Boudicca

Chapter XL

The spring sun was high in an unusually cloudless sky and I was sweating on the practice field as I attempted to take on Cadoc

and Abertha at the same time, mostly unsuccessfully, which the bruises from their wooden swords would bear witness to tomorrow.

Except for when I first woke in the morning, I’d stopped feeling sick, but had found that the weeks I’d spent not eating had

taken a toll on my strength and speed—a toll I was now paying.

“A rider comes!” One of the sentries always stationed at the narrow mouth of our valley raced up to me. The other chiefs,

who were practicing much more successfully not far from me, stopped what they were doing and joined me.

“Roman?” I asked. My voice sounded calm, but my heartbeat pulsed fast and hard through my body.

“No, my queen. He wears the colors of Tribe Brigantes and carries their sigil.”

I hid the flood of relief that almost made me feel dizzy. “Just one rider?” I asked.

“Yes, my queen. He stopped outside the pass and called to us that he has a message for Queen Boudicca from Queen Cartimandua.”

“Escort the rider here. Care for his horse as you would any guest,” I said.

“As you ask, so will I do!”

When the sentry jogged away, I faced the chiefs and their lead warriors.

“Will you join me to greet this messenger from the Brigantes?” I asked.

“Cartimandua is a traitorous bitch,” said Leofric. “She has whored her tribe to Rome.”

“I am aware of that,” I said.

Comux shook his head. “I don’t like it. If she knows we’re here, does that mean the Fourteenth and Twentieth legions are just

beyond the forest?”

“That is one reason we need to hear what her messenger has to say,” I said.

Mailcun nodded. “We need more information. I would hear this messenger.”

“Aye,” agreed the others, but reluctantly.

Cadoc looked grim. “I will escort the messenger here.” I nodded and my shield strode off toward the one entrance to our valley.

It didn’t take long. I was still wiping sweat from my face when Cadoc returned with a travel-weary man. He was tall, with

dark hair that had just begun to be streaked with gray, and was wearing a cloak dyed the familiar Tribe Brigantes colors of

bright flame yellow and black. He stopped before me and bowed deeply.

“Queen Boudicca, I bring you greetings from Queen Cartimandua.” He reached into a leather satchel slung across his shoulder.

Cadoc stiffened but relaxed when he pulled forth a long golden chain from which was suspended a pendant stamped with the flames

of the goddess Brigantia. It was almost identical to my mother’s pendant—the one I’d placed around the goddess’s neck at her

desecrated shrine in Camulodunum. “She sends her kinswoman this token of her affection.”

I accepted the necklace. “Your queen is generous, though I know you did not come all this way only to gift me.” My eyes widened

as I saw through the dirt and weariness and recognized him. “Deorwine?”

“Yes, Queen Boudicca!” His smile youthened him and I easily saw the man I’d known when I was a girl living in Isurium, the

royal home of Tribe Brigantes. He’d been a stable hand then, and as I spent much of my youth on horseback, I’d known him rather

well. “My queen hoped you would remember me.”

“I do.” I returned his smile. “How could I not? I grew up in the Isurium stables.”

“Aye, and now I am horse master for my queen.”

“I am not surprised,” I said. “So, what word do you have for me from your queen?”

“Queen Cartimandua would like to meet with you. She asks if she may have safe passage into your valley.”

Instead of answering I said, “I doubt that I will be in this valley by the time your queen travels from Brigantes territory

here.”

“Queen Cartimandua is only half a day’s ride from here,” he said. “She is eager to speak with you and left Isurium the day

the roads began to clear enough to travel, hoping that your mountain pass, and you, would allow her entrance.”

I nodded. The tribe into which I’d been born commanded a large area north and east of the Eryri Mountains, and it was also

mountainous enough that Cartimandua would have been able to gauge a spring thaw. But how did she know our location? And what

did she want?

“Who marches with your queen?” I asked, and heard the chiefs shift restlessly at the question.

