Page 29 of Queen of the Hollow Hills (Eagles and Crows #3)

CHAPTER 28

I slept poorly that night, wishing that Cormag was there. I clutched his pillow, feeling a deep loneliness in my chest. It was good that he’d gone to assist his mother and see to Damhan’s family. His people needed to see him there, remember that he was still Votadini, but now… Once more, the weight of the Brigantes was on me. I did not want to make a mistake again. I needed his help.

When the sun rose, I dragged myself out of bed and prepared for the day.

Hilda had set out my riding gear.

“You are riding for Isurium Brigantum?” Hilda asked, a nervous tremor in her voice. “Is all well, Queen Cartimandua?”

“For the moment, Hilda. But we must be watchful. The seasons are shifting again.”

“Those winds. Ill-omened. I swore they carried with them bad news.”

I paused. “Small fires will always need to be dampened. That is how we ensure the invisible wall around Brigantes lands remains intact.”

“You’re right, no doubt. Your father enjoyed a time of peace, but when I was a girl, Bellnorix led the Brigantes through many dark times. It’s only a shame that it has to be so again for you. I would see you and the king consort know a reign of peace.”

“As would I.”

“Are you sure you don’t need me to come?” Hilda asked for the hundredth time.

“I don’t expect to be gone for long.”

“Very well, my queen.”

With that, I whistled to Fergus, and the pair of us departed.

I made my way downstairs, meeting Kamden along the way. I pulled a sack of silver from my vest and handed it to him. “See to the textile merchant. Tell him I’ll have as much of that purple cloth as he can find.”

Kamden’s eyes widened at the amount but nodded. “Very well, my queen.”

Fabius, who had just joined us, eyed the coin pouch. “Queen Cartimandua, I never took you for one who cared for alta consutura. Did I hear right? All of that for cloth?”

“Our queen is finally in luck. Purple fabric is finally to be found in Gaul. I’ll see to it right away,” Kamden said, then hurried off.

Fabius paused a moment as he considered, then turned and looked at me. “Not very bright, is he?”

I frowned at Fabius.

“What do you know so far?” Fabius asked.

“Only that they are on the move.”

Fabius pursed his lips and then nodded. “Very well. Then let’s make plans as we ride.”

I eyed Fabius’s clothing. “After you go and put on your riding boots,” I said, eyeing his wool-lined booties, which were perfect for lounging about the fort and drinking wine but not for riding.

“I’m not the one walking in the mud. The horse is.”

“I’ll remind you of that when the Parisii ambush us and we’re running for our lives.”

Fabius laughed. “That won’t happen.”

I gave him a stony glance.

“That won’t happen, right?”

“I’ll be waiting outside.”

“Queen Cartimandua?”

I turned and walked away.

“Cartimandua?”

I swallowed my snicker.

“You are not funny,” Fabius called to me, then, with a huff, he turned and went back upstairs.

Outside, I found Conall with a contingent of guards.

“I’ve assigned others to manage the rebuilding of the walls and to oversee the repairs in the town. I will ride with you,” Conall told me.

“Very good.”

“Do we need more men, Cartimandua?”

I looked about, seeing the dozen warriors that had gathered there. They were all strong men, but I regretted the absence of Corva and Cormag.

“We are enough, save we are missing one Roman, who will be along in a moment.”

Conall laughed. “Well, we can’t leave without Fabius. We may never survive an onslaught without his…prowess.”

I chuckled, then said, “He is hopeless with a sword, but something tells me Fabius may be our greatest asset in the future.”

“May the twin goddesses help us if that is the case,” Conall replied, making us laugh.

Once Fabius finally joined us, we headed out. We rode throughout the day, arriving at Isurium Brigantum by nightfall. As I had requested, Aedan had called in some of his retainers. Isurium Brigantum was swimming with warriors.

Aedan greeted us warmly, and his servants worked quickly to prepare everything for us.

