Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 73

I kept my distance as I studied our newcomers, wondering what they were doing here.  I watched as they grimaced at the hanging Danes, and made their way through the streets still riddled with bodies. Their small party continued towards the center of the city. I watched from the back of the crowd in amusement as the small group stood against the entire town and freed a Dane called Haesten who had been left alive for the Saxons' own sport. And they called us barbaric. 

Things were more neatly settled than I'd expected. I suppose carrying the title of lord in name and being known as Daneslayer had its benefits. I meandered away with the dispersing crowd and headed towards the tavern where the priests were lodging. I found Beocca and the other one hunched over a scroll. They didn't look up at my approach. 

I leaned against a post across from them. "I could've killed you about five times over now."

The priest jerked upright eyes wide before glaring at me. Beocca didn't look up from his paper. "I would've liked to see you try." A small grin tugging at his lips. I couldn't help but smile at the man's boldness. I was slowly understanding why Uhtred had such an affection towards him.

The door to the tavern flew open with a loud thud, this time catching Beocca's attention. My hand flew to my weapon, ready to draw.

"Have you been stealing from Alfred Father Beocca?"

Beocca's eyes lit up like a dog sensing a treat. "Uhtred? Oh my goodness! What a joy it is to see you!" He loudly exclaimed, now putting the entire tavern's attention on himself. The two men enthusiastically embraced, Uhtred practically lifting the priest off the ground. "I have been praying that our paths would cross. This is a sign, God's will," Beocca beams up at Uhtred.

I roll my eyes at his declaration and felt Uhtred's eyes fall on me. I shrugged at him as Beocca eagerly tugged Uhtred  by the arm towards the other priest. "Brother Trew, this is the man I've been speaking about. And here he is in our time of need! He is here!"

I let out a small grunt. "And Tara of course," Beocca smiled at me.

The priest man, Brother Trew, regarded Uhtred with the same look of suspicion as he gave me. He clearly had no love for Danes, and Uhtred with his long hair pulled back and his body adorned with a thick fur cloak and dark armor looked like a Dane.

"Father Beocca speaks highly of you," the uptight priest croaked out.

Uhtred smirked at this, not noticing Beocca smiling fondly at him. "And you Tara? How do you come to be here?" Uhtred grinned at me.

"She is our protection," Beocca cut in.

"I would love to hear the story," Uhtred chuckled.  I frowned at him which only made his smile wider. 

Beocca and Brother Trew's papers were rolled up and soon replaced with ale. Six of us sat tensely around the table. Uhtred and I on one bench, with Hild on one side and Uhtred's man Halig on the other. Beocca and Trew sat across the table from us.

I felt my heart race a bit being in such close proximity to Uhtred. I had to refrain from dragging him from the tavern right then, as I felt his leg tangle itself around mine. I stole a glance at him which he ignored and carried on talking to the two priests.

"It's a ransom to free a slave, except he's no ordinary slave. He is a man marked to be a king," Beocca shared. "That is why we are traveling north with Alfred's silver."

"Who is he?" Uhtred asked, getting more answers than I had been given. 

"He is of Cumbraland. His name is Guthred," Brother Trew replied.

"A Dane?" Uhtred asked.

"A good man. A man of God," Brother Trew retorted. 

The two priests exchanged a look, while Uhtred raised his brow at me. I shrugged, having not heard this information before.