Boudicca

Chapter XXXIII

“There is snow on the horizon!” Addedomaros said as he entered my cave on the tenth morning after we’d come to the valley.

I looked up from Sunne, whose ears I had been caressing. My daughters took their meals with me, and their wolves were their

constant shadows. The big creatures intrigued me. I liked spending time observing their intelligence and loyalty. “May the

joy of the day be with you, Addedomaros,” I said, gesturing for him to join me at the long table.

He cleared his throat and muttered, “And may the blessings of the earth be on you.”

“Have you broken your fast?” I asked as Rhan joined me at the table.

“Yes, earlier. Though I would not refuse a mug of the Mother of Twenty’s mulled mead.”

“Wulffaed?” I called.

The woman appeared as she always did—already prepared. She placed mugs before the three of us.

Addedomaros flashed a charming smile at Wulffaed as he lifted the mug to toast her. “Ah, Wulffaed, what can I do to lure you

away from Queen Boudicca?”

Wulffaed snorted and fluttered her fingers at him in a begone with you gesture, though she also smiled and tossed back her silver hair. Addedomaros definitely had a charm about him. He was an imposing

figure who enjoyed the company of women. I frequently overheard Wulffaed’s daughters gossiping about the endless stream of

lovers going to and from the Trinovantes chief’s bed. Addedomaros reminded me too much of my father for me to view him in

a sexual way, but there was no denying his charisma or power.

“So, what do we do?” Addedomaros asked as Cadoc and Abertha entered the cave. Since the spring, my lead warriors had made a habit of breaking their fasts with me—it was a habit I enjoyed.

I was watching for Maldwyn when Abertha sat beside Cadoc and said, “What do we do about what?”

Addedomaros sighed heavily. “About the snow on the horizon and the fact that our supply wagons have not yet arrived, of course.”

“What is it you would like to do?” I asked as Wulffaed reappeared with a pitcher of mead and a platter of grilled fish and

freshly baked bread.

“Something! The snow is coming. What will we do if the pass closes before the supplies arrive and we’re trapped here for the

winter?”

“We will tighten our rationing. We have stock we can slaughter, and the lake is filled with fish. I’ve already spoken with

Maldwyn and he has begun to supplement the herd’s feed with heather and tree moss.” I shrugged, not sure why Addedomaros was

so worried when the answer to his question was obvious. “We won’t be fat when we emerge in the spring, but we’ll be well rested

and alive.”

Addedomaros took a long drink of mead and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Being trapped in this valley all winter

feels like a prison.”

“Being trapped in this valley means safety and survival.” I stared down my nose at him. “But, mighty Trinovantes chief, you are welcome to

leave this prison and spend the winter fleeing from the Romans as you freeze and starve.”

His eyes narrowed at me, and then he snorted and his laughter boomed. “I like your directness, Queen Boudicca.”

“That is fortunate, as I do not know any other way to be,” I said, which made him laugh some more.

“My queen!” Maldwyn rushed into the cave. “Wagons have been spotted!”

Even though I’d spoken with complete confidence to Addedomaros, I was flooded with relief. “That is excellent news, Maldwyn.

I—”

Addedomaros stood, gulped the rest of his mead, and slammed the empty mug down on the stone-topped table. “Now, that is news to brighten a miserable winter’s day! Let us go and greet them!” He nodded a quick bow to me and then strode from the cave, bellowing for Mailcun.

“Mama, he makes a lot of noise,” said Ceri.

“Aye, like the rooster who pecks around outside my cave and wakes me at dawn with his nonsense,” muttered Cadoc.

Abertha and Maldwyn chuckled as Rhan tried to cover her laughter. I touched Ceri’s cheek. “Yes, he does. But let’s not say

that in front of him.”

“Oh, I know that, Mama. But I can say it in front of us .”

“Always, my little dove.” I grinned at her. Then I turned my attention to my warriors. “Go ahead and greet the wagons. I will

join you after I look more presentable. Our people just traveled the width of our country to reach us and they shouldn’t be

greeted by a bedraggled queen.”

My lead warriors grabbed hunks of bread and wrapped the fish in them and then hurried from the cave, eager to get the wagons

settled and our precious supplies stored properly.

I called for Phaedra to attend me and then motioned for Rhan to follow us into my bedchamber. While Phaedra undid my sleep-tousled

braid and began working her way through my hair, I asked Rhan a question that had been weighting on my mind.

“Rhan, I am trying to understand your father, because it is to our benefit if the Trinovantes chief and I are of one mind,

but it is difficult,” I said. “Do you have any advice on how to handle him?”

Rhan, sounding very much like her father, barked a laugh. “‘Difficult’ is an understatement. Do you not remember how he blustered

and bellowed when we were girls?”