I smiled at Aerin. “I thought you would be in Dardani lands with your mother, Aerin.”

“I convinced her to let me stay here with my uncle.”

“He covets my seat,” Aedan told me. “I hoped he’d start dreaming of supplanting Eddin, but alas, he is Brigantes through and through.”

Patting the young man on the shoulder, I smiled. “Good.”

Aedan’s servants brought food and drink. After the long ride, I was glad of it. Settling in, I helped myself to a warm stew, brown bread, heady cheese, and ale. The gambit I was about to pull had me feeling hungry.

“Ah,” Fabius said, sliding his seat forward and downing a cup of cider only to pour himself another. “What a fine meal, Chieftain. And a warm hall. They told me we would sleep in the forest,” Fabius said, mock-scowling at Conall, who chuckled. “I am glad to be here in your fair city.”

“I am surprised you are at all,” Aedan replied, giving me a questioning look.

“Our queen wanted a riding companion,” Fabius said, emptying another cup. “But all she wanted to do was talk Roman military structure—ranks, legions, legionnaires, prefects, cohorts, calvary, centurions, generals, and on and on. I could not convince the woman to talk about a single topic that was actually interesting.”

“But you are so well versed,” I teased.

“Well,” he said, heaping more meat onto his plate, “I am an artist and intellectual.”

“Interesting topic,” Aedan told me. “Timely?”

I lifted my cup, toasting to him, then said, “One problem at a time. I see you have rallied your men.”

Aedan nodded. “As you requested.”

“Good.”

“Any reply from King Ruith about Chieftain Remick’s behavior?” Aedan asked.

“I did not write to King Ruith,” I replied. “How far to Remick’s lands?”

“Three hours.”

“His household… How large?”

“It is himself, his two grown sons, a dozen servants, and some farm workers. The village is very small. Maybe fifty people.”

“Aside from the chieftain, any trouble with the villagers?”

“No. Only Remick and his boys are bold. His anger over his brother’s death leaves him justifying his crimes against us.”

“When did your men ride in?”

“This afternoon.”

I nodded. “Very well. Finish up. We will ride out within the hour.”

“Queen Cartimandua?”

“Word will reach Ruith by morning that you have called in your warriors. He will be on guard. Tonight, not so much.”

“What do you propose we do?”

I smirked at Aedan.

Fabius chuckled. “Sharpen your knives, Chieftain. Your queen is about to go Roman,” he said with a grin, then turned to me. “But I can stay here, right?”

I winked at him.

“Right?”

I chuckled.

Aedan grinned at me. “When they write your story, Cartimandua, Bellnorix will pale in comparison.”

“It’s good to have a reputation to live up to.”

“And outgrow,” Aedan said, then rose. “I suppose you’re coming too.”

“Of course. I can’t let you have all the fun.”

Laughing, Aedan gestured to Aerin. “Come on. Let’s rally the men and get ready.”

“We ride at night?” I heard Aerin ask as they walked away. “But they will be?—”

“Sleeping? Let’s count on it.”

Fabius shifted once more. “Queen Cartimandua, you didn’t answer me.”

I sat back in my seat and looked toward the fire burning in the center hearth.

Strike first. I will, and may all you creatures of the hollow hills be with me in the dark…

Although I was already tired from the long ride from Rigodonum, time was of the essence.

We rode toward Windy Glen, Chieftain Remick’s seat, arriving at the outskirts of the village in the dead of night.

Much to Fabius’s relief, I had left the Roman behind.

We would move quickly and silently, with only Aedan’s men and my guard.

When we arrived at the village, we watched for a time. Aedan sent men into the shadows to do reconnaissance. The chieftain had two guards watching his house. Another half-dozen armed men roamed the village. Two guards stood outside the stables. The guards watching the chieftain’s house were busier drinking than guarding anything.

“We can make quick work of it,” Aedan told me. “Stay safe here with your guard, my queen,” he told me, then he and the others slipped through the grass and into the village.

