"There is a balance that must be maintained," Floki explains, as he stops to circle around one tree, looking up at it as if seeing something hidden in it.

"The trees that offer themselves must be replaced. Just like our men who fall in battle. We wait through the seasons for the saplings, tree and human alike, to grow big and strong until they are ready. I never take a tree if it isn't ready; that would only spell doom for the ship."

Floki pats the three trunk and moves on, looking over his shoulder at Ragnar.

"Rest assured, the trees that I take for this ship will all most certainly be ready."