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"My men are free men still. They'll travel with you to Winchester, ensure your safe return." Uhtred tells the Bishop as he walks to his horse. Skade was holding Skaldi's hand with something like darkness surrounding her, not of evil origin or at least Skaldi assumed so, it was more of a dark cloud of acceptance.
And it made Skaldi terrified.
"I have a guard. And Wessex is not a land of banditry." The Bishop claimed. Skaldi gazed at her sister with a small frown, something was wrong. It made her feel nauseous when Skade sent her a strained smile. Her sister only ever did that when something bad was on the horizon.
"Priests and Ealdorman aside, you should never refuse the offer of a sword, Bishop Erkenwald." Finan tells the holy man. She ignored Sihtric's eyes on her and leaned in close to her sister.
"Are you alright?" She whispered in worry and Skade nodded.
"Of course, why would I not be?" Skaldi didn't answer but squeezed Skade's hand softly.
"Whatever it is, sister, do not forget your promise to me." Skaldi said with a forced playfulness, she had hoped Skade would at least hum in acknowledgment but instead Skade's mood dropped into something solemn.
"I will keep my promise, Skaldi. But I cannot be sure it will be in this lifetime." And before Skaldi could speak Skade walked to Uhtred with a sudden air of forced cockiness as she touched the man's arm. Sihtric managed to move Skaldi's hand from her bandaged one as she had managed to unconsciously pick at it in nervousness.
"Is it your intention to remain at Coccham?"
"It is not. My lord's intention is to rule at Winchester." Skade adds as she stands next to Uhtred and the Dane-slayer sends her an annoyed look.
"Is that right, lord?" Finan asked sardonically. Skaldi sends Sihtric a panicked look, something is wrong. Sihtric moved to help her on their shared horse but she shoved him away in her uneasiness.
"My business is my own." Uhtred claims.
"And your children?"
"Are Christian now." Uhtred said through gritted teeth. Skade noticed Skaldi trying to fight Sihtric as the Dane held her back from joining her. Skade felt a sense of guilt deep in her stomach, it was not something she was used to.
"I will ensure they are cared for." Hild tells them reassuringly.
"If it pleases you."
"I will bring Skaldi to Mercia, lord. Meet you there." Sihtric says with a nod from where he is perched on his horse, he managed to forcefully place the blonde on the saddle with him. Skaldi was trying to reach her sister when Skade shook her head with sadness in her bright blue eyes, all it did was make Skaldi more anxious.
