Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 55

"And just where have you been arseling?" Leofric growled.

"Feasting," Uhtred laughed lightly.

"And you didn't invite me?"

"There's twice as much silver waiting for us." Uhtred changed the subject.

Leofric looked over the silver and stroked his chin. "So who are we fighting?"

"A Briton called Callyn. It would seem the Britons are just as power hungry as Saxons and Danes," I replied.

Leofric chuckled at my answer. "Silver's silver, ain't it?" He laughed at his own comment.

Leaving behind men to guard our ship, we set off towards Peredur, who had assembled his small band of men. Somehow our ragged and weary group looked more terrifying and put together than his. Uhtred seemed to take pride in this and refused to march until the rest of our payment had been brought. Peredur grudgingly ordered for the silver to be brought. Satisfied, Uhtred and our party silently followed the Britons.

We climbed over a steep hill and saw waiting for us on the other side the dark silhouette of a fortress. Leofric scoffed at the sight of it. "What's the plan?"

"Our best men in front and we kill everyone," Uhtred replied.

"Have you ever tried to take fort before arseling?"

"We could always just kill Peredur instead and take his silver," I interjected.

Uhtred chuckled. "Sounds like a plan."

To our disadvantage, Brother Asser came charging up accusing the men of being Saxons. Uhtred's smile vanished and he stared the small monk down. "I hate monks more than I hate priests. I love killing them." His eyes glinted with something devious.

Asser quaked with fear, but ran back to his master, undoubtably relaying the news. Peredur glared at us. Uhtred smashed his shield with his sword and asked him if we were going to do this or not. Peredur seemed to consider turning on us, but as his eyes scanned our men then his, he must've decided it was best to stay on our side.

"Treacherous bastard," I mumbled.

"He makes one false move, and you may kill him," Uhtred replied.

"Gladly," I smiled.

As we drew nearer we saw the flags on the fort to be Danish. Uhtred turned on Asser. "They're Danes!"

"So, you are too? Don't your people kill anyone for silver, even each other? Are you frightened?"

"Piss off," Uhtred growled, furrowing his brow.

"It's too bad if you're afraid, you already made a deal, took the silver!" Asser taunted.

Uhtred moved to murder the monk, but I was quicker and pressed my blade into the sniveling baby's throat. "One more word and I will cut you," I threatened.

"Tara," Uhtred warned.

"You need a woman to kill for you?" Asser scoffed.

Uhtred stared at him hard, "shall I let her have you? The things I've seen her do to men. Keeping them just barely alive to feel all of the pain, but unable to move, or die."

The monk shut up and ran off back to the flimsy safety of his king. The tides had turned and instead of fighting ill equipped Britons, we would be facing a score of battle hardened Danes. The odds did not look great. Even if we were able to hold our ground, we'd still lose a handful of men, something Uhtred, like many Danish Earls before him, was unwilling to risk.

"We're in a cesspit," Leofric mused.

"Aye," I agreed.

"What do we do now?" Leofric asked, looking to Uhtred who was watching a group of men approach.

"We talk."

A few large Danes came forth from their wooden barricade. They were led by a large man clad in armor and many silver and gold arm rings. From his helmet flew a white horse's tail. He walked with importance, and confidence that shook the souls of men.

"He's a warrior chieftain," I whispered, feeling both drawn to his magnificence, and terrified to die by his blade.

Asser and Peredur had already started moving towards the Danes. Uhtred beckoned me to follow him. We arrived to find Asser pitifully trying to convince the Danes to turn to the Christian God. The warrior chieftain removed his helmet, revealing his scarred, though still handsome face. His eyes were soulless. He handed his helmet to one of his men and began to piss on Asser who jumped back in fright. I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle and felt his eyes fall on me. "Who are you?" He asked in the Saxon tongue.

"Tara Melgaard, and he," I tilted my head towards Uhtred, "is Uhtred Ragnarson," I replied, switching the conversation into Danish. Asser attempted to translate to his king.

He looked amused. "What are two Danes doing with this piece of filth?"

"You are Svein of Ireland?" I ignored his question.

"Svein of Denmark," he grinned. "But I have come from Ireland."

"There are rumors of your arrival," I smiled back.

"Only good ones I hope."

"They say you are a force to be reckoned with."

"As much as I enjoy flattery, especially from a beautiful woman such as yourself, you still haven't answered my question," His face hardening again.

"What all men want, silver," I replied, unflinching.

Svein looked from me to Uhtred, to our band back on the hill. He gave a small nod. "Ragnarson, as in Earl Ragnar?" He addressed Uhtred.

"The very same."

"Then you are the Saxon son?"

"I am."

He studied Uhtred closer, taking note of his arm rings. He sized up our band of men again and then indicated that we should step to the side with him. The monk Asser protested loudly, but was ignored. We followed Svein a little ways up the hill.

"You two are smart enough to know you can't take this fort."

"True," Uhtred replied.

"So what are you going to do?"

"Raid Peredur's settlement," Uhtred replied.

"And if I attack the settlement?"

"You'll easily take it, but you'll still lose men."

He liked Uhtred's answer and half smiled. "Split it?"

"And split what's in the town?" I asked.

"Agreed."

I followed Svein's eyes to where Asser was practically jumping up and down warning Peredur of the treachery afoot. "He knows," I raised my eyebrow.

"So he does," Svein responded. Without warning he had grabbed a hold of me and socked Uhtred hard across the jaw. Uhtred instinctively went for Serpent Breath while Svein's men came running. Svein softly told Uhtred that he would come out of the fort and join us. He more loudly cursed at Uhtred and planted a rough kiss on my lips before shoving me towards Uhtred. His men appeared to be dragging him off, but I swore I saw him wink at me. The plan was set. Uhtred spat and I attempted to process what had just happened. Uhtred was already off down the hill screaming that we fight to the men, and cursing Svein that he would send him to the god of the dead. "We kill the bastards."