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Sihtric instantly raised an eyebrow, when Twyla mentioned, that they talked about him! No one expect for his family and his friends, has ever talked good about him! He usually didn't trust anyone and that sometimes saved his arse! Uhtred and Finan looked at each other, when Twyla mentioned, that they also talked about King Alfred and that Edward said, that he sometimes misses him! Osferth just lowered his head and covered his ears...he hated listening to people, talking about his father, who never cared for him and who simply gave a shit about him! He was never there when Osferth needed him and sometimes he wished, that he would have at least noticed him...but he didn't!
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Twyla:"For example, we also talked about you, father!...(*Sihtric raised an eyebrow*)...only good, of course!"
Sihtric:(*he sighed*)"And what did you have to say about me, if I may ask?...(*Twyla lowered her head*)...if you say it was only good, then you don't really have to be afraid to tell me!"
Twyla:"I told the King how much I love you and how proud I am to have you as a father!...(*Sihtric's eyes widened*)...the King said that you are truly a blessing and that you are an outstanding warrior! And he is absolutely right about both!"
Uhtred:(*he smiled*)"The gods truly blessed me when they gave me your father as a friend, warrior, listener and confidant!...(*Sihtric looked at Uhtred*)...you have never disappointed me, Sihtric, and I thank you for that!"
Finan:"Hearing that sentence again after all these years feels like I'm sitting in that bush again, freezing my arse off, waiting for Sihtric, who should have been food for the dogs!...(*they laughed*)...turns out those bastards were just playing us!"
Sihtric:(*he patted Finan's back*)"We had to make it believable!...(*Finan rolled his eyes whilst laughing*)...besides, I could never betray Uhtred..."

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Uhtred took a sip of his ale and looked at Sihtric! He was still widely smiling at him and Twyla was glad, that her father had found himself these amazing friends! Stiorra and young Uhtred also widely smiled at their father and he gave them both a hug! Finan looked at Osferth, who somehow waited for Twyla, to continue her story...
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Osferth:"And how does your story continue, Twyla?...(*Twyla got snapped back into reality*)...did Edward and you talk about anything else besides Sihtric's abilities to be a damn good father?"
Twyla:(*she thought briefly*)"We also talked briefly about King Alfred!...(*Osferth's eyes widened*)...Edward misses his father terribly...I think he regrets that he and his father used to fight a lot!"
Finan:"Well, I think we've all had those periods of argument with our fathers!...(*Twyla shook her head*)...with you two it's clear that you don't have anything like that! Twyla you are an angel, Sihtric could never be angry with you!"
Sihtric:(*he nodded*)"Finan is right! You really are an angel, my little one!...(*Twyla smiled at him*)...but back to the topic: you talked about your fathers and so on?"
Twyla:"And about him thanking us for healing Ælfwynn!...(*Osferth and Eadith looked at each other*)...yes, he thanks you both too!"

~~~~~~
Eadith slightly smiled, whilst Osferth wasn't quite sure, whether to question Edward's intentions or just to be glad, that his half-brother didn't forget about him! He quickly decided on option number 2 and took a sip of his ale! Meanwhile: Edward sat on the Mercian throne, listened to Cenric telling him, that Twyla had told Sihtric and the others about their conversation! His gaze darkened and moments later he stood up...Cenric only shot him a confused look, but watched him leave the hall anyway! But the moment Edward reached the table, the group was sitting at earlier, he saw, that no on was there! Meanwhile: Uhtred, Stiorra, Sihtric, Finan, Osferth, Twyla, and Eadith were riding through the forest, looking for a place to stay for a while! Suddenly Lady Ælswith, Æthelstan and Father Pyrlig joined them!
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Uhtred:"What brings you two to us?...(*Father Pyrlig sighed*)...what? Is Edward angry about us leaving?"
Father Pyrlig:(*he nodded*)"Yes, and he orders you back to Aylesbury at once!...(*Uhtred laughed*)...Uhtred, this is no joke!"
Finan:"He should rather start worrying about Winchester!...(*Father Pyrlig lowered his head*)...a lot has certainly happened there in his absence!"
Lady Ælswith:(*she thought briefly*)"No, not really!...(*Finan looked at Lady Ælswith*)...where are you going next?"
Twyla:"Hopefully back home!...(*she sighed*)...I miss my mother and my siblings..."
Sihtric:(*he caressed her head*)"I'm sorry, darling, but you'll have to be patient for a while!...(*Twyla looked at him*)...I guess it's Uhtred's plan to escort Æthelstan and Lady Ælswith safely to Winchester!"

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Uhtred nodded and also looked at Twyla! Tears rose in her eyes and before Sihtric knew it, she stood up and walked further into the forest! Osferth immediately jumped up and followed her...he was faster than Sihtric! Twyla was fast, Osferth had difficulties keeping up, but at some point, Twyla stopped running! Osferth nearly tripped over her, as she suddenly stopped in her tracks...only then did he realise, why she stopped! Hæsten and his men stood right in front of them, laughing at their anxious faces! Twyla looked at Osferth, who now held her right hand and squeezed it slightly...
