Page 14 of Queen of the Hollow Hills (Eagles and Crows #3)

CHAPTER 13

W hat happened next felt like a whirlwind. Kamden sent a rider to Cormag while the others began preparing my chamber.

“Thank the goddesses I sent for Onnen this morning,” Hilda told me, arranging and then rearranging, my bedding for the hundredth time. “I could see they were coming, Queen Cartimandua. I told you. Nothing to do about it now but wait.”

But I could already feel that the wait would not be long. Within the hour, the pains I had been feeling in my lower back for days intensified to such an extreme degree I had difficulty maintaining my decorum.

“Carti,” Eddin said, watching me nervously as I paced, pausing only to gasp for air as the pain shook me.

I waved at him to be silent. “It’s all right. I just… I think taking the assassin’s arrow may have been less painful.”

Eddin went to the window, opened the shutters, closed them again, and reopened them again. Again and again, he fussed with the windows.

“What are you doing?” I asked, trying not to be annoyed.

“It’s too hot in here.”

“Nonsense, King Eddin,” Hilda told him. “We must have the room warm for when the babes come. Now, where is Onnen?”

“Perhaps…” I said, gritting my teeth. “Perhaps another rider should be sent to the priestess. And to the village midwife, in case Onnen and the priestesses of Brigantia are away.”

“Yes, I will see to it now,” Hilda said, then hurried off.

“Carti?” Eddin said, eyeing me nervously.

“You must relax, King Eddin,” Fabius told Eddin as he sipped his mead. “The queen is already under enough duress. Given your close connection, I’m sure seeing you anxious is only making her more stressed. Shall I juggle something to entertain you, my queen?”

“Knives,” I replied, pausing to give Fabius a knowing look.

He winked at me then chuckled. “Macabre, woman.”

I laughed but then winced. “Aye, gods, will they punch through my lower back?” I asked, pressing my fists into the small of my back.

“Sit,” Eddin said gently, taking my hand and leading me to a stool. He came then and sat behind me. “Take some deep breaths. Let me see if I can help,” he told me, then rubbed my back.

I closed my eyes, trying to push away the pain, breathing deeply as Eddin worked. His strong hands rubbed my aching back, stemming some of the pressure.

After a time, he asked, “Better?”

I nodded.

“What will you name your children, Carti? Any ideas?”

“Fabius and Fabula,” Fabius said absently as he sipped his drink.

“Oh, did you want Mael Muire to murder you? If you think I’m scary, wait until you meet her,” I told him, then turned back to Eddin. “Many ideas. No good ones.”

“Soon, you will learn if it is boys or girls. Or one of each. What do you prefer?”

“I prefer them to get out.”

Eddin laughed. “That is an inevitability.”

Fabius rose. “I will go and make an offering to Juno for a safe birth, great queen,” he told me. “She will see you through.”

“Sneaking off to get away from my griping?”

“Never.”

“Carti, did I ever tell you…” Eddin began and then began regaling me about…something. At some point, I realized Eddin was talking over several miscellaneous topics while intermittently rubbing my back, bringing me drinks, or simply walking me back and forth across the room. The truth was, I heard little of what he said, and Eddin seemed just as nervous as me.

Finally feeling exhausted, I lay down with Eddin’s help. He then went to the door and began speaking to someone.

From outside, I heard Conall’s voice.

“How long is the ride from Isurium Brigantum?” Eddin asked.

“A day,” Conall replied.

“I fear Prince Cormag will not make it on time. How long ago was the rider sent?”

“We sent word at once, but the way is still full of ice and snow, and care must be taken.”

“Corva?”

“No sign of her for weeks now.”

Eddin sighed. “When the midwife comes from the village, send her in at once.”

“Yes, King Eddin.”

“And send a boy to the kitchens. Ask them to brew up a tonic of raspberry leaf.”

“And bring my walnuts from my workroom,” I called.

“And bring the queen’s walnuts from her workroom,” Eddin added.

“Where did those come from?” Conall asked.

“Me,” Eddin said.

“Now, that is a miracle. She pined for them for months with none to be found. I’ll fetch them and a pitcher of ale for you and me,” Conall told Eddin.

“Excellent idea.”

With that, Eddin came back inside. I lay with my hand on my belly, my thoughts going to Cormag. What if he didn’t make it in time? What if something happened to me during the labor? He would not be here to see his children enter the world.

