xxii. the death of the brothers

╚════════*.·:·.☽✧    ✦  ✧☾.·:·.*════════╝

Gene watches with disgust as a girl kisses her brother, the whore was perched in his lap successfully distracting him long enough for Uhtred and Erik to set fire to the building. The fire was spreading too slowly for her so she mumbled a spell to speed it along, deep in her trance she heard Sigefrid toss the girl to the side. She smirked when she looked over at the man, he looked fearful and confused.

"Fire, fire, fire!" Outside now! Quickly! Put the fire out! Find something to carry water!" He shouts looking around, Gene looks up at the princess who smiles at her. "Six men stay with Gene and the princess!" He ordered. She smiles when Uhtred and the boys enter killing the guards.

"Lock the doors!" Uhtred orders and Aethelflæd calls his name with hope.

"Clapa, Sihtric the cage!" Sihtric tries to break the lock in half with his axe as Clapa holds the chain.

"Come on."

"This is one bastard lock to break." Sihtric shouts in frustration.

"Get it done before we burn!" Uhtred demands and moves to Gene to help her. He uses the tip of his dagger to pick the lock and much to her surprise, it works. She sighs in relief and rubs her throat to soothe the discomfort, Uhtred quickly kisses her head and looks to Finan.

"So we've cleared the hall of men, lord. Now how do we clear the yard?"

"They will follow the silver." He mumbled looking at the princess. With a plan in mind, she and Finan stand guard, her axe begging to be bathed in dane blood. Just as the boys steady the cage onto the ground Sigefrid and the men bust the doors open.

"Erik! Erik, do not do this! Do not dare do this!" He shouted with pain and tears in his eyes. Gene scoffed at the display.

"Brother, please. Let me have this one chance. I cannot let her go."

"She is our fortune! She's our reputation!" Uhtred moved to her side and unsheathed his sword.

"If it is reputation you want, you can begin with killing me."

"Uhtred, no! If you're any your fortune you must kill me." Erik turned to Gene with a sad smile, they both knew neither brother would survive this night. With tears in her eyes, she hugged him one last time.

"Goodbye, brother." She whispered and moved back to Uhtred's side.

"I am sorry, little sister. I hope one day you can forgive me." He marched toward Sigefrid as Aethelflæd pleaded for him not to.

"Clapa, the cage!" The men rush to them to fight the intruders but they quickly die. Finan and Uhtred slash throats left and right and Gene kills them without letting a finger. A simple curse would do, she wiped the blood from her nose as she cast curses left and right.

"Uhtred, get them out of here." Gene and Aethelflæd were pulled upstairs, Sihtric holding her waist as she looked at Erik one last time. Sigefrid plunges his sword into Erik's heart, Aethelflæd sobs hysterically and Gene turns into Sihtric's chest not wanting to see her brother die.

Sihtric helps her up on his horse as they watch Clapa fight off some men, the distraction allows them to leave even if that means certain death.

"It's an army lord!" Finan says with hope.

"It's Odda. It's Odda's army!" They race to the battlefield to warn the king. Once there they dismount from their horses, Gene and Aethelflæd gravitate to one another, both mourning a loss.

"Lord, we are being pursued by Sigefrid. The Danes are low in number and disorganized. My advice is kill them all." Uhtred states in urgency.

"Steapa! Put a guard around my daughter and Gene. Keep them safe." Uhtred looks surprised at the king's want to keep Gene safe but doesn't disagree.

"Father, I want to fight them."

"You will do as I say." Gene gently grabs her arm as Steapa rushes them to the far side of the battle. She promises Steapa to protect the princess.

"Shield wall! Shield wall!" Alfred orders as Sigefrid's army charges at them. Gene watches with dread as Sigefrid breaks the wall and knocks Uhtred down, her brother kills all those around him.

"Genevieve! Princess! I see you!" He shouts pointing his sword at them. "I will kill you both! I will have your head and your tits, princess!" Aethelflæd and Gene watch as Sigefrid fights Uhtred and Aethelred. Gene gives Aethelflæd a sword and pulls Sigefrid away from Uhtred when he breaks his knife hand in Uhtred's shield. Gene grabs her brother and shoves Sigefrid into Aethelflæd's sword.

"Enjoy Hel, brother." She hissed out and moved to the princess. Uhtred and Aethelred look at the two girls in shock but Uhtred gives them both a nod.

In Winchester, they deliver the royal family back home safely. Gene opts to stay outside with Finan, Osferth, and Sihtric. Finan hugs her the moment they dismount from the horses and she laughs lightly at the man.

"I have never been so worried in my life!" Finan confessed.

"I know. I love you too, father." Finan tears up and pulls her back into a hug. She meant it too, Finan is her father in every way but blood. "I'm marrying Sihtric." She says quietly.

"What made you change your mind?" She and Sihtric became flustered and she giggled into her hand.

"The Gods." Sihtric spoke instead and kissed her forehead. Osferth looked between them in confusion.

"Baby monk!" She yelled excitedly, the monk was startled at her sudden hug and awkwardly hugged her back.

"With Uhtred and Finan's blessing, our marriage should work out perfectly." Gene said as Sihtric affectionately pulled her against his chest and kissed her neck.

"And Erik's." Gene tensed at the name and turned to look up at her soon-to-be husband. "He gave his blessing when he saw me leave your cell. He wanted you to be happy." Gene wasn't sure if it was a laugh or sob that escaped her but Sihtric pulled her into his arms and kissed her head while whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top