Painted Blade || sihtric

80.

   THE battle had ended for good as Bemia left Espen's side after checking his wound that was being cleaned, her eyes landing on Stiorra being dragged by two guards toward Sigtryggr and his remaining men who were seized.

"Stiorra!" Sigtryggr exclaimed, attempting to rush for her, only for a guard to shove him back. "A king should always heed the good counsel of his queen. I should not have forgotten this."

"You have time to make it up to me still," Stiorra assured him with a pained smile as Bemia stopped near her with Uhtred.

"Aethelhelm provoked this," Uhtred said. "The massacre in Rumcofa was his doing. Edward was never your enemy." Sigtryggr's face fell with a dreadful scoff. "I was riding to tell you he was calling for a truce. In the midst of battle, Aethelhelm escaped."

"It is over for us, then," Sigtryggr's brother quietly said.

Sigtryggr inhaled sharply, keeping his eyes locked with a teary Stiorra.

"No, it is not," Bemia sharply said, looking between the two before she departed, walking toward Edward's tent with her brother quickly following.

When the pair walked into the tent, Edward was already watching them with Aldhelm.

"I have grave news," Edward started, only looking at Bemia who grew worried. "Your husband...his body has been found among the fallen. I am sorry for your loss, Queen Bemia."

Bemia snorted, shocking the three men. "I am not," she simply said, clasping her hands behind her back. "I was the one who cut off his cock."

"You did what?" Uhtred whipped his head down toward her.

"That man beat me and raped me for years," Bemia snarled, trying to contain her anger at even the thought of him. "And during this battle, he stabbed the heir to my throne and tried to take his life. I did what I needed to do as a Queen and a mother," she explained, leaving out the fact that Sihtric had stabbed the King of Sweden, knowing that could lead to his death.

Edward blinked hard at the calmness to her posture as did Aldhelm who was deathly silent.

"We've come to speak for Stiorra," Uhtred said after a long moment of silence. "She has killed no Saxons in this fight. Lord, I appeal to you as her father. Spare her."

Edward stared at him, not saying a word as the tension in the tent grew thick with unsettled nerves.

"Then she is spared. You have my word."

Bemia could have sighed in relief at the King's words.

"Thank you, Lord," Uhtred said in relief. "Thank you."

"But what of Sigtryggr?" Bemia spoke up, worry churning in her gut.

Edward sighed, clasping his hands together before him. "His fate is to be decided."

"Swear a new alliance with him," Uhtred advised.

"You would have me pardon a man who slaughtered so many innocent Christians?" Edward almost scoffed.

"You have won some favor with the Lords here today," Aldhelm cut in. "Do not risk it."

"Favor is not only won with the sword," Uhtred firmly said. "Your men know that you can fight. Show them that you also know mercy."

"Our people must be assured of your leadership," Aldhelm countered.

"But they are not the only ones," Bemia sharply said. "The Danes are also your people now. You must unite them all, ensure that this does not happen again." She paused, looking up at Uhtred and then back to Edward. "Or I can prepare to sail back to Norway with my family and he and Stiorra will live in my kingdom with their people, as far away from here as you wish."