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Edward approached McKenna's and took her right hand! She looked at him and placed her free hand over his! Edward then took a deep breath and lowered his head! McKenna tilted her head and waited for him to speak up!
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Edward:"I told my wife and her maid that you will accompany them to the convent!...(*McKenna looked at his wife*)...my wife's name is Ecgwynn and she hates being lied to! So I am asking you to let her in on everything you are planning for her safety and that of my children!"
McKenna:(*nodded*)"I will stick to it!...(*Edward smiled*)...now you make sure that we get out of here undetected and that no one follows us!"
Edward:"I will do my best!...(*McKenna sighed*)...it means a lot to my wife and me that you are helping us!"
McKenna:(*lowered her head*)"Tell me again when I have to explain the whole situation to your sister one day!...(*they laughed*)...say goodbye to her and your children again because we have to go!"

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Edward nodded and did as she said! Then they rode off and Edward was left behind, hoping that McKenna really knew what she was doing! After a while McKenna and the two women reached the convent and immediately a friendly looking woman came walking towards them! McKenna jumped off her horse and helped Ecgwynn get off hers! Then Ecgwynn helped her maid and her twins out of the cart and turned back to McKenna! McKenna explained to the friendly looking woman who they were and what they wanted here!
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McKenna:"Hello! My name is McKenna and I bring this woman and her children here so that they can live here in safety!...(*the woman looked at Ecgwynn*)...would it be possible for you to take in this little family?"
woman:(*nodded*)"But of course!...(*McKenna smiled*)...I will show them their rooms in a moment and then we will have dinner!"
Ecgwynn:"Thank you so much! That means a lot to me!...(*the woman smiled at her*)...and I thank you too, McKenna! You saved me and my children from our personal hell!"
McKenna:(*took her hands in hers*)"You are welcome, Ecgwynn!...(*Ecgwynn smiled at her*)...I have to go back to Winchester now but I will come and visit you soon!"

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Ecgwynn nodded and watched McKenna disappear! When McKenna reached the gates of Winchester, Lady Ælswith and Edward were standing besides an ale house, arguing! McKenna rode through the gates, led her horse to the stables and then joined the conversation! Edward breathed a sigh of relief when he saw McKenna!
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McKenna:"Are you all right?...(*Lady Ælswith shook her head*)...what is wrong?"
Lady Ælswith:(*took a deep breath*)"Father Beocca has found out that Edward is already married!...(*McKenna's eyes widened*)...and now I am trying to squeeze certain information out of him!"
Edward:"But I told her that I would say no more on the subject!...(*McKenna looked at him*)...so if you will excuse me!"
Lady Ælswits:(*rolled her eyes*)"He is driving me crazy!...(*McKenna sighed*)...dear, do you know anything about his alleged wife?"
McKenna:"Not that I know of, sorry!...(*she lowered her head*)...but if I hear anything, I will let you know!"

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Lady Ælswith widely smiled at her and then she disappeared! McKenna exhaled and leaned against the wall of the ale house! Suddenly she noticed a young man who looked like a monk! He had ash blond hair and beautiful blue eyes! She immediately fell in love with his eyes and it looked like he had noticed her too! He came up to her and smiled at her, she smiled back! Then he cleared his throat and addressed her! McKenna also immediately fell in love with his calm voice! He scratched his head before she answered him!
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McKenna:"My name is McKenna! It is really nice to meet you, Osferth!...(*Osferth smiled at her*)...what are you doing out here?"
Osferth:(*lowered his head*)"I await the return of a warrior!...(*McKenna tilted her head*)...Uhtred Ragnarsson is to return here soon, and I want to join him!"
McKenna:"Uhtred Ragnarsson the Dane slayer?...(*Osferth nodded whilst laughing*)...are you sure you want to become a killer machine too?"
Osferth:(*scratched his head*)"I cannot even hold a sword, so I would probably be more of the soul support!...(*McKenna laughed as well*)...and what are you doing here in Winchester?"
McKenna:"Running from my said husband!...(*Osferth tilted his head*)...I do not want to marry this arrogant weasel! He is annoying and pushy!"
Osferth:(*nodded at her*)"If he shows up here, I will tell him I did not see you!...(*McKenna smiled at him*)...then you are safe and you can laugh at him!"

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McKenna laughed whilst nodding! Osferth smiled and admired her beauty! He lost himself in her eyes and she noticed that he was wandering off the subject! She just giggled and made him stare! Osferth soon got snapped back into reality by Father Beocca! The Father smiled at Lady McKenna before he turned his head back to Osferth! Osferth then said goodbye to McKenna and disappeared! She then made her way to the palace and to Lady Æthelflæd's chambers! She knocked and was let in moments later...
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Æthelflæd:"Did you have a good day?...(*McKenna nodded*)...I am glad to hear that!"
McKenna:(*smiled at her*)"And did you have a good day too, Lady?...(*Æthelflæd nodded as well*)...that is nice!"
Æthelflæd:"Dear, can I ask you something?...(*McKenna nodded again*)...when Æthelwold mentioned a warrior called Finan the other day, your eyes widened and you became completely hysterical!"
McKenna:(*sighed*)"May I confide something in you, Lady?...(*Æthelflæd looked at McKenna*)...I am the lost wife of Lord Æthelred, and I am here looking for my brother..."
Æthelflæd:"I already suspected that, but I did not say anything!...(*McKenna's eyes widened*)...do not worry, I am not angry! When I look at Lord Æthelred, I understand why you fled!"
McKenna:(*slightly smiled*)"But my chances of finding my brother are sinking!...(*Æthelflæd tilted her head*)...you know who I am talking about, am I right?"

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Lady Æthelflæd nodded again and widely smiled at McKenna! McKenna got confused but when Lady Æthelflæd pointed out of her window, McKenna stood up and walked over to it! She looked down at the streets of Winchester and saw a bunch of riders, riding through the gates! Lady Æthelflæd suddenly took her by the hand and pulled her with her and out of the palace! They soon reached the marketplace and McKenna immediately locked eyes with one of the warriors! It was her brother...Finan!
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Æthelflæd:"Uhtred, how nice it is to see you well!...(*Uhtred laughed*)...Sihtric, Finan, Clapa it is good to see you well too!"
Clapa:(*smiled*)"Thank you, Lady!...(*Æthelflæd smiled back at him*)...who is that next to you?"
Finan:"My sister McKenna!...(*Sihtric's, Clapa's and Uhtred's faces dropped*)...how can it be that you are still alive?!"
McKenna:(*wiped away her tears*)"I could ask you the same question!...(*Finan jumped off his horse*)...you do not know how long I have waited for this moment..."
Finan:"I can imagine it!...(*he pulled her into a tight hug*)...it is good to have you back!"
Uhtred:(*looked at Sihtric*)"Then I would say: welcome to the family, McKenna!...(*McKenna turned her head*)...it is nice to meet you!"
Sihtric:"Even though I cannot understand why you did not get any genes of beauty, Finan!...(*McKenna, Uhtred and Æthelflæd laughed*)...but from me too: welcome to the family!"

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McKenna smiled at him and then she noticed Osferth! He smiled at her before walking up to Uhtred! Uhtred mustered him and looked at McKenna! She just smiled and nodded at him and he eventually took the monk in! Osferth was the happiest and thanked Uhtred! Finan looked at his sister, put an arm around her waist, pulled her closer to him and rested his head on hers!
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