- Rivals secretly advance competing successors upon the death of a Mercian ruler. Brida finds solace in the faith of her prisoner, Father Pyrlig.
- Uhtred reaches Aylesbury in time to see Aethelflaed one last time, sharing a last sunset in the snow and mixed feelings about what they sacrificed for the Mercian cause before she closes her eyes in his arms,kissing him. NextEdward arrives in Aylesbury with Aethelhelm and armed soldiers, assuring her appointed heiress Aelfwynn of his resolve to fulfill the dream of King Alfred, although his intentions remain vague. As Aelswith prays in the chapel, she fears that God has forsaken her. In Eoferwic, Rognvaldr passes the test of carrying burning metal and must wait outside the city for three full days: if his hands begin to heal by the third day, he has earned the gods' forgiveness. Sigtryggr agonizes over his brother's ordeal, although Stiorra insists not to show weakness. Rognvaldrs hands do begin to heal, but Sigtryggr remains ambiguous about his brother's fate, acknowledging only that he is his blood. Riding with followers into Yorkshire, Brida mourns her daughter mad with grief and tortures captured father Pyrlig, questioning him about his faith and seeking a divine bargain to restore Vibike in exchange for the lives of her remaining followers, but Pyrlig tells her that God cannot trade lives. While her last followers desert Brida, she and Pyrlig resolve their differences somewhat before burying symbolically Vibike. Back in Aylesbury, church bells announce Aethelflaed's death. Edward has the Mercian Eoldormen assembling to decide the succession ambush-killed, aware that Aethelhelm has bribed them to reject Aelfwynn's claim, before Uthred's men can protect them, alarmed by royal bastard Aethelstan. Instead of supporting his weak niece he declares himself as Alfred's sole heir King of all Saxons and Angles, finally annexing Mercia. Bitterly grieving Aelswith quickly escorts Aelfwynn, whom Uthred just swore to protect, to safety as Edward mounts the Mercian throne. Æthelstan confronts his father about the bloodshed, but Edward counters that sometimes a few must die in order for many to live; his seizing the throne prevents a possible civil war which Aelfwynn would have been too weak to prevent.—KGF Vissers
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