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I was about to turn to go back inside when, from a long distance, I saw the gates to the old village open. A party rode through the gates, carrying the black-and-red banners of the Carvetti.

“And here I thought maybe they’d decided not to come to the party,” Cormag said wryly.

“I’m glad I was not the only one who had doubts,” I said with a frown. “Perhaps they were waiting to see if Eddin joined us. Since Eddin won’t be vacating his lands immediately…” I replied, feeling waspish over Venu’s lateness.

But when I saw Venu’s state as he rode toward Cormag and me, my mood shifted. He was mud-spattered, his clothing rumpled, his hair wild. Was that blood on his shirt? His unkept manner told me he’d been on the road for several days.

“His war band is not here,” Cormag told me, his gaze searching. “It is only the chieftain and a small party of men.”

“He has ridden ahead,” I replied, then moved to meet him.

Venutiux rode through the gates of the king’s fort in a rush, his horse nearly rearing when he pulled him to a stop. He and his men’s horses were lathered with sweat. Leaping from his horse, he raced to join me.

“Cartimandua, Cormag.”

“Venu? What is it?” I asked, meeting his hazel eyes.

“Betrayal.”

CHAPTER 32

The word hung in the air for a long moment, then Venutiux continued.

“Ystradwel is barely holding on, Cartimandua. The Setantii have turned on her in favor of Lord Gregor. She is besieged in Bell’s Harbor.”

Cormag frowned. “We cannot wait longer on King Ord’s reply, my queen. Where are your forces, Chieftain?” he asked Venutiux.

“Camped at the crossroads to the west. I left my men to rest rather than asking them to march here and back again.”

Cormag nodded. “A moment,” he told Venutiux, then gestured for the pair of us to move aside. When we were out of earshot, Cormag said, “I will lead the forces west. Keep the pressure on King Ord to join at once. If you delay more, you will lose Bell’s Harbor and its valuable trade.”

“I should come?—”

“With Rome on the move and the Parisii rattled, it would be better if you stayed here and kept an eye on all the other fires burning.”

I frowned but nodded. Cormag was right. “Yes. Very well. The chieftains are within. We can rally them now.”

Cormag gave me a light smile and then touched my chin. “All will be well, but if anything takes a turn, you may call upon the Votadini. They are your friends and allies.” Cormag set a soft kiss on my lips. “Sharpen your thorns, blackthorn queen,” he said, pulling the blackthorn barb he always wore from his lapel and pinning it to my dress. “You will need them.”

He kissed me on the forehead, then turned and headed inside.

I went to Venutiux. “The other chieftains are within,” I told him. “Take your rest a moment.”

“Cartimandua…I understand there was some conflict with Ruith.”

“There was. A Parisii chieftain killed a Brigantes man. We took a quick retribution, and Ruith has agreed to my terms—albeit colorfully. I am hopeful nothing he hears dissuades him to act otherwise.”

Venutiux held my gaze. “You mean Alys.”

“Yes.”

“Alys is a whore who is sleeping with one of my groomsmen. She has no interest in leaving Carvetti lands now. She is in love with the man. I suspect she hopes I die in this new war so she and her lover can run off wherever they like. I doubt sending a messenger to her father is at the top of her thoughts.”

“Venu,” I said, shocked.

He shrugged. “It was never a happy marriage. How could it be?” he said, then took my hand. “She was neveryou,” he told me, placing a kiss on my hand. With that, he turned and followed Cormag inside.

I paused before I followed the others, gesturing instead to Conall who waited nearby.