𝐏𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛 𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐞𝐩𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚－𝖡𝖾𝗇𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝖺𝗆𝖻'𝗌 𝗌𝗄𝗂𝗇 𝗈𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝗅𝗎𝗋𝗄𝗌 𝖺 𝗐𝗈𝗅𝖿'𝗌 𝗆𝗂𝗇𝖽．

𝖳𝖧𝖤 𝖫𝖠𝖲𝖳 𝖪𝖨𝖭𝖦𝖣𝖮𝖬
⚔️

Ingrid yawned and decided she was going to stay in bed a while longer as she felt warmer than she ever had in the mornings. And she was going to let her responsibilities drift away once more when she heard a soft groan and froze.

She had forgotten whom she shared her bed with and started to worry slightly, Ingrid peaked her eyes open to see Skade using her arm as a pillow with her face only an inch away. She had an arm lazily thrown around Ingrid's waist whilst the other was held to the Danes chest right by her heart.

Ingrid moved to get up when she felt an even heavier weight by her feet and looked to see Leo laying on his back with all four paws in the air.

"Unbelievable," she muttered before roughly moving her arm from Skade's head and sat herself up so she could look at the seer.

Skade hissed loudly when she felt her comfortable pillow being pulled away from her head and looked up to see Ingrid staring down to her in annoyance.

"I said if you touched me I'd cut off your hands," she threatened but Skade was more amused if anything.

"It was not my intention to," she smirked.

In the night Skade was laying on her back staring at the ceiling or looking down at the side of Ingrid's face as she tossed and turned in the night.

Her eyes were about to close when she felt something thud softly against her waist and looked to see Ingrid's arm. Skade looked at the woman only to see she was soundly asleep and found herself grinning at the sight.

She bit her lip before sliding closer to her and was pleasantly surprised when she didn't wake. The rope that had been tied around her waist was almost nonexistent. Ingrid smelled of the outdoors, like a breath of fresh air when all Skade was used to was sweat and dirt. It was a nice change.

A low mewl from her left made her turn to see the bears head staring right at her with dark and pleading eyes. She patted the bed and he eagerly jumped up, Skade winced at how loudly the bed creaked it making Ingrid mumble in her sleep.

Once the seer was certain she was back in a deep sleep she curled into Ingrid's warmth and let her own eyes close.

"I did not do that!" Ingrid said with her cheeks turning red slightly.

Skade had sat herself up with her back resting on the headboard, a cocky aurora about her, "I do not blame you lady, anyone laying next to me finds it hard to keep their hands to themselves."

Ingrid clenched her jaw at the smirk she displayed to her and looked to want to say something more before throwing her hands up in the air and walking out of the house.

"Shitric!" She had spotted the man and Finan leaning on a nearby wall.

"No, I'm not taking her back," he said with his arms crossed.

"What'd he do now?" Finan looked between the two and Ingrid shook her head in disbelief, "he left the witch with me and won't take her back."

Finan looked more guilty than anything as he shrunk his head down into the collar of his tunic. Ingrid now looked to the Irishman incredulously, "don't tell me it was you who suggested she be placed with me."

He didn't answer her and Ingrid was unsettlingly quiet with her eyes darting between the two, Osferth came up from beside them and went to speak when she grabbed both of their ears and took them into her house before pushing them to the floor. "Leo, hug!"

The bear shot up from his place on the bed and huddled over the bed post, the two men tried scrambled to get up but Leo had jumped on the pair. His large body nearly covering the two of them as he coated them in slobber, "get him off!" Finan wheezed.

"I think I'll leave him there."

"Please don't fight with each other," Osferth poked his head through the door way.

"Osferth, help!"

"Don't bring him into this you man child," she told Shitric before opening her arm for Osferth to take but he did not move.

"I'm sorry Lady it's not you it's her," his eyes darted to the floor when he saw Skade staring at him with squinted eyes.

"Her? Don't worry Osferth she doesn't bite I'm pretty sure," Ingrid looked over her shoulder to see the blonde showing off her teeth in a grin.

"I think I'll just stay out here my Lady," he looked at Skade once more who flinched forward and Osferth practically ran out of the way.

"You mustn't do that," Ingrid pointedly told the witch who shrugged. "Alright that's enough Leo," she grabbed the bear by his shoulders and rolled him off the two men who were puffing.

"What are you feeding him," Finan groaned as the two men stood up and were already headed to leave.

"Bodies," she said obviously and he quickly shut up, "where's my brother he should've been here to see this?"

"Alfred wanted to see him," as soon as he said that she looked to Finan who shrugged his shoulders- they had no clue why he was needed.

She hummed quizzically when Skade spoke up, "the time has come where you both shall break your oaths to Alfred."

