Page 30 of Boudicca

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 M?n. 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 M?n. 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.

Adminius clapped his hands together. “More looting! The farms around Verulamium are ripe for the picking and burning.”

“I’m glad you mention that,” I said. “Addedomaros, make it clear to your warriors that they are free to loot and burn any farm outside Verulamium that belongs to a Roman, but they are to leave untouched the farms still owned by Britons.”

“What!” Adminius sputtered. “How are we even to know the difference?”

“The Roman farms will have shrines to their gods. Roman homes are made of stone. Ours are made of wood. It is not difficult

to tell the difference if one is willing to look,” I said.

Adminius threw up his hands. “Those Britons you wish to spare are Catuvellauni scum. They stole the land from my father and

his father. They are vermin we need to rid our lands of so we can reclaim what was ours.”

My anger roiled at his ignorance. I did not even attempt to keep the disgust from my voice. “When does it stop? Has what we

have accomplished thus far taught you nothing? Together we can be better, stronger, unconquerable . Together the tribes of Britain can stop any outsider from invading us ever again. I want more for my daughters than an unending

legacy of war and hatred. Don’t you?”

Adminius sneered. “So says the queen who burned a temple full of people, wiped out an entire centuria, and began a war for

vengeance.”

I felt my three lead warriors stir and move to stand beside me, but my rage carried me forward so that I strode to face Adminius.

I was so close to him that I smelled his rancid breath. He was half a head shorter than me, a slender version of his powerful

father. I looked down my nose as I spat my words at him. “ They are not Britons! They are usurpers who want to take away our land, our gods, our way of life. Had our tribes stood together when the first

Romans stepped from their ships, we would have pushed them back into the sea forever. Think of the deaths that would have

saved.

“So no, Adminius, you will not loot and burn the farms of your fellow Britons.” I stared into his eyes and wondered how they

could look so much like Rhan’s when he was so very different from his wise, compassionate sister.

Addedomaros moved up and elbowed his son so that he had to take several steps back. “I hear what you say, Queen Boudicca. But using your own reasoning, creating strife and division among us will not help our cause.”

Instead of looking at Addedomaros, I held Adminius’s gaze. “Then rein in your son or send him home.”

Adminius sputtered as his face blazed crimson. His hand went to his dagger. Cadoc, Maldwyn, and Abertha were beside me in

a breath.

Addedomaros raised his hand. “Enough, Adminius. The queen is not wrong. She is also our ally, and we do not raise weapons

against our allies. Return to our camp and get ready to march.”

Adminius whirled and strode away.

Addedomaros sighed. “My son is young.”

“As am I,” I said. “Youth is not an excuse for foolishness.”

The Trinovantes chief’s thick brows lifted. “Are you calling my son a fool?”

“Yes.”

There was utter silence, in which I could feel the tension of my lead warriors. I could almost hear Cadoc’s mind whirring

with possibilities. What do we do if the Trinovantes leave? Can we still take Londinium and Verulamium? More important, can we defeat the Fourteenth

and Twentieth when they inevitably catch us?

But instead of blustering or raging or stalking away, Addedomaros threw back his head and laughed. “Aye,” he said. “Adminius

can be a fool. May I live long enough to see him grow wise.”

“I hope Epona hears your prayer.” I hadn’t realized the tension that thrummed through my body until then. I felt lightheaded

as Addedomaros continued to chuckle.

“I will be sure my warriors do not touch any farms except those owned by Romans.” He met my gaze. “What you said struck me

true, Queen Boudicca. I do want more for my children than an unending legacy of war and hatred.” He bowed respectfully to

me and then followed his son.

Cadoc let out a long breath. “That was close, my queen.”

“Aye, but if we are to lose their alliance it is best to know it now,” said Abertha.

Maldwyn ran a hand through his hair. “We must watch Adminius. No matter what Addedomaros says, it is clear he does little

to control his son and we do not need him sowing discontent among the Trinovantes.”

“I agree,” I said. “And if Adminius becomes even more of a problem?”

