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The fight to regain Skade had been quick and simple enough, with them climbing onto the boats to escape. Despite the anger that Sihtric knew Yrsa had for him, he made sure that she stayed out of the fighting as best possible, conscious that she was with child.
He would not dare risk harming their baby.
Yrsa had fired upon Haesten's men as they left, before sinking down at the back of the boat and going back to ignoring her husband and all others in the boat as best she could. They had followed the river back to Coccham, and Yrsa knew that her horse would find her soon enough. Beastie was bound to her by the gods, and he would return to her so.
Sihtric held out a hand for her, though Yrsa brushed it aside and clambered out on her own, standing with Osferth as Sihtric took a deep breath. He had almost forgotten how stubborn she could be in arguments, though he knew he deserved it. He sighed, watching his wife disappear and head back around to go and find their home.
"She'll come around." Finan smacked his shoulder as Sihtric shook his head.
"She will not." He joined Uhtred and Skade at the entrance to their hall, looking at the Wessex soldiers in disgust and annoyance.
"Stand aside. I want no blood shed, no man killed." Uhtred demanded as Sihtric fiddled with his wedding ring, before catching sight of the nod that Uhtred shot towards him.
"He said stand aside! Now!" He raised his voice, glaring as the men looked between themselves before moving out of his way. "Thank you. I should not need to raise my voice."
Throwing open the doors, Sihtric held it open for Uhtred and Skade to walk in first, a scowl forming on his face at the sight of the bishop that was occupying their hall and eating their food.
"Uhtred? What is the meaning for this invasion?"
"This is my home." Sihtric looked around, before circling around the table and examining each and every person that was sitting in places they should not be.
"We are here by right, on the king's business." The bishop explained.
"You are stealing food from the mouths of the poor." Uhtred corrected, as Sihtric put his hand on the monk's shoulder, who dared to sit in Yrsa's seat.
"An army needs to be fed." The priest turned around, meeting Sihtric's dark glare and scurrying out of the way of the man.
"As do priests, it seems." Skade stabbed at the meat, as Sihtric backed the priest away from the table with a grin, his blood boiling as all of his emotions bubbled up inside him. He was angry, more so at himself than anything else. He felt guilty and he hated that Uhtred had ever talked him into agreeing to hurt Yrsa, and their child. He huffed as the man finally found a corner to hide in, before grabbing a glass of ale and slumping down at the bench.
