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"I came to sit with my sister for a while, my sister the outlaw." Edward said as he joined them at the table with Beocca and Pyrlig. He looked at Revna cautiously, and Finan snorted at the display. He propped his arm up on her shoulders and she couldn't help but smile when Edward looked horrified.

"He will not die, Edward. But you just might." She teased with a wicked glint in her eyes.

"You grow by the day, Edward." Aethelflæd said softly and gave her a warning look.

"He grows wiser."

"Slowly, but hopefully." Edward said.

"If you would excuse me." Sihtric and Edward watch Osferth leave.

"I was sorry to hear of Ragnar's death. He was a heathen, but a good man. I shall pray for him."

"Amen." Edward said.

"He would not thank you for your prayers, Father." Uhtred said tiredly.

"Well, they are his all the same. I pray for you, too, Uhtred. And I will not stop in spite of your pigheadedness."

"And me, father?" Finan teased and he leaned over in front of her to speak with the priest.

"Oh, I'm afraid you belong to the devil already."

"Hmm, you could well be right." Beocca smiled at the Irishman.

"Should we get on with the matter, Father Beocca? Sooner we get back, the better."

"Yes, Edward is here because he had something to say, to ask. For sake of appearance, you all should all try to behave as if you're completely disinterested." Beocca informed them and Revna just craved sleep.

"How...how many men does Hæsten have?" Edward asked quietly.

"Maybe as many as one thousand."

"And a fortress." Edward stated.

"Beamfleot."

"I wish to understand why you believe you can defeat him when it appears impossible."

"Laying siege to the fortress would take three thousand and many would die, but I will use his hatred of me to draw him out. We could feint an attack with a small number of men and then retreat, Hæsten will not be able to resist the opportunity of killing me on open ground, with an army we will have a chance." Uhtred explained and Revna had to admit, it might work.

"Men will still die."

"It is war. Men will die at Beamfleot or they will die here and at Winchester. But as I said to the king, defeating Hæsten could well regent a greater war." Uhtred said.

"And that is no false claim, lord. Nothing deters a warrior more than the news of defeat. It's a plan that can work, but Uhtred will need men, an army. And I do not wish the devil to take me too easily." Finan smirked at Beocca who smiled back. She leaned into Finan's body when she grew bored.

"There is a thick forest surrounding Beamfleot, a good place to hide an army."

"Yes, lord. A good place to hide five hundred men or more." Uhtred agreed.

"Then you shall have them."

"Is that a promise you can keep, lord?" Beocca asked worriedly.

"Edward, you are certain."

"Set a day for the attack and I will be there. You shall have the men, draw Hæsten out of the fort. Our army will be hidden in the woods, waiting. You have my word, I swear." Edward tells them with confidence. Once the group dispersed to go rest she grabbed Finan by his chest armor and pulled him along.

"Little bird?" He asked quietly but made no move to fight against her grip.

"We are to rest." She said bluntly as she led Finan into her room. The Irishman was still confused and yelped in surprise when she shoved him onto the bed.

"I don't follow." Finan spoke watching as she worked to remove her armor.

"Sleep, Finan. You have been upgraded remember?" She said with a small smile, Finan grins at her playfully.

"I think you just like my company, little bird. But I will not deny you of such." Finan said teasingly and removed his sword belt and armor, Revna removed her own and crawled into the bed as she waited for him. He slid under the covers and attempted to wrap an arm around her but she quickly shoved him over and tossed an arm around his waist instead.

Finan wasn't used to being held in such a way but he realized he could get used to it. Revna scooted closer and nuzzled her face into the back of his neck as she held him against her, Finan intertwined his fingers together with her own that rested on his stomach, and she relaxed in the hold when he didn't make any move to leave or shove her off.

"Goodnight, Revna." He whispered and she sighed in annoyance.

"Yeah, yeah. Goodnight, Finan. Can you please go to sleep now?" She asked almost ready to beg for his silence. Thankfully, he didn't speak anymore and she noticed he had fallen asleep, Revna just tightened her grip and closed her eyes hoping for sleep to come to her soon.