Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 67

I bid Uhtred farewell. He barely looked at me as I stole away into the night. I waited to let my tears fall until I was out of his sight. Bleary-eyed, I trekked the long walk to Cippanhamm to find it looked like every other Saxon village. I scowled at the gate and banged on its heavy doors. The watchman stared at me, an unsettling hunger in his eyes. "What ya want?"

"I have a message from Earl Guthrum," I replied, glancing over his shoulder.

"What message?"

"That's between me and the Earl," I replied. "Now shall I tell him you delayed me?"

The watchman insisted he meant no trouble and let me pass. I heard the doors swing closed behind me and began to make my way up the stone pathway towards the hall. My path was intercepted once more by a rowdy group of drunk Danes. They hollered at me and I showed them Naegling. They hastily backed off, knowing better than to mess with a warrior, even if it was a woman. I continued onward when another Dane stepped into my path.

"Fancy seeing you here," he cocked his head to the side.

"Not now Barth." I attempted to side-step him and found him still in my way. "What do you want?" I glared up at him.

"What are you doing here?"

"I come with a message for Guthrum," I replied stonily.

"Guthrum wants Uhtred's head, and that of anyone who helps him," he smiled.

"So he hasn't taken your head yet then?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't," I smirked. He grinned back at me, knowing full well he'd let me and Uhtred escape him on multiple occasions. "Now how about you let me pass..." He barred my way again. "Do I have to cut you down?" My fingers found their way to my hip.

"Earl Ragnar's here," Barth said. The shock on my face must've said all. "I would suggest you seek him out first."

I eyed the dark-haired Dane, wondering if this was a trap. "Why are you helping me?" His face answered it all. The dumb man was fond of me. I had no clue why, but apparently at some point in our short meetings I had intrigued him. "You're a fool Barth Sogard," I grinned stupidly.

"Perhaps," he mused. "But I'm a patient man." He drew closer, staring at me.

I felt a flutter in my gut and stepped backwards. "How about you take me to Earl Ragnar now."

He stared a moment longer before nodding. He turned and I released a small sigh. We silently strode side by side, winding up the path and into a large fire lit courtyard. I spotted Ragnar across the way and felt my body relax a bit. Barth hadn't walked me into a trap.

"Lord Ragnar," Barth politely bowed.

Ragnar looked up from his ale past Barth and right at me. "Tara?"

"Good to see you're still alive," I replied, smiling.

Ragnar nodded and motioned for me to sit next to him. He waved Barth away. I shrugged at him and I swear he winked at me before slipping away. I turned my attention to Ragnar who was staring at me, frowning.

"What's a woman got to do to get some ale?" I asked, attempting to lighten the mood. Ragnar signaled for a tankard to be brought for me. He took a swig of his own. I watched it dribble into his beard and he swiftly wiped it away with his sleeve. "What?" I asked, his mysterious mood not relenting.

"Why are you here?" Ragnar asked.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"What can I say, I'm a hard man to kill," he chuckled. He must be a hard man indeed to kill, for last I knew Ragnar had been a hostage for the Saxons. "So why are you here?"