Life was simple, easy, safe despite the nagging of others demanding to know what Y/n wanted to do with her life she had little to complain about.
Still she wished the sea would take her, she didn't want to worry about where her life was headed, she...
Three days into our journey we stopped at Loidis where we met Brida and Ragnars men. It took me a while but after glancing at the map father Beocca had on him I realised we were in Leeds or as it was called in my timeline.
The king and the royal family did not know of my origins or existence. I only wanted those Uhtred trusted to know my truth. Father Beocca was surprised to learn I was educated enough to read a map and more surprised to discover my truth.
Needless to say he claimed it to be God's doing.
After a big welcome in Leeds we sat in an ale house, myself next to Finan as we listened to the conversations brewing.
"Guthred is seen as weak and friendless. These men won't fight their brothers for a turd." Brida claims, a bite in her tone to show the men's and possibly her own reluctance.
"We need the turd's army to take Dunholm." Uhtred replies.
'Dunholm?' I think to myself, brows creased in confusion.
"So why not kill the Northmen, then kill the turd, take Eoferwic and its army for yourself?" Brida suggests, speaking plainly as if it was just as viable if a plan as any.
Which I suppose it was, not everyone agreed though.
Still confused, I turn to Beocca who's on my right. "Psst, can I borrow the map again please." I ask quietly.
"Why don't you keep hold of it for a while." Beocca smiles, handing me the parchment which I roll out.
"The woman's got a point." Finan states agreeing with Brida's plan while I absorbed myself in the map to easing the confusion I found myself in.
"Dunholm." I whisper, running my finger along the map trying to locate the name. Their writing in this time differs significantly to the English I am familiar with. Yet the names stand out.
"Durham." I realise once I locate the place in the map. My brow arched at the difference in the names curious to now how the name would have gone from one to the other.
'Damn the future with the stupid internet.' I huff as my curiosity found itself peaked.
"No, she does not have a point." Beocca argues against Brida's idea, standing opposed to the idea. Though how much if it was brought on by his hate of Brida was undetectable.
"Those are the words of a traitor." Beocca says with distaste towards Brida. The woman simply laughs at the man finding amusement in the way her presence irked the poor priest.
"I don't want Eoferwic." Ragnar assures.
"York!" I exclaim a little too loudly to myself having been trying to locate the aforementioned place of Eoferwic on the map.
Upon discovering where it was I realise where exactly we are heading, part of my curiosity quenched yet now new ones brewed as I wondered what happened to have had them change so drastically. Especially Eoferwic which didn't even hold a single letter similar to its modern name.
All eyes were in me looking at the map after my outburst and interruption.
"Sorry." I apologise, sinking back into my seat while I rolled up the map and stuffed it into my carry on.
"All I want is Kjartan's heart on the end of my sword and to see my sister." Ragnar continues after my apology.
"Why are you looking at the map for anyway?" Finan whispers as the conversation continues.
"Honestly, I just want to know where we are going. Your England differs in the slightest from my own; Especially when it comes to names, I'll admit I had no idea where they were talking about." I reply quietly.
"But I thought you were welsh." The Irish man whispers.
"I am." I replied with a shrug.
"Then how do you know so much about England?" He asks.
"I could ask you the same thing." I shoot back.
He chuckles quietly. "I don't. I'm just following Uhtred."
I laugh nudging my shoulder with him. "I had family and friends who lived all over England. I made my fair share of journeys. I am also educated."
"Travelling is common in your time then." Finan states.
"As it seems to be yours. Though it is far easier in my time." With that said we zone back into the conversation just as Uhtred and Beocca start debating Brida's words, who had since walked off.
"Beocca, she's right. These men are here for Ragnar. We can't ask them to die for the sake of Guthred." Uhtred argues Brida's point.
"Isn't it what Danes do, fight?" Aethelwold chimes, he had tagged along on the command of Alfred much to many peoples reluctance. Even I was tiring of him, he was very chatty and kept undressing me with his eyes.
"We cannot face the brothers alone." He then argues.
"Why not?" Finan asks him.
"Finan, there is bravery and then there is stupidity." Aethelwold spits towards Finan.
"The Northmen have a camp, do they not? Not a fortress but an open camp." I ask.
"If it is Sigefrid and Erik we must kill, then let us do just that. We kill them while they're sleeping." Finan finishes having obviously thought the same as I.
"Shadow-walkers." Uhtred then smiles at us.
~~~
To Be Continued
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