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When Uhtred and his men reached Alton, they saw that it was fully destroyed and that no inhabitant expect for one survived! Finan, Osferth, Sihtric and Uhtred listened to what the man had to say, before he was allowed to go and check on his family! Then Uhtred sent Osferth to confront the guards, standing in front of the chapel! Osferth wasn't quite happy, about his task, but did it anyway! Sihtric, Finan and Uhtred were amused...Osferth did a great job! Quickly Sihtric clashed his axe on the tip of Finan's sword, before he went to his post! Osferth was currently talking to the guards, when Finan and Uhtred went to their own posts...
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guard:(*he laughed*)"Who are you?...(*Osferth took a deep breath*)...what do you want?"
Osferth:"I would you all to surrender!...(*the guard raised an eyebrow*)...or I will smite you!"
guard:(*looked at another guard*)"What did he say?...(*the other guard shrugged his shoulders*)...smite? What is ‚smite'?"
Osferth:"It's a word, isn't it?...(*he sighed*)...a word from the Holy Book! It means ‚slay' or ‚kill...I will kill you! Smite..."
guard:(*he grinned*)"You will smite all of us?...(*Osferth lifted his head*)...aren't we a few too many for you?"
Osferth:"Yeah, most!...(*Uhtred stifled his laughter*)...some of you run away, hopefully! I've got...I've got a sword! A very sharp sword, but I prefer it if you surrendered!"
guard:(*he got angry*)"Kill him...(*Osferth swallowed*)...kill him now!"

~~~~~~
In that moment, Uhtred and the others attacked the guards and killed them! Osferth watched from a safe distance and when the last guard was killed, he walked up to his friends and together they entered the chapel! Meanwhile: Ymma reached Aylesbury and brought her mother the herbs, she had bought! Her mother thanked her and kissed her forehead, before Ymma went outside again and readied her horse! She needed to ride to Alton, to see Sihtric...she missed him too much! Of course he won't be happy to see her and he will probably be angry with her for a while, but the pain in her heart, was too much for her to take! The promise she gave Sihtric, wandered into the back of her head and she instantly felt bad because of it! She would be back before the birth starts...she was sure of it! After she readied her horse, she immediately rode off and when she reached Alton, she saw all those dead guards and when she entered the chapel, her eyes nearly fell out...
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Osferth:"Uh, Lord, turn around!...(*Uhtred turned around*)...what a rare but beautiful surprise!"
Sihtric:(*he raised an eyebrow before he turned around*)"What the hell?!...(*Ymma flinched*)...what the fuck are you doing here, Ymma?!"
Ymma:"I...I...I don't know!...(*Skade grinned*)...Sihtric, why are you so angry? Aren't you happy to see me?"
Sihtric:(*he clenched his fists*)"Of course I'm happy to see you, but it's far too dangerous for you here!...(*Ymma lowered her head*)...please, Ym, go to your horse and get out of here!"
Skade:"Why do you want to send her away, Sihtric?...(*Sihtric looked at Skade*)...she's actually quite cute...the perfect toy for me!"
Finan:(*he got angry*)"Keep your hands off her!...(*Skade rolled her eyes*)...Ymma, please do what Sihtric asks of you!"

