say yes to heaven, say yes to me - Finan the agile

you are dead

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Finan:"Lord, what now? The fortress is denser than Lord Æthelwold when he's had too much ale!...(*Sihtric chuckled at his comment*)...if Erik is not on the jetty, we have a serious problem!"
Uhtred:(*sighed*)"Sihtric, how many guards did you say were standing on the jetty?...(*Sihtric scratched his head*)...I seem to remember you saying something about 8 guards...but these are 11 that I see!"
Sihtric:"I swear there were never more than 8 guards!...(*Uhtred turned his head*)...what's the plan? Sneak up behind them? Swim to the jetty and attack from the water?"
Osferth:(*lowered his head*)"Don't you dare take option 2, Lord!...(*Uhtred and Sihtric smirked*)...what am I doing to myself here..."
Rypere:"And who takes the waterway?...(*Finan pointed at him*)...are you Irishman always like this?"
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Finan nodded and grinned! Rypere then rolled his eyes and took 5 of Uhtred's other men with him! They killed 5 guards and left Uhtred and his boys the other 6! Sihtric and Finan walked towards the stables and saddled some horses...the escaping must go quick! Uhtred and Osferth walked towards back entrance of the great hall and looked inside! Uhtred then sent Sihtric to find Erik and tell him, that the escaping must be tonight! Sihtric nodded and disappeared...it did not take him long to find Erik! He quietly opened the door and looked at Erik! He glanced over at Sihtric and stood up...his brother gave him a confused look, but remained silent! Erik found Sihtric standing outside...waiting for him! The two of them then walked towards Uhtred and he then told Erik about his plan! But it was clear from Erik's face that the situation had come to head!
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Uhtred:"Has anything changed in our plan?...(*Erik nodded*)...why do I feel like I am about to get upset?"
Erik:(*sighed*)"Because you are about to have every reason to!...(*Uhtred looked at Finan*)...my brother put the two girls in a cage and hung them from the ceiling! Every man in the great hall can see the two..."
Finan:"Can I kill your brother?...(*Erik slightly laughed*)...Lord, what do we do now?"
Uhtred:(*thought briefly*)"Fire!...(*Finan looked at Sihtric*)...Osferth you stay here with the horses, the rest of you come with me! Erik I need torches and of course fire...it is about to get heated!"
Erik:"You shall have the torches and the fire!...(*they smiled at each other*)...see you soon in the great hall!"
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Erik disappeared and Finan lowered his head! He was afraid, that that they could not save Valeria and Æthelflæd! Sihtric noticed his mood change and placed one hand on Finan's shoulder! Finan then smiled at Sihtric and cupped his face in his hands, to place his forehead against his! It was their little ritual...one that Uhtred liked! Their other ritual was lame and Uhtred did not like it! It consisted of clashing their weapons together and then killing their opponents! Sihtric, Finan and Uhtred slowly walked to the back entrance of the great hall and made their way in! Every warrior who was drinking ale moments earlier, was now outside trying to extinguish the fire! Finan opened the door and immediately locked eyes with Valeria...she wanted to smile but she was too weak! Finan clenched his fists and Uhtred looked for a way, to get the girls out of there alive...
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Sihtric:"Lord, I really do not want to be a pain in the arse but...(*Uhtred looked at him*)...how do we get out of here?"
Uhtred:(*sighed*)"One thing at a time!...(*Sihtric nodded*)...can you break the chain that holds the cage in place?"
Sihtric:"If you buy me a little time, then yes!...(*Uhtred nodded and looked at Finan*)...the party can begin!"
Finan:(*laughed*)"Once you have safely placed the girls' cage on the floor, take them out to Osferth, okay?...(*Sihtric nodded*)...and in the meantime, Uhtred, Erik and I will make sure nothing happens to your little Dane arse!"
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Sihtric laughed and began to break the chain which was holding the cage with his axe! Uhtred and Finan waited for Erik...he joined them moments later! Sihtric soon succeeded in breaking the chain and then took the girls out to Osferth! Uhtred took a deep breath and then the door opened...Sigefrid and his men were standing right in front of them! Erik swallowed and told Uhtred to get out of there...Uhtred hesitated but eventually grabbed Finan by his sleeve and pulled him out of the great hall! When they approached Sihtric, Osferth and the two girls, Æthelflæd immediately asked for Erik! Uhtred and Finan just lowered their heads and Æthelflæd knew, that he did not make it! Osferth suggested, that they leave this place and Uhtred agreed...they climbed on their horses and rode off! Sigefrid and his men followed them closely! When they reached the hill, where Odda and King Alfred were arguing, Æthelflæd immediately hugged her father!
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King Alfred:"Æthelflæd!...(*he returned the hug*)...thank you, Uhtred! It means a lot to me that you freed my daughter!"
Uhtred:(*smiled*)"It is always an honour for me!...(*King Alfred smiled as well*)...Lady Valeria has also been freed!"
King Alfred:"Is Val all right?...(*Finan shook his head*)...we'll talk about that at length in Winchester!"
Finan:(*sighed*)"Are you ready to kill these bastards?...(*everyone nodded and Finan looked at Valeria*)...Lady? When we get back home, we'll talk about this bad time and I won't leave your side!"
Valeria:"Thank you, Finan!...(*she took his right hand*)...thank you for freeing me!"
Sihtric:(*smiled at her*)"He has no other hobbies, so he just had time to come to your rescue!...(*Valeria slightly laughed*)...get yourself to safety and best stand with Steapa, Osferth and Æthelflæd!"
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Valeria nodded and walked towards her best friend! The two girls watched as the battle began and Valeria's heart nearly stopped, when she lost sight of Finan! Steapa and Osferth prayed for the boys and that they all will make it out alive! Sihtric fell over a dead man and harshly landed on the hard ground! He groaned in pain and held his right arm! Finan noticed and killed every men, who wanted to kill Sihtric! Uhtred watched his two best friends and didn't notice, that Sigefrid came directly riding towards him! He rammed Uhtred with his horse and Uhtred hit the ground with his temple! He groaned in pain but got up again, to kill Sigefrid but Æthelflæd was faster! Valeria, Finan, Sihtric and Uhtred watched her hold this heavy sword and looked at each other in shock! When they were back in Winchester, Valeria went home to get some sleep and hugs from her parents! She wished the boys and Æthelflæd a goodnight before she disappeared into her house...
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