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"I do not like this." Yrsa muttered as they stood by the gates of Lunden. They had made camp last night to attack today, yet the city was quiet. No one was around. "Something is off. I swear it, on Thor's hammer."
"I understand, Yrsa." Uhtred nodded, before motioning for Finan and Sihtric to open the gates. The pair did, yet it was empty. There was no sound.
"It's empty, Lord."
"I told you so." Yrsa hissed.
"Do you see guards?"
"None. I see a trap. Yrsa's right, this is not good." Finan agreed with the younger woman.
Uhtred huffed, before sighing and shrugging as he brushed past Finan and into the city. Yrsa followed, her hatchets in her hand as she met up with Sihtric.
"Yes, of course, if it is a trap, we should walk towards it." Aethelwold snarked.
"If you don't shut up, I will bash your brains in." Yrsa growled. The soldiers all followed behind, advancing through the quiet streets as carefully as they could, weapons drawn.
But there was no one. No one was here.
They turned a corner into the main courtyard, going slowly as they advanced further.
"Any idea what's happening?" Finan questioned.
"None." Uhtred looked up, searching for something.
"Shield wall!" Immediately, Yrsa was pushed behind the other men, as they brought their shields up, ready to defend their precious archer and Uhtred's daughter. The girl huffed, glaring at the side of their heads as they all fell silent once more. Uhtred pondered for a moment, before his eyebrows furrowed.
"Aethelred?" There was no response, and Yrsa's eyes narrowed. She did not want to see this man. "Aethelred?"
"Uhtred?" Yrsa sighed. Unfortunately, it seemed that the man was not dead as she had hoped. "We've seen not a single man!"
"Same!"
"It's almost like it's a trap." Yrsa rolled her eyes, huffing. "I know it."
A commotion sounded ahead of them, as the shield wall opposite came down and Aethelred appeared, looking jubilant.
"They fear us! The city is ours!" His men all started to cheer, as Uhtred glared.
"No! No, keep your formation!" Uhtred tried to regain control as the Mercian soldiers spread out around the courtyard. "Keep your formation!"
