Chapter 14 – Let's Try That Again
Synopsis: Well, that didn't go well. Ubba is desperate to patch things up with La Mere given what they have to lose. But he can't do that alone. He calls upon his brother, king, and allies to remedy the situation. Meanwhile, Ceolbert seeks comfort in a church and has an unexpected encounter.
Warning: this story will have very triggering subject matter throughout. Individual trigger warnings will be placed with chapters when appropriate. Any feedback is really appreciated.
Content warning for this chapter: vulgar language, mention of sex, mention of prostitution.
High noon had arrived in Repton. The landscape glittered as the suns rays bounced off the water-soaked ground.
The city's residents enjoyed the sudden change in weather, although they knew a flash storm could be upon them at any moment.
But Ubba could not enjoy the pleasant day just yet. Not with what happened with Swayne.
He had gathered Eivor, Ivarr, Ceowulf, and Ceolbert in the war room. He tried to stand tall and proud, but he certainly didn't feel proud given what his brother had done.
Ubba yearned for the days they used this room to plan battles, not squabble over the affairs of spies.
This time Ceowulf opted to have a whole jug of wine at the ready rather than wait for a servant to pass by. Gods knew he needed it.
The one who wears the crown is both blessed and damned with its power. As long as the king didn't get too drunk, Ubba wouldn't deny him.
Ceolbert continued to nurse his wounds as he stood beside his father. His facial bruises were darker as they'd have to progress through the healing process.
The aethling wasn't as slouched over as he was before, which was a good sign. But his eye was still swollen shut.
Ubba doubted Ivarr would lessen the intensity of their training because of this. If anything, he'd consider it an extra challenge for the boy.
Needless to say, Ceowulf was not happy upon hearing what transpired last night. Ivarr had inflicted the consequences of his violent actions onto them all.
That's not out of the norm for Ivarr.
"What in the name of God were you thinking?!" Ceowulf demanded.
"I was punishing those who had wronged us, as we agreed!" Ivarr said smugly.
"I gave you leave to punish Swayne for what he did to my son. I didn't, however, permit you to involve Ceolbert, or La Mere!" Ceowulf said angrily.
"You've already robbed me of several joys, Saxon. I was entitled to that!" Ivarr argued.
"I've entrusted my son in your care. To build him into the battle-hardened heir that he is meant to be." Ceowulf said firmly. "Why do you feel entitled to subject him to such outlandishly cruel antics?!"
"Ho ho ho!" Ivarr jeered. "You're acting high, and mighty, and some might say entitled!"
"Of course I'm entitled! I am king!" Ceowulf yelled.
"The only reason that shiny crown is around your melon is because we made it so," Ivarr sneered, pointing to Ubba. "And we can easily remove it, along with your head!"
"Ivarr!" Ubba scolded him.
But Ivarr did have a point, albeit made very crudely.
The Ragnarsson's had lost countless men to get here. Ceowulf might be king, but the Ragnarsson's had earned a say in how he carried on his reign.
That meant acting in the best interests of both Saxons and Danes. And to instill similar values in Ceolbert to continue that legacy.
A pagan England through Saxon rule, that was Ubba's dream at least.
While Ivarr had agreed to assist Ubba in this, their methods differed to say the very least.
Ubba had to get his brother aligned, and that was becoming ever more challenging by the day.
He feared it would become impossible with the dark road Ivarr constantly favored.
Can he be anything else but a king killer?
"I…haven't forgotten the sacrifices you've made for Mercia," Ceowulf said, carefully choosing his words. "I only ask we handle the situation with La Mere more delicately.
"His request is fair, Ivarr," Ubba said.
Ivarr rolled his eyes, clearly disagreeing. "Once again brother, you choose foolishness," he spat.
"Once again, you mistake me for a fool!" Ubba retorted.
"Perhaps we should focus on the matter at hand, La Mere?" Ceolbert asked. "Whether you condone Ivarr's actions or not, you've forced La Mere to commit a cruel act on one of her own. And someone she cares about deeply!
Ubba bit his lip. "That may not be the case anymore," Ubba said. "She seemed enraged with him. She couldn't believe he put everything at risk for some petty grudge."
"So it would be safe to say her trust in him is all but extinguished?" Ceowulf asked.
"Possibly," Ubba affirmed.
Eivor remained unusually silent, propped up against a wall with her arms crossed. Then again, there wasn't much she could offer in these talks, having been spared from witnessing the incident.