“I do, but we were rarely the recipients of his bellows and blusters.”

Rhan nodded. “Yes, they were usually reserved for his warriors and my half brothers. Though had he bellowed at Adminius occasionally,

he might have grown into a more bearable man.”

“I’m just grateful your brother dislikes me enough to stay well away.”

“It is a blessing,” Phaedra muttered under her breath.

I turned to look at her. “Has Adminius bothered you?”

“No, but only because I belong to you.” Phaedra glanced at Rhan. “Forgive me for speaking so about your brother, but he is

not liked.”

“There is no forgiveness required, Phaedra. Adminius has been tiresome and demanding his entire spoiled, cossetted life.”

“What has he done?” I asked Phaedra.

“He bullies the servants, and unhappy is the woman who catches his eye,” said Phaedra.

I turned around in my seat so that I could face Phaedra. “If he is abusing women, I want to know about it immediately.”

Phaedra sighed. “He stops short of physically forcing women to his bed, though often they do not feel as if they have any

choice. He is the son of the Trinovantes chief.”

My face heated with anger. “I do not care whose son he is. Phaedra, spread the word. Queen Boudicca will protect anyone Adminius

targets. All they need do is get word to me. If Addedomaros does not rein in that petulant man-child, I most certainly will.”

“As you ask, so will I do,” Phaedra said with a smile.

I turned around so she could finish dressing my hair and asked Rhan, “Why does your father bicker and bait me, and then seem

pleased when I silence him?”

“Well, it has been a long time since I’ve lived with him, but I’ve observed two things. First, my father desires you.”

“What? No!”

Her lips quirked at the corners and mischief danced in her dark eyes. “Oh, I am sure of it. Add to his desire for you the

fact that no one speaks to him the way you do, and it is little wonder he is obsessed. He loved my mother and was devastated by her death,

but she was a timid woman whose soft voice soothed him rather than challenged him. You challenge him, and apparently he enjoys

that.”

“Rhan, he reminds me of my father . I do not desire him. I will never desire him.”

Rhan nodded. “I believe everyone sees and understands that—everyone except my father.”

My mind was reeling. I was not an innocent maid, but I definitely had not expected to hear that the gruff Trinovantes chief who was often a thorn in my shoe desired me . “What do you advise?”

She shrugged. “Continue being yourself. If he is wise he will keep his desire to himself.”

I met her gaze and lifted a brow sardonically. “And how often is he wise about the women he desires?”

“Not often, but you are a powerful queen and his closest ally—not a young servant or the pretty daughter of a farmer. He is

more old bull than rutting stag, and he is not stupid. He would have to be very sure of your response were he to approach

you,” said Rhan.

I chewed my lip. I would be very sure not to do anything Addedomaros could interpret as an invitation or even an inclination

to open my bed to him. Even so, I had done nothing to warrant his desire. It seemed that too often men who held power showed

poor judgment when it came to their lust.

I sighed and spoke the truth. “I’ve given Addedomaros no reason to desire me—no reason to believe I want any relationship

with him other than that of an allied queen and friend. What he fabricates in his mind is not my responsibility.”

“When he is embarrassed he becomes mean,” said Rhan.

“Don’t they all?” said Phaedra.

“Then Addedomaros should not put himself in an embarrassing position. I will not tread carefully around him. It is he who

must manage his own emotions.” I dismissed the subject of Addedomaros’s lust with a wave of my hand. Phaedra finished braiding

my hair and wrapped a fur-lined cloak around my shoulders. “Now, let us go meet our brave caravans and not worry overmuch

about the desires of men.”

***

The line of caravans that stretched from the narrow entrance to our valley all the way to the last rise before it was a beautiful sight. Our people hovered about, anxious to greet family and friends. There was much laughter and many shouts of welcome. I was glad that most of the ground that surrounded the lake was gravelly. It helped considerably with the mud. I stood at the entrance to the valley and waved to each wagon, smiling and calling out personal greetings to familiar faces—until I caught sight of my lead farmer, Winifred, and her grim expression. Maldwyn and Cadoc escorted her to me.

Winifred’s knowledge of plants was vast. The Iceni depended upon her knowledge of crops. She set harvesting and planting dates

and had a preternatural ability to make crops thrive. Farmers from neighboring tribes sought her out. I’d often come upon

her in Tasceni surrounded by a group of men and women as she explained how to cure black spot or blight, and how to smoke

insects from their fields.

She had no daughters but five grown sons, who approached with her. Winifred and her sons bowed respectfully to me.

“Queen Boudicca, it is good to be at the end of our journey.”

“Welcome!” I smiled. “We are well pleased that you beat the snow here.”