Eddin sat down beside me and rubbed my back.

“Sleep if you can, Carti. We are all watching over you. Cormag will be here soon. Rest now. You will need your strength later.”

I drifted off to sleep. As I did so, I sent my thoughts spiraling to Cormag.

Come, my crow. Fly home to me.

There was a knock on the door sometime later. I woke to find Eddin ushering Hilda and the village midwife into the room. The woman, Violet, had tended me once when I had fallen from an ill-conceived climb up a willow tree that resulted in my arm in a sling. I remembered her bouncing golden curls, now dulled with age to pale yellow. Behind her came a teenage girl. I took her to be Violet’s apprentice.

“My queen,” she said, bowing deeply. “I apologize for the delay. Brigantia is calling all women this day, it seems. I have already delivered two since the sun rose.”

“If you are needed in the city, please do not hesitate to—” I began, but pain ripped through my body, making my back arch. “Aye, gods,” I said, clutching Eddin’s hand.

“I suspect I am needed here,” Violet replied with a grin.

“There is no sign of the priestesses of Brigantia,” Hilda said with a huff.

“I can tend to mother and babes well enough without them,” Violet said, waving dismissively. “Just like we tended that arm when you thought you were a squirrel instead of a princess. Do you remember that, my queen?”

“I do. And I remember you slipping me sweets while wrapping my arm. Any chance you have those with you today?”

At that, she laughed. “I’m afraid not, Queen Cartimandua. And it will do you no good in this instance. Well, we had best see to the situation,” she said, her gaze shifting briefly to Eddin.

Eddin squeezed my hand. “I will be outside if you need me.”

“Coward,” I told him, making him laugh.

“I’ll go see if there is any word of Cormag,” Eddin told me.

I nodded, trying to ignore the rippling pain once more.

“Coming fast upon you now, isn’t it?” Violet asked.

“Yes.”

“Lie back. Let me see what news there is of our heirs. Count the time between the pains, my queen.”

I did as she said, leaning back into my bed and counting as the woman examined me. The muscles of my legs began to cramp, and my head felt light. I tried to breathe deeply as the woman worked.

Cormag…

Cormag…

After what felt like an eternity, the woman reemerged from between my legs, covering me, and began giving orders to Hilda. “We will need blankets, fresh water, and bank up the fire a bit. Tell the servants to be quick about it. The laboring is coming soon, Queen Cartimandua. With two, it is twice the work. I will prepare a tonic to help ease the pain,” she said, then turned to the young girl. “This is Isla, my apprentice. Isla, make the queen comfortable.”

Isla nodded to Violet and then turned to me.

“Queen Cartimandua,” the girl said, curtsying. “Let me adjust your pillows.”

Isla was a pretty thing with honey-brown hair, eyes nearly the same shade, and a smattering of freckles on her nose and cheeks.

“Did you assist Violet in the labors this morning?” I asked.

“I did, my queen. This will be my twentieth delivery…well, twenty and twenty-one,” she said with a light laugh.

“Sweet girl,” I said, then winced as another pain wracked me.

“How long, my queen?” the old woman asked.

“I… I lost count,” I said, feeling breathless.

“Start again.”

“Is she just trying to distract me?” I asked with a wince.

Isla grinned at me. “No, my queen. The count will tell us when you must start bearing down.”

Violet’s arrival seemed to coax the little ones within me to think it was time to go. My labor pains came on more strongly. I felt like I was being torn apart.

There was a knock on the door.

Hilda went to see.

I heard Eddin ask if he might enter to comfort me, but Hilda sent him away.

“Is that Eddin out there?” I asked.

“Yes, Queen Cartimandua,” Hilda replied with annoyance.

“Maybe he can?—”

“He’s fine where he is, my queen. Men are not strong enough to handle seeing women they care for in labor. Let him be where he is,” Hilda told me.

Frowning, my brow drenched in sweat, I breathed heavily and braced myself as I counted between the pains.

“Soon,” Isla told me.

Everything hurt. I could not take my mind from the pain until…

From the hallway outside my room, I suddenly heard the soft sound of music. The notes were light and sweet. It was then I recognized that Eddin was playing one of my favorite melodies.

I exhaled deeply and heavily and tried to focus on the music, which calmed me.

After a time, I heard some commotion in the hallway, and the door opened.