If Ubba recalled correctly, it was because she had too much mead and was passed out. How she was standing with no apparent maladies after drinking that much was a miracle.
"That poor man. He looked so broken when we left him," Ceolbert said sadly.
"She did stop him, or at least told us Swayne had to be stopped before he went any further," Ubba pointed out.
"Should his wounds heal, God willing, hopefully they can make amends," Ceolbert said solemnly. "Swayne deserved punishment. La Mere, however, did not."
Ivarr gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "She is Swayne's leader, or mother, or…whatever! She answers for her underlings' actions!" He said.
"That may be, but do not forget, we are the ones at her mercy. You saw in the scrolls what secrets she had on us. Battle plans, weapons of choice, if that information fell into the wrong hands, it could seal our doom," Ceowulf reminded him.
Ubba clenched his fists "We've only seen a fraction of what she and her operations are capable of," he said through gritted teeth.
"Are you saying we should place nice with a trickster?" Ivarr demanded.
"Of course not! I'm saying we need to be cordial while keeping our wits about us. Her seeking an alliance with Wessex might become more appealing if we treat her this way," Ubba reasoned.
Ceowulf slammed his wine goblet on the table. "We cannot let that happen," He urged them.
"I just realized something, father," Ceolbert piped up. "With Swayne incapacitated, who should guard La Mere?"
"I was just about to bring that subject to our attention, son. We can use this as an opportunity to track her movements, under the pretense of acting in her best interest," Ceowulf said.
At least they're planning ahead.
"Spy on the spy master. Oh how the tables have turned on her!" Eivor remarked.
Ivarr grinned devilishly. "It would bring me great pleasure to keep that snake under my heel," he said, rubbing his hands together excitedly.
"That's not what Ceowulf is aiming for, and neither should we, Ivarr!" Ubba said sternly.
Eivor uncrossed her arms and stood up straight. "I think the last person who should be tasked with this is you, Ivarr. You'd probably kill her the first chance you get," she said.
"And that would be a problem?" Ivarr asked.
"Yes!" Everyone else said in unison.
Gods Ivarr, stop it!
Ivarr shrugged. "Alright! I have better things to do than watch that snake," he said. He waltzed over to Ceolbert and tussled his hair so hard the aethlings neck cracked. "Someone has to train this boy!"
Ubba chuckled and shook his head. At least Ivarr had a worthwhile distraction to prevent any other disasters.
He'd become so attached to the boy; it was almost endearing.
Ivarr would probably never have any children, at least none he would acknowledge. Ceolbert was the closest thing he'd come to having a son.
Best of luck, little king!
Ceolbert smoothed down his now frizzy hair. "Why not ask Eivor?" He suggested.
"I must return to Ravensthorpe. I can only remain here for a day," she said. Ubba noticed she was tapping her foot impatiently.
The young drengr was probably anxious to get home.
He'd heard how the Raven Clan's settlement was rapidly expanding.
She undoubtedly wanted to lend a hand anywhere she could. An effort Ubba could certainly appreciate.
"And we can't just appoint anyone. Even though we've combed La Mere's spies out from our ranks, we can only trust ourselves," Ivarr said. He then grinned at Ubba, an unusual display of cheer given their predicament.
But then Ubba noticed everyone was looking at him.
"Um…?" Ubba said, confused.
But then he understood. And he didn't like it at all.
"No…no…no!" Ubba protested.
"Well, you seem to be the most qualified for the roll!" Ivarr teased.
"Absolutely not!" Ubba said.
"In all seriousness Ubba, there really is no one else," Eivor said. Despite her words, she was trying and failing to hold in a giggle.
"Gods, you cannot mean this! What am I to do, follow her around like some dog?! I am a Ragnarsson! My place is on the battlefield!" He bellowed.
"And you will return there once Swayne recovers," Ceowulf reassured him.
Perhaps that wine has gone to your head faster than I anticipated! Soon I might need a drink!
"A temporary arrangement, I hope!" La Mere suddenly said. Ubba's head jerked to see her at the war rooms entrance.
She was accompanied by a peculiar entourage, standing in a row so she was in the middle.
Melisendre stood to La Mere's right. Ubba had to resist ogling her voluptuous figure. How someone could be that gorgeous was beyond him, not that he minded.
