The Dawn of the Lost

12

I trotted into the farmstead and found bodies laid everywhere, Uhtred and Mildriths father stood in the middle of the town covered in blood. "What happened?" I asked.

"We had to slay them," Mildriths father said.

"They were rising up against us," Uhtred said. "Why aren't you with Mildrith?"

"Because Uhtred you have a newborn son, I was sent to tell you," I said. Without saying anything he mounted his horse and galloped off with Mildriths father, I walked my horse back I was in no rush to return. As soon as I reached the courtyard I tied my horse up and walked into the palace. I entered into Mildriths chambers, I stayed leaning against the wall. They were both happy, the sight made my heart sink, Uhtred was a Saxon.

I was about to leave when Mildriths father grabbed me by the arm. "Not a fan of babies?" He asked.

"No," I lied.

"You'll find a Dane who will love you just as Uhtred loves my daughter," he said.

"Do not lecture me on love Saxon, I have already lost that chance when I came here for him," I said nodding to Uhtred.

"Are you going to stay to attend the festivities for my newborn grandson?" he asked. Uhtreds eyes met mine.

"No," I said, turned my back and left. I could hear the babies cries as I left I blocked it out I couldn't bear to be around them. Before I even made it to the courtyard Alfred stopped me.

"Just the Dane I was looking for," he said.

"Make it quick," I growled.

"I can tell you're agitated so I will, I need you to travel Mercia to meet with my daughter and convince her and her husband to come to Winchester, we have some business we must discuss," Alfred told me.

"I will leave now," I said.

"Thank you, Astrid, safe journey," he said, his wife was approaching us.

"Astrid I wanted to personally thank you," she said.

"It's the least I can do considering you reluctantly took me in," I replied and walked off saying nothing more. A guard already had my horse and I was galloping out of the gates in no time. However, Odin punished me for abandoning a fellow Dane by unleashing his tears on me as we rode across the harsh land. The water soaked through my leather armour and bounced off my horses back. He whinnied and threw his head up. "I am sorry boy, I know you were enjoying your hay but I couldn't stay," I said.

I dismounted, removed his bridle which I slung over my shoulder and kept walking he followed me our bond was much tighter than Uhtreds and mine, who needed men when you have horses. The water sunk deep into my bones and wrapped my arms around my tiny torso, even my horse had slowed down. "I know you're tired and so am I but we have to keep going we don't need to stop yet," I said turning to him as he stopped and stared at me and grazed on the grass ignoring me.

"Fine, we'll stop for a second," I compromised and found a place sheltered from the rain.