Page 105 of Boudicca

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 ourarmy 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!”