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They sit around the boat as Uhtred sleeps, Skade drinks water from the river, and Finan is huddled at the back of the boat watching the others in the front. Angrboda felt her lips quirk up as she glanced at Finan who watched horrified at the sight of Uhtred kissing Skade. Finan then glanced at Angrboda who was using her unusual pet as a pillow, the Irishman was glad the added weight of the creature didn't sink the boat. Sihtric, bless his heart, had taken off his fur cloak to tuck it around her to keep the woman warm despite the chilly air freezing him,

It was a wholesome sight.

"Is the idea we walk into Coccham like we've never been away?" Finan asked from where he walked with Uhtred, Angrboda flanked Uhtred's side with her beast as they walked. Finan was a little unnerved by her silence but he was also deeply fascinated by her. To have someone be so beautiful in such an untraditional way intrigued him.

"Yes."

"Directly to the hall?" Finan questioned in disbelief, Uhtred sighed.

"Yes."

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

"We ask him to leave, my friend." Uhtred spoke nonchalantly, Angrboda cracked a small smile at that making Uhtred grin back at her. He felt for the woman, they both lost a brother to Skade.

"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?" Angrboda frowned at the idea, she hoped Uhtred would kill the seer.

"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. Bjarki snarls at the soldiers as they glance at one another, Uhtred places a hand on her lower back as he brushes past her in silent reassurance.

"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 as he ushers her in first. Sihtric moves to the table to eat and drink ale as the priest takes notice of them. Angrboda winced in pain as she felt another vision make itself known.

She leaned against the wall as her fingers locked up and she glanced down to avoid scaring anyone, but not a moment later she felt hands grab her gently as the person guided her into the corner away from everyone.

"Breathe, m'lady." Even with his voice sounding distorted she knew it was Finan, one of his hands was stroking her hair as the other was held out to Bjarki to prove himself not a threat as the animal rumbled lowly. She felt like she couldn't breathe almost as if she was being held underwater. She vomited up liquid as she kneeled over holding her stomach as it twisted in pain, Finan hummed to her lightly to help soothe her. "There you go, sweetheart." He whispered as she leaned against the wall panting.

She noticed Uhtred was holding Sihtric back as they both looked at her in worry, Osferth was praying for her soul no doubt and Skade looked confused. Angrboda smirked at the seer, drowning seemed fitting for the cunt. Angrboda and Uhtred locked eyes and she gave him a subtle nod to which he relaxed, her vision was all he needed to know what he must do was necessary. Finan guided her to the table and Sihtric reached for her as she sat, he moved her head to his shoulder knowing she had become fatigued after a vision.

"Uhtred. Uh, what is the meaning of this invasion?" The Bishop questioned as he glanced at her in fright.

"This is my home." Uhtred stated.

"We are here by right, on the king's business." The priest said as he stood up, he flinched when the bear moved in front of Uhtred protectively.

"You are stealing food from the mouths of the poor." Uhtred said as he looked at the priest in disdain, Uhtred tossed the animal some of the meat on the table.

"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.

"You are lucky it is not your hand." Skade sneered at the man as she leaned in close, Angrboda rolled her eyes and relaxed against Sihtric. She wondered if he realized she had unconsciously filled the void of her brother with him, the two were so similar in how they treated her that it was impossible not to.

"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, he looked at Angrboda who looked paler than normal and grew worried, Sihtric placed a hand on her forehead and frowned at the warmth coming from her.

"It is a holy cross."

"Bishop Erkenwald, I suggest you shut your holy mouth." Finan interrupted sensing the growing tension.

"And take it down."

"Or I...I can just take it down, lord?" Osferth added softly pointing up at it.

"You will do nothing." Uhtred demanded making Osferth nod, the monk moved to the woman and urged her to drink something, Sihtric gave him a thankful smile when she did as asked.

"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.

"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. Hild them glanced at Angrboda and her beast, she noticed three of Uhtred's main men were fretting over her. 

"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.