The sleek black cat entered, Verbia following her inside.

“Verbia,” I said, relieved to see her.

She gave me a sympathetic smile and joined me.

With Verbia sitting beside me, the sound of Eddin’s music coming from the hall, I tried to stay calm. But soon, the pain became unbearable.

“I must push,” I told Violet through gritted teeth.

“Let me see.” After a quick inspection, Violet nodded. “Yes. It is time. Now, you will listen to me and push when I say, Queen Cartimandua. It is hard work. Do as I tell you.”

And with that began the most painful and unreal experiences of my life. Feeling like I was living with one foot in this world, and one in the other plane beyond, I tried to keep my focus on Eddin’s music as Violet called for me to push.

My back contorted and ached, a feeling like no other I had ever experienced before.

And in the midst of all of it, I stingingly felt Cormag’s absence.

Aye, goddesses, why did I let him go?

I had been so sure of Onnen’s words.

Again and again, Violet called for me to push.

Arching my back and gripping Hilda’s hand while Verbia gently patted my shoulder, I pushed and pushed until…

“There we go. There we go,” Violet called. “Once more, Cartimandua. Once more. Hard now.”

I pushed for all I was worth, feeling like I was being torn apart, and then the child came through.

“There now, wee one. I’ve got you. I’ve got you,” Violet said, taking the babe into her hands. I saw her working quickly, and then… a wail sounded out, the shriek making Nettle jump from Verbia’s lap and disappear under the bed.

Outside, I heard a round of cheers.

“A princess, my queen. The next queen of the Brigantes has come. Feisty small one,” she said, wrapping the baby and handing her to Isla. “Let the queen see her, then we have more work to do.”

A strange feeling wracked my body. The pressure of birth had not gone. My back ached weirdly, and I suddenly felt like I might vomit.

“My queen,” Isla said, showing me the baby.

I looked briefly at the child, seeing her head of dark hair. “A little crow,” I whispered, but labor pains wracked me again. The pain was more intense than before, making me scream so loudly it even took me by surprise and made the tiny babe call out.

Verbia rose and took my daughter from Isla’s arms, settling in with her. She wrapped the baby in another blanket and held her close, whispering to her softly.

Between my knees, Violet swore, then rummaged about in her medicine bag. “Isla,” she called to the girl, her tone serious.

“What is it?” I asked through my pain. “What’s wrong?”

Violet didn’t answer me at once.

“Violet?”

Not answering, the woman worked busily, she and her apprentice whispering.

“Violet!”

“The child is facing the wrong direction, my queen,” Violet said. “I…I will have to make a cut to help me turn the child,” she said, then paused and came to my bedside. Her apron and her hands were covered in blood. “You are bleeding heavily, my queen. If I delay, you and the child may both die. I must do this to save you both, but such a labor often results in the woman not bearing easily again or without risk. You must know this before I proceed.”

“Do what you must. Save my child.”

“Before yourself, my queen? I must know now before I proceed.”

“Yes. Yes. I understand your meaning. Before myself.”

“Very well, Queen Cartimandua. May Brigantia be with us. We will endeavor now.”

With that, she disappeared once more.

I turned and looked at Verbia holding my little girl, the top of the baby’s head covered in thick black hair. I smiled softly, but when I saw the look on Verbia’s face, a chill washed over me. She looked…frightened.

A moment later, I felt Violet apply something cold and wet to my body, and then…the feel of a knife and so much pressure, I screamed and could not stop screaming.

Black stops appeared before my eyes.

Aye, Brigantia. Don’t let me die. Not like this. Not like this.

But the pressure didn’t let up.

I screamed once more.

I was going to die. I would die here, my children unprotected.

“Eddin!” I screamed.

The door opened, and Eddin rushed inside. He hurried to me, slipping onto the bed beside me. He took a moment to take in the scene, seeing Verbia holding a child, and then Eddin went pale. I knew there was blood. I could smell it but could not see it.

“Queen Cartimandua, stay with us, my queen,” Violet called. “We have the child turned. The cord… the cord is wrapped. I must work quickly. Stay with us, my queen. Oh, Brigantia, be with her.”

Shaking uncontrollably, I reached out for Eddin, who moved behind me, taking me into his arms.

“Eddin,” I whispered. “Watch over my little ones. Eddin…Eddin, keep them safe until Cormag comes.”