“Only her Queen’s Guard,” said Deorwine.

Leofric spat on the ground. “Her guard and a Roman legion?”

“No.” Deorwine’s gaze never left mine as he answered the Catuvellauni chief. “My queen is weary of Roman rule.”

Cadoc snorted. “Since when?”

I held up my hand, cutting off Deorwine’s reply. The air around me sizzled with the chiefs’ barely controlled rage. “Return

to Queen Cartimandua. Tell her I will happily receive her and her guard as my guests. Will you rest the night before you ride

out?”

“No, Queen Boudicca. My queen eagerly awaits your answer. I would leave immediately.”

“Cadoc, be sure Deorwine eats and then bring him a fresh horse.” I smiled at the Brigantes’ horse master. “Your mount will

be well cared for until you return.”

Deorwine bowed low again. “Thank you, Queen Boudicca. Expect Cartimandua tomorrow at midday.”

“Indeed I shall,” I said.

When Deorwine was out of hearing range, Abertha said, “Do we follow him, my queen? If he speaks truthfully we can easily end Cartimandua and her guard, and rid the Brigantes of a traitor.”

“Not here,” I said. “My lodge. All of you.”

The chiefs and Abertha followed me to my cave lodge. Rhan joined us, having seen the Brigantes messenger with Cadoc. As Wulffaed

was pouring mead, Cadoc returned with Maldwyn, who had been with the herd when a fresh horse had been chosen for Deorwine.

“Do we follow him?” Cadoc repeated Abertha’s question with no preamble.

“Yes,” I said. “But stealthily. I want Cartimandua to think I believe her message to be genuine.” I drank deeply, clearing

the dust from my throat. “Mailcun, we need the fleetest of the Trinovantes horses to follow Deorwine. See if he spoke the

truth about with whom the queen travels, and then return here ahead of Cartimandua and report to us.”

“Aye,” Mailcun said. “That can be easily done.”

I motioned for one of Wulffaed’s daughters to take Mailcun’s order to the Trinovantes camp.

“I still believe it would be wise to kill her. Now,” said Leofric.

I nodded. “I understand that desire. Cartimandua has proven to be self-serving. I know that better than anyone here. My father

was kinsman to her husband, Venutius. He disagreed with her about allying with the Romans and she divorced him, then commanded

her guard to execute several members of his family.”

“Why even meet with her?” asked Comux.

“Because we need to know not just what she wants of us but how she knows we wintered here,” I said. “If she is the tip of

the spear for the Roman legions, it will not matter whether I turn her away or not. The Romans already know our location. If I turn her away or kill her, it will not change what the Romans know, but it will ensure we have no more knowledge about

them than we do at this moment.”

“I do not think we can trust her,” said Maldwyn.

“Aye,” the chiefs muttered.

“We aren’t trusting her. We’re listening to what she has to say. But we shall do more than that. Tomorrow at midday the practice field will be filled with our warriors training. Spread the word. We wear our battle finery.” My smile was filled with confidence. “Queen Cartimandua will witness for herself the might of our army.”

***

The warrior sent to follow Deorwine returned at first light after having ridden all night. He reported that Cartimandua was,

indeed, only escorted by two dozen Queen’s Guard and her horse master. He even backtracked the queen’s trail and saw no sign

of Rome or any other warriors.

When the sun was high overhead, the crowded training field rang with the sounds of blows and the thunder of chariots. Goats

and pigs and cattle had been slaughtered and spitted so that enticing aromas wafted throughout the camp. Iceni, Dobunni, Trinovantes,

and Catuvellauni wore their colors proudly when Queen Cartimandua, in an ornate chariot pulled by matching black stallions

and driven by Deorwine, entered our valley with Cadoc escorting them within. Her Queen’s Guard followed, all mounted on black

horses, as was tradition for Tribe Brigantes. They were a magnificent sight.

