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They sit around the boat as Uhtred sleeps, Skade drinks from water from the river as Finan is huddled at the back of the ship, and the others are in the front. Finan and Gene watched, horrified at the sight of Uhtred kissing Skade; Finan was worried for his friend. She looked at her adopted father with a grimace, and Finan hugged her.

While she snuggled deeper into her father's embrace, she noticed Erik and Eithne were asleep, both resting their heads on Sihtric's lap while Fintan was curled around Osferth's leg asleep. She smiled at the sight and hummed when Finan kissed her head.

Eventually, they arrive back in Coccham.

"Is the idea we walk into Coccham like we've never been away?" Finan asked where he had walked with Uhtred.

"Yes."

"Directly to the hall?" Finan questioned in disbelief.

"Yes."

"And if another lord resides there?" Finan asked quietly.

"We ask him to leave, my friend." Uhtred spoke nonchalantly; she scoffed at that as if it was that easy.

"I can do that. Are we to expect a wedding, lord?" Finan asked as he looked back at Skade. "We did not risk our lives for you to hump the bitch. Or do you plan to kill her with your cock?" Gene smirked at that and turned to see Fintan holding Skade's hand; Skade looked afraid for once. The twins both hold onto Sihtric's hands like they fear he will leave again.

"I plan to see my children." Uhtred said dismissively and looked to a man who gained his attention. Gene wrapped her hand around Uhtred's wrist as they walked; Uhtred leaned over to kiss her head.

"Lord, you will not remember me." A man claims as he bows to him.

"I remember you. You're Edwin. You're married to Mildwynn." Uhtred claimed happily as he patted the man's back.

"Lord, they have taken more than half our winter store. Animals and grains. They say it is to feed Alfred's army, but we will certainly starve." Edwin said in a panic.

"Who did this?"

"They're at the hall, lord. King Alfred would not have ordered this." Edwin said. Uhtred and his group walked to the hall's gates and noticed guards were placed outside.

"Stand aside, I want no bloodshed, no man killed." Uhtred said and sighed when they refused to move. Gene was about to step in and threaten them with curses when her beloved husband spoke.

"He said, stand aside. Now!" The guards look at one another before moving. "Thank you. I should not need to raise my voice." Sihtric says softly, and they enter. She fought against the urge to jump him right then and there. Sihtric moves to the table to eat and drink ale as the priest notices them. She sits next to him as she checks the cut on his cheekbone; he leans into her prodding fingertips and smiles softly at her. The twins and Fintan join them shortly after as they sit quietly next to them.

"Uhtred. Uh, what is the meaning of this invasion?"

"This is my home." Uhtred stated.

"We are here by right, on the king's business." The priest said as he stood up.

"You are stealing food from the mouths of the poor." Uhtred said as he looked at the priest in disdain.

"An army needs to be fed."

"As do the priests, it seems." Uhtred says as he watches Skade stab a piece of meat on a priest's plate. Gene placed some of the healing paste from her pouch on her husband's wound; typically, he would have fought against it, but he missed her touch and presence.

"You are lucky it is not your hand." Skade sneered at the man as she leaned in close.

"We want no disharmony here today." Uhtred turns and sees a cross hanging above the doorway.

"What is that?" Uhtred questioned. Gene paused at the sight of the cross. Erik glared at the holy men and looked at the cross in disgust.

"Well, you know what it is."

"Take it down. Take it down, or I will give you a gift to Skade." Uhtred threatened as Skade walked behind him in interest.

"I will not do as you ask. I cannot."

"Lord, see it as a piece of wood, nothing more." Finan stated, moving close to them.

"It is a holy cross."

"Bishop Erkenwald, I suggest you shut your holy mouth." Finan interrupted, sensing the growing tension.

"And take it down."

"Or I...I can just take it down, lord?" Osferth added softly, pointing at it; Gene smiled softly at the baby monk.

"You will do nothing." Uhtred demanded, making Osferth nod.

"I realize you are looking to find a reason to kill me, and I would prefer to do as you ask. I am not a fool, but I cannot deny my faith. The king will hear of it, God would know of—" Uhtred cut in angrily.

Gene noticed Erik went up to Skade and pulled her hair so she would lean down; Gene snickered at her look of shock. Erik whispered something to the seer, and Skade looked down at him before nodding. She grimaced when Erik grabbed her hand as they walked up the stairs. Looks like the cross won't be hanging for long.

"The king has often told me this is a pagan's hall. You will take it down."

"It is my cross, lord. My doing. I put it there and would like it to remain there unless you plan to be the Lord of Coccham again. I meant no insult." Hild said from the entryway. Uhtred smiled softly just as Skade grunted, and the cross fell. They all look up and see Skade with a wooden pole, and Erik grinned down at the Christians.

"Now, perhaps, we may eat." Skade says from above. Finan moves to dust off the cross as he picks it up.

"You may take it." Uhtred says as Hild and Skade stare one another down.

"When you leave, you will take only half of what you have gathered. I understand an army must be fed, but my village will not starve." Uhtred demands, looking at the Bishop.

"The king will not approve."

"The king is a ghost! Nothing more than that." Uhtred shouts, making the men whisper amongst themselves.

"Lord, may we speak further, privately?" Hild asked, and the two left the hall as Skade stood by the door watching.