Chapter 2: On My Way to Somewhere
Hands slide down his body, nails digging into his skin enough to leave marks and he bites his lip and hopes they do. He hopes and prays to the Gods that everyone will look upon him and know this man above him has claimed him in every sense of the word. He doesn't care what they will say about him, it won't be anything new he hasn't heard for years. But his Lord's voice in his ears drives out all thoughts of others. He can't make out the words, he can't understand them. His head feels foggy, his senses dulled. He opens his eyes, tries to seek out that beautiful blue gaze that makes him weak in the knees, but everything is blurry and hazy. And then he feels his new Lord he doesn't even mind the pain. He moans and arches his back off the furs and he clings to the man. Then the man's mouth is on his neck, his tongue and his teeth marking him up more and he moans again and cries out and writhes under him.
… … ...
The images lingered in his mind after the dream abruptly ended and for a moment, he didn't realise it was a dream and a moan escaped him. Then the arms around him tightened and he was pulled flush against the hard body behind him. He bit back another moan and oh Gods! His mind clouded with lust and all he wanted to do was grind back against this sleeping man. Sihtric breathed out a shaky breath as he slowly lifted the man's arm from his body and pulled himself away.
Once he had detached himself from his still sleeping Lord, Sihtric slipped out of the tent and knelt beside the door. He took a deep breath, attempting to steady and calm himself, and he surveyed the camp around them. A few glanced his way but none seemed to really see him. He was perfectly fine with that. He was used to not being noticed. He was used to being ignored completely or being kicked at or hit or pushed to the ground if he was.
Had it really been only a couple of days since he was forced to be one of the eight sent to infiltrate the army? Had it only been a few hours since he was a prisoner of someone else other than his father and brother? Was he a prisoner still? Sihtric hunched over a little as he considered that. He had chosen to swear himself to Uhtred. He hadn't been forced or even asked. It had been his idea, his choice, his plan the moment he had been captured and left alive. He belonged to someone else and yet, he still felt more free than he ever had under his father's rule. Had it really only just been a few hours? How could everything in his mind change in such a short timeframe?
"Is he still asleep?"
Sihtric had been so lost in thought, he hadn't heard her until she was standing over him. He balked up at her, at being surprised by her. Not many could actually sneak up on him.
Hild smiled and held up her hands. "I didn't mean to startle you." She said lightly, laughter in her voice.
He stood up, brushing himself off as he moved. "You didn't, Lady." He said softly, his voice a bit stilted. "And yes, he's still asleep."
Hild tilted her head, watching the young man for a moment. Sihtric glanced up at her and looked away again and she just smiled. "Sihtric, right?" She asked and he only nodded in answer. She smiled again as she stepped around him and ducked her head into the tent. "Uhtred!" She snapped loudly. "Up!"
The Lord groaned loudly from within. "Go away, Hild!"
"Now, Lord." She said loudly and straightened back up, standing beside Sihtric and smiling. The boy raised an eyebrow at her and she laughed again.
Uhtred let out another groan before crawling out of the tent. He blinked up at them and it took his eyes a few minutes to focus on them. He blinked at Sihtric and held out his hand. The boy immediately turned towards him, took his hand, and helped him up. Uhtred nodded and turned to Hild. "What?"
"The King has been in council all morning." She said softly, leaning closer. "Without you."
Uhtred breathed out and glanced around. "That does not surprise me."
She nodded. "You mentioned sending a scouting party, Lord."
Uhtred nodded and turned back to her. "Yes. Find Halig and Clapa and see what you can find out. Take Sihtric, too." He said as an afterthought as he turned and ducked back into the tent. He emerged a moment later, pulling his shirt on over his head. "I will see what I can find out from the King." He strutted off without another word.
Sihtric watched him for a moment before turning to Hild. She just smiled and turned and waved him forward. Sihtric hurried to keep up with her.
… … ...
"They're coming from the north." Sihtric said as he gazed down the hillside at the line of approaching men. They were still too far away for him to recognize any of their ranks. Assuming he could, if he knew any of them. "It can only be the brothers, Sigefrid and Erik."
Hild was beside him. "Not Kjartan?" She asked.
Sihtric glanced at her and shook his head. He quite liked the woman-warrior-nun even if he thought the combination a bit odd. He kept that to himself, of course. "No." He said. "Kjartan wouldn't be coming this way."
