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They were all grouped in Thyra and Beocca's shared home, Hild graced them with her presence as they spoke. Lilith stood next to Finan as she frowned down at the man, he was exhausted and stressed. Ale and women didn't seem to do the trick this time around.

"It could be months before Edward's king, by then the Danes will be marching." Finan spoke softly and glanced at her. Lilith wasn't sure why she had unintentionally found herself bonding more with Finan compared to the others, but her stomach dropped when she realized he reminded her of Bloodhair. The one she grew up knowing, the one that was happy and joked around, the one that lived before Skade stole his soul.

Lilith dug her nails into her arms to avoid crying, she knew she would eventually have to mourn properly. To cry for her loss but if she started now, she would never stop. She rested her head on the wall as she closed her eyes, she wondered if he would have lived if she killed Skade.

"Alfred will be gone much sooner, even than one month. It will be days." Beocca corrected.

"Then there's the argument, for want of a better word. Edward is not every Saxon's choice for king." Hild added bluntly and looked to the woman in worry.

"Judging by the cackle in the alehouse, Edward is not any man's choice." Finan says as Hild looks at Thyra in concern, the Abbess approaches the Dane woman. Finan leaned back slightly so his arm brushed against hers, he had noticed something was wrong with the raven-haired woman.

"Men are saying what?"

"Edward looks like a woman's arse. And you are here to kill him." Sihtric spoke with an amused tinge in his voice. Sihtric and Finan shared a concerned look when they noticed Lilith's closed-off posture.

"News of your pardon will change what people say. Thyra?" The man says seeing Hild hug the Dane woman as she cries, he approaches his wife in concern.

"Thyra, what is it? Why the tears?" She glanced around before telling the men and the women what happened. Not long after, Beocca marched angrily with Uhtred and his boys following along. Lilith clenched her jaw in anger, she hated men with superiority complexes, maybe Beocca would let her kill the cunt.

"Maybe you should let me speak to this man." Uhtred said to his father figure. Lilith envied Uhtred, he had people willing to die for him and she had nothing. Sure, Bloodhair left her his men to command but she would just give them to Uhtred to control, she no longer wanted that title after seeing what it had done to Bloodhair.

"I'm quite capable. She's my wife."

"Yes, but you have a temper." Uhtred stated as they walked.

"I do, and it's up. Tidman! I'm looking for a rat named Tidman! Are you Tidman?" Beocca asked as he looked at a man drinking ale. "I asked are you Tidman?"

"Father Beocca, good morning, and Uhtred, free man of Wessex." Aethelwold said as he walked out of the house. Lilith clicked her tongue in annoyance, she wanted to claw his remaining eye out.

"I'm looking for a man named Tidman does the coward belong to you?"

"He does not." Aethelwold spoke and tensed at her vicious glare.

"I am not a coward. What is it you want, priest?" The man who was drinking stood.

"What I want, oaf, is for you to heed my warning. Speak to or go near my wife again and I shall beat the shit from you." Beocca threatened as he moved closer.

"Oh, well said."

"It is a promise." Beocca snapped at the one-eyed Saxon without looking away from Tidman.

"I called your woman a Dane, is that...is that not what she is?"

"Have you not understood me? You don't appear to be the cleverest of men." Beocca said and Tidman glared at him. Sihtric and Osferth moved in closer when they noticed Tidman watching her while she glared at Aethelwold.

"Do you speak to me as a man or a priest?" Just as Tidman asks Beocca headbutts him and proceeds to punch him when the man collapses. Lilith reached out to grab Osferth as she let out a choked laugh in shock, Osferth placed his hand on hers as they clutched one another. Lilith glanced at Sihtric who was grinning at the sight and joined Uhtred.

"Does that answer your question? Does that answer your question? I do not hide beneath these robes!" Beocca shouted as Uhtred and Sihtric pulled him away.

"Beocca, enough! No more!"

"Bastard! She's a woman! A gentle woman and she's suffered enough." Beocca snarled as Uhtred and Sihtric released him. Beocca shoved past the two Danes to move close to the Saxon. "I'm warning you once. I'm calm, I am calm now." Beocca said as Uhtred patted his shoulder, Tidman started to stand and Beocca lunged.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey, hey!" Uhtred and his men all shout as they grab him. Sihtric chuckled with a wide smile as Beocca punched the guy one last time.

"I am calm. This rotten air that fills Winchester is due to you and the likes of you. England is a land for all tribes who wish to settle and live in peace. Your father would be ashamed of you." Beocca snapped as he looked at Aethelwold, he then walked away in anger.

"Go follow him." Uhtred ordered Sihtric and Osferth. Lilith stayed with Uhtred and Finan as she let her eyes travel amongst the Saxons. Finan compared her intense gaze with one of a predator, he observed her as she looked for the weak link until it landed on Aethelwold.

"I fear the priest does not like me."

"No man likes you, Aethelwold. Your soul is as scarred as your face." Uhtred stated with a glare.

"Courtesy of my uncle Alfred in his mercy." Aethelwold said as a joke and then looked at one another in silence.

"You are useless, Aethelwold. He should have liked you." Lilith hissed out in anger as Finan and Uhtred looked at her.

"Why are you here? Do you still dream you can be king?" Uhtred quickly interrupted.

"It is my home and I will not move. This is a land I love. Can you say the same?" Aethelwold taunted as Finan stood up.

"Ah, Uhtred, I am tired of listening to this squirrel's arse." Finan said with a tired sigh and Lilith cracked a smile.

"Let me offer you a cup of ale. Come inside and sit with me. Let me convince you, I am for a Wessex. Hear me, please." Uhtred and Finan share a look as they begin to walk away, Uhtred pauses with a look of contemplation, he motioned for Finan and Lilith as they follow Aethelwold in while Finan sighs.