The parallels between Askeladd and Bjorn's relationship and Thorfinn and Einar's relationship is one of my favourite things about Vinland Saga. Askeladd being Welsh and hating the Danes, but keeping that a secret from Bjorn all those years versus Thorfinn being a Dane who has killed English people like Einar's family and admitting this to Einar without lying. Bjorn helping Askeladd in his violence and bloodshed versus Einar helping Thorfinn escape the cycle of violence and bloodshed. Bjorn expressing his wish to be friends with Askeladd in his dying breath and Askeladd only then admitting that he sees Bjorn as a friend versus Einar seeking out Thorfinn's friendship as soon as he begins warming up to him and Thorfinn acknowledging that they are, in fact, friends. Both have very similar dynamics, they are endlessly loyal to one another and can rely on each other always, except Einar and Thorfinn are a much healthier dynamic that helps pull them both out of their darkest moments, while Bjorn and Askeladd push each other down into worse and worse lows.
