Warriors at Heart (The Last Kingdom Fanfic)

Chapter 28

My heart was pounding in anticipation and I palmed my small dagger, waiting and ready to become a vicious killing machine. I relaxed slightly when out of the shadows stepped the priest man Uhtred called Beocca.

"Apologies lord, this was the best I could do without speaking to Alfred," Beocca said, tottering towards us with his arms full of food and ale.

To my surprise, Brida went charging towards the bars of the cell and made a grab for the food. Uhtred more casually accepted some and passed me half a loaf of bread which I made fast work of tearing up and eating.

"I bear good news," Beocca smiled at Uhtred.

"Alfred is dead?" Brida asked, retreating towards the back of our cell with her food.

"No, he's alive, and he is victorious," Beocca beamed. "We defeated the Danes."

Brida took to kicking the wall and smashing things against the floor. I turned my attention away from her tantrum back to Uhtred and Beocca.

"Why is this good news?" Uhtred asked calmly.

"Alfred acted upon your advice. You share in is glory," Beocca said excitedly.

I scoffed at this remark. "Alfred is weak. Uhtred should've let Wessex fall."

"Glory? Then why is he caged? You call that glory?" Brida yelled.

"Can she not hold her tongue for just one moment?" Beocca asked Uhtred.

"She cannot and will not!" Brida shouted, approaching the priest. "Keep your food! Keep your ale! I don't want it! I will not eat or drink until I'm set free!" She screamed, throwing the food she'd taken back at Beocca.

"Only Alfred can order your release. I'll speak with him." Beocca raised his voice to be heard over Brida's screaming, "you should use this time, girl, to contemplate your improvement."

Brida quit screaming and with a frightening calm replied, "I'll use this time to curse you."

With great defiance Beocca responded, "Do it."

Brida scoffed and stalked away. I found myself being semi impressed with the priest for holding his own against Brida. She was a terrifying force to reckon with. "She will curse you," I chuckled.

"My god will protect me," Beocca replied calmly.

"Can your god protect you from me?" I challenged, raising an eyebrow.

"She jests," Uhtred cut in.

"Maybe I do, and maybe I don't," I smiled deviously.

Uhtred smiled at the unease I was causing Beocca and then turned to him to speak. "Alfred refused my sword. I won't be offering it again unless he begs." With that Uhtred retreated backwards leaving me standing at the bars with the priest.

"Lord, sometimes I wonder if your pigheadedness is not simply stupidity," Beocca called after him.

"Funny, that is something we agree on priest," I said, walking away from the bars to join Uhtred.

"He'll send for you when he's ready," Beocca called back to us.

Brida launched herself at the bars and I watched Beocca visibly jump back. "We will give our thanks to Odin for our deliverance!" She shouted.

"Do that," he replied, hastily walking away.

"We are Danes!" she roared after him.

The guard that was watching everything threw some of the food Brida had chucked back at her. An apple rolled by Uhtred's foot. "Show respect," the guard growled.