I waited at the mouth of my cave lodge wearing the Beltane dress my mother had embroidered for me. My hair was free and my

torque was my only jewelry. Rhan stood beside me wearing the white robes Wulffaed had meticulously dyed and fashioned for

her, proclaiming her station as high Druid for all to see. Under my direction, Wulffaed had staged the interior of the lodge

carefully. My chair had been draped with fox pelts and elevated to become a throne. On either side of me, chairs had been

situated. Mailcun, Leofric, and Comux sat to one side. On the other were chairs for Rhan, Cadoc, Maldwyn, and Abertha. Briallen

would stand guard at my throne. The long table had been placed before my throne, so that Cartimandua, her horse master, and

the leader of her guard could sit. The rest of her guard would remain outside.

As Cartimandua came into view, I was reminded of her beauty. Though she was far from young, the queen of the Brigantes was a striking woman. She wasn’t tall, but what she lacked in height she made up for in presence. I remembered her as foxlike. Her chin was pointed and her nose straight and strong. Her eyes were an unusual amber color. Her hair had been a unique mixture of blond and auburn but was now completely silver gray—a mane that spread out around her in a mass of thick curls held back by a gold coronet. Her face was painted in bold lines of black and white and brilliant yellow that met the black tattoos adorning her neck and chest. She wore a flame-colored dress. Its bodice was covered with a huge stag embroidered with white thread. Her torque was familiar. She’d been wearing it since I was a child—twisted gold that ended in antlers. Her arms were covered with gold bangles, and around her shapely waist there was a slender golden chain from which dangled a large pendant of a golden stag.

Deorwine helped her from the chariot. The leader of her Queen’s Guard dismounted and went to her side as she and Deorwine

followed Cadoc to where I waited.

Cartimandua paused before me and bowed her head. “Queen Boudicca, it has been far too long since last we met.” Her distinctive

voice, low and husky, evoked my childhood, when the queen would often come to our lodge for drinks and discussions about which

horses my father would keep and which stallions would be bred to that season’s mares. I steeled myself against an unexpected

wave of longing for my dead father.

I bowed in return. “Welcome to my winter lodge, Queen Cartimandua. Enter as an honored guest.”

But instead of coming into the lodge, Cartimandua’s sharp fox-colored gaze went to Rhan. “I see you have a Druid. I envy you.

They are rare.”

“I am Rhan, the high Druid, Queen Cartimandua,” Rhan said, correcting her immediately.

The queen’s gaze traveled down Rhan’s white robes. “Yes, I can see that. It saddens me that Derwyn did not escape the massacre

at Ynys M?n.”

Cadoc, who had already walked past me to take his seat, snorted, and I heard the low, disgruntled mutters of the chiefs who were already inside.

“Will you join me within?” I asked Cartimandua. “You must be hungry and thirsty after your long journey.”

“Indeed I am. But first, I brought you a gift.” She motioned over her shoulder at one of her guards. “Two barrels of fine

Roman wine.” The guard led forward a black gelding who had barrels strapped on either side of his wide back.

“A generous gift,” I said as she followed me inside. Her Queen’s Guard also tried to enter, but Briallen stepped before them,

spear blocking their way. When Cartimandua’s warriors began to protest, the queen looked back at them and smiled.

“Remain outside. There are thousands of Iceni all around us. If Queen Boudicca means me harm, the dozen of you will not stop

them.” Still smiling, she returned her sharp gaze to me. “Shall we?”

I led her to the table and motioned for her to take the center seat. Deorwine and the leader of her Queen’s Guard sat on either

side of her as I called to Wulffaed. “Queen Cartimandua has gifted us with two barrels of Roman wine. Have one brought within

and served, and the other opened and served to her guard.”

Wulffaed frowned but did as I asked. I knew the wine had been a test. If I’d refused it, I would have insulted Cartimandua.

If I’d accepted it but not served it, I would have appeared at best selfish and at worst needy. By serving it, especially

to her guard, I demonstrated not just my generosity but also that I did not need her wine.

