Page 24 of Queen of the Hollow Hills (Eagles and Crows #3)

CHAPTER 23

C ormag and I returned to Rigodonum later that day. Despite everyone telling me it was unnecessary and not the right time, I asked for the chieftains, King Eddin, and Queen Mael Muire to join us in the great hall for a feast on the following night for a meeting. But that night, when my husband and I arrived home, we slept.

Our wounds were deep, and the pain felt as though it would never stop.

Sometime in the night, I woke to hear Cormag weeping.

I pulled him close, pressing my cheek against his back, and joined him in his sorrow.

When I woke very late the following day, Cormag was gone.

I stayed in my chamber that day until it was time to dine again. The last thing I wanted to do was eat, but there were essential affairs to attend to, and I needed to speak to the chieftains.

“Cartimandua, no one expects you to hold state meetings right now,” Corva told me with a frown as Hilda dressed me for dinner. “You should not push yourself.”

“It is necessary. Is Ystradwel still here, her and that sticky lord of hers?”

“Yes. I spoke to her privately. I sensed that she had not planned to stay, but on your order…she is here.”

“Where is Cormag?”

“With his mother, my queen. He has been with the Votadini since morning, but they were seen making their way back through Rigodonum to the fort a moment ago.”

“Done,” Hilda said, stepping back. She had fixed my hair in a long braid and then pinned it at the nape of my neck, setting my silver circlet on my head. I wore a black gown trimmed around the neckline in silver with constellations.

I rose and turned to Corva.

“They are all gathered below,” she told me.

“I shall go to the yard and meet Cormag and Mael Muire,” I said, then went downstairs. I exited the fort just as Cormag and Mael Muire rode up. I went to Cormag, holding Shade’s reins as he dismounted, then handed them to a groom.

Cormag gave me a soft smile and embraced me, kissing the side of my head.

“Do you want to go up and change? I can go with you.” I told him.

“No. It matters not. I will see them as I am,” Cormag replied.

“Cormag, if you don’t want?—”

“I am your king and your husband,” he said, leaning back to look at me. “And you are my love. I am with you now and always, my blackthorn queen.”

Mael Muire joined us. “Do not overtax yourself, Daughter,” she told me gently, touching my shoulder. “Your chieftains can see to their own grain and ships without you for a time.”

“Unfortunately, it is not grain and ships I worry about.”

Mael Muire nodded thoughtfully and then followed us inside.

We made our way to the main dining hall. I could hear the sounds of voices and laughter from inside. The guards opened the door, allowing Cormag and me to enter, Corva and Mael Muire following behind us.

The room grew quiet when we entered.

Making our way to the front of the room, I turned and gave those gathered a soft look. “My friends, do not dampen your mirth on our account. Our daughters were ever full of smiles, and your joy and laughter remind us that life is a circle. We shall see one another again. Please, eat and enjoy.”

With that, Cormag and I sat.

“Aside from the company, there is one thing I love best about Rigodonum,” Eddin said, smiling as he lifted a round of bread. “There are no better hands than the ones in your kitchen.”

I eyed the bread he held. The dough had been worked with cheese and rosemary.

“Aye, King Eddin,” Chieftain Andoc agreed. “I tried to have my cook copy it and was left with a weedy mess.”

The others chuckled.

“I have lived with perfection so long, I didn’t know I was spoiled by it,” I said, lifting a round of bread. “It is good to appreciate what one has.”

“Indeed, my queen,” Chieftain Maelgwyn added. “Which is why I know I have the best cider in all Brigantes lands.”

That brought about some disagreement and guffawing from the others.

“Perhaps in Brigantes lands, but there is none finer on this island in Dardani lands…as Priestess Corva will agree,” Eddin said.

Corva gave Eddin a warm smile. “No doubt, the harvest was particularly sweet this year.”

“Indeed, it was,” Eddin replied, making certain he did not look Venu’s way. It was the Carvetti who had stolen the vast stretches of Dardani orchards. I was glad that Cuneda had not burned them out of spite.

I glanced at Venu, who was lost in conversation with Chieftain Calos and, by all appearances, had not heard Eddin—but I knew better.

“When I was a girl, my father returned from Dardani lands with a sack of apples,” Lady Amma told Eddin wistfully. “I still remember their sweetness. The Dardani apples were the sweetest I ever tasted.”

“Faerie fruits,” Eddin replied with a smirk.

Amma chuckled. “No doubt, King Eddin.”

Eddin held her gaze for a moment, winking at her in jest, then turned back to his plate.

Realizing I had missed some joke between them and feeling awkward about it, I turned back to my food. For the first time since Regan and Aelith had died, I put a morsel of bread in my mouth.

I chewed slowly, then sat back.

Down the table, Ystradwel sat quietly and ate, more pushing her food from one side of her plate to another than eating.

“Chieftain Ystradwel, we are glad to have you in our hall again. How fares Setantii lands?” I asked.

Ystradwel paused, taken off guard by my attention, then gave me a soft smile. “We are well, my queen.”

“I am glad to see you again, Lord Gregor.”

“And you, Queen Cartimandua.”

“How fares your friend, King Aengus?”

The man paused, then smiled. “More neighbor than friend, my queen.”

I gave him a stiff smile. “And King Ord?” I asked, referring to the rightful king of the Cornovii.

“King Ord is perpetually licking the boots of the Catuvellauni, but summer is upon us once more.”

“Meaning?”

I already knew what he meant. King Aengus had been busy all spring, the sounds of blacksmiths’ hammers ringing across his fort as swords and shields were made in plenty. Two weeks prior, the king had begun calling in his retainers. Soon, King Aengus would march south. And while Ord was busy reinforcing the Catuvellauni’s push to the east, King Aengus would attack.

“We shall see who the true king of the Cornovii is very soon,” Lord Gregor said smugly.

At that, the other Carvetti chieftains looked at one another but said nothing.

“And seeing is all we will do, as the Brigantes have no vested interest in their civil war.”

Lord Gregor inclined his head to me.

“You are very gracious, Lord Gregor, so I trust I do not need to repeat my words on this matter. If I have to share my thoughts on this topic again, you’ll find I have other, very pointed ways to get them across.”

Andoc laughed. “Aye, ask the Parisii.”

Alys frowned and shifted in her seat.

My gaze flicked to Ystradwel. “But I trust my chieftain to ensure that the will of the Brigantes is upheld throughout all our lands.”

“My queen,” Ystradwel said, nodding to me, but there was a flicker in her expression I didn’t like. She shifted her eyes to Lord Gregor for just a moment and then back to me, giving me a reassuring smile.

“Hmm,” Mael Muire muttered softly, echoing the same thoughts swirling in my mind.

For the second time in my dining hall, my instincts told me to poison Lord Gregor and be done with him.

The rest of the meal passed in idle conversation. When it was done, Lady Flora invited the ladies to join her for sweets, card games, and fidchell in the formal meeting chamber. Kamden—who had apparently arranged the respite—assisted her.

I gave the lady a grateful look, then turned back to the others, noting that Princess Alys had spoken a sharp word for her husband before leaving the room. The result left Venu frowning.

“May my son and I remain, Queen Cartimandua?” Lady Amma asked.

“Of course.”

“Planning to take my seat, Sister?” Aedan teased her. “You know, I’m not even thirty years old.”

“But you are reckless, while Aerin is careful,” she replied to her brother with a wink.

Aedan chuckled.

“Carti, should I—” Eddin began, but I motioned for him and Mael Muire to stay.

“I will have you both here,” I told him, then turned to Cormag, who nodded.

After the others had left the room, Mael Muire, with a serious expression, asked, “What has happened, Cartimandua?”

“Rome. Rome has happened. While the southern tribes bicker and fight, the Romans have marched to Gaul, built ships, and prepared to sail.”

At that, the others grew silent.

“They were led north by Emperor Caligula. He is a fierce soldier…and a madman. We must be thankful for his madness. Word has come from Gaul. The emperor has claimed his victory…over Ocean. His men attacked the waves themselves, filled their pockets with shells as spoils of war, and have begun their march back home.”

Mael Muire stared at me. “Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“They marched all the way to Gaul?” Eddin asked.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“But they did not launch? They are marching back?” Aedan asked.

“Yes.”

The chieftain narrowed his gaze at me. “When? How long ago did this happen?”

“Three days back.”

Putting the pieces of the puzzle together, Aedan stared at me. “Cartimandua…” he whispered.

I looked away.

“That is the word from our eyes in Gaul, delivered by a rider from Mydils,” Corva confirmed.

“Perhaps the druids infected his mind as they did to Caesar,” Chieftain Maelgwyn said.

“This was not the work of druids,” Aedan said, but I gave him a knowing look, silencing him.

“Then they have gone?” Amma asked. “It is certain, Queen Cartimandua?”

“They burned their boats as a sacrifice to their sea god, Neptune,” Corva said.

“Then let us thank Neptune for his help,” Chieftain Andoc added.

Mael Muire leaned forward. “You are right to be glad, Chieftain, but there is a larger concern here. The southern tribes… They have done nothing?”

“The Cantiaci were preparing for the onslaught, and the Regnenses were readying for visitors,” I replied.

“How, exactly, do you know that, Queen Cartimandua?” Lord Gregor asked, but I ignored his question.

“Queen Mael Muire comes to the heart of the problem,” I told the others. “The southern tribes are sleeping. And so doing, they endanger us all.”

“All the more reason to back Aengus,” Lord Gregor said. “If we can rid King Ord, who backs the Catuvellauni, we can help to stabilize the south.”

“You speak out of turn,” Venutiux told him. “You are not chieftain. That is for Ystradwel to decide.”

“Bold of you to speak, Carvetti. Not even a year has passed since you sailed to burn Setantii cities,” Lord Gregor replied.

“Enough,” I said, raising my hand. “Ousted King Verica of the Atrebates rode north with the Romans. He failed to recover his lands—this time. But it is clear he has Rome’s ear. We must all be watchful in the years to come. Who is to say Neptune will not whisper again?”

“And we must not trust the southern tribes to act in any manner to prevent an invasion,” Mael Muire said. “We should meet with the Selgovae, Novantae, and Damnonii. If we northern tribes can come to an accord, we will be stronger against any enemy—from the north or south.”

“Expecting trouble from the Caledonian Confederacy, Queen Mael Muire?” Chieftain Maelgwyn asked.

“Always. Which is why I am still queen.”

The others chuckled.

“Romans aside, what news? Any other problems at hand? Are your Parisii neighbors keeping quiet, Brennan?” Chieftain Caradoc asked.

“For the most part,” Chieftain Brennan said.

I turned to Venu and gave him an expectant look.

“I… I have news,” Venu began. “My wife and I have just learned that Prince Senorix is dead. He succumbed to a sudden fever. With Alistair also dead, there is only Alys, my wife, as Ruith’s heir. We will ride south to attend Senorix’s rites from here.”

“Then I suppose Ruith plans to live forever,” Chieftain Calos said.

The others chuckled, but I saw something I had not seen before. A glimmer in Venu’s eye. If Alys was the only Parisii heir, Venu could take the Parisii throne through her. No doubt, there were many a Parisii chieftain who would be ready to protest such a move, but Venu had already marked the Parisii tragedy as an opportunity. And I couldn’t say that I disagreed.

“I extend my condolences to your wife,” I told Venu. “As should everyone else. The prince was innocent, and sons should never be blamed for the sins of their fathers.”

At that, the men nodded.

“What other news?” I asked. “I will have you speak of your holdings,” I said but turned to Eddin and Mael Muire. “You do not have to stay for such talks, my friends. Romans are one thing, but grain and cattle may be of little interest to you.”

Eddin smiled softly at Queen Mael Muire. “Can I interest you in a dram of cherry wine, Queen Mael Muire?”

Mael Muire nodded, then rose. She paused, setting her hand on Cormag’s shoulder, then departed with Eddin.

The conversation lasted until late in the evening. There were only small matters to be settled, and for the most part, it seemed like the chieftains were trying to prevent me from hearing too much. Their usual bickering over trivial points was kept to a minimum. In their empathy, they quickly found ways to work together.

When we were finally done, Cormag rose. “We thank you all for all your efforts and support. Cartimandua and I are grateful to you all.”

“King Consort,” they all replied, bowing to Cormag.

