Page 100 of Boudicca

“We cannot winter at Thetford.” Cadoc shook his head emphatically. “Even if we could march this massive army to our winter camp without the Roman legions ambushing us, Thetford is too well-known to Paulinus. They’ve left it alone until now because Prasutagus always paid his taxes on time. Rome had no reason to go to the trouble of attacking our winter stronghold. They do now. If we tried to winter there we would be inviting a siege or worse. Our supplies aren’t safe and must be moved.”

“I agree,” I said.

My war council had gathered once again in the scant shelter outside my tent. Wulffaed kept pouring steaming mulled mead to keep us warm, but the snow had not stopped. It did not take an experienced warrior to understand that I had to make a decision about where we would winter immediately or risk our massive army getting stranded. That would make us easy prey to the legions. Andraste had made it clear that we were to burrow and not engage with the Romans at this time, so burrow we would—but where? I was loath to split up our army, though I was afraid the only choice I had was to send our Trinovantes, Dobunni, and Catuvellauni allies home to disperse and shelter in their own lands. Just thinking about trying to gather them again in the spring had my head pounding with dread. In the spring it would be time to work and plant the fields. How many warriors would answer my call then? Certainly not the number our army now held. I could not believe that was what Andraste would want.

Addedomaros ran a hand through his thick, graying hair. “But you overheard Paulinus saying that the legions were still recovering from Ynys Môn. Perhaps we have time to march home, scatter, and ride out the winter in hiding as best we can.”

“No.” I knew there was a better solution. I just couldn’t quite grasp what it would be. “We will not divide our people just as we’ve begun to truly join together.”

Rhan cleared her throat and all gazes turned to her. “There is another answer.” Her eyes went to Comux. “What is your idea, chief of the Dobunni?”

Comux stood and pulled his bright green cloak more closely around him. He bowed his head to Rhan. “The Iceni seer sees truthfully. I do have an idea.”

“I will be glad to hear it,” I prodded, as I could see that the chief was reluctant to speak.

“I have not mentioned it because it is rather unusual,” he said.

“Our army is rather unusual,” I said.

He chuckled and nodded. “Queen Boudicca, are you aware that my wife’s sister is married to Caratacus, chief of Tribe Ordovices?”

Cadoc spoke up before I could. “Ah, yes. We know Caratacus. Several years ago he came to Tasceni to meet with Prasutagus.” My shield met my gaze and continued. “Do you remember, my queen? It wasn’t long after Ceri’s birth.”

“I do indeed. Caratacus was born to the Catuvellauni, was he not?”

“He was.” Leofric, the old warrior who had become chief of a small group of Catuvellauni, spoke up. “He and his brother Togodumnus disagreed about how to handle the Romans. Togodumnus saw it as a chance to gain riches and subdue the other tribes. Caratacus wanted nothing to do with Rome.”

“Wise man,” muttered Addedomaros.

“Aye,” said Leofric. “Would that I had been so wise then and followed him. It took me much longer to understand the danger of allying with Rome. When Caratacus left, nearly a third of the Catuvellauni agreed and followed him into the west.”

Comux nodded and continued the telling. “Caratacus and those loyal to him joined the Ordovices. He married Caraf, one of the royal daughters of the Ordovices—my wife’s sister. Caratacus was chosen chief at the death of old Ougein.”

“And what has the Ordovices chief to do with your idea?” I asked.

“I believe Caratacus would allow the army to winter in the Eryri Mountains.”

“Ha!” Addedomaros scoffed. “That would put us only a few days south of Ynys Môn. Too near the legions that are still there.”

Comux just lifted a brow at the Trinovantes chief. “The southern mountains are far enough from the Druid isle to be hidden from the legions, yet close enough that they would not think to look there.”

“Hmm.” Cadoc scratched his beard. “The legions would also not think to attempt a march through those mountains to search for us.”

“Because the mountains will be covered by snow and impassable!” blurted Adminius.

“Which is why we must break camp and march immediately to the Eryri Mountains before the passes are closed.” I turned to Comux. “Ifthere is a place within the mountains that can shelter us.”

“Yes, Queen Boudicca. There is a valley just within the southern boundary of the mountains. It holds a lake called Arglwyddes y Llyn, which is surrounded by impassable peaks on all sides except one—and that one pass closes early every winter.”

“But is it large enough to hold the entire army? Think of the size of our combined herds,” said Maldwyn.

“It is. And the peaks that surround the valley catch the brunt of the snow and ice.”

“Do you think we could get our winter stores from Thetford there before the pass closes?” I asked Comux.

He moved his shoulders. “It would be close, though if they got near enough we could transport the supplies on litters pulled by horses should the wagons not make it through the pass.”

“But the army will be seen,” said Addedomaros. “We could split up the supply wagons and have them travel by different routes so they do not draw attention, but an army of over one hundred thousand will draw attention.”