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They were all grouped in Thyra and Beocca's shared home, Hild graced them with her presence as they spoke. Rúna was in Sihtric's lap, much to Uhtred's dismay, and traced his tattoo on the side of his head and throat, Sihtric glanced at her with an arched eyebrow as she leaned in closer.

"It could be months before Edward's king, by then the Danes will be marching." Finan spoke as he tapped his cup of ale tiredly, Rúna hummed softly when Sihtric began to rub her thigh gently.

"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?"

"I say it is best to ask what they are not saying." Rúna added and hid her face in Sihtric's throat to laugh at Uhtred's annoyed look.

"Edward looks like a woman's arse. And you are here to kill him." Sihtric spoke with an amused tinge in his voice and kissed her forehead with a soft look.

"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. Rúna lost all playfulness as she noticed her sister's distressed state.

"Thyra, what is it? Why the tears?" She glanced around before telling the men and the women what happened. Not long after, Beocca and Rúna marched angrily with Uhtred and his boys following along. Sihtric attempted to calm her but Uhtred and Sihtric's words meant nothing to the two as they craved vengeance. 

"Maybe you should let me speak to this man." Uhtred said to his father figure, he knew better than her in the way of his sister and her anger but Sihtric was the exception. Sihtric had managed to take the dagger from her to stop bloodshed but he couldn't stop her from possibly attacking the Saxon.

"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 who was drinking stood. Rúna scowled at the sight of the coward and moved closer.

"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. Rúna smirked at the fight and knew that Ragnar would be proud of Thyra's husband defending her.

"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 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.

"She's a stain in the eyes of God, she should be killed." Rúna's eyes flashed in anger and shoved past her brother and lover, Sihtric glanced at Uhtred for an answer but Rúna had managed to beat the man until he was coughing blood and teeth. Uhtred pulled his sister off the man as he shoved her into Sihtric's arms with a warning look, Sihtric began to whisper soothing words to her as he clutched her closer to his chest.

"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.

"Go follow him." Uhtred ordered Sihtric and Osferth, Sihtric hesitated until Rúna pulled him in for a kiss.

"Go, handsome. Finan will keep the two of us out of trouble. I promise." Sihtric glanced at Finan who sighed but agreed, the Dane looked down at her and nodded.

"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.

"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. Rúna scowled at the Saxon as Finan nudged her to gain her attention.

"Ah, Uhtred, I am tired of listening to this squirrel's arse." Finan said with a tired sigh.

"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 Finan and Rúna as they follow Aethelwold in while Finan sighs.