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They were all grouped in Thyra and Beocca's shared home; Hild graced them with her presence as they spoke. Gene was sitting in her husband's lap as Uhtred reached over to re-braid her hair as he listened to Finan. The twins stood behind the Irishman and Hild silently and curiously. Little Fin ran to Thyra when she walked in.

"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 that as Hild looked at Thyra with concern, the Abbess approached the Dane woman.

"Why would he? He's done nothing for his name but secretly marry a commoner and have children," She paused for a moment and turned to Sihtric. "Since his children are considered bastards now, do you think we could adopt them?" She asked her husband. Sihtric smiled softly at her, and Uhtred chuckled; she vowed to find at least and raise one of those kids. The church would do nothing but harm them in the long run.

"Men are saying what?"

"Edward looks like a woman's arse. And you are here to kill him." Sihtric spoke with an amused tinge as he rubbed his wife's back; Gene hummed in agreement.

"News of your pardon will change what people say. Thyra?" The man says, seeing Hild hug the Dane woman as she cries, and he approaches his wife with concern. Gene frowned at the woman; she felt heaviness in her gut, which suggested this wouldn't be the end of the threats.

"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. Gene followed along with the twins, and Fintan refused to leave his aunt Thyra alone.

"Maybe you should let me speak to this man." Uhtred said to his father figure. Gene snorted at that; Uhtred would somehow make another enemy.

"I'm quite capable. She's my wife."

"Yes, but you have a temper." Uhtred stated as they walked. Gene felt Sihtric slip his hand in hers, and she squeezed it; the twins walked in front of them with cautious eyes.

"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. Gene looked to Sihtric, who shook his head; Sihtric never lets her kill the rat.

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

"He does not." Aethelwold spoke.

"He's sitting by Aethelwold, Beocca." Gene stated, purposefully stirring the drama; Uhtred sent her an unamused look.

"I am not a coward. What is it you want, priest?" The man who was drinking stood.

"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. Gene cackled and felt Erik grab her dress as she wiped away imaginary tears.

"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 gentlewoman 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 broadly as Beocca punched the guy one last time. Gene wrapped her hand around her husband's bicep. Personally, if he gained any more muscle in his arms, she might die of an influx of hormones.

"I am calm. This rotten air that fills Winchester is due to you and your likes. England is a land for all tribes wishing to settle and live peacefully. 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 quickly. She smiled and watched her husband leave as ordered; the twins grabbed her hands and glared at Aethelwold.

"I fear the priest does not like me."

"No man likes you, Aethelwold. Your soul is as scarred as your face." Uhtred stated, and Erik giggled at the statement.

"Courtesy of my uncle Alfred in his mercy." Aethelwold said as a joke, and then they silently looked at one another.

"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.

"Ah, Uhtred, I am tired of listening to this squirrel's arse." Finan said and laid his forehead on her shoulder; he would much rather drink some ale and go to sleep. Eithne grabbed Finan's hand when she noticed his frown; Gene stroked her daughter's hair as she kissed Finan's head.

"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 motions for Finan as they follow Aethelwold in while Finan sighs and Eithne pulls Finan along to follow Uhtred. Gene follows them, with Erik gripping her dress and hand tightly; he is unsettled.

The mother and son shared a sad expression: someone would die tonight.