╚════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*════════╝

Later that day, the group rode their horses through the woods when Finan whistled to alert Uhtred of the Danes. Her lover tightened his hold around her waist protectively, she caught Sihtric's eyes as he sent her an amused smile.

"Is it Hæsten?" Uhtred questioned and arched an eyebrow when Angrboda moved around in the saddle under the guise of being uncomfortable, but in reality, she was simply teasing Finan who bit back a moan.

"Where is he going?" Sihtric questioned and frowned in disgust at the sound. She snickered at his expression and patted Finan's thigh playfully, her lover nipped at her shoulder in warning.

"He's with his kinfolk, he'll not want to fight." Finan informed them as he felt up her thighs subtly.

"Uhtred Ragnarsson." Hæsten spoke, "I thought I could smell something rotten in the air."

"We should kill him now, lord, while we have the chance." Sihtric claimed and she nodded in agreement. The movement must have caught Hæsten's attention because he soon snarled at her.

"The traitorous whore is still with you? She must be good then, what man doesn't want a woman who no longer speaks?" Hæsten hissed out and she rolled her eyes, unfortunately, Sihtric and Finan both went to unsheathe their swords.

"Are you not the traitor, Hæsten?" She spoke with a tight smile and the blonde Dane recoiled at the sound of her voice. Finan fisted her dress as he buried his face in her hair, it didn't take a genius to know he was turned on.

"I've had enough of fighting Danes, even weasels like Hæsten." Uhtred replied and sent her a proud smile.

"Uhtred and his pretty boys. Looking so sad and far from home. Why?" Hæsten taunted.

"It's none of your concern, let us pass and I will not cut off your head." Uhtred threatened. Hæsten chuckled at the man before speaking.

"I suppose once more, you ride out to save the Lady Aethelflæd? Continue if you like, Uhtred. It seems fate had brought us together again. Your men look like ragged dogs in need of meat and we have plenty. We camp here tonight. Join us." Hæsten announced.

"Hæsten's men say Cnut and Brida have attacked Mercia." Osferth approached them later that day when they stayed at the camp. Finan refused to keep his hands off her and she let him, she enjoyed the feeling of him fawning over her and her body.

"I knew they did not sail for Irland." Finan exhaled.

"Edward and Aethelred will need us now." Finan spoke making Uhtred scoff. She squeezed Uhtred's bicep and the man patted her hand absentmindedly.

"I owe them nothing." Uhtred snapped.

"And Aethelflæd?" Finan questioned as he propped his chin on her shoulder, she hummed lightly as she leaned back into his chest.

"It is true, I fear for her." Uhtred spoke softly.

"Uhtred! Join me!" Hæsten shouts and signals for his men to leave. She could have gone the entirety of her life without seeing that man again.

"There was a rumor you had gone north to regain your lands. Are you here with your tail between your legs?" Hæsten taunted as Uhtred sat down.

Angrboda was so busy enjoying Finan holding her close that she almost missed one of Hæsten's men walking past, she didn't let anything show as the man slipped something into her hand and kept walking. Sihtric, ever the observant, sent her a worried look when she discreetly glanced at the item.

It was a coin, a medallion to be exact.

"What does it mean?" Finan mumbled into her ear and kissed her temple as his eyes never left Uhtred.

"It means that Bloodhair's men, who should have become mine after his death, claim me as their leader. They only follow Hæsten and Cnut for temporary protection, when I call, they will answer." She whispered and she hid her smirk when Finan shivered at her deep voice in his ear, she had figured out that he could get off just by hearing her talk. She tried it once, he enjoyed it a little too much.

"Your men say the Danes have gone to war, yet you are here, playing nursemaid." Uhtred claimed as Hæsten turned to look at two little redheaded boys.

"What happened, Hæsten? Have they cut off your balls?" Uhtred taunted making Angrboda smirk.

"What can I say? I'm a family man." Hæsten spoke with a chuckle.

"I do not see your fat wife." Uhtred replied.

"She died."

"Oh, did she?" Uhtred spoke and Finan snickered next to her ear.

"Mm. As you know, I once had the desire to claim Wessex and Mercia for my own but that did not go well for me. And how, like you, Uhtred, I only want a woman to hump and a piece of land to call my own. I had both, in Skade and Beamfleot until you took them from me. How is Aethelflæd? In my experience, the bitch has never known when to lie down. No doubt she'll be riding into battle with Cnut...with her silly husband and her pretty brother. And you have always been there to save her, Uhtred. But not now." Angrboda glared at the man for speaking ill of the woman.

"She does not need me." Uhtred spoke.

"Mm. That's not what I heard. How is she? To bed? I imagine she squeals, like a big fat pig." Hæsten taunted as Uhtred stood and kicked the log from under Hæsten as he fell to the ground.

"Stop it!" Finan shouted. Uhtred ignored him and hit Hæsten as he cackled, Uhtred placed his boot on Hæsten's throat.

"Come on, Uhtred! We were having a nice dinner." Uhtred released him. "Of course, I would slit her throat after she has been ridden." Uhtred turned sharply.

"Wait, Uhtred! She's too well used to fighting over."

"Now, I will kill you." The two began to fight.

"Wait, wait, wait! There is something I can give you. The name of the man that killed Ragnar."

"Huh? Aethelwold!" Uhtred shoved the Dane against a tree and held a sword to his throat. She hoped Uhtred would kill the man.

"No! He held the dagger, but another whispered poison into his ear. Let me live...and I'll tell you who gave the command."

"Speak!"

"Cnut! He wanted to lead the Danes...and he wanted Ragnar's woman who used to be yours. He told Aethelwold that Ragnar would kill him. He guided the blade into Ragnar's heart." Uhtred looks over at the redheaded boys.

"These are Cnut's sons, hm? You can go. You will leave Cnut's bastards behind." Uhtred ordered as Hæsten chuckled.

"I'm tired of the redheaded runts. You can take them." Uhtred shoved Hæsten.

"Of course, Cnut will hear of this."

"I said go." Hæsten backs up and bumps into Sihtric who glares at him."Finan." Finan reluctantly let go of her to do as Uhtred ordered.

"Lord?"

"Tie them up." Sihtric and Finan move to grab the children. Sihtric chased after the runaway boy as the other tried to stab Finan.

"Come on. Jesus! No, no, no. Where are you going? Where are you going?" The boys grunt as they were tied up.

"Cnut's sons? I thought you did not want to be a part of this war." Osferth walks away as Uhtred glares at him.