An old draft I finally finish, about Thorfinn escaping together with Askeladd. And only that time, Askeladd would pay extra as that boy did to save him from Thorkell.
The way to save Askeladd, I think, to make him stop following the prince after Thorfinn’s duel against Thorkell. At that point they would continue their journey together, but this time, Thorfinn realized he had only one person left to care in this world.