“Queen Cartimandua, beside me are Iceni allies, the chiefs of the Trinovantes, Dobunni, and Catuvellauni.” Before I could

introduce each man separately, Cartimandua spoke.

“Yes, I recognize you, Comux.” She nodded to him and he jerked his head in response. “And you as well, Leofric, though I did

not know you called yourself chief of the Catuvellauni. I had not heard of the death of Togodumnus.”

At his cousin’s name, Leofric clenched his jaw. Through his teeth he said, “I am chief of the Catuvellauni who have not whored

themselves to Rome. My brother is no chief. He is a traitor.”

“Ah, I see.” Cartimandua was completely unruffled by his anger. She simply turned her gaze to Mailcun. A frown creased her forehead. “But you, chief of the Trinovantes, I do not recognize.”

“Addedomaros died midwinter. I am Mailcun, named chief by the tribe and sanctified by the high Druid.”

“Ah, yes. Addedomaros’s shield. I do recognize you now. I am sorry for the loss of Addedomaros. He was a mighty warrior,”

said Cartimandua.

Wulffaed and her daughters began serving wine as I took control of the conversation. “Queen Cartimandua, why have you journeyed

so far to speak with me?”

“So we’ll get right to it.” She nodded in approval. “Good. I abhor useless chatter. I propose an alliance between Tribe Brigantes

and the Iceni.”

The room was utterly silent.

I sipped my wine before answering with a question of my own. “How did you know where to find me?”

The queen smiled. “Oh, I have eyes and ears everywhere.”

“Roman eyes and ears?” I asked.

She blew out a short derisive breath. “Romans rarely know what is happening beneath their own noses. No, Queen Boudicca, Rome

did not hear the whispers of our people that spoke of a great army wintering in the safety of Tribe Ordovices’s mighty mountains.”

“And by ‘ our people ,’ exactly who do you mean?” asked Leofric.

“Britons!” Cartimandua brought her fist down on the table.

“For many years Tribe Brigantes has embraced Rome—not Britain.” Leofric almost spat the words.

Cartimandua’s eyes met mine. “I did what allowed me to survive, as would any wise queen.”

“And there is my problem.” I spoke conversationally, with none of the anger Leofric showed. “How do I trust an alliance with

a queen who is willing to do anything so she will survive? You did not say you did what you had to for your tribe’s survival, only your own.”

Cartimandua lifted her chin. “When you have been queen for as long as I have been, you will understand that what is good for you is also good for your people—and what is good for your people is good for you. I cannot be separated from the Brigantes. I am the Brigantes. ”

Rhan tilted her head and studied Cartimandua as she asked, “Why have you suddenly decided to change your allegiance from Rome

to the Iceni?”

“It was not a sudden decision, High Druid,” said Cartimandua. “It has been brewing since the Romans attacked Boudicca at Tasceni.

Until then I’d believed what was best for the Brigantes was to ally with Rome—weather their storm so that when they finally

tired of attempting to subjugate Britain, my tribe would be whole, thriving and prosperous, and ready to rule in their absence.”

She laughed at the outrage on the faces of the chiefs beside me. “Oh, don’t pretend shock. Which one of you wouldn’t want

to rule all of Britain?” Her fox gaze returned to me. “You understand. You’ve united more tribes than have ever allied before.

At this moment, were there to be a queen of Britain named, it would be Boudicca.”

“I would not sell myself to the Romans for any title,” I said. “And, once again, you make it difficult to trust you knowing

that your ultimate wish is to rule us all.”

“It is because I am open about my desire to rule that it should be easy for you to trust me. I don’t hide anything. You know

me. You know my motives.”

“I know you divorced your husband and had his family, my kinsmen and -women, killed.” I shot the words at her.

Her brows lifted. “Yes, I did. Tell me, how do you handle traitors?”

