Page 89 of Boudicca

She yawned and nodded. “It is already cold and it isn’t even Samhain for another seven days.”

“Only seven days until Samhain? I hadn’t even thought of it, but if all goes well the fires lit that night will be Verulamium burning,” I said.

“Our dead will approve,” said the Iceni seer.

I spoke softly, sharing my innermost thoughts with my dearest friend. “Rhan, it makes me weary to think of the battles to come.”

She moved so that she could stroke my hair. “You already have the next two battles planned, do you not?”

“I do.”

“Then do not think of the battles to come. Think of the four days of peace you have before you must be a warrior again. Embrace that peace so that when the time comes you can release the warrior again and control her ferocity.”

I closed my eyes. “Battle makes my spirit grieve. You lighten that grief.”

Her hand stilled for a moment on my hair. “Does Maldwyn lighten it, too?”

“Yes.”

“Then I am glad the queen of the Iceni has both of us.” Rhan stroked my hair again and her touch worked on me like a sleeping potion.

“I love it when you do that,” I whispered, half asleep.

“Then I will not stop until you sleep,” Rhan whispered back.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

Just before I knew no more, I heard Rhan whisper,“Boudicca, you make the world’s sadness bearable for me, too.”

Chapter XXX

The next four days were peaceful and passed too quickly. The wind changed direction and blew from the north, bringing with it unusual cold and making me glad for the shelter of the thick forest.

I spent the days traveling around the camp, speaking with my warriors, checking on supplies, and meeting with scouts. I’d stationed scouts along the Watling road—the path the Roman legions would retrace from Ynys Môn. So far the Romans had not been spotted, which was good and bad news. Good for us, but bad for the Druids and Tribe Ordovices, who held the mainland adjoining the isle.

The morning of the fifth day, we broke camp and began our two-day march to Londinium. The sky was gray, the clouds low, but the army was rested and eager for the spoils of the merchant city. The mood was festive. Frequently our warriors sang marching songs and battle songs, and even bawdy drinking songs—which made me smile. They’d made up a song they called “Victory.” The lyrics recounted my breaking of the desecrated shrine of Brigantia, the burning of the Temple of Claudius, the impaling of the Roman who had almost killed Abertha, and ended with my daughters spitting on the dead legionnaires who had once violated them. I was particularly fond of the chorus of the song and sometimes even sang the words along with my people.

Victory spins her warrior web so well

Andraste watches, waits, and aids

Beneath her blade and torch the Romans fell

Vengeance served, they flee as shades.

We left the cover of the forest on the first day and chose to use the road the Romans had paved. There was nothing to gain in hiding. Londinium was close enough to Camulodunum that word had to have reached them of the destruction of the city. Londinium was a logical and obvious next target—even Paulinus would most likely make straight for it when he and his legions finally left Ynys Môn. Anyone who did not flee Londinium was a Catuvellauni fool or a Roman and deserved their fate.

We marched hard from dawn to dusk the first day, camping that night on the road. It was cold and windy, but our fires burned high and hot. In the morning we continued southwest. At midday when the army paused to eat I sent for my lead warriors, including Abertha, whom Adara had cleared for battle, and Addedomaros, who arrived with Adminius instead of his shield. They met me around a hastily erected cook fire and I spoke as we ate.

“By dusk we’ll be within sight of the city. As we already agreed, the chariots will lead the way over the Southwark Bridge. We’ll carry torches and follow the main road to the town center. We start the burning there, in the heart of Londinium. It will spread outward, and by the time it reaches the warehouses along the river, the looting must be done. At the bridge Cadoc will blow the carnyx thrice. At that signal the warriors must leave the city, as we will fire the bridge shortly thereafter. Is that clear?”

Addedomaros nodded. “Tribe Trinovantes is anxious to loot, but they will listen for the carnyx and retreat when they hear it thrice.”

“Do we march on for Verulamium tonight?” Adminius asked.

I shook my head and glanced at Cadoc, who continued for me as he and I had decided every detail of this plan.

“We’ll move away from the city as it burns, out of the wetlands that surround the Thames. Tend to the wounded. Fire the dead. Regroup. First light, we march without halting to Verulamium,” explained Cadoc.