Page 18 of Boudicca

“This slaughter happened because your warriors were absent,” Rhan said.

“That is only part of why,” I said darkly. “But there will be time for that explanation later.”

“I will send a bard south along the Trade Road to bring the Iceni home,” Derwyn began, and then his gaze sharpened as he searched the forest around them. “You said it was the procurator who led the Romans? Why did they not meet the Iceni and Tribe Trinovantes on the Trade Road? Camulodunum is the Roman capital, and it is southof the spring games in Catuvellauni lands. They should have crossed paths with your warriors on the way here.”

“The Romans did not come by land. They came by water from the river through the fen, arriving with a thick fog,” I explained.

Derwyn’s brow creased. “Something feels wrong about this attack. The Romans usually travel by the roads they so meticulously lay, not by water.”

Rhan spoke abruptly. “Send someone to the fen.”

“You won’t find the Romans anywhere near. Decianus spoke clearly of his eagerness to leave, and his intent to return at harvest,” I said.

“It is not a Roman you should seek,” said Rhan.

Derwyn motioned to a blue-robed Druid, who hurried to him and bowed respectfully.

“Take our fleetest horse and go south down the Trade Road to the grounds of the spring games. Tell the Iceni of this tragedy and bring them home.”

“As you ask, so will I do.” The bard hurried back to the horses and wagons that were grouped at the edge of the tree line.

“Gar!” Derwyn called.

A brown-robed Druid approached. I recognized him instantly as an Iceni tribesman who had left our tribe to train with the Druids at the isle of Ynys Môn just before Ceri’s birth. He was just one of many familiar faces among the Druids. All of the tribes sent those who showed aptitude for communing with nwyfre, the life force that runs through every living thing, to Ynys Môn. If accepted, they entered the lengthy training that marks the life of a Druid. They no longer held allegiance to a single tribe and instead were allied with the gods and goddesses, but that didn’t mean they lost their memory of their first home. Gar’s cheeks were wet with tears he did nothing to hide. He bowed to Derwyn and then inclined his head to me respectfully as well.

“Queen Boudicca, this day fills me with sorrow,” he said.

I nodded, finding it difficult to speak.

“Gar, you recall how to get safely through the fen, do you not?” Derwyn asked.

“I do. I was raised here in Tasceni.”

“Go then, and bring to me anyone you find there,” commanded Derwyn.

“As you ask, so will I do.” Gar turned to head off through the field to the east and the river Tas.

A shiver of premonition made my body go cold and I allowed my intuition to form words. “Gar, blend with the fen and the bogs. Do not let yourself be seen. The person you seek must be surprised if he is to be captured.”

Gar nodded. “Easily done, Queen Boudicca.”

I stared after Gar, wondering silently what the Druid would find in the swampy grounds that flanked Tasceni, until Derwyn’s voice pulled my attention back.

“Where are your daughters?”

“The lodge, with the only Queen’s Guard who survived, though she was gravely wounded. I will show you there. I must return to them. My daughters are not—” I paused as my voice began to break. I drew a deep breath, cleared my throat, and continued. “I am afraid if I am not there when you and the healers enter the lodge they will—” My voice cracked again. I pressed my lips together as grief strangled my words.

Rhan gently touched my arm. “We understand, as will the healers.”

“Indeed we do,” said Derwyn. He raised his voice, calling out to two women and a man who immediately joined them. “Glain, Adara, Conway—come with us and bring your baskets. The queen’s daughters are in the lodge.”

“There will be more wounded hiding at the barrows, and along the way if they were too badly injured to make it there,” I said.

Derwyn nodded and added, “Glain, take the wagon and several of the horses. Choose a few of the other healers to join you. Make your way to the Chief’s Barrow to tend to the wounded and bring the Iceni home.”

“As you ask, so will I do.”

Relief washed through me. The Druids would gather my people and bring them back to me.