first to feel the kiss of

steel.

Don't make him move.

All right.

Now let's see you work.

Come on, get your backs into it.

Pull that timber for us.

Get those ropes stowed away.

On whose side do you fight, sailing master? I obey orders.

Then let the work continue.

We sail tomorrow.

And may Allah send us a fair wind and a calm sea.

And may Thor do the same, my lord.

All right, back to work! All of you!

You seem to have divided loyalties, Sven.

My loyalties are to the king, his daughter, and his ship.

Well, that sounds very honorable.

But how does that fit in with your arrangements with Mansu?

As long as he's looking for the bell, the ship and the girl are safe.

I see.

And what are your plans for me?

King Harald must decide.

So until he finds us, we fight the same battle, is that right? We do.

That is, of course, if he ever does find us.

Oh, he will.

What are they doing?

We're nearing the maelstrom.

Steady.

Get ready.

There! There it is!

We're supposed to go forward.

Hey, there she go.

Great.

It's the dome!

The whole dome is the bell!

Tie that on. Right.

Steady there on the chain.

Stretch it out back that way.

Ready? Ready.

All right, heave.

Heave!

More. Now hold it.

Now move it to the right.

Gently. Easy now.

Just to make sure the bell gets down safely.

Move it to the right!

Watch it!

That was the quick way to get it down.

Tie off that far line.

Arm, see that all lines are secure.

What if... Mansu has ordered me to be ready to sail within the hour.

Then Harold's ships never sail. They must have sailed.

Then where are they?

Well, there's nothing we can do but return to the city.

And we can't try anything on the way back or we'll lose everything.

Including ourselves.

And what happens when we return to the city and Mansu no longer needs us?

I don't know.

Civilization again.

You can keep it. Give me the hills and fjords of Scandia.

You'll never see them again.

Why not?

We're bringing back old man Sue and the bell safely, aren't we? They'll let us

go then.

Never. The only reward we're ever likely to get is a ride on a mare of steel.

Thank you.

So quiet.

I know.

And there's something missing.

What?

Their weapons.

My lord,

the long ships came in the night.

We could do nothing to warn you.

Amina.

I would like to stay.

Cut the vines!

Let's go boys!

pieces, remember?

Welcome, father.

Rolf, my son.

You see, I wasn't lying.

I sailed in my longships to find you, Rolf, and to hang you.

Yes, sire.

However, as my daughter is safe and my ship is still afloat... And as we have

found the greatest prize in all the world... in which you, of course, will

share, my sire.

Then...

Then... Then come here.

Sire, sire, I'd like to ask you something.

Yes?

Have you ever heard of the three crowns of the Saxon kings?

It seems that one of the crowns was adorned with a great jewel, a diamond

as big as a gull's head.

Now, the three crowns have been lost for many, many years. But I feel, Simon,

that if we organized a proper expedition, it would be quite possible

to find those three crowns.