Victory or Valhalla {sihtric kjartansson}

Part 26

3 months after giving birth to Isla, Evielin started feeling like herself again, even going to the yard to train with Sihtric and Finan.
As the two square off against Evie she can't help but feel slower than she once was.
Bringing her swords down on Sihtric as he block them with the shield using it as he shoves her back, Finan now running to her swinging his sword overhead she blocks it making an X with her weapons as she sees Sihtric's figure coming at her right side Evie lifts her leg up kicking  him back as she keeps most of her attention on Finan who is struggling to bring the sword down on her.

Taking him off guard she side swept him using her leg causing him to stumble and her to disarm him all in one go.

"That's my girl!" Sihtric says aloud with proud smile in his face.

"I hate training with you, you have no idea how many bruises I have on my back thanks to you." Finan tells her with a hint of seriousness in his tone.

"Maybe one of these days you'll learn how not to get swept off your feet."  Evie laughs as she get in stance to deflect an attack. Sounds of a horse coming their way brings the three out of continuing with their training. They see non other than Æthelwold ride over atop his horse.

"Well what do you know if it isn't Æthelwold himself, Find any thrones to steal?" Finan says jokingly causing irritation and anger to form on
Æthelwold's face.

"Ha if I remember correctly it was Alfred who  stole MY throne, regardless I'm here to speak to Uhtred!"

Gisela comes out and invites Æthelwold to sit in and have dinner with them as he waits for Uhtred.

"What is a aresling like you doing here looking for Uhtred?" Finan ask Æthelwold as he slumps down on the bench beside him.

"Call me a aresling all you want but I have information Uhtred is going to want to hear!"

"What information will I want to hear?" Uhtred ask as he makes his way over to the table where the 4 of them were sitting.

"Yes Æthelwold do enlighten us on this important information that caused you to come all the way here forcing us to see your face and listen to you speak!" Evielin says sarcastically as she leans her body on Sihtric's left shoulder bringing a sip of ale to her lips.

"I've come with an important message for you Uhtred, I have seen a corpse rise from his grave the corpse, it told me I would be king of Wessex and that you Uhtred would be king of Mercia."

"Have you been drinking arseling?" Evielin ask

" Not a single drop of ale has passed through these lips in ten days." Æthelwold tells them seriously.

"And who was this dead man you speak of?"
Sihtric who was listening until now ask him.

"The great Bjorn himself. He hears it through the three spinners." Æthelwold says.

"Can we just cut his tongue out maybe then he will shut up!" Evie says

"How about we just cut his head off that way we don't have to look at the aresling face!" Finan says jokingly as he nudges Evie with his elbow causing a small fit of laughter to pass through both of them.

"I don't believe you aresling!"Uhtred tells him with a serious look. "where is this corpse, you will take me there!"

"It's in Mercia. Beyond Watling street!"

"That's Daneland, how did you.." Evie says before getting cut off by Æthelwold.

"The Danes invited me, and they'll do the same to you!

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Meanwhile Erik and a few of his men make their way over into Wessex on ship when a man by the named Godwine tells Erik that this stretch of river is protected by Uhtred

"It doesn't matter who it's protected by we have trade here, we proceed on!" Erik tells the crew firmly.

Unbeknownst to them, Clapa was watching them closely from the shore.

————-

With news getting back to Alfred that Uhtred had hung a man of Wessex pretty recently..to say the least he wasn't too happy about it. The king and Odda (the kings trusted adviser) made a surprise visit to Coccham, much to most of the groups dismay.

"My lord what a surprise to see you after all this time." Evielin says bowing slightly.

"Yes it has been a long while hasn't it.
It seems motherhood has been good to you!" King Alfred tells her as he does a once over to Evielin's figure.
Feeling uncomfortable from the look the king had given her she holds little Isla closer to her chest swaying slightly as her eyes catch a glimpse of young Ragnar walking up to them with Sihtric and Finan by his side.
Saying a silent thank you Evie quickly takes a few  steps away from them until makes her way in her husbands arm.

"Mommy, mommy, uncle Nan and daddy taught
me how to catch a fish!" Ragnar says excitedly but stops his excitement when noticing the men in front of them, instantly clutching his mother's leg for comfort Sihtric takes Isla in his arms as Evie picks up Ragnar.

"My lord, if it is Uhtred you wish to speak with he should be back soon." Evie lazily bows as she and the others quickly make their way out of the great hall.

"I'll never understand why he drags Uhtred in the dirt but keeps him around. It's confusing. I don't think he cares for Uhtred .. but I think he wants to control him. The king knows if it were reversed Uhtred could truly start a Dane army against Wessex and most likely would lose." Evielin says to Sihtric and Finan. "Plus he gave me a look."

"What kind of look?" Sihtric says with a cocked brow.

"Not here Evie, we are still far too close to the great half for this kinda conversation." Finan says grabbing hold of young Ragnar out of Evielin's arms. "Go find Uhtred and let him know the king wishes to speak with him.