The Promises We Make- Uhtred of Bebbanburg

Chapter Twelve

The night had become unbearable. My mind, frozen with the memories of my mother and brothers death replaying over and over again. The constant grief and pain that has taken over my body. I no longer feel the warmth I once felt living in my soul. Uhtred was right. Why pray? God has taken everything I love away from me and yet, I still praise him. I still hold all my hopes in his so-called greatness.

'God has a plan for us all', they say. The only plan he has for me is suffering. I have tried to live as a servant of god, but right now, the only being that has shown me any hope, was Uhtred.

"We camp here for the night." Uhtred huffed out a thick cloud of smoke as he dropped the heavy bag on to the snow. Looking around, we had settled in an over crowded part of a forest. Trees and their branches curved above, creating some shelter from the weather.

I looked around, unsure on what to do now. I felt useless. A burden to Uhtred. I never even stopped to think how he must be feeling or what he was thinking about.

Wrapping his cloak around, he caught my attention from the corner of my eye.

"I'm going to gather some wood for a fire." He said, slightly shivering. "Will you be alright while I'm gone? I won't be far or take long. I promise."

"I will be alright." I replied half smiling, trying not to reveal the terrifying feeling of being left alone.

With that, he turned away from me and left within the trees. Once again, I was left alone. A feeling I wasn't yet accustomed too.

*

"My lord. How is your hunt?" My newly appointed right hand man, lord Charles smirked.

I lent back on my dinning chair placed at the top of the table, holding up my filled tankard of ale and grinned in delight at the question. Charles and the other men I had no intention of wasting my time with, all gathered around the large dinning table, filled with plates of fruit, bread and meat. This small feast was to show who was in charge now, and to gain allies.

"The hunt is going well, or so I am told. It shouldn't be long until she is warming my bed." I howled. Charles punched my arm and lifted his cup, causing the other men to do the same and cheer. Hands began to drum on the table. Plates and jugs shook in sync with the beat until it died down.

"What about you my lord." Charles's ear perked up. "How is your new wife?" I asked through a full mouth of bread.

"Let's just say that she is not as innocent as she looks. Well, not after I have had her." He drunkenly responded.

"A nice, young girl is what all men need in their life. Small and easily controlled." He hiccuped.
"She keeps my dick wet when I need it and she will bear my heirs in the process."

"Sounds like you have found the one Charles."

"The one to bear my heirs yes. But she is nothing like the used women in the whore houses. They are dirty, and I love it."

"I can clearly see that." I looked at him up and down. Dirt covered his short grey beard and he smelt like stale piss. His rotting black teeth showed every time he smiled or spoke and I had to hold back heaving in his face. But sacrifices must be made. With the help of his men, Delphine will be brought back home to me. 

A skinny, ill looking old woman come shuffling towards me, holding a small letter sealed with my emblem. A sun.

This is what I was waiting for.

"You must excuse me men, duty calls." I stood before them all. I turned to the scared looking servants standing against the walls. "Keep these men happy. Refill their drinks and fill the plates with plenty of food."

One pale looking boy bowed.

Lord Charles passed out on his plate full of uneaten food. I rolled my eyes. "And make sure he is not sick everywhere." I stared at the oaf in disgust. The other drunk men paid no attention to me as I left the room.

Walking down the stone hall, I was stopped by one of my soldiers. The young, handsome man, faintly reminded me of myself.

"I'm sorry to take you away from your guests my lord." He spoke while bowing. "He is awake"

"Finally." A sinister grin formed. "Time to have some fun."

*

Uhtred kept his promise and returned to the camp not long after he left with wood and a dead rabbit hanging over his shoulder. I wasn't much use to Uhtred at this moment. I had no idea how to make a fire or cook. But luckily he did.

The sound of a small crackle split the silence before the fire roared to life. The warmth was welcoming, slowly awakening my tight, ridged body. Uhtred had offered a seat next to him on an old log, rested against a tree trunk.

Finally seated, I felt the ache in my feet disappear and my mind relax. I sighed softly and lent back on the tree. Uhtred removed his small knife placed in his boot and began to skin the rabbit.

"Do you really have to do that?" I swallowed and watched on.

"Do what?" He frowned.

"You know," I pointed at the the poor dead animal laying limp in his hand. "That."

"If you don't want to look my lady, I suggest you turn around. It's not something most people would want to see."

"Is there something else we could eat? Something that doesn't involve the butchering of an innocent animal. Maybe some fruit or vegetables."

Lord Uhtred stared, studying my face. I closed my mouth and kept quite. All of a sudden, a low pitched laugh escaped from Uhtred. His head hit the tree behind him and is hand rested on his stomach as he shook in amusement.

I looked on, confused by his reaction.

"You are funny my lady." He finally took a break to ask. But I just stared on, unsure of what was funny.

His face straightened and he cleared his throat with one small cough.

"You was serious."

I nodded shamefully. I should have thought about it more. I have never felt so idiotic. Growing up with things handed to me on a silver plate, I have never taken the chance to think about where these things come from.

"Forgive me my lady." His sympathetic blue eyes hooked on to mine. The snap of the fire briefly made itself known and the orange flames continued to dance in the dark. "I did not mean-"

"It is fine Uhtred." I Interrupted.

"You are used to having a different type of company and the same goes for myself. It is all still new. That is all"

I smiled reassuringly and he slowly continued to prepare the wild animal.

"But, you can make it up to me."

Lord Uhtred frowned deeply, not expecting anything else to come from this topic again. He turned his full body to pay close attention as to what I was about to say.

"Anything you want my lady."

"I want to lean how to fight"