Maldwyn shrugged. “Accidents happen easily during battle.”

Cadoc and Abertha muttered agreement, and I thought not for the first or last time how glad I was that I was their queen and

not their enemy.

We broke camp shortly and continued our quick march. As always, I’d sent scouts ahead. As the sun sank toward the horizon

before us, Briallen galloped to me with a scout on a horse flecked with foaming sweat. Cadoc, Abertha, and Maldwyn joined

me as I motioned for Briallen to guide the warrior from the road. The army marched by while he bowed before me and reported,

gasping beside his spent horse.

“My queen, I have news. Paulinus reached Londinium this day.”

I was jolted by shock, though I steeled myself not to show it. “Paulinus and the legions?”

“No, my queen. Paulinus had only a centuria of cavalry with him.”

“By all the gods, how did he get there ahead of us?” Cadoc said as he paced.

“Paulinus and the centuria took a galley from the Menai Strait to Deva and then galloped hard southeast to Londinium. The

rest of the Fourteenth and Twentieth are far behind. My queen, they have burned the sacred oaks on Ynys M?n and slaughtered

the Druids.” His voice shook as he spoke.

“Yes, I know. Our seer felt their deaths.”

The scout took a skin of mead that Briallen handed him. I nodded for him to drink and he gulped the honeyed mixture, spilling

it down his beard, but when he spoke again his voice was steadier.

“Our Druids did not die easily. They fought for days. The banshees filled the Romans with such fear that Paulinus had to turn on his own men, killing hundreds of them before they decided they feared him more than our warrior women.”

“So Paulinus and a centuria of cavalry guard the city. How many more soldiers are there within Londinium?” asked Cadoc.

“Paulinus did not stay,” said the scout.

“Explain,” I said.

“My queen, I heard it all from a merchant who was fleeing the city with many others. Paulinus thundered into Londinium to

the cheers of the people, only to announce that a centuria was not enough to stop the army of barbarians closing on them.”

He grinned as he spoke the word barbarians . “The people begged him to stay and he turned from them. Those who were able to move swiftly were allowed to follow the cavalry

north, as they plan to meet the legions returning from the isle—though the word that spread from the Romans through the crowd

was that the Fourteenth and Twentieth had yet to leave Ynys M?n as they had to heal and regroup before traveling through the

territory of Tribe Ordovices.”

“Paulinus has been to Londinium and is already gone?” I could hardly believe it. I couldn’t imagine abandoning my people to

an invading army. What a miserable coward Paulinus must be.

“Yes, my queen.”

“And he left no soldiers there to defend the city?” I asked.

“None. Some Romans remain, mostly the greediest of merchants.”

“How can you be so sure of this?” Abertha asked.

The scout didn’t hesitate. “The merchant is a Cantiaci potter. He couldn’t follow the centuria because the carts carrying

his goods were too slow and Paulinus made it clear that only those who could travel swiftly would have his protection.” The

scout smiled. “The merchant was quite angry at being abandoned and happy to tell me everything he knew, which was quite a

lot.”

“Briallen, get our scout a fresh horse and food and drink.” I met the warrior’s gaze. “What is your name?”

“Aiken, my queen.” He bowed low.

“Aiken, you have done well. You have my gratitude.”

Aiken flushed, smiled, and bowed again before he followed Briallen toward the rear of the army to the caravans.

“Romans have no honor,” said Maldwyn.

Abertha snorted. “And they call us barbarians.”

***

Flanked by Cadoc and Abertha and followed closely by Addedomaros and his cavalry, we pounded across the wooden bridge and

entered Londinium. I felt strangely nostalgic. I’d crossed this bridge with Prasutagus and Iceni trade caravans more times

than I could count. I always looked forward to our Londinium trips. Goods from afar came by ship. Precious spices, reams of

cloud-soft cloth, and an unending host of exotic items could be found in the crowded streets and stores of the city. It is

where Prasutagus purchased my copper tub and commissioned one of the last brooches he gifted me with. Where Camulodunum had

been filled with foreign buildings and soldiers, Londinium was a familiar stranger, turned ghostlike in its abandonment. The

streets were empty except for a modest contingent of Roman soldiers, who attempted to flee as soon as they caught sight of

our army. We ran them down and I ordered their heads severed and thrown into the Thames in sacrifice to Andraste.

