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They sit around the boat as Uhtred sleeps, Skade drinks from water from the river as Finan is huddled at the back of the boat and the others are in the front. Finan watched horrified at the sight of Uhtred kissing Skade, he was worried for his friend. Sigyn and Osferth were cuddled up at the front of the boat, the monk was against her chest as she stroked his hair softly. Sihtric sent her a warm smile that made her feel at home, she had someone she considered a brother and another she hoped she would marry one day. Eventually, they arrive back in Coccham.

"Is the idea we walk into Coccham like we've never been away?" Finan asked from where he walked with Uhtred.

"Yes."

"Directly to the hall?" Finan questioned in disbelief. Sigyn intertwined her and Osferth's fingers and giggled when he swung their hands gently.

"Yes."

"And if another lord resides there?" Finan asked quietly.

"We ask him to leave, my friend." Uhtred spoke nonchalantly.

"I can do that. Are we to expect a wedding, lord?" Finan asked as he looked back at Skade. "We did not risk our lives for you to hump the bitch. Or do you plan to kill her with your cock?" Finan looked at Sigyn who was whispering something to Osferth and couldn't help but smile, she was their unofficial sister and daughter all in one. Osferth better not screw it up.

"I plan to see my children." Uhtred said dismissively and looked to a man who gained his attention.

"Lord, you will not remember me." A man claims as he bows to him.

"I remember you. You're Edwin. You're married to Mildwynn." Uhtred claimed happily as he patted the man's back.

"Lord, they have taken more than half our winter store. Animals and grains. They say it is to feed Alfred's army, but we will certainly starve." Edwin said in a panic.

"Who did this?"

"They're at the hall, lord. King Alfred would not have ordered this." Edwin said. Uhtred and his group walked to the gates of the hall and noticed guards were placed outside.

"Stand aside, I want no bloodshed, no man killed." Uhtred said and sighed when they refused to move.

"He said stand aside. Now!" The guards look at one another before moving. "Thank you. I should not need to raise my voice." Sihtric says softly and they enter. Sihtric moves to the table to eat and drink ale as the priest takes notice of them. Sigyn glanced around the hall and frowned when she noticed a cross, that didn't belong to Uhtred.

"Uhtred. Uh, what is the meaning of this invasion?"

"This is my home." Uhtred stated and ruffled her hair in passing.

"We are here by right, on the king's business." The priest said as he stood up.

"You are stealing food from the mouths of the poor." Uhtred said as he looked at the priest in disdain.

"An army needs to be fed."

"As do the priests, it seems." Uhtred says as he watches Skade stab a piece of meat on a priest's plate. Sigyn hugged Osferth's arm as she observed her sister.

"You are lucky it is not your hand." Skade sneered at the man as she leaned in close.

"We want no disharmony here today." Uhtred turns and sees a cross hanging above the doorway.

"What is that?" Uhtred questioned.

"Well, you know what it is."

"Take it down. Take it down or I will make a gift of you to Skade." Uhtred threatened as Skade walked behind him in interest.

"I will not do as you ask. I cannot."

"Lord, see it as a piece of wood, nothing more." Finan stated moving close to them and looking to Sigyn for help.

"Would it not be more appropriate to have it in a Christian church?" She questioned the Bishop softly.

"It is a holy cross, heathen." The Bishop snapped and Finan interrupted immediately.

"Bishop Erkenwald, I suggest you shut your holy mouth." Finan interrupted sensing the growing tension and personally didn't like the way he spoke to Sigyn.

"And take it down."

"Or I...I can just take it down, lord?" Osferth added softly pointing up at it, Sigyn smiled softly at her monk and kissed his cheek.

"You will do nothing." Uhtred demanded making Osferth nod and relax into her hold.

"I realize you are looking to find a reason to kill me, and I would prefer to do as you ask. I am not a fool, but I cannot deny my faith. The king will hear of it, God would know of—" Uhtred cut in with anger.

"The king has told me many times that this is a pagan's hall. You will take it down."

"It is my cross, lord. My doing. I put it there and I would like it to remain there unless, of course, your plan is to once again be the Lord of Coccham. I meant no insult." Hild said from the entryway, Uhtred smiled softly just as Skade grunted and the cross fell. Sigyn flinched back at the sudden sound and Osferth wrapped an arm around her.

"Now, perhaps, we may eat." Skade says from above. Finan moves to dust off the cross as he picks it up.

"You may take it." Uhtred says as Hild and Skade stare one another down.

"When you leave, you will take only half of what you have gathered. I understand an army must be fed, but my village will not starve." Uhtred demands looking at the Bishop.

"The king will not approve."

"The king is a ghost! Nothing more than that." Uhtred shouts making the men whisper amongst themselves.

"Lord, may we speak further, privately?" Hild asked and the two left the hall as Skade stood by the door watching.