Ingrid rolled her eyes and wafted her hand and Shitric and Finan's alarmed faces, "don't listen to her." She could practically feel Skade's glare as if she were standing right by her.

"Now get away I need time to prepare for Cookham and take Leo with you he needs a bath," the two men looked to one another in panic but all Leo heard was bath and was already running out the door.

"Come back!"

"Ya stinkin' twat!"

They chased after the bear and Ingrid shut the door behind her with a small smirk but it dropped when she found Skade staring at her.

"What?"

"I am starting to like your companions," Skade mused but Ingrid shook her head with a small chuckle.

"No," she drawled out, "you like scaring them there's a difference." Skade tilted her head back in laughter and Ingrid found her shoulders relaxing at the light sound that left a fluttery feeling in her stomach.

"When will we be leaving?"

"When my brother has finished talking with the king," she mocked and Skade counsels help but notice the way she seemed rather angry.

"You do not like the king?" Skade wasn't just prowling round for information but she actually wanted to know why Alfred made Ingrid so temperamental.

"It's not that it's just," she took a deep breath and buckled the belt that held her swords onto her waist, "it's the way that- no you know what I'm not having this talk with you."

Skade looked utterly offended as she stared at the back of Ingrid's head as she was collecting all her belongings, "and why not?"

Ingrid skimmed a small smirk and could hear the way her jaw parted in annoyance, "because I do not trust you."

"You could claim me then I would have a choice to make between you and Bloodhair," she paused for a moment, "though I already have one in mind."

Ingrid decided to play her game, "and who's that, Sigiurd?"

Skade only returned her quizzical gaze with a blank look, "no, you." Ingrid didn't know what to feel but she did know that her being near the seer made her chest feel tight.

"Hm," was all she said before going to leave the inn when Skade stopped her, "are you just going to leave me here?"

Ingrid turned back with an expectant look, "yes," and that was all she said before slamming the door behind her.

Skade slouched back down on the bed with an irritated groan, she looked out the window and only saw Ingrid's black hair as she retreated further into Wessex. "The curse will be lifted, my lady in red," she said wistfully with a curve of her lips.

⚔️

"You've got to be shitting me," Ingrid muttered to herself when she rode back into Wessex with large pieces of armour laying on the horses back.

She had took notice to how Leofric's fur was not growing in certain places because of the cuts that he had gained and would continue to gain. Ingrid paid a blacksmith to make armour for him and at first he thought she was joking until he was told her name. Within the hour the armour was complete; a large breast plate that went along his chest and under his belly with a large and rounded piece of metal that went atop his back.

And she returned to find many men, including Steapa, standing in front the likes of Finan and Shitric right outside her temporary home.

"Finan!" She got down off her horse and rushed over to him and alas she couldn't see her brother, "what has he done now?"

Shitric and Osferth shrunk back whilst Finan had a cringed face until Steapa himself spoke, "your brother killed a priest under holy ground." Ingrid turned to look at the talk man in the eye, "I see."

With that she turned on her heel and walked into the inn, "you speak another word and I will end your life," was the first thing she heard and saw Uhtred standing over Skade and could only imagine the sour face he was pulling at her.

"That's quite enough brother," her voice cut like steal and he whipped round with a surprised look on his face. Leofric was in the corner of Skade once more and looked ready to tear off one of Uhtreds hands when Ingrid walked in and he perked up.

Skade looked around Uhtred with a large grin that had easily made itself at home whenever she were to enter a room. "I was looking for you."

"That does explain why you are here, what did you do?"

Uhtred looked to the floor in shame and spoke the the wood instead of her face, "I killed a priest."

Ingrid put her heads on her hips and looked to the roof, "for Thor's sake Uhtred! Why?

"Because he spoke ill of Gisela, called her a pagan whore," his words were low as he was not facing her but she heard him clear enough and walked over to him before pulling up his chin.

"Well done," she sincerely told him and he looked at her in awe.

"Your not angry?"

"Why would I be angry when you were sticking up for your wife's memory? Do you think me a pacifist?" She held her chest and dramatically gasped that made him laugh for the first time since he'd ran from Alfred's men.

Skade watched them interact closely and was subtly taking notes in her head about what pleased Ingrid and what did not. She didn't even know she was doing it herself.

"I can see the cogs turning in your head what are you thinking?"

Uhtred gave her a mischievous look that had her smiling from ear to ear, "it is crazy."

"I love crazy."

"Good to know," Skade spoke from her corner and Ingrid rolled her eyes with a subtle chuckle.

Uhtred ignored her entirely, "after I do this we can go straight to Ragnar."

Ingrid smiled broadly, "just like old times?"

