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They were all grouped in Thyra and Beocca's shared home, Hild graced them with her presence as they spoke. Sigrún was standing behind Sihtric as she raked her fingers through his hair, he relaxed into her comforting hands as he fought off sleep. Seidr, however, was asleep on the table as he laid his head on Sihtric's palm, Sihtric gently petted the snake as he listened to Finan.

"It could be months before Edward's king, by then the Danes will be marching." Finan spoke softly and looked at Sihtric with an arched eyebrow.

"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.

"Men are saying what?"

"Do not fret, Uhtred. He will not be the king to unite Wessex, it will be his bastard son." Sigrún claimed as she traced Sihtric's head and neck tattoo, Uhtred frowned at the information. He knew better than to ignore her words.

"Edward looks like a woman's arse. And you are here to kill him." Sihtric spoke with an amused tinge in his voice and hummed in delight when Sigrún leaned down to kiss his head.

He was going to marry her one day.

"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 women what happened. Not long after, Beocca marched angrily with Uhtred and his boys following along. Sigrún walked calmly behind, and Sihtric followed behind her with a hand on her lower back, Seidr was wrapped around her wrist and turned to look at Sihtric.

"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 that was drinking stood. Sigrún and Seidr glanced at one another as a feeling of dread filled them, this man was trouble.

"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. She wondered what Sihtric would do if she was disrespected, a small part of her wanted to witness it.

"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?" Tidman glared at Sigrún and spat on the ground without breaking eye contact, looks like she would get her wish sooner rather than later. She looked to her lover and watched as Sihtric tensed in anger, he placed a hand on her stomach to gently push her behind him.

"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. Sigrún laughs at the scene and feels Seidr shake his rattle-tipped tail.

"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. Sihtric glares at Tidman as he holds the priest, Uhtred notices and grows alert. Holding back Beocca was one thing, but Sihtric? No one could stop him from defending his woman. No one.

"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 went after the wrong Dane woman, she looks far better." Tidman taunted as he leered at her. Sigrún smirked at the man when Sihtric reared his arm back and punched him, Finan cursed loudly when Sihtric started to beat the shit out of the Saxon. It took him and Uhtred to pull the Dane back, though they struggled to keep him there as he fought against their hold. Finan looked at her for help and to avoid Uhtred getting the blame she walked to Sihtric.

"Sitty, look at me." She spoke leaving no room for question, she placed her finger under his chin and guided his face to look at her. Sihtric lost all anger the moment he looked into her eyes, his friends hesitantly let him go as he melted into her embrace. "It is alright, handsome. You defended me and I am thankful for that but you can relax now. I am safe." She stroked his hair softly as he wrapped his arms around her waist, Sihtric let go of all tension when Seidr nuzzled his jaw to help soothe him.

"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. Uhtred quickly looks at his friend wondering if he would fight again.

"Go follow him." Uhtred ordered Sihtric and Osferth. Sigrún felt Sihtric reluctantly let go of her and she kissed him softly, he smiled down at her as he pulled away, she would have to take care of his busted knuckles later and preferably do other things.

"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 as he squeezed her shoulder.

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

"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 with a tired sigh.

"Let me cut his tongue out, Uhtred. Please?" She asked as she propped her chin on his shoulder, he rolled his eyes in amusement and kissed her 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 motioned for them to follow as they follow Aethelwold in while Finan sighs.