Two young women Ubba didn't recognize had joined them. One a nun, the other a seemingly ordinary girl. By their features and dress they were probably Saxon.
The woman wearing simple brown robes with a dirty gray apron on her skirt had such a stern expression Ubba debated if she had the capacity to smile.
Perhaps she was as strung as tightly as her thick, waist length braid.
The nun meanwhile looked as stiff as a wooden plank. Almost like a soldier standing at attention.
She dawned the same garb La Mere had used when she infiltrated the de la Croix's. They looked immaculately kept.
Ubba suspected she obsessively cleaned them upon seeing her coarse, gangly hands.
But the sole man standing to La Mere's left interested Ubba most of all. He was relaxed, his figure obscured by pitch black, well-made robes.
His relaxed demeanor directly combated the energy that came off him. Ubba couldn't read it out though. In fact, he couldn't read anything about this man.
If anything, Ubba felt like he was being read by those serpent green eyes.
Best keep an eye on that one…
"Good to see you, Corliss," Ceolbert said, waving to the Saxon girl.
The Saxon, apparently named Corliss, gave a quick nod in return.
"Wait, you know her?" Ubba asked, surprised.
"Well, we talked briefly after…" Ceolbert said, his voice trailing off.
La Mere glared at Corliss, evidently not appreciating one of her own having a private chat with Mercia's champion.
At this rate, all of them will need a guard overseeing their every move!
La Mere's let down her hair scarf, wrapping it delicately around her neck. "What's this I hear about a guard?" La Mere asked, looking at Ceowulf.
"You were eavesdropping!" Ivarr accused her.
"You are incredibly loud!" La Mere noted.
Ubba raked his hand through his hair. Fair point.
"Calm everyone," Ceowulf ordered. He postured himself over the map table so the tips of his fingers met the thick wood. "We understand you are a high-profile target, La Mere. You'll need protection, and with Swayne…indisposed…" he said.
"I understand completely, my king, and I appreciate you looking out for my best interests," she said cordially. She turned to Ubba and gave an infuriatingly calm smile.
"I promise not to give you much trouble," she said.
Ubba placed his hands on his hips and marched over to her. "Believe me, if you do, you'll pay for it," Ubba growled. He looked down at her petite figure.
A small target, easy to handle should things go awry.
La Mere's cheeks flushed ever so slightly but she maintained her composure. Melisendre, almost as if she sensed her leader's nervousness, placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
Ubba backed away so he was by Ivarr again. Though he preferred the smell of whatever parfum La Mere was wearing to Ivarr's sweaty body odor.
"I'm sorry about Swayne, Corliss. How is he fairing?" Ceolbert asked.
"As I said, Ceolbert, my husband is an idiot. And he'll heal with time," Corliss said definitively.
Ivarr choked on his mead. "Wait, husband?! What the hell do you see in that bacraut?!" Ivarr asked, shocked.
"That is none of your business," Corliss snapped.
"Corliss have caution! You are speaking to a Ragnarsson!" La Mere warned her hot-headed companion.
"And the man who forced you to torture my husband," Corliss added.
"Do you want to get yourself killed?!" The nun asked, her voice was so shrill it made Ubba wince.
"We will not discuss this again, Corliss!" La Mere boomed.
Corliss furrowed her brow but relented.
"Sister Myra? Please don't forget to breathe," Melisendre joked, poking the nun on the forehead. The nun squeaked and trembled, but said nothing.
The man remained silent, unbothered by the arguing women.
I wonder how he keeps his head with this strange company.
"I take it we are settled on that matter?" Ceowulf asked.
"Indeed we are," La Mere said, bowing her head in respect. "Though as we move forward, I hope we can be more civil with one another. It'd be best for everyone's health, quite literally."
"We shall," Ceowulf said, eyeing Ivarr who only shrugged. La Mere frowned.
She'll have to learn that's the closest you'll get to him obliging to anything regarding you.
"Now!" Ceolbert clasped his hands together. "Who have you brought with you, your council I presume?"
La Mere motioned to Corliss and Sister Myra with her thumb. "Corliss, charged with caring for the children. Sister Myra, head of midwifery. Melisendre, whores. And Truman, our keeper of secrets," she said.
Ivarr loomed closer to Truman. Ubba knew the look on his brothers face. He'd entered a predatory mode and was scoping out prey.
Ivarr sneered at Truman. "A cohort of tricksters is among us!"