When they moved to depart, I called out, “Lady Ystradwel, a moment?”

Ystradwel signaled to Lord Gregor to linger.

“No. No. The chieftain only. Good night, Lord Gregor.”

The man paused, giving Ystradwel an uncertain glance, then smiled broadly at me. “Queen Cartimandua. King Consort. Again, my deep condolences,” he said, then moved to depart.

Corva, to my surprise, followed him. “Lord Gregor,” she called, “let me bend your ear a moment over a love of fine weaponry,” she said with a cheerful laugh, then walked with the man from the room.

Cormag whispered in my ear. “I will join Eddin and my mother. Lord Gregor is too much in Ystradwel’s ear, but you know that already.” He kissed me on the side of my head and then departed.

Ystradwel joined me, taking the seat Mael Muire had occupied.

“Cartimandua,” she said softly. “I cannot tell you how sorry I am that I was not here to meet your daughters. This year… It has been a hard year for me, but nothing compared to the loss you and Cormag have endured.”

The sharp edge of my pain wanted to close in on me once more. I blocked it off. The only way I could get through this night was by forgetting my heartbreak for just a moment.

“Thank you.” I held her gaze, then said, “You have suffered this year as well. A female malady?”

“The midwives tell me that when I rid myself of Catell’s unwanted seed, something was damaged within me. I… It has been difficult. That, along with the loss of my father…”

I reached for her hand.

For a moment, Ystradwel pulled back, but then she relaxed and gently held my bandaged hand. Her fingers were ice cold.

“Is all truly well in Setantii lands? Ystradwel, this Lord Gregor?—”

“You think him too bold. You are right, but my father trusted him. He has not advised me wrongly.”

“He is too close with King Aengus. Do not let him speak with the so-called king on your behalf—or mine. Aengus is widely considered a usurper by any who care to consider him at all.”

“Although there would be some benefit to slowing King Ord, would there not? In so doing, we would slow the Catuvellauni’s press to take the south.”

“What the Catuvellauni do is of no interest to me. They may do as they please, but if their eyes shift toward Brigantes lands, that is different. And I do not think the Catuvellauni will have so easy of a time with the Iceni—Northern nor Greater—nor the Coritani. I am not concerned about the Catuvellauni nor interested in King Aengus’s ambitions.”

Ystradwel paused. “Yes. Yes, you are right.”

“Do not rely on Lord Gregor’s word alone. What of the priestesses of Chlíodhna? Do you trust them to advise you?”

“They are not like M?d and Onnen. They keep only to their mysteries.”

“Please remember you are not alone, Ystradwel. Perhaps we can speak to Onnen. It would be good to have someone to advise you. One of the Brigantes priestesses who?—”

“No. I am well enough. I am careful, Cartimandua. I often let Lord Gregor talk just to hear him expose his true thoughts. He does enjoy the sound of his own voice. But my retainers wait on my word. I promise you.”

“Very well.”

“Cartimandua, you tax yourself too much with this meeting. You and Cormag… We all know you are grieving. You should rest.”

“I shall. It is done now.”

Ystradwel nodded. “We will depart in the morning. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?”

“Only promise me that you will be cautious with Lord Gregor. I do not trust him. If he seeks to reach, you must push him back. And if he reaches too far, do not hesitate to take a hand that is too greedy. And if you cannot, never fear. I will.”

“Thank you, Cartimandua.”

I rose. “Get your rest. It is a far ride home. Are you… Are you comfortable with such a journey? Perhaps a wagon would?—”

“Thank you for asking. It means so much to me. I am well enough. And again, I am so sorry, Cartimandua. I wish you every comfort in this hard time.”

“Thank you, my friend,” I replied, embracing her. She felt so thin. I didn’t remember her being so gaunt.

She pulled back, giving me one last smile, then departed, leaving me alone in the great hall.

I sat down, my gaze going briefly to the floor where my mother had died. In such a short period, everything had come undone. My life had become one of darkness, and what light I had found in the world with Cormag and my children had been dimmed forever. All my dreams for them were now nothing more than ash. There was a hollow inside me that nothing would ever heal.

I closed my eyes, feeling tears slip down my cheeks.

I’m sorry, my daughters.