Page 110 of Boudicca

“Have Comux and Leofric accepted the challenge yet?” I asked.

“Leofric has,” said Abertha. “He has wagered one of their prize Catuvellauni bulls.”

“Comux has not answered the challenge yet,” said Cadoc, the amusement draining from his voice. “He mourns his wife and daughter.”

“When the Dobunni chief hears that Boudicca has accepted the challenge, he will, too,” said Briallen. “And that will be a good thing.”

Cadoc nodded soberly. “Comux’s camp feels heavy with sadness. Not even Arianell’s Day lifted the pall of gloom that hangs over them.”

“Though it helped,” Abertha said with a smile. “It helped the whole camp. I’ve missed those days with your mother and the other elders.”

“Yesterday was special.” As I spoke, my gaze went to Rhan and we shared an intimate smile. When I looked from her to Maldwyn I saw that he was watching us, his cheeks pink and his expression guarded. I met his gaze steadily and included him in the warmth of my smile, and saw the worry lines that creased his eyes smooth as he relaxed. “So, explain to me exactly what I must do to win this contest.”

***

The training field was a huge oblong area. It needed to be huge to accommodate our thousands of warriors. It was situated in the middle of the valley, the area that was least protected against the elements by the giants that framed our home. By now, the middle of winter, it took daily effort to keep the enormous field free enough of snow that the army could train, which was good. An idle army was a dangerous thing, but between plowing the training field, drilling, gathering peat, and caring for the extensive herds we’d brought with us, our warriors were being kept active and engaged.

“There is where you will begin.” Maldwyn pointed to the distant end of the field that was closest to the snow-packed entrance to the valley.

“See how they’re already building the tournament course?” Cadoc gestured to the warriors who were setting four rows of straw targets about midway in the field.

“Oh, now it’s not simply a race or a contest but a tournament?” I raised a brow at my shield.

The old warrior grinned at me. “Aye, my queen! When the Catuvellauni chief accepted the challenge, it became a tournament.”

I put my fists on my hips. “Well, one of you better explain what you’ve gotten me into.”

“Here’s what has come from Adminius and his boasting,” said Maldwyn. “The beginning is a footrace to there.” He pointed to a spot about a third of the way up the field, where the warriors were setting four rows of straw targets. “Where your chariot will be waiting. You’ll weave your chariot around six targets, striking each.”

“And you will be driving my chariot?” I asked Maldwyn.

Cadoc snorted. “No. Adminius boasted that his father was the best chariot driver of all the tribes, so each chief—”

“And our queen,” Maldwyn added.

“Of course,” Cadoc said, nodding. “Each will have to drive their own chariotandstrike the six targets.”

I shrugged. “I can do that.”

“With more accuracy than Addedomaros,” added Maldwyn.

“Aye!” Cadoc agreed.

“It was foolish of Adminius to boast about something so easily disproven,” I said. “Maldwyn is by far the best chariot driver in all the tribes.”

“He is indeed,” said Cadoc.

Maldwyn’s cheeks flushed, but he nodded. My horse master’s skills were no secret.

“So we conclude the contest with a chariot race?” I asked.

“No,” said Cadoc. “After you strike all of the targets, you’ll leave your team at the end of the row and race on foot again to there, where your horse will be waiting.” He pointed at the other end of the field. “You’ll mount, and it’s a horse race all the way back across the field to the starting line, which will also be the finish.”

I grinned. “Two footraces. That is very good for me.” I shook my head. “I can’t imagine what Adminius was thinking. Does he really not know how fast I am and how much older and slower his father is?”

“I do not believe Adminius pays attention to anything except himself,” said Maldwyn.

“When his boasting became offensive, Mailcun tried to quiet Adminius,” said Cadoc. “But the foolish pup wouldn’t listen to his father’s shield. Instead he kept blustering and making outlandish claims.”