Uhtred returned her smile, "just like old times." Just then father Beocca walked in with Shitric and Finan in front of him, though Aethelwold was loosely trailing behind the priest.

"The King and Edward have conferred there will be no trial," Ingrid and Uhtred looked to one another out the corner of their eye in suspicion. "No punishment only a small wergild to be paid to the church,"Ingrid scoffed under her breath.

"And how small is this wergild?" She asked with false amusement laced in her voice as she thought of the price her brother would have to pay.

"100 pieces of silver."

"That's it?" Finan laughed at the idea that it was all they had to pay for killing a priest though Ingrid still wouldn't want to pay it.

"Of course not," Aethelwold told from where he leaned on a wooden beam and Ingrid glared at him with a hands on the hilt of her swords.

"One hundred pieces of silver and your oath," he looked to Ingrid, "both of your oaths."

Uhtred and her looked to one another with furrowed brows, "he has our oaths."

Father Beocca sighed worriedly, "the King wishes that you swear to Edward."

It was silent for a minute before both the siblings looked to one another and turned to the elder before both saying, "no."

"Love it when they do that," Shitric whispered to himself but Skade heard him and hummed in agreement. He looked to her in surprise that she answered him but only returned his look with a pointed stare in which he stood back up straight again.

"No? But you must be is only asking your loyalty to Edward," Beocca pleaded.

"He is a boy!" Uhtred's voice started to raise, "swear an oath to a boy and its the rest of your life."

Finan easily sensed this and placed a hand on his shoulder whilst he took a quick look over at Ingrid who looked deep in thought. Though her thoughts consisted of burning down Wessex as she glared at the floor harshly.

"The king asks too much," he spoke gently.

Beocca looked to be getting fed up, "what you must now do is consider what will happen if you do not swear the oath to Edward."

"We don't have to do anything," Ingrid snapped to the old man.

"People will die!" Father Beocca was getting redder in the face as he spoke, "it will not just be the men here who die! It'll be the men you fought beside-."

Uhtred interrupted him, "and it will be Alfred's doing," he lounged back in his chair with his hands folded.

"The king does not care, father," Ingrid now leaned on the edge of the bed with her shoulders tense and she could feel the bed shift as Skade tried to move closer.

"The king cares deeply!"

Uhtred pointed to him, "you served him all your life and for what? His witan whisper about your choice of wife."

"Without Alfred I would be dead," Ingrid smacked her teeth with a patronising squeak that sounded through the room. Beocca turned to her with his eyes wide, "without Alfred, there would be no Wessex, there would be no Mercia."

Ingrid put her head on her palm as her elbow dug into her knee before she breathed deeply, trying to control herself from strangling a priest. She looked over her shoulder to see Skade looking at her with a saying written across her face, "told you so," she might as well have said. This would be the day where they would break their oaths to Alfred and for some reason Ingrid couldn't wait to do it.

"Alfred gave you shelter," she'd only just looked away from the blonde and tuned in to what Beocca was saying.

"I'd say we earned it," Uhtred look over to Ingrid who gave him a nod.

"You have land and wealth- all you can eat and drink!" Father looked between the two as he realised neither was seeing his side of things.

"We deserve it and more."

"Make your choice!" Beocca finally lost it as he shouted at them with his eyes darting between both of them.

Ingrid tilted her head and stood from the bed with her teeth grinding against each other, Leo stood from where he was sat and slowly prowled his way to her side. "You dare think that you have any power over ME!" Her voice rattled Beocca and Aethelwold but those closest to her were hiding smirks, Skade looked in a trance as she stared at Ingrid. "Over my brother."

She was now unsettlingly calm, everyone knew to never mention her family, One-Eyed Sven became no hands or legs Sven when she got ahold of him.

Beocca looked to have been smacked in the face with reality of whom he was speaking to and shook his head mumbling, "no" as he backed down. 

"Good, now get out," she pointed to the door and he casted one more glance around the room before walking out.

Aethelwold pushed himself from the frame and stood to look at Uhtred , "did I not say it would be more than a wergild."

"I swear when the time comes I shall take your tongue," Ingrid seethed. The smile dropped from his face and he quickly followed after Beocca.

Uhtred looked at his sister and gave her a nod, they would be breaking Alfred's oath tonight. He, Finan and Shitric walked out whilst Ingrid started to untie the rope that had Skade trapped.

"I told you this was coming," Skade patronised her and Ingrid dropped the end of the rope before she tugged the part that was wrapped around her waist closer to her face.

Ingrid saw how her eyes were now only focused on her lips and nothing else but tried her hardest to ignore it. "Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much," she brought Skade up to her feet with Leo already following them as they made way to exit.

She hoisted her onto a horse before passing the rope to Osferth who looked like he'd rather die. "It will only be for a short amount of time just until Uhtred returns."

"But she could throw a curse at me," Osferth whispered with haste but Skade heard him and snorted at his words.

Ingrid rolled her eyes, "she will not," her eyes caught Skade's, "she dare not." She ordered Leofric to go with them though she had no chance to put the armour on him sadly but she wanted them to go in case Skade tried to run. The big beast wouldn't hurt her, he'd probably just sit on her until they managed to catch up.

She pushed Osferth away with a hurry and he lead the men away to the path of the Danes before she turned to where Finan and Shitric waited on their horses.

"When we get to the Danes we will find you a woman Finan," Ingrid said as she mounted her horse.

"Aye and lots of ale," Finan cheered with Shitric until a thump on the roof of the stables made them look to see Uhtred as he landed on the ground.

"There he is," Ingrid cheered as he heaved himself from the floor without a scratch on him.

"Quickly, we must catch up with the men," Uhtred mounted his horse and the four rode away from Wessex.

⚔️

"Lady," Ingrid turned to see Shitric beside her,"she wishes to speak with you." Ingrid sighed softly before halting her horse as she waited to meet Skade at the back of the line.

Leo had not left the seer's side even when they rejoined the group, "what is it?"

"I want to ride along side you," Skade was curt and to the point but it only made Ingrid chuckle.

"Only my brother rides along side me."

"I wish to ride along side you as your woman," Ingrid was stunned and she tried not to show it but the way her head turned to Skade gave it away pretty easily.

"I have no need of a woman."

Skade laughed, "the way you held me would suggest otherwise," Ingrid clenched her jaw with heat rushing to her cheeks. "I do not want some whore to lay with you I want to be the one to warm your bed."

Ingrid breathed in deeply and Skade continued, "we can be enemies or lovers but I would much prefer the latter, my Lady."

"You are Bloodhair's woman, are you not?"

Skade shrugged, "unless you decide to claim me then I will have a choice to make and do you know who I'll pick?" She leaned as close to Ingrid as she could a top her horse, "I will chose you."

Ingrid searched Skade's eyes for any signs she was toying with her for her own amusement but instead she found sincerity, a softness in her gaze that had her own judgement conflicted. But she roughly shoved any feelings she had as far down as she could, "back of the line." Though she knew the temporary dam she had built would not hold for long, especially is Skade kept looking at her like that.

The seer went to open her mouth, to threaten her with curses and evil doings but something took ahold of her throat. She kept quiet and only leaned atop her horse looking utterly exhausted and defeated.

"What did she want?" Uhtred asked with his interest peaked.

"To ride besides me," she said and Uhtred tried to refrain from smirking but she caught him, "don't."

"What?"

"I do not like her."

"I never said you did," Uhtred countered with his smirk now broadly shown, "and you don't have to like someone to bed them."

"Oh do shut up!"

When the sky grew dark they decided to make camp for the night, Skade was separated from them with a fire to herself and Finan couldn't help but share his thoughts.

"Why is she not food for the rats by now."

Ingrid and Uhtred shared a look, she certainly didn't want Finan knowing that an interest was shared between her and the seer. He could be more protective than Uhtred and Ragnar together, that's saying something.

"She holds a curse over me," Ingrid looked across and saw Skade staring at her with Leo by her side as she had something to lean her back on. This time Ingrid ordered him to go and sit with Skade, which he more than happily obliged to and instead of now scowling at the sight of them together she had to catch herself from smiling.

"I do not mind her," Shitric pointed out which got everyone's attention on him, "Leo does not seem to mind her either."

Finan grumbled, "I bet she's put a curse on him as well ."

Ingrid was going to speak when Osferth did instead, "she did not, I asked her myself," his tune had certainly turned towards Skade.

"Oh and you believed her did ya, idiot," Finan snickered and Ingrid rolled her eyes before nudging her elbow with Osferth's and gave him a subtle wink. He showed her a toothless smile that had the resemblance of a small pup.

Ingrid was going to drink her water when something metallic filled her throat and she put a mouth over her hand before violently coughing. The boys' attention was instantly on her and Osferth was patting her back gently.

"You okay?"

She pulled her hand away from her face and already felt that their was blood in her hand but she didn't show it to any of them. "All good just choked on air," most of them smiled except Uhtred and Finan who were still looking at her, "I'm fine."

Ingrid smiled to them and walked over with the water still in her hand as she used it to wash the blood off. Her head was beginning to bang and her chest felt as though it had a weight on it but when she turned to look at Skade, suspecting her but she only found worry in her blue eyes.

"What is it then?" Ingrid muttered to herself before going under a tarp and trying to sleep off whatever made her feel queasy.

⚔️