Victory or Valhalla {sihtric kjartansson}

Part 20

Winchester

Father Beocca was standing out of the gates upon hearing of their arrival.
"I'm so glad you're back!" Father Beocca says grabbing Uhtred in a warm embrace.
"Much has happened Beocca."
Uhtred tells him as they slowly walk away from the others.
"Yes I've heard about Evielin being sold as a slave to Kjartan. Word has also been spread Ragnar now reside there at Dunholm."
They were interrupted by Evielin and Finan
"Father Beocca!" Evielin excitedly says with the two giving a hug.
"Evielin Ragnarrsson, i dare say you've become more beautiful since we've last seen one another."
"Thank you Beocca."
Father Beocca staggered slightly when he seen Thyra dismounting from her horse
With an open mouth that practically had drool coming from it, he turned to them asking who that was.
"Beocca meet our sister Thyra she was also taken by Kjartan and Sven."
Uhtred says pulling Thyra into a hug introducing them to one another
Finan speaks up introducing himself with an annoyed look that no one had acknowledge him yet.
They have small talk for a minute until a woman comes to bring Beocca to the side.

When he comes back Beocca informs them king Alfred wishes to have a private audience with Uhtred.

"Very well then , I believe we are off to the ale house." Evie says to father Beocca and her brother.
"I think I'll go get settled in, it was nice to meet you father." Thyra's soft voice said to him.
With Evielin , Thyra and Finan leaving Beocca informs United that Alfred knows about the abbot Evie had killed. "He's not pleased about it this much I know he's not spoken to any one of my knowledge about it either." Beocca tells uhtred
"she was protecting Gisela he also was calling her a whore, what would you have me do. If she didn't do it the eventually would've."
Beocca just shakes his head with dissatisfaction with Uhtred's answer.
" Beocca listen. Tonight id like for you to marry me and Gisela. I do not wish to wait any longer!"
Now with a smile Beocca places his hand on his shoulder nodding his head with delight.
-----
King Alfred's private reading room

"Lord." Uhtred walks in acknowledging the king.

"Uhtred I'm going to cut to the chase, Your sister killed an Abbot."
"Yes lord she did she..." before Uhtred could finish Alfred cut him off holding his hand up and continues to talk.
"She will stand trial, though saxons do not take kindly to the murder of holy people." Alfred tell him.
My lord , the man had it coming it was bound to happen whether she did it or not."
That's the point Uhtred she did do it." Alfred speak up more sternly this time with a serious expression.
"I'm willing to oversee this..if you agree to serve me."
Alfred's request caused anger to rise in uhtred chest.. how dare this man force him to stay and serve him at his beck n call and to threaten Evie. Any good thoughts Uhtred had of the king were now completely gone.
He would never place Evielin in a situation like that if he could do something about it and the king knew that, he knew uhtred couldn't or wouldn't deny his request.
" yes, my lords if that is all I'd like to take my leave."
Alfred stands near the window turning to Uhtred, silence falls over them for a second before Alfred allows him to be dismissed.

-----

Now in a terrible mood Uhtred makes his way into the ale house and sits beside Gisela, Evie and Finan with Sihtric and Hild across from them.
"The air is rotten here." Uhtred says with an irritated tone.
"That could be me eating too much cabbage." Finan jokes.
"Not everybody enjoys a fool Finan!" Evielin says Rolling hers eyes and picking up her drink
"Shall I hit him?" Hild says
Finan recoils back some.
"What's wrong Finan scared of the Abbess?" Evie ask with a sharp tongue.
"I've already seen her in battle who wouldn't be."
Finan clears his throat and sitting back a bit more comfortably.
Finan leans over slightly to rub shoulders with Evie trying to get her attention. Nodding his head over to Uhtred Evielin turns seeing him not enjoying the conversation.
"Brother, You good?"
Evielin asked Uhtred.
"Im fine.. just wanted to inform everyone me and Gisela are getting married tonight."
"That's great" hild says.
Finan and Sihtric lift their ale cups to congratulate him.
"That's wonderful brother but why the rush?"
Evielin innocently asks.
I do not wish to have Alfred breathing down my neck, for it seems I can't even fart without him not knowing of it.
"Well if that's the case let us ladies go and prepare." Evielin replied
standing up Hild and Evie go to grab Gisela to go and get ready.
Leaving the ale house they had walked a couple of feet when someone to call out to Evie cfrom behind.
"Evielin!"
Turning around she see's Sihtric making his way to her.
She turns to face Gisela and Hild telling them she won't be long.
When the girls are out of ear shot Sihtric starts speaking
Sihtric grabs her hand gently in his.
"I wish for us to speak this evening.. after the wedding.. can you find the time. Looking at her eyes then slowly looking down at her lips .
Evielin's face starts burning up as she replays the memories they had shared not to long ago by the river.
"Yes..I'll find you after the wedding." She says shyly before running off to catch up with Gisela and Hild.