On Hild's other side crouched Halig and beside him was Clapa. The four sat in a row atop the hill, sent to scout ahead for King Guthred's army. Halig turned and glared at their newest recruit, not looking happy about having him there. "Would you say if it was?" His tone of voice conveyed that he did not think Sihtric would be truthful.
Sihtric narrowed his eyes and bit back a sharp retort as he turned his gaze back to the line. He got the feeling the Saxon was salty about Sihtric escaping on his watch and then getting the best of him and Sihtric hadn't even had to try hard. Sihtric cleared his throat and tried to hide the smile on his face. "Two of us should remain here and watch, two of us should return to Uhtred." He suggested.
Halig's glare intensified and his lips curled into a snarl. "You do not use his name!" He spat. "You call him Lord! And it is not your place to decide what we do! Lord Uhtred put me in command."
Clapa let out a laugh and smiled. "Oh, yes, Lord." He said in a mocking tone.
Halig turned his glare upon him and slapped his arm. "Hild!" He turned back to look at her. "You will return to Uhtred."
Hild tilted her head. "Just me?"
Halig looked away. "With Sihtric." He said softly.
She raised an eyebrow and smiled. "So the two of us? Like he said?" Beside her, Sihtric smiled and bit his lip to stop from laughing. Clapa, on the other hand, did not bite back his laughter.
Halig glared at the large Dane again. "Clapa, shut your ugly Dane mouth."
"Come on, Sihtric." Hild said as she stood up. "Let's hurry before they get too far away." Sihtric nodded and the two quickly returned to camp. "You'll have to excuse Halig." She said as they approached. "He's not behaving like himself."
Sihtric smiled as he looked over at her. "He is not happy I am here."
Hild paused for a moment before answering, as if she wanted to disagree. But she nodded her head and breathed out. "No, he is not."
"Are you?" He asked softly, genuinely curious.
Hild tilted her head and looked away. "It is not my place to feel one way or the other. It is up to Lord Uhtred to decide who he trusts and if he trusts you, that is enough for me. He is a good judge of character and he is always right… usually." She added with a smile.
Sihtric nodded slowly and looked at the ground. He couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face. It was a weird feeling, to be trusted so blatantly, so fast. He had only sworn himself to the Lord a matter of hours ago and already he was trusted enough by the Lord that others saw it. Uhtred had trusted him enough to invite him to sleep next to him when just minutes had passed since he'd been the enemy. Honestly, Sihtric had had no idea what to think.
A little while later, Uhtred pressed closer to the boy as he peered through the trees. He narrowed his eyes, watching the unknown group of men just beyond the thick cluster of trees. "You are right, Sihtric. These are not Kjartan's men."
Sihtric beamed and ignored the way Halig glared at him. He leaned closer and pointed to one of the men. "Lord, that one there. That is Erik. And that is Sigefrid." He said, pointing out both of the brothers.
Uhtred nodded and patted the boy's shoulder. "Good boy."
Sihtric's face colored and he ducked away, trying to hide the smile on his face.
Uhtred turned from him and glanced over his shoulder as King Guthred hung back. "I was right." He said. "This isn't an army prepared for a battle. This is an army that has been defeated. We could attack them tonight, surprise them in their sleep."
Guthred opened his mouth slowly, not looking convinced at all. "It is an option."
Uhtred frowned and shook his head. "It is the only option."
Sihtric nodded his head. "They are waiting to be slaughtered."
"There will be no better time than now." Uhtred continued. "They will be attempting to recover from their loss. We easily have three times their number."
Guthred shook his head and lifted his hands. "Uhtred, I am thinking…"
"We must attack." Uhtred continued as he crept closer to the King. "It is good advice! We must attack tonight!"
"I am thinking!" Guthred hissed and turned to leave.
Uhtred watched, too stunned by the King's hesitation to react. He couldn't understand why Guthred wasn't on board with the plan. He shook his head and glanced back at the rest of the scouting party. "Come on."
They all returned to the camp and Uhtred attempted to persuade Guthred again but the King was adamant. He wanted to bargain with the brothers and add their numbers to their ranks. Uhtred tried to argue against it. The brothers were dangerous and rebellious, he had heard the tales and didn't trust them. But Guthred didn't heed his words and invited the brothers into their camp. "My voice will be the only one the brothers hear." Guthred said loudly, pointedly looking at Uhtred. Uhtred tried to keep quiet. But it lasted all of 10 seconds before he was boasting of his own accolades to the brothers, making sure they knew exactly who he was. He insinuated that they shouldn't get on his bad side. And then Guthred's abbot had chastised him in front of the brothers for speaking and Guthred had agreed.
