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They were all grouped in Thyra and Beocca's shared home, Hild graced them with her presence as they spoke. Osferth and Sigyn stood in the corner of the room, the blonde woman had her hands on his torso as he smiled at her. He swiped his thumb across her cheekbone with a soft expression as she giggled.

"It could be months before Edward's king, by then the Danes will be marching." Finan spoke softly.

"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.

"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. Sigyn watched in concern as the red-haired woman began to breathe quickly.

"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.

"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 Abbess what happened. Not long after, Beocca marched angrily with Uhtred and his boys following along. Osferth had refused to leave her and she wasn't one to reject any type of affection, he held her hand as they followed along. Sihtric sent her a smirk that made her flush in embarrassment as Finan glanced at the three in confusion.

"Maybe you should let me speak to this man." Uhtred said to his father figure.

"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.

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

"He does not." Aethelwold spoke.

"I am not a coward. What is it you want, priest?" The man who was drinking stood. Sigyn watched carefully as the man moved toward the priest.

"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.

"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. Sigyn gasped and covered her mouth, Osferth looked equally shocked at the fight.

"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. Sihtric kissed her head as he walked past Osferth. Her lover sent her a silent question that she quickly answered with a shy kiss, Uhtred smiled softly at her and beckoned her closer to Finan and him.

"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.

"Another thing he did wrong, you would look better with your head on a pike." Sigyn said as she crossed her arms and Finan kicked her leg gently with a grin.

"Why are you here? Do you still dream you can be king?"

"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. The Irishman glared at the boy when he noticed the look he sent her way.

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

"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 Sigyn as they follow Aethelwold in while Finan sighs.