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“If you were Rome and wanted this island and its resources, what would you do?” I asked them.

“I’d come as a friend, an ally to Verica and Aedd Mawr. I would defeat those I could in battle, and those I could not, I would try to win over by treaty,” Corva replied.

“The Regnenses are already allied to Rome in trade. They can and will be bought. The Cantiaci will fight.”

“They always fight,” Corva said, shaking her head.

I nodded. “Caratacus and Togodumnus are Rome’s problem. The Catuvellauni will fight to keep what they have won. And they will seek allies.”

“So will the Romans,” Fabius replied. “But not really. Allies for a time. Slaves later, when the time is right. That is what they did in Capri. We were Caprese, more Greek than Roman, but all of Capri is now Rome’s.”

“How will they win the rest of the south, those who do not want to stand with the Catuvellauni but don’t want the Romans here either?” I asked.

“Lies and gold,” Fabius replied.

“Many of the southern tribes swore to send tribute when Caesar was here. That was how they escaped slaughter before Ceasar withdrew,” Corva said. “No doubt, Rome will remind them of that and seek to strike some deal.”

“So, lies, gold, and manipulation,” I replied. “The Brigantes were not involved in that war, so how will Rome try to win me?”

“The same way. As Fabius said, lies and gold,” Corva replied.

“How do I win?”

“Lie to them first,” Fabius said. “You are not dealing with an entity that will ever treat you fairly or see you as an equal, especially because you are a woman. They will only leave you alone if you are an asset or too much of a threat.”

“Or both,” Corva added.

I exhaled deeply. “I will not side with the Catuvellauni. I have never supported their war. But no Brigantes blood will be sacrificed in a war against Rome ever again.”

“Cartimandua—” Corva began.

“I will not do it. I must learn to play their game better than they do. They are coming. I cannot stop that now, but I can protect our people. The Brigantes are the largest tribe on this island. We are a wall between the south and the northern tribes and Caledonian Confederacy. The Caledonians willneverkneel to outsiders.”

“Then make sure, my queen, that the Romans know who controls the floodgates,” Fabius said.

“Yes. After I see Lord Gregor’s head on a spike,” I replied. But in truth, my stomach knotted with worry for Ystradwel. I needed to get to her before King Aengus and the rebels did, or it would be my friend’s head on that spike instead. “Corva, did you see Ystradwel at all when you were in the west?”

Corva shook her head. “She keeps to the city, stays in the roundhouse.”

I swallowed hard, the feeling that I had somehow failed Ystradwel washing up in me.

Now, I needed to get north. As Verbia and all those games of fidchell had taught me, the one who makes the opening move often wins. And I was already a play behind.

CHAPTER 31

When I reached Rigodonum, I saw that the first of the tents had already been erected in the fields outside the city’s walls. The colors of the Lopocares, Tectoverdi, and Corionototae dotted the fields. The client tribes, all now part of the Brigantes, had answered Cormag’s call. I did not, however, spot the Carvetti.

Venutiux’s absence gave me pause, but I reminded myself that he had to journey far to reach us. I also reminded myself that his Parisii wife was now a liability. If she told her father that the Brigantes were amassing forces to ride west…

I should have just had the girl poisoned the first time Corva suggested it.

Cormag and his men waited for me when I rode into the courtyard.

“Cartimandua,” Cormag said, helping me from Branagán. “May the gods be thanked that you’re back,” he added, pulling me close.

“Careful, I have a passenger,” I replied, gesturing to the kitten sleeping against my chest. “I kidnapped her from the Parisii.”

Fergus looked up at the kitten with great interest, then pawed at my leg.