~~~~~~
King Alfred lifted his head and caught sight of Asteria! Only now did he give consent to attack...and so his men did! Uhtred lifted his head when he suddenly heard men yell and he even smiled when he saw, that it were King Alfred's men! Hæsten turned his head and his eyes nearly fell out, when he saw, that it were King Alfred's men and that King Alfred was alive! Asteria gasped when she saw her father and her brother...she knew, that they were going to hurt them, when they wouldn't pay enough attention! So she decided to break Dagfinn's nose...she lowered her head and with a jerk she jerked her head back and heard Dagfinn cry out in pain! Hæsten looked at Dagfinn and watched as Asteria jumped off Dagfinn's horse and ran towards Uhtred and the others! Hæsten got angry and when Skade also decided to join Uhtred, he rode after her and knocked her out! Uhtred's eyes widened and he let out a scream...that scream made Asteria turn her head and before she knew it, she also got knocked out and was on her way to Cnut's and Bloodhair's camp...
~~~~~~

Sihtric:"Lord, it's Osferth!...(*Uhtred turned his head*)...we took him to the infirmary!"
Uhtred:(*he nodded at him*)"Is Finan with Osferth?...(*Sihtric nodded*)...then let's not keep them waiting!"
Finan:"Lord, he'll live!...(*Uhtred exhaled with relief*)...you were brave today, baby monk!"
Osferth:(*he swallowed*)"I'm cold, Lord!...(*Finan looked at Uhtred*)...you're sure I won't die? I am not afraid of death..."
Finan:"You dare die, baby monk, and I will kill you myself!...(*Uhtred slightly laughed*)...do you understand me?"
Osferth:(*he nodded*)"I rather try not to then!...(*Finan gave him a gentle slap on the right cheek*)...Lord, I have a question...where is Asteria?"

~~~~~~
Uhtred sighed and looked at Sihtric...but he just rolled his eyes and let Uhtred feel that he was angry! Uhtred's curse affected them all and that was the proof! Finan sighed before he stood up and followed Uhtred out of the tent! Sihtric first smiled at Osferth before he also followed Uhtred and listened how they talked about a plan to get Skade back! Meanwhile: Hæsten reached Cnut's and Bloodhair's camp and when Cnut and Bloodhair noticed Hæsten and his men, they stood up from where they were sat and tilted their heads! Hæsten got defeated once again, only now he had Skade and a girl, the other two have never seen before! But that didn't matter, because just as Hæsten, they were enchanted by her beauty! Hæsten pushed Skade off his horse and ordered one of his men to gently lift Asteria off Dagfinn's horse, on which another of Hæsten's men was riding! The mentioned man nodded and did what he was asked...
~~~~~~

Cnut:"Hæsten, what happened?...(*Hæsten jumped off his horse*)...where are all your men?"
Hæsten:(*he poured himself some ale*)"King Alfred is alive, that's what happened to my men!...(*Æthelwold's eyes widened*)...there was a battle! Uhtred Ragnarsson won it because he had help from King Alfred's troops!"
Æthelwold:"Who says Alfred is alive?...(*Hæsten turned his head*)...Alfred is dead, everyone here knows that!"
Hæsten:(*he hissed at him*)"I say Alfred lives and half my men don't!...(*Æthelwold flinched*)...they even captured Dagfinn! The only things I have are Skade and that girl!"
Bloodhair:"Who is she?...(*he looked at Hæsten*)...and where did you get her?"
Æthelwold:(*he grinned*)"This is Asteria, the youngest daughter of King Alfred!...(*Cnut's and Bloodhair's eyes widened*)...congratulations, Hæsten, you have just started another war!"

~~~~~~
Hæsten rolled his eyes and drank his ale! Bloodhair walked towards Asteria, who trembled and didn't want to be touched! Cnut looked at Æthelwold and told him, that he was to ride back to Winchester and negotiate with King Alfred! Æthelwold's eyes widened and he immediately shook his head! Cnut got angry and suddenly yelled at Æthelwold and after a while of complaining, he walked towards his horse and rode off! Asteria still trembled and was visibly scared...that made Hæsten somehow sad! Bloodhair brought Skade into one of the tents, whilst Hæsten brought Asteria to the fire pit and gave her something to eat! Asteria thanked him and began eating! Meanwhile: Sihtric, Finan and Uhtred sat in Saltwic's hall and drank ale! Earlier that day, Brida came riding towards Saltwic and informed Uhtred about Ragnar's death...it broke him inside and he decided to go to Ragnar's grave! But before he rode off, he had a fight with Sihtric...
~~~~~~

