The Dawn of the Lost

10

"The tenants attacked you? We can't have this, I will speak with Mildriths father immediately." He said.

"No need," I said. "Alfred, it will only cause more trouble."

"It's better he knows," Alfred said. "If Uhtred is not strong enough to deal with them, then Mildriths father can."

"He won't defend a Dane," I said.

"He will if you're important to Uhtred," Alfred said.

"We shall see, " I said and walked out to the courtyard where Uhtred was just walking in.

"Astrid, are you okay?" He asked rushing to me and gently resting his hands on my shoulders.

"Yes, it was mostly their blood not mine," I said.

"Good," he said.  

"How's your wife?" I asked walking towards the alehouse. 

"Furious," he replied. 

"Let her," I answered. 

"She's also banished you," he told me. 

"Silly cow, that's your say," I laughed and handed Uhtred a mead. 

"I know, she has no power," he said laughing with me. We sat in the corner keeping away from everyone. 

"So how is my brother?" he asked. 

"He's good, he's with Brida now," I told him. 

"Lucky man," he said taking a swig from his mug. 

"Indeed, although my sister can be a bit headstrong, you know that all too well," I said and gently nudged him in the arm. 

"I do indeed," he smiled, he went to rest a hand on my cheek but I swatted it aside. 

"Hey!" he exclaimed. 

"You know I don't like that," I said. His face dropped. 

"It's because of your scars isn't it?" He asked, attempting to sweep my hair from my face.

"Uhtred, I don't want to talk about it,"  I said and swatted his hand away again. 

"As you wish," he said looking away. We sat in silence for a few moments. "Will you be joining me tonight, or will you prefer the forest?" 

"I'll camp in the forest, it's too crowded here," I said. 

"Okay," he said. I got up and left walking out to the outskirts of Winchester and set up camp, I made a fire and sat in the warmth with a fur draped around my shoulders. I pulled my knees into my chest as shivers danced down my spine, sure I chose this over a proper bed but I didn't want to be around so many Saxons. Around midnight I fell asleep.

 In the morning the warm sun rays beamed into my face. I sat up and stretched, caught myself a rabbit and then headed back into Winchester. I walked to the shelter where Uhtred was staying and pulled the curtain aside, he wasn't awake so I threw a bucket of water over him. He woke with a jolt and stared at me, "did I tell you how I hate you, Astrid?"

"No, but you need to get up," I said.

"Why?" he asked. 

"Because we have business to attend to," I said. 

"With who?" He asked. 

"Alfred," I replied. 

"No," he said and turned his back on me. 

"It's to do with your tenants," I said.

"They're none of my concern, not anymore since they hurt you," he said.