Page 126 of Boudicca

“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 guardanda 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 wefollow 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.”