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King Egbert and his man of God had been found together drinking wine. Alfild supposed that if she were to die, she too would wish to be drunk. Especially if Egbert were to die as Ælle had done.
Presently, the sons of Ragnar were speaking with him and discussing what they should do. Alfild, King Harald, and Halfdan sat outside.
"What do you think they'll do?" She asked the two men.
"Kill him." Halfdan shrugged, making his brother smile.
"Another Blood Eagle?" The girl questioned.
The brothers couldn't help but chuckle at her curiosity. She simply could not stand the thought of not knowing. She had always been this way, it was one of the things her mother tried to beat out of her. Always asking questions, searching for answers to the unknown. She'd always know things far before anyone else. Like when a girl in her village was pregnant. Alfild knew before even the girl. She watched, listened, took in every piece of information to create a vast image in her mind. So, being here and separated from that imformation was killing her. She just had to know!
"We'll find out when the sons of Ragnar have decided." Harald answered. He too seemed a little unhappy that he wasn't part of this decision, though he understood it was up to the ragnarssons how they avenged their father.
Before she could utter another word to complain or otherwise, Alfild was greeted by the door slamming open. The first to leave was Sigurd. Soon followed by Bjorn, Ubbe, and Hvitserk. Harald, Alfild, and Halfdan, all stood up and looked to Bjorn.
"What is going on?" Halfdan asked.
"King Egbert has agreed to give our people land to settle on and farm but the terms of his agreements we don't know yet. We want to agree, and achieve our father's dream. Ivar and Sigurd disagree." Bjorn explained, Ubbe giving out a sigh of exasperation over his little brothers.
Soon the brothers left with Halfdan and Harald beside them, but Alfild noticed Ivar never left the room. Slowly, she placed her hand on the door and gently pressed it open.
When she entered she noticed how the youngest brother appeared deep in thought along with his furious glare.
"Ivar?" She asked gently, perhaps a little too gently for her own liking.
The boy looked up at her before speaking, "What do you want?"
"What happened?" She walked over and sat beside him.
"My brothers want to agree to a deal when they do not know the terms. His terms may be that he doesn't want to die or that he doesn't want to suffer. How is it that we came here to avenge my father and we end up becoming allies with his murderer?" He let out.
For a moment, Alfild thought about his words and how to reply before speaking. "Sometimes we become allies with those we see as enemies." She looked at him, noticing that he understood her. "I think it is important to let your brothers do what they think best. Let them make this deal, because avenging your father is not just about King Egbert."
"My father told me what he wanted! He wanted Egbert to suffer. He wanted-"
Alfild raised her voice to interrupt. "So you do not get to Blood Eagle him? Then you take this great army and make all in this country who have killed our people suffer. Victory stands on the back of sacrifice, and I do believe you will gain victory over those who have turned against you, Ivar."
He listened to her words for a moment before sighing, "Why are you saying this to me?"
"Because I agree with you Ivar, and I know that you are not yet done in England. And once we have reined terror over the Saxons, we will take back my Kingdom and kill your mother's murderer." She answered, her eyes glistening beautifully as she planned for the future.
"We?" The Prince asked, mildly amused.
"Yes. Allies, remember?" She replied with the faintest hint of a smile.
Allies. Not friends. Alfild was clear on that point. And even though he understood her anger, Ivar couldn't help but hold a grudge over the word 'allies'. After all, it seemed that Alfild was the only one who understood his thoughts, that could keep up with them. And yet she hated his guts.
