Chapter Eighteen

You guys have nearly caught up with me, i really need to write more chapters!!!

Enjoy xx

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The sun was almost at its peak as Edwin sat staring out over their lands, they’d never really belong to him, the youngest of four boys it would be a tragedy if they did come down to him. In the distance he could see yet another roman legion making their way down from the borderlands. He’d love to go across to them, see his relatives in the mountains, but father needed him here. After Esma had gone father had kept all the boys close by, hating the fact that they could leave just as easily as she was taken.

“Food.” Bryce stated falling to the ground beside his baby brother, chuckling as Edwin jumped a foot into the air. “Get your head out of the clouds and I wouldn’t be able to sneak up on you so well.”

“You could sneak up on a ghost.” He muttered taking the bowl of soup and draining it. “Do you think Esma’s with them?”

“I miss her too you know.” Brice snapped, “I’ve never been without her, even before we were born she was my constant companion.”

“Yes, but she was my ma.” He defended, feeling inferior to his much larger brother.

“I know.” He sighed, “I’d love to see her just once more, have her crack me over the back of the head with that spoon.”

“Fyren would be first.” Edwin grinned making his brother laugh and nod his head. “Where is he?”

“Wrestling the bull in the pastures; I genuinely think he took this the hardest.”

“Me too.”

A shout ripped through the silence they fell into, they turned to look at each other before sprinting to where Fyren’s shout had come and was still coming from. “I didn’t do anything!” he roared as they rounded the last house and saw Esma standing over him with a spoon in her hand. “I was just moving him.”

“You were tipping.” She ground out waving the spoon about; three large centurions were standing behind her, looking worried.

The tallest of the three reached forwards and quickly stole the spoon from her hand laughing loudly before speaking in their language, “Just hug your brother Es.”

Edwin watched not even noticing he’d moved as Bryce tackled her to the ground in an embrace, their red hair merging together as he tickled her till she screamed and the centurions grabbed him off of her.

“It’s alright, he’s just a dick.” She laughed punching his arm before hugging him again. “Where’s Ed?”

“There.” All five men stated turning to point at him as he stood watching the interaction.

“My baby.” She grinned opening her arms and cuddling him against her chest, kissing his cheeks. “You’ve gotten so tall!”

“I tried.” He smirked ecstatic to see her again. “When do you go again?”

“Tonight, but I’m here so show off for me.” She grinned taking his hand and dragging him towards the three huge centurions. “Ed, this is Albus, Juan and Felix; they’ve been keeping an eye on me.”

“She made me gloves.” Felix stated holding his hands up and wriggling his fingers about.

“You raised him?” Juan asked in Latin to Esma who nodded grinning, “You did well.”

“He said you’re the perfect lad, who needs to come back with me.”

“Es.” Albus stated shaking his head, Edwin narrowed his eyes at the older man and watched him, “We cannot take him; Blandus won’t allow it.”

“Al I miss my baby.” She whispered and he closed his eyes as he shook his head.

“You love my sister.” Edwin stated loudly making everyone stop and listen, including Bryce and Fyren who had been arguing just behind them.

“Better watch your mouth.” The German stated harshly, as the Spaniard shook his head.

“It’d do well for my son to watch his mouth, also for the roman to keep his hands to himself.” Aethelwald stated with a frown, “But I can’t say much, I only married my wife after four children.”

“Papa.” Esma grinned letting go of Edwin and hugging the old man. “Felix wants to steal your recipe for ales.”

“Does he now?” he laughed turning to the large German and offering his hand, “Well I suppose if we can trade secrets we might have something to talk about.”

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The night was threatening to close in around the village as the celebrations started to come to an end, in a darkened corner Albus wrapped his arm around Esma’s shoulders as they stood watching Juan and Ceolwulf wrestle again, they’d barely said two words to each other before they’d agreed to wrestle.

“Glad you came home?” he asked wrapping his cloak around her as she shivered against the air. “Even if briefly.”

“Yes, I’ve missed them so much; Edwin’s nearly a man look how tall he is.” She sighed making him chuckle and run his hands across her waist. “I’m not going to see him be a man, not going to be here for the family weddings, for any nephew’s or nieces.”

“What can I say Es?” he asked giving her a quick squeeze, “I can try all I can, but Blandus is in charge and always will be.”

“I love you for trying.”

“You’ll love me for what I’m going to do to you.” He whispered into her ear, using Latin to prevent anyone overhearing.

“When?” she asked breathlessly, a grin spread over his lips at his effect on her senses. “Albus don’t tease me.”

“Whenever I can, the next possible chance I get you’ll be screaming.”

“Shhh.” She laughed wriggling in his arms as he squeezed her tight, “Albus, you’ll get me in trouble.”

“Everyone knows to stay away.” He grinned, “I think you promised to show me that horse of your father’s.”

With a grin Esma scanned the scene before them; no one was paying attention to anyone apart from Juan and Ceolwulf, Bryce was arguing for his turn against the winner, so she grabbed his hand and sprinted down around the back of the village to the pastures where he fulfilled his promise and made her scream.