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"THIS IS A BRAVE PLAN."
Aldhelm spoke softly towards Uhtred as they walked ahead of us towards the gates of Winchester.
"Which plan is that?" Uhtred glanced at him.
"He doesn't have a plan!" Finan told them, a grin painting his face.
"This is what he looks like when he's making it up," Osferth finished, smiling slightly and innocently.
"You can not hope to take them on single-handed?" Aldhelm frowned, looking towards the ramparts.
"What do you think he's doing, then?" Sihtric scoffed softly, what else did he think Uhtred was going to do when all alone in enemy territory.
"I presume you're trying to get us some time," Aldhelm huffed softly, "If you can delay the Danes until Lady Aethelflaed arrives, she will persuade Edward to endure a longer siege. You know that we can take back the town when they're depleted."
"That is not my plan, Aldhelm." Uhtred told him softly.
"Ha! Told you." Osferth quipped, holding onto his arm which was in pain.
"Why else would you make such a dangerous offer?" Aldhelm asked in disbelief.
"Because I believe I can end this." He answered, stopping in his place. He knew that is Edward attacked, the hostages chances of survival would be minimal, but he hoped to ensure their safety. His eyes glanced back to his son and daughter to stood with Father Pyrlig, giving them one last glance, he turned and made his way into the fort.
"Sigtryggr!" Uhtred bellowed, "Show yourself!" He paused, "We will not retreat, Sigtryggr!" he yelled from outside the walls.
"But...I killed him." Haesten spoke in disbelief from his position inside the fortress out of sight.
"What?" Sigtrggyr questioned.
"W-We have tried to kill him." He coughed out, suddenly becoming fidgety. Sigtryggr nodded, his arms folded across his chest as he approached Haesten.
"And yet here he is..." he mocked. "Returned form the dead, like their nailed god." Walking past Haesten he turned his attention to Uhtred. "And not for the first time I hear." He placed his elbows onto the fortress, learning on it. "I have learned a lot about him from Ciri." He used the nickname he had called her ever since the first time she read to him.
"We make you this offer," Uhtred continued, his voice echoing around us, "send out both the children.. and I will walk into Winchester alone. " Sigtrggyr smiled lightly at his offer, laughing almost.
"And why would I exchange gold for silver?"
"Because you will have the Saxons greatest warrior." Uhtred boasted, making Sigtrggyr chuckle. "And because you know that, in time, I would kill you as I have killed your friends and your brothers."
"Is he lying?" Sigtrggyr asked Haesten quietly.
"No." His head turned to the Dane as he spoke. "What the Princess spoke is true." Haesten moved closer to Sigtrggyr, almost as though he were embarrassed for anyone to hear what he was saying. "We cannot conquer this place whilst he lives." Sigtryggr thought for a moment. "Edward can make other heirs. He cannot make another Uhtred."
After a few excruciatingly long moments passed, the gates of Winchester opened with a clatter. And Edwards two sons ran out from the fortress as Uhtred walked in with his arms up, in surrender.
Inside the fortress, Danes watched as the so called 'Dane-Slayer' entered. He took note of the heads o lne spikes and fires that lit the ground. He also noticed the Danes with arrows pointed at his head with every step he took.
He was brought through a. Set of double doors in the courtyard and led to Aelswith and the other prisoners. Brida began to walk towards Uhtred. There was silence as they two stared at each other from across the courtyard.
"Bring him to me." She demanded and the Danes sone as she asked. Uhtreds eyes widened as he took note of the prominent bump on Bridas stomach.
"I did not know about the child." He sympathised, only to receive and emotionless face from Brida.
"Neither did Cnut." She reposted her voice void of emotion. "All will be avenged when you have suffered as I have suffered." She told him. "Tie him to the crucifix in the yard! Let him die like the Christian he tried to be!" Sigtrggyr approached and took a sword from one of the Danes.
"In time Brida." He told her making her confused. "Take him to the hall." The Danes grabbed ahold of Uhtred taking him to the hall despite Bridas protests.
In the hall, Uhtred sat alone. His mind was full of thousands of thoughts swirling around all at once, most of them about Cirilla. Where was she? Was she alive? His thoughts were interrupted when a sword was swung at him. Luckily he ducked just in time for it to miss him. He turned to face Sigtrggyr who held the sword, continuing to swing it at him as he skilfully dodged it.
"You are fast." The Dane praised when Uhtred managed to catch his arms mid swing.
"I think you are not trying." Uhtred retaliated. There was no way Sigtrggyr would have been able to conquer Winchester with sword skills like that.
"Why would I not try when you are the killer of my kin?" He asked.
"That is a question only you can answer." The older man told him, cabining him to drop the sword.
"Perhaps your reputation is exaggerated." Sigtrggyr began, Turing his back to the man. "I've been reading his chronicle." What he really wanted to say was they Ciri had been reading him the chronicle. "You are not in it."
"Alfred did not want it known how much he owed to a heathen." Sigtryggr laughed at his comment, knowing it was most likely true.
"If you are not of their God, then why do you choose them?"
"They are my people." Uhtred answered, his voice faltering a little with hesitation.
"And they accept you as such?"
"Many heathens live here in peace." The older man told Sigtryggr. "It is only the kings who cannot find accord." Sigtryggr smiled and began to walk around the hall.
"Interesting." He began. "The Princess, she said the same." Uhtreds head snapped in place at the mention of Cirilla. "She is a smart girl."
"Where is she?" He asked seriously.
"She is here." Sigtrggyr told him. "She has been well-treated." He promised. "She has been given food and water, I assure you do that." He listed the sword and placed it behind his head. "She has not been harmed, I swear to that." The Dane began to approach Uhtred. "No, the princess is wise beyond her years, a very intelligent young woman, with a caring heart." Uhtred scrunched his eyebrows together in confusion. "We have talked a great deal. She has told me much about her family, you included."
Uhtred stared at the Dane as he talked about the girl he considered a daughter. He didn't speak like he wanted to harm her, no he sound like he was fascinated by her. The way he spoke about her was refreshing as many only spoke about woman's appearance and other crude things. But he spoke as though he seen past her beauty.