“There are no traitors to Queen Boudicca in this camp.” Cadoc’s deep voice rumbled.

“Then your queen is fortunate, but she has only been queen for one year. I have ruled for two decades. I choose to kill traitors.

Venutius knew that and fled when I discovered his betrayal, so I was left with no choice but to flush out the traitors he

left behind and end them. Judge me after you have been betrayed, Queen Boudicca, and not before.”

“And by ‘betrayed’ you mean your husband’s refusal to ally with Rome,” I said.

“Yes.” She nodded. “I am queen of the Brigantes. I made the decision for my tribe, much like Prasutagus chose to sign a co-regent treaty with Rome shortly before his death. Did you agree with that, Boudicca?”

“That was the chief of the Iceni’s decision,” I prevaricated. I had agreed with Prasutagus, but only because he’d purposely

misinterpreted the signs from Andraste to make it seem the goddess’s will.

“Exactly,” said Cartimandua. “What would the mighty Prasutagus have done had you betrayed him by inciting his warriors to

rise against him?” She shrugged. “I cannot imagine he would have ignored such a slight.”

“Prasutagus was trustworthy and honorable,” said Cadoc. “You are neither.”

“Enough!” The room bristled at her tone. Cartimandua then continued as if they were cheering her on instead of wishing they

could skewer her with their spears. “Yes, I have been close to the Romans for many years. Yes, I am ruthless. You should be

grateful for both! Do any of you know how to lure the Fourteenth and Twentieth into a trap?” She leaned forward and pounded

her fist on the table again. “No, I think not! But I do. I can serve you the two remaining Roman legions as if on a platter

for Britain to feast.”

“If we destroy the Fourteenth and Twentieth, we end the Roman hold on us,” I said into the silence that met her words.

“Exactly! And after we have our country back, you and I can decide who rules Britain.” Cartimandua’s eyes glinted as she smiled. “What say you, queen of the Iceni? Shall we ally and defeat

Rome together?”

“What is it you propose?” I asked.

***

Cartimandua outlined her plan while we ate and drank well into the evening, and then Cadoc escorted the queen and her company

to an opulent tent hastily erected by the lake. After she was tucked away for the night, my war council gathered in my lodge.

“Her plan is sound,” said Cadoc.

Leofric stood, knocking back his chair. He paced in front of my throne in agitation. “She cannot be trusted!”

“Not completely true,” said Mailcun. “I would not trust a rutting stag, but I know what he wants and how he plans to get it,

and I can use that knowledge to track and kill him.”

I tried unsuccessfully to suppress a bubble of laughter. “Are you comparing Cartimandua to a rutting stag?”

“Aye, he is!” said Leofric, who’d stopped pacing to stare at Mailcun.

“He isn’t wrong,” said Cadoc. “We know what Cartimandua wants, and what we can trust is that she will do anything to get it.”

Maldwyn nodded. “We don’t need to trust her, at least not beyond luring the Romans into our trap. After that we part ways

and she will, once again, be our enemy.”

“And she will not have the backing of Rome.” Leofric’s reddened face was slowly returning to a normal hue. “Which means the

Catuvellauni will defeat her.”

Mailcun spoke up. “Aye, with the aid of Tribe Trinovantes. And we will retake our royal home of Camulodunum.”

“Aye,” Leofric said.

“So it is decided. Cartimandua expects my answer tomorrow when we break our fast.” I turned to Rhan, who was seated at my

side. “I am inclined to agree to her plan, but not without the approval of Andraste.”

“At dawn Andraste will hear your petition,” said Rhan.

Rhan had spoken little during the evening, but had watched and listened. “What say you of Cartimandua’s plan, High Druid?”

“I agree that it is sound,” answered Rhan. “What she proposes is logical. But being allied with Queen Cartimandua is like

being in bed with a viper. She will eventually strike, and her bite will be deadly.”

“That is exactly why Andraste will decide whether we ally with her or not,” I said.

