Page 19 of Boudicca

“We will attend your daughters and the warrior at the lodge,” Derwyn continued. “And my seers will see to the washing and preparation of the dead, as well as begin building the funeral pyre.” Several Druids nodded. More spirit than flesh, they melted off into the village to collect and care for the dead.

“Thank you.” Anger rekindled within me. “Build the pyre here, in the middle of the practice field around the stake where the Roman tied me. Tear apart the hut. Use it for kindling.” I made a cutting gesture at it. “It was there that my daughters were brutalized. It should burn.”

“It will be as you say,” said the high Druid.

“Derwyn, may I have permission to remain with Boudicca?” Rhan asked.

The high Druid studied her carefully before nodding. Then the four Druids walked the macabre path through the village with me. This time I forced myself to look at every corpse that lay still and cold—and as I did I repeated each name silently, memorizing the dead.You will be avenged, I promised each of them.

I had closed the huge double wooden doors as I’d left the lodge, and when I opened them I called within, “Enfys, Ceri, healers and old friends have come to aid us.”

The hearthfire was blazing, and in the short time I had been with the Druids, Briallen had lit the thick pillar candles spun from beeswax and scented with lavender that Arianell had loved so much. Light and fragrance combined, and for a moment I almost expected to hear Mother greet us warmly.

Instead Ceri’s hysterical shriek echoed from the curved walls.

“No! Make the men leave! Make them leave! Make them leave!”

She and Enfys were wrapped in thick woolen blankets. They had been seated before the hearthfire drying their hair, but the moment Derwyn and the male healer, Conway, entered the lodge, they stood so abruptly that the bench on which they sat toppled over. They darted behind Briallen, clutching the warrior’s tunic. Enfys whimpered and Ceri cried with terror. The sound of their fear almost broke me.

Derwyn’s voice was ineffably sad as he backed slowly out of the door, taking the male healer with him. “Conway and I shall wait outside.”

I nodded, already hurrying to my daughters. Rhan and Adara followed more slowly.

“Little loves, it is only Derwyn and one of his healers. You remember Derwyn. He has been here often,” I said soothingly as I coaxed the girls out from behind Briallen.

“No men, no men, no men, no men.” Ceri refused to move as she repeated the two words over and over.

The healer, Adara, crouched before the girls. Her auburn hair was streaked with gray and her eyes matched the dark green of her ovate robes. “The Romans have gone, fawns. No man here will harm you. I am a healer. I attended your mother for each of your births, and what a blessing those days were. The queen was so happy and your father so proud.”

Enfys spoke solemnly. “We do not remember that.”

“No, of course you do not. It is my job to remember, just as it is my job to help you heal. Will you let me help you?”

Enfys nodded, and after only a brief hesitation Ceri did so as well.

“Take them into Mother’s chamber and close the curtain,” I said.

Adara stood and held out her hands for the girls to take, but as she began leading them to Arianell’s chamber, Ceri dug her heels into the rushes and pulled her to stop. She turned to face me.

“I want you to come with us.”

I steeled myself. More than anything I wanted to retreat into my mother’s bedchamber with my girls, crawl into the bed, which still smelled of rosemary, hold them close, and never, ever let anyone harm them again.

But I was not just their mother. I was also their queen.

“I want that as well, but I must see to the rest of our tribe,” I said solemnly.

“Then I will stay with you,” said Ceri stubbornly.

“You cannot, little dove,” I said. “You must let the healer tend you, and I must get on with the business of leading our tribe.”

Enfys spoke up. “If you cannot be with us, then Briallen must come.”

“The warrior has been wounded as well.” The healer spoke up. “Perhaps she should join us so that I might tend to her.” Then she met my gaze steadily. “The girls will sleep soon.”

“Yes, Mama. Briallen must stay with us while we sleep,” Ceri insisted. “She will protect us.”

I nodded my permission and Briallen went to the girls. She took Ceri’s hand in hers. “Always, bonny lassies. I will always protect you.”