"I saved him!" Uhtred spat as he paced, stomping his boots heavily into the forest floor. He stopped, spun around, and stalked back towards Sihtric. He narrowed his eyes and threw up his hands. "I risked my life to save his sorry ass from slavery and he ignores me and talks to me like that in front of them!" He turned again and moved away. He was beyond angry with the pretender King. "If I am to be the commander of his army, he needs to treat me like it and listen to me!"
Sihtric remained quiet thus far, letting the Lord rant and rave his frustrations. He was honestly surprised the Lord was doing so to him instead of Halig or Clapa or literally anyone else. But, then again, Sihtric had been the only one to follow the Lord when he'd snuck off. And when Uhtred had turned on him, fuming and angry and demanding why the boy was following him, Sihtric had stumbled back and mumbled something about Uhtred having ordered him to stay close to him.
Uhtred sighed deeply as he stopped and leaned back. He glanced up at the sky and shook his head. He felt better, just talking about his frustrations and feeling like he was being heard, even if it was just by a stranger he'd just barely met. There was just something about the way the boy looked at him, listened to him, actually paid attention to him. Uhtred felt the boy's focus and it helped to steady his own mind. He felt his anger ebbing away and he breathed in deeply again. He turned and walked back towards the boy. "What do you think, Sihtric?"
Sihtric was having trouble focusing when the Lord came closer and turned those impossibly blue eyes on him. He was listening to the Lord's voice, he was. But he was also watching the way the man moved, almost entranced by him, and he let his mind wander back to his dream. He blinked and met the Lord's gaze, willing himself not to fall to his knees and beg forgiveness for the impure thoughts that had entered his mind for a split second. "Me?"
Uhtred nodded and stepped closer still. "Yes. You. What is your opinion?"
Sihtric shook his head quickly. "My opinion doesn't matter."
Uhtred frowned and scoffed. "It matters if I ask for it!" He snapped angrily and then sighed and shook his head as he stepped closer. "You are impartial. You know more of the brothers than we do and you have been with our army for a couple days now, both as my prisoner and my man."
Sihtric sucked in a breath and nodded his head. "I think your King is weak." He said softly. "Maybe he was a stronger man before and slavery has weakened him but I saw a coward in him. He hesitates when he should act and you are right, he should take your council seriously. Your advice was sound and we could have taken the brothers easily without shedding much, if any, of our own blood." The boy spoke softly and fast, as if afraid of being overheard or of speaking too freely and angering the Lord. And he was fearful of both as he swallowed nervously.
A smile spread across Uhtred's face and he let out a lighthearted chuckle. "I like you, Sihtric. I like the way you think. What of the brothers?"
Sihtric's eyes widened at the Lord's words and he quickly looked away, feeling his face flush. He knew it was silly and Lord hadn't meant it like that. At least Sihtric didn't think the man had. It was almost worrying to the young man, the immense attraction that he felt to this man before him. He had never in his life felt anything even a small fraction similar. He breathed out and tried to focus on the question his Lord directed at him and not the intensity of those blazing blue eyes on him. "I would not trust the brothers." He said, shaking his head. "I don't think they'd be satisfied with being given Dunholm. I think their ambition is greater than that."
Uhtred breathed out and looked away, nodding his head. "I believe you are right, Sihtric." He said softly and was silent a moment, thinking. "So Dunholm." He said, turning back to the boy. "You will tell me of the weaknesses."
Sihtric shook his head. "There are none, Lord." Uhtred's eyes narrowed into a glare and Sihtric stepped closer. "Lord, there are no weaknesses." He repeated, his voice softer. "I lived there my whole life. It is sound."
Uhtred tilted his head and smiled. "There are always weaknesses. I will see for myself."
"I can... take you, Lord." The boy said softly, his eyes on the ground. "I… I can show you."
Uhtred smiled and reached towards the boy. He patted his shoulder and shook his head. He saw the fear in the boy at the idea of returning to the place Uhtred thought hadn't really been a home. He wondered exactly what had happened to him but he wouldn't ask. At least not yet. Even if he felt attached to the young man after such a short time, he would wait to question him until they knew each other better. He didn't want Sihtric to speak only because of their ranks. "No, you will wait here. Keep an eye out and rest. I want you in top shape if we do go into battle." He paused and shook his head. "When." He corrected.
Sihtric nodded his head. "I will, Lord."
