Page 136 of Boudicca

The valley was alive with activity. Our chariots and cavalry had already entered and were spreading out across the wide, flat space, facing the entrance. Behind them the foot soldiers began to stream into the valley, rivers of Iceni blue, Trinovantes red, Catuvellauni brown, andDobunni green, all mixed with bright splashes of the colors of the many other tribes that had joined us. I let my pride in them fill me, drowning out my dread. I would be their warrior queen to the end.

Phaedra waited within my tent. She combed out my long hair until it crackled and curled below my waist. Then she and Rhan strapped on my arm and shin guards and my breastplate. My helmet had been polished and looked striking in the flickering candlelight; the shining bronze complemented the spikes of Tân’s mane and the long red length of her tail that would flow down my back and mix with my own hair on the battlefield.

Phaedra bowed deeply to me. “My queen.”

I took her elbow so that she straightened and then I kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Phaedra.”

Blinking back tears, Phaedra hurried from the tent, leaving Rhan and me alone. She stepped into my arms and we held each other silently. Then I looked into her dark, bottomless eyes, which were more familiar to me, more dear to me, than my own.

“I love you,” I said. “I shall always love you.”

“And I you, my friend, my love, my queen.”

We kissed. Tenderly. I buried my face in her hair and breathed in her scent one last time before I straightened, put my helmet under my arm, lifted my chin, and left the tent.

My daughters waited beside the chariot, which gleamed in the soft pink light of dawn. The sigil Rhan had created before our first battle was strapped in its place at the front of the chariot, the eagle bones clanking in the morning breeze. Ennis and Finley thrummed with energy, even as Maldwyn soothed them. Enfys and Ceri looked fierce and beautiful. Wulffaed had dyed their leathers to match mine. Briallen had painted their faces, necks, and arms. Their hair cascaded free, haloing them in fire. Someone, probably the girls, had painted Ogham symbols in blue across the flanks of their wolves.

My lead warriors and the other chiefs would already have taken their places at the front of the cavalry and chariots, waiting for me to take the field. Briallen and my Queen’s Guard stood beside the chariot. They would not enter the field without me.

I went to Wulffaed first. She and ten of her daughters bowed deeply. I lifted Wulffaed and kissed her forehead.

“I command that you and your daughters leave these wagons and this valley. Join the caravans outside.”

“As you ask, so shall I do,” echoed Wulffaed. “But first I have something for you, my queen.” One of her daughters came forward, smiled shyly at me, and then gave her mother a large folded piece of cloth, which the Mother of Twenty shook out to reveal a cloak. It was a rainbow of colors woven together so that even in the soft light of dawn it flashed with brightness and beauty. It was not thick or wide, but a light length of fabric that would fasten around my shoulders and stream behind me without being so long that it would get in my way during the battle. “It has all the colors of the tribes in it, my queen,” said Wulffaed, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “All the colors of your people.”

“It is lovely. I shall wear it proudly.” Then I turned and motioned for her to put it on me. It was so light I hardly knew it was there. “Now go and wait outside the valley,” I said gently. “Be safe. Be well.” Wulffaed and her daughters bowed again before they hurried away.

I moved to stand before Briallen and my guard. They were dressed and painted for battle. They were glorious. My guard bowed low. When they straightened, I stood before Briallen.

“Leader of my Queen’s Guard, I task you with protecting my daughters. After I speak to the army, see them safely outside the valley and remain with them.” I could hear the disappointed sighs of my daughters, but of course I would not be swayed. Their disappointment I could bear. Their deaths I could not.

“As you ask, so shall I do,” said Briallen. “I have mounts for the bairns waiting on the field. I’ll take them out of the valley after you speak to the army.”

I put my hands on her strong shoulders. “I know they will be safe with you.” I kissed her forehead.

Maldwyn had two horses ready in addition to Ennis and Finley, who pawed restlessly, more than ready to take to the field and defeat another enemy. He was magnificent in his battle gear. His light blondhair was pulled back and had raven feathers braided into it. His leathers were dyed to match mine, but his had been painted in bold black with our sickled moons and stars pattern. His arms were bare except for his forearm guards and the knotted tattoos that ringed his biceps. Maldwyn’s cornflower eyes shined with the anticipation I recognized from our other battles, which helped to settle my nerves.

He started to bow to me, but I stepped into his arms, pulled him close, and kissed him thoroughly. When I loosed Maldwyn, his eyes were still shining and his lips lifted in a smile. I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. I went to the chariot cart and took my place as Maldwyn helped my girls up to stand on either side of me. Then he stepped back.

“Ennis and Finley are anxious for battle. Hold them tightly. I will join you on the field, my queen.” He bowed.

I nodded. “I shall meet you there.” Then my gaze found Rhan. She’d led her horse to the two Maldwyn had brought with the chariot for my daughters. I was surprised to realize it was Tân, and then relieved that Rhan would have such a reliable mount. I tried to tell Rhan with my eyes how much I loved her, though she knew. She had always known. “High Druid, I shall see you on the field, too,” I said.

Rhan dipped her head. “Yes, Queen Boudicca.”

Suddenly Abertha galloped into camp, pulling her horse up sharply beside the chariot. Instead of the white-horsehair-trimmed helmet she usually wore, I was surprised to see that she’d dyed her horsehair bright Iceni blue. She was in full battle regalia and looked ferocious and ready to take on the world.

“My queen! The Romans have left Watling Street. They march on the valley!”

“Good,” I said. “Return to the front lines. I will follow.”

Abertha dug her heels into her horse’s flanks and raced away.

I said nothing more. All I could do was keep moving forward and keep hoping the battle was not truly lost.

“Hold tight, girls.” I clucked and snapped the reins. My girls’ wolves ran beside us as Ennis and Finley surged forward with Rhan, Maldwyn, and my guard following.

I drove the chariot through the rear lines of the army and mysoldiers parted before me, beginning a chant that spread like a rippling wave on a quiet pool.