The city was so deserted that I was able to grant our armies ample time to loot the warehouses before we set fire to them.

Londinium exploded into flame like tinder. We didn’t even need to light the bridge. It caught easily and blazed along with

the newly emptied warehouses that stretched along the river.

Our warriors were forced to retreat far from Londinium as the flames spread to the holding buildings and stores outside the

city proper. Had the land not been so low and marshy, we would have had to flee from a raging wildfire. Instead we marched

farther than I’d expected into the cold darkness of the sparse woodland well northwest of Londinium, which put us even closer

to Verulamium.

Our wounded were few, our casualties even fewer. Again Rhan refused to enter the forest with us, saying she would wait as close to the burning city as was safe, guide the Roman shades to their underworld, and join us before we broke camp to march to Verulamium at dawn.

I did not see Andraste as I rode through camp in my chariot beside Maldwyn that night. Her absence had me feeling restless.

Wulffaed had just begun setting up a crude camp, little more than a tent skin angled against one of her caravans, and when

Maldwyn halted before it he and I shared a knowing look. We hadn’t made love since the night outside Camulodunum, and desire

was clear in his gaze. Welcoming him to my bed would soothe my restlessness, but I needed more privacy than an open-sided

lean-to. I wasn’t modest, nor was I ashamed that Maldwyn and I were lovers. It was simply that I preferred to keep my passion

a private thing.

“If you ask me to, I will return to you after I care for Ennis and Finley,” Maldwyn said softly.

I touched his cheek and shook my head. “Not tonight, though it is not because of a lack of desire.”

He smiled and kissed my palm. “Aye. Perhaps after Verulamium.”

“Perhaps.”

I watched his broad shoulders as he guided the chariot toward the enclosure of rope and lines that held our mighty herd. He’d

saved my life that night. From a dim alley a Roman had hurled a spear at me. I hadn’t seen it coming, but Maldwyn had turned

the chariot abruptly to the side, so that the spear that would have hit me in the center of my chest passed harmlessly by

us.

I whispered a prayer to my goddess. “Thank you, Andraste, for the loyalty and love of Maldwyn. Protect him as you would me.”

Wulffaed had my tub unloaded from the caravan. Her daughters had begun filling it as soon as the camp halted. As I approached

the crude tent, she bowed.

“Queen Boudicca, my daughters have buckets of clean water warmed to pour over you before you settle in your bath. Food and

drink are ready as well.”

I nodded my thanks and, with the help of Phaedra, stripped out of my shin and forearm guards and the blood-spattered clothes that reeked of war. The night was frigid, but I ignored it and stood naked before our fire as they poured buckets of water over me. I’d killed men that night, and the memory of their dying screams haunted me as I sank into the warm bathwater, ate my dinner, drank a pitcher of mead, and wrapped myself in heavy pelts to settle in to rest for what was left of the night.

I could not sleep. I needed... something. Maldwyn’s body would have been a distraction, though I knew passion wasn’t the

answer I sought. Finally, sometime after Wulffaed had banked the cook fire and Phaedra snored softly on her pallet at the

foot of my bed, I gave up on sleep.

Quietly, I pulled on my leather boots, wrapped my fur-lined cloak around my shoulders, and began walking through camp. My

intention was to go to the horses, find Tan, and let her warm, solid presence soothe my restlessness, but my feet took me

in the opposite direction, deeper into the soggy woods. The chill of the night was relentless, but my compulsion to keep moving

would not leave me.

Compulsion...

I stopped and shook myself as if coming in from the rain. I’m being compelled into the forest. With new purpose, I strode forward. My goddess was calling.

