𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐑 <𝐬𝐢𝐡𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐤𝐣𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧>

6. 𝖇𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖔𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖘

Gisela had been as angry as expected, if not worse; essentially locking her sister in her room for 3 days upon her return, and then only relenting after Finan pleaded her case for fresh air.
Surprisingly, Finan had been nearly as bad as Gisela, fussing over Ghylena and making sure she was comfortable. She suspected Uhtred had placed him on orders to guard her during her recovery, that or he had made some promise to Sihtric.
By the end of the first week, it no longer hurt to breathe and her voice had returned.

The cuts across her leg and back had itched like mad as they healed, but they too eventually pulled back together, leaving behind angry red scars.
When Ghylena had first washed after the bandages were removed, Gisela had been with her, gently cleaning her back for her and washing her hair. They had sat in silence in the lapping water, Finan on guard not far from the shore but out of sight.

Gisela's fingers had ghosted over the red ridges, barely touching the ragged skin but still her baby sister flinched. Gisela winced, her eyes pained.
"They are hideous." Ghylena's whisper was hoarse, her voice usable yet rough, "I never want him to see them, Gisa."

"Lena," Gisela soothed, "Sihtric would rather have you alive and scarred, than not at all. They are proof, reminders of your survival. He will worship them for you."

The skin around Ghylena's throat had yellowed, the bruises fading, but still visible. All Gisela could see when she looked at them was a reminder that some man had his hands there, had tried to squeeze the life from her sister, and had failed.
He had failed, all 4 men had failed, because Ghylena had killed them.
Gisela touched the bruises gently, brushing over all of Lena's scars and wounds, before caressing her cheek gently and kissing her forehead: "Beautiful. Brave. My strong warrior, my little sister."

Lena cried, her tears melting into the water around them.
If Finan heard, he never said anything.

<>

The time in Coccham went quickly after that. Ghylena healed more each day, and had even been hunting again, returning to fighting form after 2 weeks.
Her days were spent reading to Young Uhtred and looking after baby Stiorra.
Osferth, the baby monk from Winchester, had arrived soon after their return and had thanked Ghylena for speaking up for him. She found him sweet, like a young foal still finding its feet. If he wanted to be a warrior, he would need to learn quickly.

She missed Sihtric desperately, but when Rypere returned with news from Beamfleot, she couldn't help but be proud of her fiancé. Soon after, she joined Uhtred on the road to Winchester.
Ghylena didn't speak during the wittan, preferring to stay close to Finan and Gisela instead, and when Father Beocca approached them afterwards he smiled at her.
Her expression must have been hilarious when Beocca pulled her in for a hug, her arms glued to her side in surprise as Finan snickered at her face.
"It is good to see you so well recovered, My Lady." Beocca beamed at her.

Nodding her head, Ghylena spoke, "And you Beocca, I hope Thyra is well."

"She is, she is. Perhaps you should visit someday."

"My sister and I would be happy to join you for dinner whilst the men are away negotiating, Father." Gisela placated.

"Excellent, Thyra will be pleased!"

<>

Another 2 weeks passed with Gisela and Ghylena waiting in Winchester for news before Uhtred and his men returned.
It was not long after that when Sihtric himself rode into Winchester with a letter for Uhtred from the Lady Aethelflaed. A plan was afoot to rescue the princess from the fort, and strangely it was Erik who had masterminded it. Once again, love had changed the fate of the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex.