Page 37 of Boudicca

“I assume you do not welcome fosterlings from Tribe Brigantes now,” I said.

His gaze snapped back to me and he scowled. “Not since Cartimandua whored her tribe out to the Romans.”

“And, with the traitorous Catuvellauni, helped them steal Camulodunum from you,” I added.

His scowl deepened at the reminder of what the queen of the Brigantes had taken from his tribe.

“All here know of the Catuvellauni’s hand in the tragedy that has befallen Tasceni, as well as Cartimandua’s treachery,” said Addedomaros. “Most especially you, Queen Boudicca, as you grew upin the heart of Tribe Brigantes and are kinswoman to their royal house.”

I didn’t take his bait. The Iceni had witnessed my mother’s heartbreak when news had come that the queen of her beloved Brigantes had allied herself with Rome. With the aid of the Roman legions and other, weaker tribes like the Catuvellauni, the Brigantes had begun stealing land from their neighbors. They also remembered, as did I, that Prasutagus had declined to join with Addedomaros to beat back the traitorous queen. He and I had had one of our very few disagreements over his decision. I’d believed he was wrong not to ally with Addedomaros against Cartimandua. He’d believed it was too dangerous to openly attack an ally of Rome and said I did not see the situation clearly because of the love I had for my parents and for the tribe that had fostered me.

I lifted my chin. “Cartimandua is, indeed, my father’s kinswoman—though only by a marriage that is no more. I wish you to know had the decision been mine those many years ago, Iceni spears would have joined with Trinovantes blades to drink her blood.”

The old chief’s body stiffened in surprise, and then his eyes narrowed. “Tell me, Queen Boudicca, do you mention the past because you need the aid of Tribe Trinovantes in the present?”

“Yes!” I spoke the word fiercely as I leaned forward. “I ask that Tribe Trinovantes be the first to pledge to join the Iceni to rid Britain of the infestation of the Romans—to serve vengeance for the deaths of our elders, the rape of my children, and the flesh they scourged from my back. In doing so you may reclaim Camulodunum as your rightful land. Will you join me, mighty Addedomaros? Will you aid me in the fulfillment of Andraste’s curse?”

Addedomaros paused, and when he spoke he did so slowly, choosing his words carefully. “Queen Boudicca, I feel your rage. I understand it. I even agree with it. I have felt the Roman boot on my neck for many years, and I sicken of it. But open war against Rome is something I must not choose rashly on a tide of passion.”

His response was more positive than I had hoped, and as he spokeI could see his shield, Mailcun, move his wide shoulders restlessly, as if he chafed under a binding yoke.

Still holding the chief’s gaze, I asked, “Derwyn, do you believe it is a rash thing to war against the Romans?”

“My belief is of no consequence,” said the Druid. “It is the goddess Andraste who has opened the dam and calls the tide of war and promised revenge for the Iceni. I only interpret the signs she sends, and on that, the goddess of war is clear. She thirsts for the blood of Rome and has chosen Queen Boudicca, her Victory, to lead the Iceni into battle.”

Addedomaros nodded. “But, High Druid, what of the omens of war? Are they auspicious or will a revolt be futile?”

Derwyn used his staff to gesture at Rhan, and I felt the tiny hairs on the nape of my neck lift as he addressed my childhood friend. “Iceni seer, what say you of the portents for war?”

From her raised place of honor, Rhan stared down at her father. Her voice was strong and carried throughout the lodge. “Andraste has been clear! She named Boudicca Victory at her birth and reinforced that naming the day the Romans invaded Tasceni by gifting her with the chief’s torque. You witnessed Andraste’s sign yesterday, chief of the Trinovantes.” While Rhan spoke, the lodge was so silent it was as if the room held its breath. I had forgotten about the singular ability she’d had since childhood to hold rapt an audience. When she was a girl, the power had been nascent. As a fully trained Druid seer, Rhan was mesmerizing. “The goddess of war has chosen. She thirsts for Roman blood.”

“Ah, but will Andraste lead Boudicca to the victory her name promises?” asked Addedomaros, seemingly unmoved by his daughter’s words.

I spoke before Rhan could answer and felt the thrumming of Andraste’s power vibrate through my body as my words echoed preternaturally around me. “The goddess has not promised that we will defeat the Romans, though she has promised that the curse I placed upon the centuria who attacked Tasceni will be fulfilled. But consider,chief of the Trinovantes, is an assurance of victory the best reason to go to war? Wemustwar against the Romans because we cannot continue to stand idly by and do nothing while Rome preys upon us, enslaves our people, and wipes away our tribes and our gods. If we do not try, are we not already gone? Are we not doomed to become like them, a people who have so little honor that they violate children and subjugate their women to appear powerful?” I paused as the warriors before me growled their agreement. Emboldened, I stood, threw wide my arms. “I will not become Roman! Will you?”

Cadoc surged to his feet as he shouted, “No!”

Abertha and Maldwyn stood and cried, “No!”

“No!” My people echoed their roar.

I raised my hand and the lodge went silent. “The Iceni have decided. We war against Rome. What say Tribe Trinovantes?”

Addedomaros drew himself up to his full height. He looked from his daughter to me and then bowed his head slightly. “I say that I will return to my tribe and call my own war council. I give you my oath that I shall consider your words carefully before I make a response. Will that satisfy you, Queen Boudicca?”

“The only answer that would truly satisfy me is to hear the Trinovantes war cry join with the Iceni,” I said.

I saw the surprise in his eyes and read there that he had not expected me to be so decisive. Addedomaros would not be the last man to underestimate me.

“I take my leave of you,” said the chief. “You have given me much to think on.”

“Then fare thee well, Chief Addedomaros. May the joy of the day be with you,” I said.

“And may the blessings of the earth be on you.” He turned, and my Iceni parted to let the chief and his warriors through the tightly packed lodge.

I breathed out a long breath and sat. As Cadoc and my other lead warriors took their seats again, the old shield caught my eye and spoke quietly. “Well done, my queen.”

I felt a wave of relief at his praise. I was not weak. I did not lackin confidence. I was accustomed to leading my people, but readying my tribe for battle was not the same as readying them for the spring planting or the fall harvest. My hands curled on the smooth wooden arms of the throne that today finally felt truly mine. I lifted my chin and continued.