The longer I walked, the thicker the woods became. The leaves of the trees made a carpet of rust and brown, saffron and orange,

that swallowed the sound of my footsteps. The moon was a fat yellow sickle that cast just enough light through the naked trees

for me to see. When I came to a wide creek, I followed it to a waterfall that cascaded down, disappearing into watery mist

and the night so that it appeared to pour into a great, dark mouth. Willows that still held on to their leaves formed an arch

before the waterfall. I drew a deep breath and strode through the arch. The night shifted.

Moonlight sharpened, changing from wan yellow to brilliant white. The white light illuminated the waterfall, turning the mist to billowing clouds that roiled up, forming shapes. I moved closer to the edge of the cascading water and stared down, mesmerized by the images of charging boars, soaring ravens, and hares, long ears twitching as they played in the mist. I knew Andraste’s hand was in this. She must have been sending me sign, but all I saw were creatures frolicking within the spray. All I heard was the thundering of water hitting hidden rocks below.

“By the balls of Priapus, I hate this fucking barbaric land!”

I startled at the sound of the deep voice coming from my side of the creek and moved quickly away from the edge of the waterfall

and into the concealing shadows of the willows, peering through the arch they formed.

“General, are we to camp here for the night?”

“Not unless you want to chance waking to one hundred thousand screaming Brittani. Keep the line moving, but have my guard

hold where they are. I need time to think.”

“Yes, sir.”

I knew that Roman’s voice even before he strode into sight, pulled off his helmet, and threw it to the ground, where it bumped

and rolled in my direction. His brown hair was plastered to his head and his face was slick with sweat.

“Fucking barbarians! Fucking Decianus! He started all of this and left the mess for me to clean up.” Gaius Suetonius Paulinus

followed his helmet and kicked it so that it flew even closer to where I hid.

I did not move. It wasn’t possible that I had walked far enough to catch up with Paulinus and his cavalry, but there he was,

just on the other side of the entrance to Annwn.

“My fucking legions are exhausted. Their heads have been muddled by Druids and they languish on the other side of this gods-forsaken

country, terrified by what they witnessed on that gods-forsaken isle, licking their wounds and utterly useless! Oh, Rome,

how I miss you.”

Even in death our Druids protect us as they haunt the minds of their murderers.

Paulinus wiped a hand across his damp face and sighed. Grumbling more curses under his breath, he walked to where he’d kicked

his helmet, bent to pick it up, and as he stood his gaze lifted and he looked directly at me.

I did not move.

He straightened. His lips formed a slow smile that did not reach the mean glint in his eyes. “Well now, what have we here?”

My cloak had slipped down from my shoulders and I pulled it more tightly around me. I knew what I must look like with my sheer

nightdress and my freshly washed hair falling around my waist. I did not speak but took one step back, wishing that I had

ridden Tan into the forest.

Paulinus took a step toward me, raising one hand, palm out. “Easy there. It seems the gods have given me a gift, as you are

exactly what I need to put my head right tonight.” He crooked a finger and gestured for me to come to him. “You wouldn’t want

to anger the gods, would you?”

My lip curled. “You and your gods have no rights here.”

The smile slid from his face. “If I have the power to take something, then it is mine and my gods’. That is a lesson you Brittani are slow to learn, but you will learn it here. Tonight. I will teach you.”

I looked down my nose at him as my rage boiled and overflowed. “You are not the first blustering Roman to attempt to teach

me a lesson and fail .”

Paulinus dropped his helmet and ran toward me. I threw aside my cloak and turned, intending to sprint back along the bank

of the creek. I had no doubt that I was faster than the Roman general. I was faster than Iceni warriors who were younger and

fitter than him. I also did not believe he would be allowed entrance to Annwn, but as we reached the willows, my legs tangled

in the long skirt of my nightdress and I fell. Paulinus’s hand snaked through the arched boughs and snagged my ankle, pulling

me from Annwn and back into the dark, cold forest with him.

I did not panic. I wasn’t a weak, hysterical Roman woman. I was an Iceni warrior. I went limp and his grip on my ankle loosened

as his other hand went up under his skirted leather uniform to open the laces to his breeches.

My mind was clear and calm. I had plenty of time to watch this mighty general and to consider his needless brutality. Why is the Roman answer to everything rape? They are worse than animals.

“That’s right. Just lay there. This won’t take long—unless you’d like it to.”

My hand fisted around a fallen branch, and with one movement I jerked my ankle from his grip, sprang to my feet, and swung

the branch at him like a club.

Paulinus got his hand up in time to block the blow with his forearm, but he grunted in pain. I wanted to sprint back into

Annwn, but he was too close and my skirts hindered my movements. So I circled him, holding the branch as a weapon and wishing

it were a sword.

“Good.” His smile was cruel. “I like it rough.”

He lunged at me. I neatly sidestepped and cracked him on the back of his head with the branch. He staggered and shook his

head, all amusement gone from his eyes.

“Fucking barbarian bitch!”

I didn’t wait. I attacked. Using the branch, I drove him back and then circled around him so that as I continued to strike,

Paulinus was being forced toward the entrance to Annwn.

He stopped hurling insults and pulled the pugio from its sheath around his waist. I could see by the expression in his eyes

that he expected me to run at the sight of the knife. He was wrong. I had drilled over and over with Cadoc, a warrior twice

the size of Paulinus who moved with the speed of a charging boar. I feinted in one direction and he lunged at me with the

knife. I clubbed it easily from his hand, whirled past him, and hit him in the shoulder. He stumbled back, only steps from

Annwn.

“Who are you?” As he asked the question his eyes went from my Ogham-marked face, to my hair, to the way I held the branch

as I bounced on the balls of my feet, looking for my next strike. “I know you. I saw you in Camulodunum.”

My stomach tightened with dread. I had to get around him. I had to flee to Annwn. If the Romans captured me our war was over.

Addedomaros wasn’t well enough liked by my Iceni—nor was Adminius. My tribe wouldn’t follow either man. They would take what

they’d plundered from Londinium and melt into the forest. I continued to drive him backward toward Annwn and my escape.

Suddenly Paulinus’s eyes widened in recognition. “But I saw you before that day in the city—with your husband. You are Boudicca!”

“ Queen Boudicca,” I said, correcting him. “You talk too much.”

I struck with all the speed and strength I had, clubbing him in his gut. His breath left him in a loud oof and he dropped to his knees. He gasped, drew air, and shouted, “Guards! To me! Guards!”

The pounding feet of the Roman guard running to answer their general’s call drew closer and closer as I balled my skirt in

my hand, sprinted around him, and raced through the willow arch.

All had changed in Annwn. There was no difference in the light on the other side of what had been a doorway between the mortal

and immortal realms. Frantically I cast my gaze around and caught a glimmer of the pearlescent light. It radiated up from

the billowing mist of the waterfall. I ran to the edge of the bank, trying to see where the entrance to the Otherworld had

gone.

“After her!” Paulinus roared behind me. “Do not let her escape! I want her alive.”

I looked over my shoulder. Paulinus had struggled to his feet, his hand pressed against his middle as Roman soldiers ran past

him, spreading out in a line to cut off my escape.

“Andraste, help me!”

I am here. Leap. I shall catch you.

I gazed down at the mist. Fear knifed through me. “Jump? I cannot!”

Do you not trust me, my Victory?

I did trust Andraste. I had to. I spread my arms wide like wings, drew a deep breath, and screamed the Iceni war cry as I

leaped from the top of the waterfall. The mist swallowed me and it seemed as if time was suspended.

Well done, Boudicca. Remember this. It is not the last leap of faith you will make to save yourself—to save my victory. The

next time I ask it of you, do not hesitate.

I opened my mouth to shout my gratitude and adoration, to assure Andraste that I would not hesitate, but I’d begun falling again, and the air that rushed past me took my words and my breath. The mist parted and I saw the rocks and churning water below me, and I prepared to fight for my life against both.

From beside me a raven shrieked, first one, then another and another and yet another. A great wind rushed up from the white

water. It caught my spread arms and my nightdress, and I was lifted up and up until I soared with the cold current. Ravens

surrounded me. I could smell the strawlike scent of their feathers and feel the brush of their wings against my body, and

then I hit the ground and knew no more.

***

I came awake slowly. My eyes opened. My vision was blurred, though I could see that dawn had lightened the sky. I could not

feel my body. I only knew I was tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep. I closed my eyes.

“Boudicca! Queen Boudicca!”

My eyes opened again. Briallen?

“Boudicca! Boudicca!”

No, it was Maldwyn. He sounded distressed. I wondered why. Had I been gone so long?

You cannot rest yet, Victory. Answer them.

“Them? Briallen and Maldwyn?” I thought I’d spoken in a normal voice, but it was barely a whisper.

“Boudicca!” Cadoc’s voice had joined Maldwyn’s.

“My queen! Where are you, my queen?” Abertha shouted.

I blinked and my sight cleared along with my head. I sat, only a little dizzy, and instantly began to shiver. I was incredibly

cold.

“Queen Boudicca!” Briallen sounded closer.

I drew a deep breath and through chattering teeth called, “H-here! Here!”

“Boudicca!” Maldwyn’s voice was close.

“Here!” I shouted hoarsely.

When Maldwyn crashed through the underbrush on Ennis, I was struggling to stand on legs that were numb with cold.

“She’s here!” Maldwyn bellowed between cupped hands as he slid from the big gray and ran to me. “I found the queen!”

He reached me in time to catch me as my legs failed to hold me. Maldwyn pulled me into his arms. “By the gods, you’re freezing!”

With one hand he took off his cloak and wrapped it around me. “Are you injured? What happened?”

“I’m s-so cold.” I was shivering violently.

Briallen thundered up with Cadoc and Abertha close behind, dismounting before their horses stopped.

Briallen’s hands were feeling along my body—my arms, my legs, and then my torso. “I cannae find the wound. Where are you injured?”

I looked down at my body. There was no blood. My nightdress was covered with dirt. The skirt was ripped, exposing my legs.

They were blue with cold, but they weren’t injured. My gaze went to my arms. They were dirty but whole. I stood straighter.

My back wasn’t broken, and as I began to thaw wrapped in Maldwyn’s warm cloak, I realized my mind was clear.

A bubble of laughter escaped through my chattering teeth. “I-I’m alive!”

“Queen Boudicca, look at me,” Cadoc ordered in a voice he’d never before used with me.

I frowned and turned my gaze to the shield. “Do not command me,” I snapped.

Cadoc’s smile was brilliant. “She is herself.”

“Of c-course I am.” I shivered. “I’m just c-cold.”

“I’ll never let Herself out of my sight again,” Briallen muttered under her breath.

“We need to get her back,” said Abertha.

“Can you ride?” Maldwyn asked.

I turned my frown on him and repeated, “Of c-course I can. I’m just c-cold.”

Maldwyn kept his arm around me as we walked to Ennis. He mounted and then Cadoc grabbed me around the waist and tossed me up behind the horse master. I put my arms around Maldwyn, pressing into his warmth. Led by Briallen and flanked by Cadoc and Abertha, we headed in the direction in which, I assumed, we’d find our camp. I glanced over my shoulder, expecting to see the creek and waterfall—and saw only more forest.

“How did you find me?” I asked.

“Rhan woke the four of us and told us we must find you,” said Abertha. “That you were in the forest and you needed us.”

“Where are we?” I asked.

“Not far from the herd,” Maldwyn said.

“Truly?”

Cadoc looked at me. “Where did you think you were?”

I met his gaze. “I know exactly where I was—Annwn.”

***

On the ride to camp I was silent, my mind replaying what had happened with Paulinus and then my leap. I shivered again and

Maldwyn’s strong hand reached back, as if he were afraid my body would shake apart. Cadoc and Abertha kept slanting looks

at me like I might disappear. Even Briallen peered over her shoulder at me so many times she was almost knocked off her horse

by a low-hanging branch.