It wasn’t that I trusted Cartimandua. I did not. What I trusted was her need to survive and thrive. Rome had proven too difficult for her to manipulate. She couldn’t control them, which meant allying with them no longer added to her power. When they no longer served her, she would turn on them without a moment’s hesitation, as she had done with her husband’s family. Rome no longer served Queen Cartimandua, and that should benefit us all.

***

The morning dawned cold as winter, but the sky was cloudless and the sun promised warmth. I tucked my fur-lined cloak more

closely around me as Cadoc and my lead warriors followed me from my lodge. Rhan had left my bed while it was still dark, saying

that she would cleanse herself and leave offerings to Andraste before she chose a hare.

It was so early that the camp was just beginning to stir and I was surprised to see Cartimandua, her shield, and her Queen’s

Guard standing outside their tent. The queen approached me, followed by her people.

“I assumed you would petition Andraste early,” said Cartimandua. “May my escort and I join you?”

“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “I always petition Andraste publicly. Anyone in my camp may join me.”

“Anyone?” Cartimandua sucked air through her teeth. “That is most generous .”

She spoke the word as if it was an insult. I glanced at her as we continued toward the practice field. I knew exactly what

she meant. She, like Prasutagus, chose to control how much her tribe knew of her divine petitions.

I understood all too well what a spectacular mistake that could be.

“It isn’t generous,” I said. “It’s honest.”

Cartimandua made a derisive sound in her throat but said no more.

As we approached the practice field, Mailcun, Leofric, and Comux joined us, looking grim as they slanted glances at Cartimandua.

Rhan waited in the center of the field. At her feet was a small hutch. In the crisp dawn I could easily see the white fur of the sacred hare, marred only by the blue crescent painted on its chest to mark it as chosen. This creature looked especially large. Not surprising, as it had been fattened and pampered all winter. Rhan wore the robes of the high Druid, which matched the snow color of the hare. She’d painted her face with Ogham symbols in Iceni blue. Her light hair was a halo around her head and shoulders. She was strong and magickal, looking as if she’d just stepped from the heart of Annwn.

“Queen Cartimandua, I would ask that you and your escort stand there.” Rhan pointed to a spot several yards in front of her

and the hare.

Cartimandua nodded and took her place. Deorwine stood beside her, and her guard stretched behind them in a two-by-two column.

“Cadoc, you, the Iceni lead warriors, and the chiefs may encircle me,” said Rhan.

Cadoc and the chiefs did so, leaving plenty of room between each of them but including Cartimandua and Deorwine in their circle.

“Queen Boudicca, your place is beside me.”

I went to Rhan and nodded that I was ready. The high Druid of Britain lifted the sacred hare from her hutch and held her aloft.

“Speak your petition to Andraste, goddess of war and patroness of the Iceni!”

Warriors had come out of their shelters and stood watching us at the edge of the field. I was glad of it. My people deserved

to hear my question and witness the response of their goddess.

In a clear, loud voice I said, “Mighty Andraste, your Victory asks whether the Iceni and our army should ally with Cartimandua

of the Brigantes and lure the Romans into battle. As always, I shall abide by your divine will.”

Rhan placed the hare at my feet. Immediately it darted off directly toward Cartimandua and her guard. The queen held very

still as the hare circled her three times before streaking back toward Rhan and me. It ran between us and kept going out of

the practice field. Rhan and I jogged after it, with our group following.

The hare raced through the camp in a direct line to the narrow entrance. The warriors stationed there froze when they saw

the sacred creature. It darted through the entrance, paused outside, and then turned to the southeast and streaked off, disappearing

into the rising sun.

“What say you, High Druid?” I spoke formally, being sure my voice carried.

“Andraste has given sign. We are to ally with the Brigantes in a final battle with Rome!”

Cartimandua’s people cheered, but my lead warriors and the chief did not join them until I raised my fist and shouted the

Iceni war cry.