“My queen, the news I bring is not all good. Cadoc and Maldwyn tell me Comux, the Dobunni chief, is here in the valley,” she

said.

“He is.”

“He should hear the news,” said Winifred.

“Maldwyn, find Comux and bring him to my chamber. Cadoc, bring Addedomaros and Leofric as well. All the chiefs should hear

the news. Rhan, I’d like you to join us, too. Come with me, Winifred,” I said.

“Yes, my queen,” said Winifred before she turned to her eldest son. “Royston, you and the rest of the boys stay here and help

settle the caravans. I’ll join you after.”

As we made our way to the shelter that served as my lodge, I asked, “Did I see Trinovantes colors on some of the more distant

caravans?”

“Aye, Queen Boudicca. We met the Trinovantes caravans at the base of the Eryri Mountains.”

“I’m surprised by that. I expected the Trinovantes to beat you here.”

She shook her head. “The reason they did not is news the Dobunni chief will need to hear. Shall I tell you now?”

“No. Wait for Comux and the other chiefs.” I didn’t usually avoid bad news, but I wanted a few moments more to feel only joy.

Wulffaed greeted Winifred warmly and immediately brought mead and fresh bread for her. We didn’t have long to wait. Maldwyn

and Comux hurried into the cave. Worry creased the chief’s broad forehead. Addedomaros, Leofric, and Cadoc followed them.

“Comux, Dobunni chief; Addedomaros, Trinovantes chief; and Leofric of the Catuvellauni, this is the lead farmer of the Iceni,

Winifred. She has news.”

Winifred bowed her head to the three chiefs, cleared her throat, and began. “As the queen already noticed, we arrived with

the Trinovantes caravan.”

“Yes!” Addedomaros frowned and nodded. “I haven’t spoken to my lead farmer yet, but I too am puzzled that it took them so

long to get here. Did they not use the Roman road as we did for a good part of the way?”

“Chief Addedomaros, your caravans had to leave the road south of Corinium and travel deep within the forest to avoid the Romans.”

She paused there and her gaze went to Comux. The Dobunni chief had gone very still at the mention of Corinium, the royal city

of the Dobunni. “Chief Comux, the Romans have taken your city. General Paulinus arrived there first with his cavalry. Then

the Fourteenth and Twentieth began straggling in. I am sorry.”

Comux abruptly stood. “And my people? Is there word of them?”

“The Romans have enslaved them,” said Winifred.

Comux faced me. “I must take my cavalry and go to them. I must...” The chief’s words faded and his gaze went to the floor

as he understood the reality of the situation.

I had to speak truth to the grief-stricken chief. “Comux, you cannot. Your cavalry will not be enough to take two legions that have fortified themselves within the walls of your city. It would take our army to rout them, and there is not time to reach Corinium before winter closes the passes. I am sorry. Your people are brave and resourceful. They will survive the winter with the Romans, and in the spring we will force them from our lands and free your people. You will reclaim what is rightfully yours.”

Comux lifted his gaze to meet mine. “I hear you, Queen Boudicca, and I know you speak truth, but...” He had to look away

and take deep breaths before he could continue. “My daughter and her husband remained in Corinium. She is heavy with her first

child, so my wife chose to stay with her. I—” His voice broke and he had to swallow several times before he could continue.

“I must go find my sons. They should hear this news from me.” He bowed and hurried from the chamber.

Leofric stood. “With your permission, Queen Boudicca, I will go with Comux to speak with his sons. The Dobunni chief and I

have become friends as well as allies—and I believe he needs a friend right now.”

“Go with my blessing,” I said.

“So the Romans will winter in Corinium,” said Cadoc after the Catuvellauni chief had left the chamber. “Bastards.”

“They wish to usurp all that is ours,” said Addedomaros harshly.

I didn’t give voice to what I saw in the eyes of everyone in that room. None of us were surprised. Our army had burned the

three major cities Rome had occupied. Their choice was either to launch ships on a winter channel and return to the mainland

to lick their wounds, or to occupy another city—one large enough and well enough appointed to shelter two legions. The Dobunni’s

winter stores would be completely depleted by the Romans. If someone was going to starve, it would not be the legions. My

heart ached for Comux’s wife and daughter and his daughter’s newborn.

Rhan stood, and all eyes went to the Druid. “We must defeat them in the spring. If we do not, we will share the fate of the

Dobunni and be made slaves in our own lands.”

I stood. “I will either defeat the Romans or die trying. I will not be a slave.”

Addedomaros stood and shouted, “Aye!”

“Aye!” Cadoc and Maldwyn joined him.

They made me proud, these warriors. I knew each of them was prepared to die beside me. I only hoped that wouldn’t be necessary.