Seer's destiny ¥ Sihtric Kjartanson

1.1

Weeks after the battle of Ethandun, Uthred, Ingrid, Hild, and Halig stayed in    For a few days. Uthred had been mourning the loss of Isulet, the Pagan Queen. She had been beheaded by Skorpa during the battle and it was the first time Ingrid had been blind sided by a death. Uthred had been drowning his sorrows in ale and whores. Ingrid was tired of it.

Especially after his sword was almost taken.

Traveling to Eoferwic, they came to learn the Brothers, Erik and Sigefrid, had lost the city to the priests, who slaughtered almost every Dane. Leaving Eoferwic, they met a few priests who said they were looking for Guthred, the man seen in their prayers who was to become King of Cumbraland. He had been taken by traders. Kjartan's traders.

Uthred and Ingrid jumped at the chance of terrifying Kjartan's men and helping save the King of Cumbraland. Ingrid decided to stay behind while Uthred, Hild, Halig, and Father Beocca went through with the plan, stating she would easily be spotted and give them all away. Uthred had gotten Sve to send his father a message, saying he was coming for their souls.

Arriving in Cumbraland, they met the Abbott Eadred, who made it very clear how he felt about Ingrid and her powers. They also met Gisela, Guthred's sister, who Uthred had taken a very quick liking to. Guthred had made Uthred the Commander of his Household guard and he wanted Ingrid as HIS seer. She quickly shut him down, saying she wouldn't be any use to him, with her destiny to follow Uthred. There was just something about him she didn't trust and she only wished she realized it sooner.

Ingrid sat atop the fence between Halig and Hild as they watched Uthred train with Clapa, one of the largest men she had ever seen. Uthred had been instructed by Guthred he was to work with every member of the guard on how to properly fight in a battle.

The Seer didn't need a vision from the Gods to see Clapa was growing frustrated at not being able to take her Lord down. She imagined it didn't take much from him to take down his opponent. But Uthred was a skilled warrior and was quick on his feet and quick to analyze his opponents.

It seemed like Ingrid was the only one with trust in Uthred because Halig had been making slick comments the whole time they watched. All she wanted to do was hit him over the head with the apple he was so annoyingly eating.

"Clapa's a bear!," Halig expressed, "a big angry bear. Should we call a halt?"

"Not at all," Father Beocca answered, "With a little luck, a blow will land."

"All he is doing is showing off his feathers."

Ingrid looked around at the people who gathered around the square to watch and noticed Gisela was staring intently at Uthred, "It seems Lady Gisela feels the same."

"They usually do. Even his scars are handsome." Beocca added as Hild and Ingrid shared a look.

Ingrid watched as Clapa became enraged at Uthred not backing down. He hadn't been able to land a single blow. She knew Uthred could do this for hours but there was plenty of men for him to train and knew he would put an end to it soon.

"Clapa will soon tire. He's using everything he has and soon he'll make a mistake and Uthred will get him to yield."

And Ingrid was right. Clapa had brought his ax swung his ax down at Uthred but he moved at the last second and the ax got stuck in the ground. Uthred had taken this opportunity to kick Clapa in the back of the leg before holding his sword to his neck. Pressing a kiss to the top of the man's head, Uthred pulled his sword away.

"Not every sword strike is a kill!," Uthred started, looking around the square, "A kill is something you fashion. Whether man against man, or within a shield wall, anything below the knee is vulnerable."