“Carti,” Eddin said. “Stay with us. Stay right here. We are all with you.”

“Eddin… Oh, Eddin… I never told you how much?—”

“Now, Queen Cartimandua, push with all your might.”

I pushed hard, feeling like my body was being ripped in two.

Eddin held tightly onto me and whispered in my ear. “You’re okay, Carti. I’m here. You’re okay. May Brigantia watch over you…”

“Again!” Violet called.

I pushed hard, screaming with pain. Aye, goddess, how much it hurt. The pain was not like the first child. My head grew light, spots dancing before my eyes, and I struggled to stay awake.

“Queen Cartimandua,” Violet called in alarm. “My queen! Isla, put the salts under her nose. King Eddin, joggle her. Keep her awake.”

“Carti,” Eddin called, panic in his voice, shaking my shoulders. “Would you leave us now? You cannot do this to us, Cartimandua. Remember the Cailleach’s warning. There is no one strong enough to face what is coming but you. Your people need you. I need you. Don’t leave me, Carti,” he said, kissing my head. “We all need you—me, your children, Cormag, the Brigantes. We all need you. Don’t leave us.”

“Push!”

Feeling like I was being pulled back from the brink, I pushed again, and this time, I felt the child break free.

“Isla! Quickly now,” Violet called to her apprentice.

I collapsed into Eddin’s arms as the others worked.

I looked up at him, meeting his green eyes.

“Eddin,” I whispered.

“Stay with me, Carti,” he said in a low voice. “Stay with me in this world. The next will come soon enough. Carti…”

My eyes drifted closed.

“Carti?” Eddin called, but he felt very far away. “Carti!”

I drifted then, feeling like I was flying over the mountains, drifting above Brigantes lands. Overhead, the sky was deep blue with gray clouds rolling in. Rain was coming. I could smell it in the air. And then, there was the sharp crack of lightning somewhere ahead of me. I paused, watching as the clouds rolled above the Pennines, the backbone of the Brigantes.

In the sky overhead, I heard a sharp shriek.

I saw an eagle there, lightning illuminating its form as it hunted undetected in the clouds.

“No,” I whispered, waving my hand.

A flock of crows descended from deep within a cloudbank, all attacking the eagle.

But even as I watched, I found myself fading. My hands grew translucent.

“Carti?” Eddin whispered, his voice so far away. “Carti,” he said again, his voice breaking in anguish. “Don’t leave me.”

I pulled myself together, trying to grab the pieces of myself that seemed to flutter away from me like ash.

Not yet.

Not yet.

A sharp, angry wail shook the walls of Rigodonum.

All at once, my eyes flung open.

“There she is. There she is. Another wee princess. We have her, my queen. We have her safe and sound,” Violet said, then turned to her apprentice. “See to the babe. I will see to the queen.”

“Look, Queen Cartimandua,” Isla told me with a smile, showing me the tiny child. Unlike her sister, she had fair-colored hair on her head. “I will tend to her now.”

“Carti?” Eddin whispered.

“I’m here,” I whispered.

“You have two daughters,” Eddin said, smiling, tears running down his cheeks as he squeezed my hand. “What terrors they will rain down on the Parisii… Like the Cailleach and Brigantia,” Eddin said, kissing me on my head. “Oh, Carti,” he said, pressing his cheek against my head.

“Eddin,” I whispered, but my head swam, and I felt dizzy.

“Stay with us, Cartimandua,” Violet called to me as she worked between my legs.

“She’s shaking,” Eddin told Violet.

“It is the blood loss. Cover her, then bank up the fire,” she told Eddin, then turned to Hilda. “Send a messenger to the village for a woman named Greer. She stays with the tanner. She is needed here.”

“Who? Some village woman? Who is she?” Hilda asked.

“Do as I say and quickly,” Violet replied.

Eddin pulled the covers over me and went to bank up the fire. I turned, looking at Verbia, who was holding my little daughter. Eddin returned to Verbia a moment later, looking over her shoulder at the child. Verbia smiled up at him.

“Regan,” Verbia said, looking down at the child. “And Aelith,” she added, gesturing to my second daughter.

Aelith. Eddin’s mother’s name.

“Lady Verbia, forgive me, but Prince Cormag—” Eddin interjected.

“Regan and Aelith,” I said, feeling myself drift again. “Verbia is right. The princesses of the Brigantes…”

And then, everything went dark.