While that was an accurate assessment, Ubba hoped Ivarr wouldn't try to strangle this "Truman" character. Not yet, anyway.
Ceolbert cocked his head and scratched his chin. "Truman? Is that really your name?" He asked.
"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me," Truman said, his smirk never leaving his wrinkled face.
"You'll probably find the most use conferring with Truman and I, given the tenants of this alliance," La Mere gathered.
"I assume that will be the case, but I will need to see how you handle your coin," Ceowulf said, motioning to Corliss and Sister Myra. "Your humanitarian efforts are certainly noble, but the priority needs to be Mercia."
La Mere nodded. "I understand,"
"Hear that, snake? You work for us." Ivarr said triumphantly.
La Mere raised her chin but seemed to show more restraint than Corliss by biting her tongue.
They spent the next few hours reviewing the scrolls La Mere had shown them during their first meeting.
Despite La Mere's instance, Ceowulf had her entire council stay, at least for this meeting.
It was primarily to keep an eye on them while simultaneously better understanding their operations. And more importantly, how much coin they'd need.
When they'd finally exhausted all the information their minds could handle, Melisendre had fallen asleep, Corliss looked as if she would soon follow, while Sister Myra was quietly praying.
You three were practically useless here, best not make your attendance mandatory!
Ceowulf yawned and went to a window to peek out.
"Good Lord, how long have we been in here?" He asked.
Ubba could see why he was surprised. The sky was dawning magentas and blues as the sun was on the cusp of the horizon.
"Six hours, forty-two minutes," Truman said.
Ivarr stretched his back. "How the hel do you reckon that?" He groaned.
"I counted," Truman said simply.
"Truman has a gift in memory, time keeping," La Mere said hurriedly, as if to excuse her secret keeper from having done something wrong.
"And the tendency to be a bacraut," Ivarr said.
Ceowulf sighed. "I think we've covered as much as we can for the day," he surmised.
"Agreed," Ubba said. He looked at La Mere. "Best escort you to your quarters, La Mere."
She didn't look the least bit tired, but Ubba was keen to chorale such a dangerous woman.
La Mere held up a single finger. "There is one last thing I have to say," she said.
"Oh what now?!" Ivarr asked impatiently.
La Mere smiled and walked over to Melisendre. She tickled her ear with, startling the madam awake.
"Huh?!" Melisendre said, bewildered.
"I enjoyed that," La Mere said cheerfully. "You can have your fun now!"
Melisendre immediately perked up and practically lept out of her chair.
"Finally!" Melisendre exclaimed. She spread out her arms. "Because you've given our true family a new opportunity in life, we'd like to offer you a gift," she said.
She bounced on the tip of her toes. "You may have our whores, free of charge, for one moon!" She declared.
By the hand of Thor…
"Ha ha! Now that is music to my ears!" Ivarr yelled. He walked over to Ceolbert and pulled him by the arm. "We have got to get you a girl, Ceolbert!"
"Absolutely not!" Ceowulf said.
"Oh, please my king! Let the boy live a little!" Ivarr pleaded.
"Ivarr, you may mentor my son in many things. But the bed chamber is strictly prohibited!" Ceowulf demanded.
Ivarr released Ceolbert and tussled his hair once more. "Tough luck, little twig," he jokingly consoled him before dashing off with Melisendre.
Ubba looked eagerly at Eivor. "Wolf-Kissed, I…don't suppose you could guard La Mere just for the night?" He said awkwardly.
Eivor grinned. "Go, enjoy the whores. I can start my moon another time," she said.
Ubba put his hands together in thanks before taking his leave.
Ceolbert chuckled as his Norse companions took off to the whore house.
While he was naturally curious what it was like to lay with a woman, he knew his time wasn't here.
Frankly the "process" of doing so sounded intimidating.
The aethling had retired to the church. He shuffled his feet on the stone floor. Their most revered kings were buried right under his feet.
He hoped he would become great enough to join them when God called him to heaven.
The warmth of the church within the seemingly cold stone walls brought him great comfort.
Even though relations between Mercia and La Mere seemed to be improving, he had to call upon God for strength.
Along with patience, especially with Ivarr.
But his eyelids were starting to grow heavy. His father always stressed for him to have a clear mind for the trials to come.
It was about time he practiced what his father preached.
Ceolbert got up to leave but stopped short when he saw the last person he'd expect to be in a church.
Corliss.
And she was crying.
That's not good…