Page 98 of Boudicca

I smiled. “Stand, Chief Comux. I am pleased that we are allies and not enemies today.”

“It was a near thing, though, man,” grumbled Cadoc. “Could you not have given us some warning?”

Comux lifted one shoulder. “We couldn’t take the chance the Romans would get word that we would turn on them. I chose to believe the rumors I’d heard of the Iceni queen—that she wishes to join all of our tribes against the usurpers.”

“Andraste made sure your gamble was successful,” I said.

“True, but it takes wisdom to trust a goddess,” said Addedomaros.

I bowed my head slightly to the Trinovantes chief, glad that he seemed to be standing firmly with me, even if that meant he was at odds with his son.

“Now what, Queen Boudicca?” Comux asked. “Do we go after the Fourteenth and Twentieth?”

“The legions led by Paulinus are my next target. When they are defeated, all that will be left on our lands are pockets of Romans that can easily be exterminated,” I said.

“Then let us go after them!” Leofric said, lifting his fist into the air to punctuate his words.

The group looked to me. I took my time answering. “My intention was to march to meet the legions on the Watling road as they return from slaughtering our Druids on Ynys Môn, but last night Andraste led me to discover that those legions have not yet left the isle. Yes, we could march to the isle and attack them.” I turned to Cadoc and asked a question to which I already knew the answer, but every warrior in my council knew the shield had something that I did not—decades of battle experience. “How long would it take to march our army to Ynys Môn?”

Cadoc scratched his silvered beard. “Eight full days of hard marching. More if this weather continues or gets worse.” He gestured at the sleet raining from the sky. “And at the end of that march our army would be spent, while Paulinus’s legions would be freshly rested and restored.”

All eyes turned from Cadoc to me. “I have not ruled out the march or the battle. Like each of you, I would have the Romans defeated and forced from our lands now. But it is not my will that had led us thus far and given us three resounding victories over the Romans. At dawn I will petition Andraste to show us whatshewishes our next move to be.” I met the gaze of each of my council members. “I will abide by whatever sign the goddess gives.”

“Aye,” they murmured before leaving my campfire and heading to their own, eager to get out of the cold wet.

As Maldwyn passed me, I reached out and stroked the side of his arm. The horse master met my gaze. “Stay?” I framed it as a question, not willing to command his affection.

His smile lit his cornflower eyes. “Gladly.”

***

At dawn I rode Tân to the field outside Verulamium where I’d reluctantly left Rhan. Maldwyn was with me, leading a spare horse for our seer. The morning was bitterly cold. Sometime in the night, while I had been warmed and satiated by Maldwyn’s passion, the sleet had changed to snow. The city looked surreal burning against a backdrop of grays and whites. The snow was a hindrance, but at least it covered the bodies strewn in front of the city.

As we rode up, Rhan stood stiffly. She’d been sitting just inside the small tent and was wrapped in a pelt, though her nose was pink with cold. Dark circles framed her eyes, making them look twice their size. She seemed fragile and fae-like, and for a moment I did not know her—and then she smiled up at me and became my Rhan again.

“The shades have gone. Verulamium will forever be free of them,” she said.

“And how are you?” I asked as Maldwyn dismounted and led the spare horse to her.

“If you mean am I well enough to petition Andraste for your next move—I assure you, Queen Boudicca, that I am very well.”

“Reading my mind again?”

Her musical laughter was a relief to hear. “You know I cannot.” Maldwyn boosted her onto the horse.

I raised a brow at my old friend and teased, “I know yousayyou cannot.”

“And I shall continue to say so because it is the truth.” She grinned. “Have the Dobunni and Catuvellauni joined us?”

“The Dobunni, yes,” I said.

“Two hundred of the Catuvellauni have joined us. Those led by Chief Leofric,” added Maldwyn. “Out of thousands still loyal to Togodumnus.”

“But it is a start,” I said.

“Aye, it is that,” agreed Maldwyn.

“More will join us,” said Rhan.