Uhtred:"How's Osferth?...(*Finan lifted his head*)...is he better?"
Finan:(*he sighed*)"Sleeping! As we all should be!...(*Uhtred sat down*)...just as soon as he's recovered, we should attempt to recover Skade!"
Sihtric:"Once again!...(*Uhtred looked at him*)...she's got you by the balls too, Lord!"
Finan:(*he lowered his head*)"So as long as she is free, Lord, you are cursed!...(*Sihtric nodded*)...you must be tired of it by now, right?"
Uhtred:"Skade is with the Danes!...(*Finan sighed*)...we cannot reach her! We will not chase her to our deaths!"
Sihtric:(*he turned his head*)"Death will find us regardless!...(*Uhtred's eyes widened*)...believe it or not!"
Uhtred:"Do you have something to say, Sihtric?...(*Sihtric looked at Uhtred*)...if so, speak!"
Finan:(*he shook his head*)"He does not!...(*Uhtred looked at him*)...right, Sihtric?"
Sihtric:"Expect that enough of us have died already!...(*Finan rolled his eyes*)...I don't have much to say, no!"
Finan:(*he took a deep breath*)"You are a warrior, death is a hazard!...(*Sihtric took a sip of his ale*)...and now shut up, both of you!"
Uhtred:"I've decided to go to Ragnar!...(*he sighed*)...I must help him find peace!"
Sihtric:(*his gaze darkened*)"All you will find at Ragnar's graveside is ghosts!...(*Uhtred tilted his head*)...no more and no less!"
Uhtred:"You will keep watch of Æthelflæd and you will rest!...(*he stood up*)...I will be back soon!"
Sihtric:(*he turned his head towards Finan*)"No man who serves Uhtred can rest!...(*Uhtred stopped in his tracks*)...not until Skade is reclaimed!"
Finan:"Sihtric, you are drunk and tired!...(*Sihtric nodded*)...you need sleep!"
Sihtric:(*he got angry*)"Yes, I am tired!...(*Uhtred turned around*)...from marching north and then south, being called a traitor, watching the love of my life being kidnapped...for what?!"
Uhtred:"Then leave!...(*he looked at Sihtric*)...you are free to go!"
Finan:(*he rubbed his beard*)"You don't mean that!...(*Uhtred sighed*)...tell me you're not serious?!"
Uhtred:"If you are unhappy in my service, leave!...(*Sihtric flinched*)...no one is stopping you!"
Sihtric:(*he stood up*)"I have fought for you!...(*Uhtred laughed maliciously*)...doesn't that mean anything to you?!"
Uhtred:"You fight because you enjoy it!...(*Sihtric swallowed*)...admit it!"
Sihtric:(*he hissed at him*)"You'd dismiss me as easy as this?!...(*Uhtred nodded*)...after all we've been through?"
Uhtred:"Stay or go, I do not care!...(*Sihtric swallowed again*)...as you can see!"
Finan:(*he was stressed*)"He does not mean that! He does care!...(*he looked at Sihtric*)...now, let us all sit!"
Uhtred:"Stay or go, Sihtric Kjartansson!...(*Finan sighed*)...it is your choice! Make it!"
Sihtric:(*tears rose in his eyes*)"If you wish to make the square, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, let us do it!...(*Finan shook his head*)...here and now!"
Finan:"No, there'll be no squares made, no fighting, just sleep!...(*he looked at Uhtred*)...sleep! Jesus! Get the prisoners back with the pigs, bound!"
Uhtred:(*he looked at Sihtric*)"Sihtric!...(*Sihtric turned his head*)...I will leave first light...but I will return! And if you are here still...then I will kill you!"

~~~~~~
Finan shook his head, sat down and looked at Sihtric, who leaned against the table and took a sip of his ale! Dagfinn talked to Sihtric and Finan ordered one of Uhtred's men to shut Dagfinn up! Meanwhile: Æthelwold reached Winchester and talked to the King, whilst Asteria and Skade sat around the fire pit and listened to Cnut, Bloodhair and Hæsten talking! Asteria didn't like Skade, but somehow she was the only one, who was friendly and, who cared for her! Back to Sihtric and Finan: Finan was fast asleep, when Sihtric walked down the stairs to reach the cells! Then he took the keys out of a box and opened Dagfinn's cell! He also opened the other cells and together with Hæsten's men, he rode towards their camp! When they reached it, Hæsten immediately lifted his head and looked at Dagfinn! Happy over his return he thanked Sihtric and made sure, that nothing happened to him! So Sihtric was allowed to sit with them...watching as Bloodhair almost drooled over Asteria! But remembering the promise he gave her father, he didn't care! Asteria meanwhile found it anything but funny and kicked against Bloodhair's shin! That made him angry and he instantly grabbed her wrist, what prevented her from getting up! He then pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her from behind! That made Sihtric's blood boil and he shot Bloodhair a dirty look! Asteria was uncomfortable, but her attempts to fight Bloodhair's grip were on vain, because she was simply too weak...
~~~~~~