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“Word will reach Ruith by morning that you have called in your warriors. He will be on guard. Tonight, not so much.”

“What do you propose we do?”

I smirked at Aedan.

Fabius chuckled. “Sharpen your knives, Chieftain. Your queen is about to go Roman,” he said with a grin, then turned to me. “But I can stay here, right?”

I winked at him.

“Right?”

I chuckled.

Aedan grinned at me. “When they write your story, Cartimandua, Bellnorix will pale in comparison.”

“It’s good to have a reputation to live up to.”

“And outgrow,” Aedan said, then rose. “I suppose you’re coming too.”

“Of course. I can’t let you have all the fun.”

Laughing, Aedan gestured to Aerin. “Come on. Let’s rally the men and get ready.”

“We ride at night?” I heard Aerin ask as they walked away. “But they will be?—”

“Sleeping? Let’s count on it.”

Fabius shifted once more. “Queen Cartimandua, you didn’t answer me.”

I sat back in my seat and looked toward the fire burning in the center hearth.

Strike first. I will, and may all you creatures of the hollow hills be with me in the dark…

Although I was already tiredfrom the long ride from Rigodonum, time was of the essence.

We rode toward Windy Glen, Chieftain Remick’s seat, arriving at the outskirts of the village in the dead of night.

Much to Fabius’s relief, I had left the Roman behind.

We would move quickly and silently, with only Aedan’s men and my guard.

When we arrived at the village, we watched for a time. Aedan sent men into the shadows to do reconnaissance. The chieftain had two guards watching his house. Another half-dozen armed men roamed the village. Two guards stood outside the stables. The guards watching the chieftain’s house were busier drinking than guarding anything.

“We can make quick work of it,” Aedan told me. “Stay safe here with your guard, my queen,” he told me, then he and the others slipped through the grass and into the village.

I watched as Aedan’s men snuck up on the guards watching the house, silencing the men with their blades before anyone even knew they were there. Then, moving silently, they slipped into the house.

Another group of men disappeared into the village. At the same time, Aedan, Aerin, and a handful of others made their way to the stables.

Everything was so silent.

Then, a moment later, I heard the sound of struggle from within the roundhouse.

The noise caught the attention of the men guarding the stables. They knocked on the door of the barn. On the wind, I heard their voices.

“Chieftain? You best come out!”

But no sooner had they spoken when Aedan and his men moved in.