The Last Kingdom: Bastard of BebbanBurg: The ‘wolf’

Chapter 12: Vol. 1 Chapter 12 - Run.. here comes the Wolf!



A.D. 873 Kingdom of Wessex, Ashdown

/pov Ealdorman Odda/

I've never seen anything like it in my life.. one moment Im watching our men be pushed and tossed back like children.. to watching everyone turn their heads in the same direction.. towards the Danes main flag signaling where the pagans chief commanders are.. that's where the screams were coming from.. the cries full of despair.. we already knew from our scouts the earls Ubba and Guthrum were surrounded by their best men.. like they had been waiting and waiting for whoever this man is to show up..

I would have never believed it true to watch two dozen men crush twice their numbers with such ease and such swiftness I felt my back go cold from the sweat I was pouring out of my pores making me realize this wasn't a dream.. this was real.. god I pray please don't let this beast become an enemy of Wessex.. please..

From what I hear from the prince's spiritual advisor 'Father' Beocca.. this man may not be Christian but he loves his younger brother.. said brother who is now an Ealdorman of Wessex and scheduled to marry my god-daughter the Lady Mildrith.. who no doubt he would be demanding for her any moment now.. I could already feel it.. watching as he lead the way.. right beside him only a half step behind him was the man.. beast.. whatever he is.. he gently almost naturally placed the fear of 'God'.. not Jesus Christ.. no his father.

Who summoned great disasters and floods almost ending all humans.. only because they didn't turn out to be the perfect creations he was expecting.. yes that 'God'.. his fear is what the wolf placed into the hearts and very souls of everyone who witnessed what he had just done.. to the them.. them the pagans.. the pagans who he the hatchet to.. he took it and brought it down over and over on the rib bones of each man's back.. right where they connect to the spine.. he would go one by one and reach into the wounds he opened on the backs of the men.. then.. then he slowly but gracefully pulled the the ribs and flesh away from the spines of the men..

Their backs opened up like the doors of my great hall.. then he pulled out their lungs and draped them over the wings he just drew with their corpses.. the corpses are still on the stakes dotted across the border of where King Edmund used to rule while he was still alive.. this warrior.. this warrior he is more pagan than pagans.. I do not know what to call him.. I don't want to know.. I don't even want to know what pagan name they call what he just done to these men who no longer resemble men.. it's scary their corpses almost look peaceful now that I look at them.. like fallen angels..

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/pov 'Father' Beocca/

"Prince Alfred! Your grace!" I yelled to the prince as I was walking the brothers to meet him and assure the brothers.. Alfred would make good on his promises and hopefully do something about the debt to the lands owed to Uhtred.

"I've brought them your grace.. they are excited to meet you." I say while hoping this goes good.. I know the prince doesn't trust them.. because they are pagan.. but surely he must see.. he will need them if he ever hopes to see his dream come true.. a dream of a united island of Brittania he calls 'England'.. it's a good dream I'll give him that.. a dream worthy of a king.

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/pov Uhtred/

Im going to enjoy this.. I think to myself as I look at this prince they say will be king.. doesn't look like a king to me.. my brother looks ten times more kingly than this man.. this ill sickly looking man.. he's tall.. but skinny.. looks like meat and bones.. by the gods he looks gaunt.. like a walking skeleton haha.. almost comical.. before he can open his mouth I open mine first "Im not pleased.. yes you've given me lands.. lands that hold a debt to the church for 200 silver pieces.. I have recieved no wife.. I will not wait much longer.. my patience grows thin swiftly prince.. I will receive what is mine make no doubts of that.. and if I do by some chance do not.. my brother here.. the wolf.. some call him.. some call him other things.. I thank the gods daily for granting me the privilege of calling him my brother by blood.. anywho.. he is the one who you will make you wish you just kept your word.. this is no threat.. it is a promise.. and believe me prince.. Im a man of my word.. you would be wise not to test me prince.. these lands are beautiful.. would be a shame to watch them burn and bleed.. would it not?.. so be it I will speak no further with anyone except for my wife until she is place by my side as I was promised.. until then you will have to deal with the wolf.. goodday.."

With that said I turned and left to return to my guards camp.. leaving my brother to deal with the Christians.. they are the best gift I've ever recieved.. except for my god-sent older brother ofcourse.. I hope he was proud of how I handled myself with the prince.. Im sure he is.. he is easy please.. just do what he tells you to do.. plain and simple.. wonder if Alfred will do that.


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