╚════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*════════╝

Later that day, the group rode their horses through the woods when Finan whistled to alert Uhtred of the Danes. Lilith kicked Finan's foot to annoy her father figure, the Irishman sent her a glare that had her snickering.

"Is it Hæsten?" Uhtred questioned and groaned at the name. She didn't want to put up with him.

"Where is he going?" Sihtric questioned as he tapped her thigh with his fingers absentmindedly.

"He's with his kinfolk, he'll not want to fight." Finan informed them and glanced at Sihtric's hand on her thigh in confusion.

"Uhtred Ragnarsson." Hæsten spoke, "I thought I could smell something rotten in the air."

"We should kill him now, lord, while we have the chance." Sihtric claimed as he snatched his hand away under Finan's scrutinized stare.

"Or let me, Uhtred." She practically purred at the thought.

"I've had enough of fighting Danes, even weasels like Hæsten." Uhtred replied and successfully shut up the couple.

"Uhtred and his pretty boys. Looking so sad and far from home. Why?" Hæsten taunted and let his eyes land on her. She waved her fingers mockingly at him and grinned when the Dane scowled.

"It's none of your concern, let us pass and I will not cut off your head." Uhtred threatened. Hæsten chuckled at the man before speaking.

"I suppose once more, you ride out to save the Lady Aethelflæd? Continue if you like, Uhtred. It seems fate had brought us together again. Your men look like ragged dogs in need of meat and we have plenty. We camp here tonight. Join us." Hæsten announced. "And keep her on a tightrope, Uhtred. Whores like her will be the end of you, hence the reason Bloodhair's men refuse to follow her." Lilith laughed at his claim but quickly stopped to grab Sihtric who grabbed his axe with the intention of burying it in Hæsten's skull.

"Sihtric, no." She whispered as her hands held his wrist tightly. She wouldn't lie and say it wasn't attractive, because it was, and it wasn't the first time Sihtric had killed a man who insulted her.

"Hæsten's men say Cnut and Brida have attacked Mercia." Osferth approached them later that day when they stayed at the camp. She had kept her hand around Sihtric's wrist to ensure he didn't start a war.

"I knew they did not sail for Irland." Finan exhaled.

"Edward and Aethelred will need us now." Finan spoke making Uhtred scoff.

"I owe them nothing." Uhtred snapped and for once she was proud of the man.

"And Aethelflæd?" Finan questioned.

"It is true, I fear for her." Uhtred spoke softly and she sighed, he would help in the end. He always does.

"Uhtred! Join me!" Hæsten shouts and signals for his men to leave.

"There was a rumor you had gone north to regain your lands. Are you here with your tail between your legs?" Hæsten taunted and cowered under her glare.

"Your men say the Danes have gone to war, yet you are here, playing nursemaid." Uhtred claimed as Hæsten turned to look at two little redheaded boys.

"What happened, Hæsten? Have they cut off your balls?" Uhtred taunted making her laugh, she felt Sihtric hook his finger into the belt of her sword holder and jerked her closer to his side. He hated the way the men leered at her and the closer she was to him, the better.

"What can I say? I'm a family man." Hæsten spoke with a chuckle. She doubted that.

"I do not see your fat wife." Uhtred replied.

"She died."

"Oh, did she?" Uhtred spoke.

"Mm. As you know, I once had the desire to claim Wessex and Mercia for my own but that did not go well for me. And how, like you, Uhtred, I only want a woman to hump and a piece of land to call my own. I had both, in Skade and Beamfleot until you took them from me."

"Skade did not want your rat-looking arse anyways." She said with a shrug and Hæsten sent her a dirty look.

"How is Aethelflæd? In my experience, the bitch has never known when to lie down. No doubt she'll be riding into battle with Cnut...with her silly husband and her pretty brother. And you have always been there to save her, Uhtred. But not now."

"She does not need me." Uhtred spoke.

"Mm. That's not what I heard. How is she? To bed? I imagine she squeals, like a big fat pig." Hæsten taunted as Uhtred stood and kicked the log from under Hæsten as he fell to the ground. Lilith's eyes lit up at the utter chaos and grabbed Sihtric's arm in excitement.

"Stop it!" Finan shouted. Uhtred ignored him and hit Hæsten as he cackled, Uhtred placed his boot on Hæsten's throat.

"Come on, Uhtred! We were having a nice dinner." Uhtred released him. "Of course, I would slit her throat after she has been ridden." Uhtred turned sharply.

"Wait, Uhtred! She's too well used to fight over."

"Now, I will kill you." The two began to fight.

"Wait, wait, wait! There is something I can give you. The name of the man that killed Ragnar."

"Huh? Aethelwold!" Uhtred shoved the Dane against a tree and held a sword to his throat. She wanted the man dead.

"No! He held the dagger, but another whispered poison into his ear. Let me live...and I'll tell you who gave the command."

"Speak!"

"Cnut! He wanted to lead the Danes...and he wanted Ragnar's woman who used to be yours. He told Aethelwold that Ragnar would kill him. He guided the blade into Ragnar's heart." Uhtred looks over at the redheaded boys.

"These are Cnut's sons, hm? You can go. You will leave Cnut's bastards behind." Uhtred ordered as Hæsten chuckled.

"I'm tired of the redheaded runts. You can take them." Uhtred shoved Hæsten.

"Of course, Cnut will hear of this."

"I said go." Hæsten backs up and bumps into Sihtric who glares at him."Finan."

"Lord?"

"Tie them up." Sihtric and Finan move to grab the children. Sihtric chased after the runaway boy as the other tried to stab Finan. She crossed her arms with a sigh and shared a glance with Osferth, this would not go to plan.

"Come on. Jesus! No, no, no. Where are you going? Where are you going?" The boys grunt as they were tied up.

"Cnut's sons? I thought you did not want to be a part of this war." Osferth walks away as Uhtred glares at him. She covered her laugh with a cough and patted Uhtred shoulder in passing.