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Gene collapsed against Sihtric's chest as they gasped for air; Gene had shoved Sihtric onto the bench in the stables and rode him until they couldn't go any longer. Sihtric moved the hair from her face with a lopsided grin as she giggled lightly at his spaced-out look.

"If you keep doing that, you will stay pregnant." Sihtric teased, and she hummed at the thought.

"And if I like that plan? Together, we can populate Coccham. Our blood combined into an army of offspring will promise great things after all." She claimed as she looped her arms around his neck as she looked down at him. Sihtric smiled at the thought and kissed her arm lightly.

"Uhtred cannot handle any more seers, my love." Sihtric spoke, and she giggled, imagining Uhtred's blank stare.

"He will love them, regardless. They are a part of you and me." She whispered as she kissed down his throat and sunk her teeth into his skin; he tightened his grip on her thighs as he felt himself harden inside her once again.

"However, there is a slight problem. Osferth is a virgin." Finan says as he and Osferth sit with some women. The twins were sitting across from Osferth as they watched the two whores coo at their youngest brother; Erik narrowed his eyes when Fintan stuck his tongue out at them before giving those women big, sad eyes.

"No, it's not true." Osferth defends himself as he watches the youngest boy manipulate the two women into worrying over him; Osferth notices that Finan has caught onto the act but allows it out of pride for the boy.

"It's true. It's true. It's true! You need to do it sometime." They all laugh at the table as Osferth frowns in embarrassment. Eithne glared at the woman who made her uncle frown and moved to cuddle against him.

"Are you surprised to see me, father?" Finan asked with a grin as Beocca approached them with a solemn expression.

"Where is he?"

"God? I have not seen him, but neither have you." Erik spoke sardonically, and Finan laughed as Osferth scolded the boy softly; Beocca didn't find it amusing.

"He was last seen with a pagan witch at Coccham, and I don't mean the Abbess Hild. Do you have a message for him?" Finan said, looking at the man and pulling Fintan into his lap to stop him from accidentally stabbing someone.

"He knows that his children are safe." They knew that Aethelwold listened in, and Erik didn't like it; he glared at the Saxons with disdain. Eithne watched Beocca quietly as she held onto Osferth's arm; she wanted to meet Uncle Uhtred's kids.

"He knows they were taken; he was not pleased." Finan corrected as Beocca sat down.

"I want to meet Stiorra." Fintan says with a huff and makes a cutting motion at his throat as he looks Aethelwold's way; Osferth fights back a laugh at the horrified look the one-eyes Saxon had.

"Is he here? You know I will not summon the guards. Is he here?" Finan rubs his beard and hesitates for a moment.

"He is. Now you can tell me why Aethelwold is walking the streets of Winchester as a free man?"

"Because rightly or wrongly, he has been forgiven, as I believe Uhtred will be forgiven. Tell him to find me." Finan leans in slightly, and so does Fintan; the Irishman grinned at the youngest, copying him.

"Um, I think he may be sitting at your table, Father." Beocca stands and leaves.

Not long after, Sihtric and Gene see Aethelwold and his men as they exit the stables.

"Go, go." Sihtric says and takes off, running into the crowd.

"A problem we can help resolve here?" Finan calls out as he and the men gather behind Aethelwold. Gene stayed back to watch the children; she wasn't convinced Erik wouldn't start mindlessly stabbing people.

"It is a minor disagreement, that is all, involving a minor Ealdorman." Pyrlig says.

"Sigebriht, send for Steapa and the king's guard. Tell him we have all but captured Uhtred Ragnarsson." Aethelwold says smugly.

"You believe Uhtred is inside my house?" Beocca asked with an amused look.

"I do."

"You are ever the fool." Beocca stated.

"Beocca."

"Stay inside, my dear." Beocca spoke as Thyra walked to him.

"Beocca, I have been listening. If these men wish to look inside our home, we should allow it. We have nothing to hide, nothing at all. Please, come inside, Aethelwold." Thyra said as she motioned for them to go inside; they kicked open the door dramatically.

"Come on." Finan says.

"Are you satisfied? I asked, are you satisfied?" Beocca asked.

"You have my sincere apologies, father, lady."

"He was here; I can smell him." Aethelwold says in frustration.

"Will we see you at the wedding, lords?" Finan questioned smugly as Aethelwold shoved past them.