I discovered your Arthurian tale 20 years ago, and loved it because it sounded so authentic,  far from the “Camelot” treatment commonly done .  Urthed’s tale has periodically entralled me as well. I re-read “The Death of Kings” before jumping into, “The Pagan Lord”. Feeling somewhat befreft, I then read the entire series from the first. Initially, when I read the end of your last novel, I diapared that Uhtred was going to die! Until I re-read the last paragraph, coupled with his periodic references of writing this tale in his advanced years, I was relieved that his story was to continue.
A few observations about your wonderful Uhtred: other than his beloved Gisela, it apprears none of the women he beds get pregnant. Lucky bastard! Please understand, this is not a criticism,  but more an observation. As I said, “Lucky bastard”!  Also, whenever he has been wounded in the past, with the exception of the leg wound that resulted in a slight limp that he occasionally mentions, his various wounds have really had no lasting consequences. Given his “advanced” years (I’m his age! ), I’m curious whether we will be privy to how he recovers from this latest, obviously grave, wounds; as well as what residual problems he will suffer. Uhtred has basically been a mid-evil superhero, surely his mask has to slip a little!
Thank you for the countless hours of enjoyable reading. I look forward to reading more in the future!
Lyn Morris