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LOCATION: WINCHESTER
LAST NIGHT, UHTRED INFORMED ESTRID HE WAS BACM IN ALFRED'S SERVICE - IN RAGNAR, EATRID AND BRIDA'S PLACE. She was thankful, of course, to no longer be captive, to be a free woman. However, she was also furious. A little with Uhtred but more so with Alfred. How dare he? After all Uhtred has been through? After all he has done for him?
Brida was to go to gather men to fight Kjartan. Estrid wanted to go with her older brother when he was to leave, she practically begged him. He thought it was best she stayed with Uhtred. Everything he had conquered, she was by his side. Did it mean nothing? Did her loyalty mean nothing to him? Perhaps she was being dramatic, but she couldn't remember a time when she wasn't by Ragnar's side. She understood why he wanted her to stay with Uhtred. He still wasn't himself since Islond. She feared he'd never be the man he was before again. So, yes, Estrid was angry Ragnar denied her company, but she understood his meaning behind it. And that annoyed her. Him being right.
The red-head hugged Brida tightly, kissing her forehead as a sign of good luck, before Ragnar helped the brunette onto her white horse. Estrid thought she looked awfully beautiful with her hair styled the way it was. The twists going from the front of her hairline to the crown of her head, leading to all her hair gathered into a ponytail. In a way it represented her perfectly. Brida was a complicated woman, some may say she's twisted, and they would be correct - if you got on her bad side that is.
As Brida and her horse rode away, Estrid turned to her brother, both walking to the stables to his horse.
"How long do you think it will take for you to gather your men?" She asked.
"A month, maybe? Hopefully sooner rather than later." He responded, a regretful look upon his face. "It's best you stay with him." He sighed, an apologetic look on his face, "You know this."
"Yes, I know." She knew he didn't want to upset her, he hated seeing her without a smile upon her face.
He was about to say something when Uhtred walked over to the two, leaning against the stable fence.
"What's this? You're both leaving without me?" He asked, a smile on his face but he wasn't happy.
"I'm staying with you, brother." Estrid said, smiling warmly at Uhtred, which he returned, happy to spend some time with his sister.
"Brida has gone already. She is gathering my men." Ragnar informed him. "Whatever is left of them."
"You will meet them where?" Uhtred asked.
"Loidis." He said, brushing his black horse with hay, "I'd ask you to come with me, but I hear you have been making more of your oaths."
"I will be with you. Our plan doesn't change." Uhtred stated.
