Page 130 of Boudicca

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 hadbeen 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.

Chapter XLI

Cartimandua left that morning. I’d told her it would take us five days to break camp and then another five days to march to our preplanned rendezvous site. She would need all ten days to accomplish her part in luring the Romans into our trap. The first five days passed in a busy blur, and then it hardly seemed real to be mounted on Tân and leading the army from the valley that had sheltered us for months. I stopped at the tree line and reined Tân around, feeling oddly melancholy.

Rhan trotted her horse to me. Her smile was warm and knowing. “It saddens you?”

“It’s silly. Must be the babe.” I rested my hand over my stomach, which was just beginning to round with my growing child.

“It isn’t silly.” Rhan reached out and took my hand, squeezing before releasing it. “We have been safe here. It has been a respite of peace in a time of war. I will miss it, too.”

I looked back through the narrow entrance to our valley and could just make out the four large carved idols that framed our practice field.

“Maybe we should take them with us,” I said. “No one will know they’re here. No one will bring offerings to them and care for them.”

“They belong here.” Rhan’s voice remained soft, but it was filled with the surety of a high Druid. “And the next people who shelter in this valley will happily discover them, sacrifice to them, love and care for them—and so it will continue for generations.”

I wiped unexpected tears from my cheeks. “I like that.”

I gave the valley one last look and then with Rhan by my side galloped to my place at the head of our army.

The trip from the valley was drastically different from the trip to it, and not just because the weather was clear and beautiful withthe earth awakening and bursting into bloom around us. When we’d entered the Eryri Mountains we’d longed for sanctuary and respite. After sheltering safely all winter we emerged revitalized and eager. We made no attempt to hide. Cartimandua’s plan required us to act boldly, as if we had no doubt that we could defeat the two legions remaining in Britain. Our arrogance was necessary for Rome to be lured into our trap.