Uhtred smiled at him again before he headed out. He saddled his horse quickly and retrieved the bag of severed heads. He arrived just before nightfall and he dismounted and crept closer. He kept well hidden in the surrounding trees as he surveyed the fort. He feared Sihtric might be right. It seemed solid and he didn't spy many guards. Kjartan was indeed full of himself and thought the place impenetrable. No one stopped him as he walked right up to the gates in the dead of the night to place the severed heads on the pikes that lined the entrance. Uhtred kept himself disguised and kept to the shadows as he moved but still, he had to wonder if it was even needed.
Uhtred stayed up most of the night, sticking to the woods, and watching. In the early hours of the morning, finally, movement caught his attention. He peered through the trees and watched as a door at the side opened and what looked to be farmers came and went freely, with no signs of guards. Kjartan was either stupid or overconfident. Or both.
Then Uhtred heard voices and finally, someone had noticed his display at the gates. He mounted his horse, disguised himself again, and rode to the gates. The guards fell for his trick but Kjartan saw through him. Maybe he wasn't so stupid. Uhtred laughed as he turned his horse and galloped off.
"I WILL KILL YOU, UHTRED RAGNARSON!" Kjartan called after him.
Uhtred hurried back to the army, a plan forming in his head. They wouldn't need the brothers to capture Dunholm. But when he tried to approach King Guthred, he was once again ignored. "You can't be a friend to every man!" He tried to argue. "You have to lead with strength!" But Guthred dismissed him and Uhtred stormed off. He knew he needed to curb his anger. Yelling more at the King wouldn't help him now. But he would persist, he would keep trying until the man listened to him. And if he would not, then Uhtred would just go through with his plan with his own men.
"Where is Sihtric?" Uhtred asked Halig when he couldn't find his boy. He found the Saxon sitting at a table with Hild, both eating and drinking. He sunk down on the bench next to Halig and leaned heavily on the table, feeling exhaustion setting in. Hild pushed her plate towards him and Uhtred smiled as he reached for a piece of her bread.
"The King sent him with Erik, Clapa, and a few others." Halig answered as he chewed. "Something about getting a better look at Dunholm, I think."
Uhtred frowned at that as he ripped off a piece of the bread and popped it into his mouth. That didn't sit well with him. He'd seen the reluctance the boy had for his home. "I just returned from there." He said, shaking his head. "If they had waited for my return, I could have taken them again!"
Halig tilted his head and shrugged his shoulders. "The brothers did not want to wait."
Uhtred sighed and shook his head. "I just spoke with the King. I tried to tell him my plan for Dunholm but he would not listen."
Hild leaned more heavily on the table. "Maybe he will listen again once they return. Talk to Erik about your plan."
Uhtred rolled his eyes and shook his head. "The King should trust me if I am to command his army. He should not have the ear of a stranger."
Hild leaned back, a shrug in her shoulder, and she said nothing.
They all finished eating and drinking, chatting idly as they did. Uhtred held his tongue against further talk of the King, not wanting to be overheard. He also kept himself busy, helping with training and other busy work, for the remainder of the day. He kept away from the King and his abbot and waited for the return of the scouting party. But it didn't come before night came and Uhtred fell into a restless sleep that he couldn't explain.
Uhtred was wrenched violently from his bed. He vaguely recognized the two men holding onto him and he frowned. "What is the meaning of this?"
Behind him, Halig was also grabbed and forced up. "Lord!"
Both were surrounded by more men than were necessary and were forced outside. Uhtred and Halig both fought against the men who they believed to be allies, all of them members of Guthred's army. For a moment, Uhtred wondered if it was another siege within their ranks, as with Kjartan's group. But then the soldiers paraded them through the streets to the gate and King Guthred stood, watching, with his priests. Uhtred snarled and shook his head. "Whatever you've planned, stop it!" He shouted as his arm was forced painfully behind his back.
King Guthred swallowed, watching them with a nervous stance. "You are to be sold." He said, his voice wavering with the words.
"We are to be sold?" Halig exclaimed loudly. "Why?"
Uhtred shook his head. "Lord, we are your army! We saved you!"
Guthred sputtered again. "It is not lost on me that while you gave me my freedom… I am now taking yours. You will become a slave, Uhtred."
Uhtred shook his head as he was dragged towards a horse drawn cage, in the center of the square. He struggled more as they closed in on it but there were too many men holding onto him. "No!"
"And Halig with you." Guthred said weakly as his eyes met the Saxon's.