I understood their concern. To them I’d disappeared, only to be found half dead of cold. They were right to be worried. I’d

almost been...

“No! I was never in true danger. Not from Paulinus. Not from the leap. All I needed to do was to trust Andraste.” The words

burst from me, and as I spoke them my body stopped trembling and I was suffused with warmth.

But then I felt the sudden tension in Maldwyn’s body. Cadoc and Abertha stared at me. Briallen pulled her horse up and reined

it around to face me.

“You saw Paulinus?” Cadoc asked.

“I did. Andraste opened Annwn to me. I was near a creek and a tall waterfall. He was there, just on the other side of the

gate to the Otherworld. He was alone. He saw me wearing a nightdress out in the forest alone and assumed I was a simple woman

who would be easy prey for him.”

Cadoc snorted. “Did you set him right about that, my queen?”

“Yes. I beat him with a stick.”

Briallen barked a laugh.

“Then what happened?” asked Maldwyn.

“My damnable skirt tripped me. That gave Paulinus and his guards time to surround me on the bank of the waterfall.” I paused

and my warriors stared at me. I smiled. “Andraste told me to take a leap of faith, and so I jumped.”

“You did what?” Maldwyn blurted.

I laughed. “I jumped from the top of the waterfall and Andraste caught me. Then I woke to the sound of my warriors calling

my name, and here we are.”

Abertha grinned. “My queen, you are a marvel.”

“I believe it is Andraste who is the marvel. Can we get to Wulffaed’s caravans now? I’m ravenous.”

“Straightaway, Queen Boudicca.” Briallen turned her horse and we kicked into a smooth canter.

It was only a short distance to camp. We went immediately to Wulffaed’s caravans. Pacing back and forth before the cook fire

was Addedomaros. Rhan sat quietly on a weathered log. She looked up and saw me before her father noticed us approaching. My

friend’s face lit with a smile and she stood.

“I knew they’d find you!” she said.

Maldwyn halted Ennis near Rhan and he helped me down, though my body had warmed and my legs were strong again. Wulffaed rushed

up, clucking at the state of me, and began calling orders to her daughters to get me fed. Phaedra burst from my tent, wiping

tears from her eyes.

“Oh, my queen! I was so worried!”

“I am well, Phaedra. Ready my battle clothes. We ride for Verulamium shortly.” Then I pulled Rhan into a hug. “Thank you for

sending them for me. It would have been a long, cold walk back by myself.”

She returned the hug. “Just before dawn I came to check on you, and when Phaedra said you had been gone all night Andraste whispered that your warriors should go into the forest after you. I knew the goddess would return you to us but thought it would be a quicker return with your warriors.”

“You were right.” I squeezed her tightly again and stepped out of her arms to face Addedomaros. “I will be ready to break

camp as soon as I dress and eat. I shall be quick.”

His brow furrowed as his eyes scanned my body, taking in my dirty, ripped nightdress and lingering on the high slit exposing

my legs, before his gaze met mine. I held his steadily, lifted one brow, and said nothing.

“What has happened, Queen Boudicca?” he finally asked.

“I crossed into Annwn,” I said.

His eyes widened and then he threw back his head and laughed. “By the gods, of course you did!”

His laughter suddenly reminded me of my good-humored father and I couldn’t stop myself from joining him.

Grinning widely, he said, “So you saw Andraste?”

“I did not see her, but the goddess spoke to me.”

“What is it she said?” he prompted when I said no more.

“To trust her.”

“Is that all?” Addedomaros asked.

“That is all she said to me, but the goddess led me to discover that Paulinus and his legions will not trouble us at Verulamium.

They are licking their wounds and not yet recovered from what they did to Ynys M?n.” My gaze shifted to meet Rhan’s. “Our

Druids care for us, even after their deaths.”

Addedomaros’s laughter boomed again. “Queen Boudicca, being your ally has proven to be very interesting.”

“Is that good or bad?” I asked with a smile.

“Both.” He chuckled, and as he turned away he shouted, “Onward to victory at Verulamium!”