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Hæsten:"Well, look at that: the baby monk and Sihtric's daughter!...(*Twyla swallowed*)...how are you two doing? You look so scared!"
Osferth:(*he took a deep breath*)"Hæsten, what do you want?...(*Hæsten thought briefly*)...say it and leave us alone!"
Hæsten:"I want to speak to Uhtred, where is he?...(*Osferth lowered his head*)...if you are here, he can hardly be far away!"
Twyla:(*she cleared her throat*)"He and the others are sitting back there by the big tree trunk!...(*Hæsten grinned*)...so that answers your question, is there anything else we can do for you?"
Hæsten:"Can you lead us to the others?...(*Osferth rolled his eyes*)...we are a little disoriented, it is difficult for us to find our way around here!"
Osferth:(*he sighed*)"You are everything but disoriented...nevertheless, we will lead you to the others!...(*Twyla lowered her head*)...follow us!"

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Hæsten nodded and then he and his men followed Twyla and Osferth! Meanwhile: Uhtred looked at Sihtric, who began to worry about his daughter, whilst Finan talked to Stiorra! Eadith went to get some firewood, but when she saw Hæsten and his men, she stayed where she was! Moments later, wood cracked and everyone immediately lifted their heads! Uhtred and Finan caught sight of Hæsten and his men first, then the others did as well! Sihtric was relieved, that Twyla was fine and immediately pulled her into a tight hug, when she reached him! Hæsten watched the two hug, before he cleared the throat and addressed Uhtred...
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Hæsten:"The great Uhtred Ragnarsson!...(*Uhtred rolled his eyes*)...what are you doing here so far from home?"
Uhtred:(*he took a deep breath*)"Don't get on my nerves, Hæsten, and tell me what you want!...(*Hæsten laughed*)...now open your mouth and talk!"
Hæsten:"I bring greetings from my new Lord Sigtryggr!...(*Uhtred raised an eyebrow*)...he likes Winchester very much, yet he wonders: when will the Lady Ælswith and little Æthelstan come back home?"
Lady Ælswith:(*her eyes widened*)"Winchester fell into the hands of a Dane?!...(*Hæsten nodded*)...damn you and your new Lord!"
Hæsten:"He also wants Uhtred dead!...(*Uhtred laughed maliciously*)...but I want that reputation to be mine! Men: tie Sihtric, Finan, Osferth, Uhtred and Father Pyrlig to this tree with their feet up! You two stay here and then report to me who died first...but if they take too long to die: cut their throats!"

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His men did what Hæsten asked of them and the two, whom were chosen to stay, leaned against the tree and watched as the men wriggled and whimpered! Hæsten and his men laughed...it was a divine sight! Uhtred got angry and head butted Hæsten, when he was close enough! That made Hæsten and his men even more laugh and made Uhtred even angrier! Eadith still stood where she was and observed the whole thing from a safe distance! Twyla, Stiorra, Æthelstan and Lady Ælswith were scared, but didn't want to show it! Only when Hæsten turned around and his gaze darkened, did Twyla let out a small, shrill scream...
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Hæsten:"That hurts my ears!...(*he rubbed his ears*)...what are we going to do with you now? Since my Lord would like to have the Lady Ælswith and little Æthelstan in Winchester, the two of them will come with us as hostages!"
Lady Ælswith:(*fear rose inside her*)"Please spare the little one!...(*Hæsten shook his head*)...Hæsten, please! He has nothing to do with this..."
Hæsten:"I don't care!...(*Lady Ælswith sighed*)...men seize them and take them to the cart!"
man 1:(*he nodded*)"Yes, Lord!...(*Hæsten nodded at him*)...what do we do with the other two?"
Hæsten:"That's a good question, I'm still thinking!...(*fear rose inside Uhtred and Sihtric*)...I'm done thinking: seize the other two too and take them to the cart as well!"
Sihtric:(*his eyes widened*)"Hæsten, no, please!...(*Hæsten turned his head*)...Twyla is innocent, please! Please leave her alone...she doesn't deserve this!"

~~~~~~
Hæsten only grinned, turned around, walked towards his horse, climbed onto it and then he and his men rode off! Sihtric and Uhtred only heard their daughters screams, until they fell silent! Then their eyes filled with tears...why them? Why them of all people? Finan, Osferth and Father Pyrlig sighed, feeling how the blood slowly rose to their heads! After a while, Osferth and Sihtric felt it as well and Sihtric was the first one, who steadily lost his consciousness! Osferth and Uhtred tried everything to make him stay awake, but it was hard! Suddenly they heard screams and Finan's eyes immediately lit up: Eadith! One of Hæsten's men walked towards her and got killed by her in the end...what a pity! The other one looked for his friend at some point and that was Eadith's chance to free the boys!
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