Uhtred shook his head and attempted to look behind him at Halig, the man struggling just as hard as he was. "No! You have no argument with Halig! Free him!"
Halig shook his head. "No, Lord! I will stay beside you!"
Uhtred rolled his eyes and shook his head again. "Shut up, Halig!" He snapped and looked again at the King. "Set him free, Guthred! I beg you! Guthred…" One of the men punched him in the stomach and another kicked at his knee. Another blow landed at his back and his jaw and Uhtred was pressed to the ground. He gritted his teeth against the pain and spat blood on the ground. He breathed out and glared at the King again. Then he was wrenched up and thrown into the cage. Halig was pressed in roughly beside him and the door was slammed and lashed shut.
"You see?" Guthred stepped closer, shaking his head. "This is the reason why you are being caged. You inspire loyalty from my men."
Uhtred gripped the cage bars and shook them. "Guthred, I gave you my word! My sword! I gave you everything!"
Guthred shook his head. "But what I need is 200 swords! That is your worth, Uhtred. 200 Christian men of Bebbanburg!"
Uhtred's eyes widened and his mouth fell open as the words sunk in. "My uncle, Aelfric?" He said in disbelief, his voice cracking a bit.
Guthred nodded his head. "He asked for your head… but slavery will be enough, I am sure. Gisela would never forgive if I killed you… she may never forgive me anyways."
Anger gripped Uhtred again and he fought harder against the cage. "It would be better to kill me, but you lack the courage." He shouted, the whole cart shaking with his efforts. "Kill me, sword in hand! Right now! Kill me!"
King Guthred nodded his head and the cart started forward. "Goodbye, Osbert."
Uhtred snarled again at the use of his birth name. "Guthred, you should kill me! Or I will return! I swear it! I will have my revenge on you! Coward!"
… … ...
Sihtric idly listened to the other men in the scouting party but he had no real interest in what Erik had to say. He didn't trust either of the brothers and he hadn't wanted to take the group to Dunholm but his new Lord had been gone and the King had demanded. He rode ahead of their small group, wanting to get back as quick as possible. But he slowed his horse and pulled to a stop. The sound of hoofbeats came to his ears and he turned to the side. "Shhh!" He hissed to the party behind him. "Someone's coming!"
"Well, go see who it is." Erik snapped at him.
Sihtric fought the urge to glare at the man. Instead, he nodded his head and spurred his horse forward. He broke from the line of trees to see Hild, riding very fast, away from their city. Sihtric turned his horse and broke out into a gallop to follow. "Hild!" He called as he caught up, glancing the woman over. He saw no signs of battle but he noticed Uhtred's sword thrown over her back.
She glanced over and caught his look. "King Guthred has betrayed us." She said loudly. "He sold Uhtred to the slavers, Halig, too."
Sihtric's eyes widened. "When?"
"Just now." She answered. "I'm going to Winchester to speak with King Alfred."
Sihtric nodded. "I'm coming with you!"
Hild nodded and they continued on through Wessex.
… … ...
He stood on the beach, his hands and feet bound, with Halig beside him. Uhtred breathed out and stared at the ocean that stretched out before him. The sight may have once taken his breath away but all he felt was the anger in the pit on his stomach. After everything he had done for England, this was how he was to be repaid?
Halig pressed in closer to him and Uhtred glanced sideways at him and tilted his head. Then the two made one last ditch effort and attempted to fight. But they didn't get far and a man held a sword to Uhtred's neck. "You are no longer a warrior." The man smiled. "You belong to me."
A second man was suddenly behind him. He grabbed a handful of Uhtred's hair and forced the man's head to the side roughly. Uhtred snarled but didn't fight as the large man grabbed a handful of his shirt and yanked hard on it, tearing the thin fabric and exposing his left shoulder blade. Then he grabbed Uhtred's left arm and held him tightly.
The first man smiled and knelt down behind Uhtred. He pulled out a knife and touched the tip to the thin flesh of Uhtred's shoulder and pressed down. Uhtred closed his eyes and gritted his teeth against making a sound as he felt the blade rip through his skin. He felt the blood well up and drip down his back as the knife moved. When the man was done, he stepped away and signaled the other to let him go. Uhtred was roughly thrown to the sand and the man laughed. "Now everyone will see the 'S' carved into your shoulder and they will know you belong to Sverri." He turned and glanced at the other man. "Hakka, get the other one."
He nodded and turned for Halig.