The Dawn of the Lost

14

I was about to leave when Uhtred met me in the hall. "Why do you not join us?" He asked.

"Because I am required else where!" I exclaimed trying to walk away but he grabbed my arm.

"Astrid, we both know that's not true, you can't stand being around me and Mildrith, Astrid you left as soon as he was born!" He said.

"Uhtred, let go!" I snarled.

"Where are you going to go, back to Ragnar?" He spat.

"Why must you use him in every argument?" I growled.

"Because I've seen the way you two are," he said.

"Well you're happy with a wife, and a child you are grounded here. You have no use for me," I said.

"Astrid, please, I need you," he said.

"No you don't," I replied and tried to walk away again, but his grip on my arm tightened.

"Your place is at my side as it is Mildriths," he said.

"No," I said and broke his wrist, he roared in agony and I stormed out without even looking back at him.

"A...Astrid!" He yelled, I ignored him and made my way to the courtyard. I mounted my horse and began my journey back to the north. I took the next ship back, I watched as the land became a tiny spec in the distance. I was free of Uhtreds hold. A few days later, and I was back in Ragnars company.

As I entered the entrance the gates of his camp, his men stopped me outside them. "Astrid, you have a lot of nerve returning," Ragnar said walking closer to me.

"Where else am I supposed to go if Uhtred of Bebbanburg no longer desires me?" I asked.

"Did he cast you out?" he asked walking closer and holding the reins of my horse.

"No, he insulted me by having a child with a Saxon whore!" I exclaimed. I saw Ragnar's features soften.

"Please, you're welcome here," he said and led me into his camp and helped me dismount my horse. "It will be good to have you back in the ranks," he wrapped me in a hug and slapped me on the back gently. The rest of his men were a little bit wary of me. I sat around the fire with them, and had a flagon of mead in my hand.

"How does Uhtred fair?" one asked.

"Well, he now has one pup of his own," I replied.

"Sounds like the warrior we once knew is settling down," another spoke up.

"It would appear so," I giggled playing with the raven skull pendant around my neck.

"So how did you escape his spell?" one man asked.

"I broke his wrist," I replied.

"I forgot about that temper of yours. Men I would not upset this one," Ragnar laughed.

"Not if you value your lives," I said.

"Easy, I can tell your rage for Uhtred still flickers within," Ragnar warned.

"So what would you do if the woman you loved had a child with a Saxon and ignored you?" I growled.

"Do exactly what you did, but not break her wrist," Ragnar chuckled.