~~~~~~
Ymma sighed and lowered her head...it was a stupid idea to come to Alton! Now Sihtric was mad at her, this weird girl thinks of using her as her toy and the others, well Ymma didn't know what they were thinking! Uhtred, Finan and Osferth sighed before they looked at Ymma...what was she doing here? Why wasn't she in Aylesbury? Skade still grinned and looked at Ymma...she was gorgeous! She didn't want to curse Ymma...she was far too cute to be tortured! Uhtred ordered Sihtric and Finan to seize Skade and put something on her mouth to shut her up! After the two of them did what they were asked to, they went back to their horses and rode to Aescengum! Ymma decided to ride back to Winchester to be there for Gisela...
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Uhtred:"Where are you going, Ym?...(*Ymma lifted her head*)...is everything all right?"
Ymma:(*she nodded*)"I ride back to Winchester, Uhtred!...(*Uhtred tilted his head*)...I am more wanted there than here!"
Sihtric:"What are you talking about?...(*Ymma turned her head*)...who said you weren't wanted here?"
Ymma:(*she rolled her eyes*)"Does it matter?...(*Sihtric nodded*)...no, it doesn't matter, Sihtric! I'm riding back to Winchester, that's the end of the discussion!"
Finan:"Ym, please talk to us and explain why you are riding back to Winchester!...(*Ymma took a deep breath*)...you could ride with us to Aescengum!"
Ymma:(*she sighed*)"I'm riding back to Winchester so I can be there for Gisa!...(*Uhtred slightly smiled*)...is that explanation enough?"
Osferth:"I think so, yes!...(*he sighed*)...guess we'll see you in Winchester sometime!"

~~~~~~
Ymma nodded before she rode off towards Winchester! Sihtric sighed and lowered his head...did he overreact? She probably just wanted to see him and he had hissed at her! Skade was grinning throughout the journey to Aescengum and even when Uhtred locked her in her cell, she was still grinning! He found her scary and he didn't want anything to do with her, but unfortunately she ‚cursed' him! He didn't know, which curse she had put on him and he honestly didn't care about any curses! Finan, Osferth and Sihtric were standing outside around one of the fite pits, when Uhtred approached them! He had allowed Skade to call out for Bloodhair and that slightly annoyed everyone inside the fortress! Sihtric was tired and annoyed...he just wanted to go home, sit in the great hall and then go to sleep! But that wasn't possible and that made him angry! At some point, Æthelwold decided to join the small group, which was still standing around the fire pit and bug them with his presence! Uhtred instantly rolled his eyes, Finan looked like he was dead, Osferth and Sihtric looked at one another and Sigebriht, who was with them a few seconds ago, disappeared as fast as he appeared...
~~~~~~

Æthelwold:"Here is a bit of a loose talk for you!...(*Uhtred lowered his head*)...Sigebriht there, son of whoever, would like to rip the innards from young Edward's belly! Would you like to know why?"
Uhtred:(*he thought briefly*)"Uhm...(*Æthelwold looked at him*)...no!"
Æthelwold:"I'll tell you!...(*Finan lifted his head*)...Edward, the non-bastard son of Alfred, has whelped twins on the girl whom Sigebriht did love!"
Osferth:(*he cleared his throat*)"And does Sigebriht still love this girl?...(*Æthelwold rolled his eyes*)...that's the better question, don't you think?"
Æthelwold:"Can someone not just cut her throat?...(*Sihtric rubbed his eyes*)...this is unbearable..."
Uhtred:(*he looked at Æthelwold*)"Why are you telling me this?...(*Æthelwold sighed*)...it's of no concern to me!"
Æthelwold:"They will make it your concern, Uhtred!...(*Uhtred rolled his eyes*)...they will find a way and Edward shall become your charge! You're a kingmaker, my friend! And Alfred knows it!"

~~~~~~
Uhtred rolled his eyes and waited for Æthelwold to just leave him and his men alone and after what felt like ages, Æthelwold finally walked away from the small group! Meanwhile: Ymma reached Winchester and after she had led her horse to the stables, she walked towards Uhtred's and Gisela's house! Thyra was also there and took care of the children, while Gisela took a nap! Ymma tried to be quiet, but young Uhtred and Stiorra noticed her right away! Thyra warmly smiled at her and immediately handed her a plate of stew and a mug of ale! Ymma thanked Thyra and began eating...the stew was delicious! After an hour, Gisela woke up and when she caught sight of Ymma, her eyes instantly lit up and a huge smile formed on her face...
~~~~~~

Gisela:"Ymma, how nice to have you here!...(*Ymma smiled at Gisela*)...how long do you plan to stay in Winchester?"
Ymma:(*she thought briefly*)"Until the birth of your child is over, Gisa!...(*Gisela tilted her head*)...I promised Uhtred, so I won't move from Winchester a second sooner!"
Thyra:"And it is precisely because of your pure heart and good nature that Sihtric loves you!...(*Ymma looked at Thyra*)...do you miss him?"
Ymma:(*she sighed*)"Yes, I miss him very much, Thyra!...(*she lowered her head*)...he is the greatest and most beautiful man I know and I am so infinitely grateful and happy that he chose me!"
Gisela:"He would have been stupid not to choose you!...(*Thyra nodded*)...he is really lucky to have such a beautiful and friendly girl waiting for him here!"

~~~~~~
Ymma lifted her head and widely smiled at Gisela! Meanwhile: Skade was locked up in her cell again and Sihtric finally got a brief moment of sleep! Uhtred, Finan and Osferth meanwhile sat in the hall and waited for something to happen and eventually something did happen, because suddenly Sihtric called out for Uhtred and Bloodhair stood in front of the gates and had hostages with him...
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