I watched as Aedan’s men snuck up on the guards watching the house, silencing the men with their blades before anyone even knew they were there. Then, moving silently, they slipped into the house.

Another group of men disappeared into the village. At the same time, Aedan, Aerin, and a handful of others made their way to the stables.

Everything was so silent.

Then, a moment later, I heard the sound of struggle from within the roundhouse.

The noise caught the attention of the men guarding the stables. They knocked on the door of the barn. On the wind, I heard their voices.

“Chieftain? You best come out!”

But no sooner had they spoken when Aedan and his men moved in.

The men fought, but my forces overwhelmed them.

The stable door opened, revealing the man I assumed to be the chieftain dressing hastily, a young lass with her dress and hair rumpled following behind him. When she saw my warriors, she shrieked and ran off.

The chieftain tried to fight, but the men grabbed him, binding him.

Soon, the sounds of chaos rose from the village.

There was a heaving boom, and a moment later, the chieftain’s house caught on fire. The sound made the cattle moo in protest.

I watched as the men fought. Steel flashed in the moonlight. Soon, the glow of orange from the burning roundhouse lit up the night. The women and children who lived in the village fled but were not pursued.

I heard the clatter of arms and watched as Aedan’s warriors took on the men in the village. Many fought, but others tossed down their weapons.

Finally, with the village subdued, Aedan signaled to me.

“My queen,” Conall said, gesturing for us to go. Making our way out of the darkness, I approached Aedan and the others. The Parisii chieftain jerked at his bindings, scowling fiercely when he saw me.

“Brigantes whore!” he yelled. “You conniving cunt!”

Aedan punched him in the mouth.

“He’s a charmer,” I said wryly.

Aedan huffed a laugh. “We have the village, my queen. What resistance we encountered was defeated. We have captured these other men,” he said, gesturing to a row of men on their knees.

“We will send them to Brennan at Mydils in recompense. He can sell them or do with them what he wishes. The chieftain’s sons?”

“They fought and died.”

I nodded, then turned to Chieftain Remick. “You seem surprised to see us, Chieftain. Did you think I would let you steal my cattle, cut my trees, and kill my people with impunity?”

The chieftain spat at me, his spittle falling short.

When Aedan moved to correct him with a first once more, I gestured for him to hold. “Don’t bother,” I told Aedan. “It’s been a while since I’ve sent a gift to King Ruith. Let’s remind my neighbor of the importance of boundary lines. Take his head. We will send it by messenger.”

Chieftain Remick’s eyes went wide. “Merciful queen! Blessed queen of the Brigantes. Be like Brigantia herself and show pity! Great queen, please?—”

“Amazing how quickly a tune can change,” I said, then gestured to Aedan.

The men yanked the chieftain into place. One of Aedan’s warriors carrying a massive battle axe stepped forward and swung, sending the chieftain’s head rolling through the mud toward my feet.

I bent and picked it up. Blood and goo dripped from the stump.

“Get Queen Cartimandua a bucket,” Aedan called.

A look of shock was plastered on the man’s face.

Aerin returned a moment later with a pail. “My queen.”

I dropped the head therein.

Conall handed me a rag. I wiped my hands and looked back at the now-burning village.

I watched as my men made their way through the village, setting fire to the houses. Other Brigantes warriors quickly rounded up cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. Chickens and geese squawked loudly, rushing around in confusion, then disappeared into the surrounding fields.

A small voice, however, protested angrily in the darkness. At first, I couldn’t tell what I was hearing—a child or a goat. But then, scampering through the village, I spotted a pure white kitten.

Leaving the others, I made my way toward it.

“Cartimandua, mind the burning buildings,” Conall called, hurrying after me.

I rushed to the tiny creature, afraid she would run. “Come here,” I called to the little one. “Come to me.” To my relief, the little thing raced toward me.

Bending, I scooped her up.

“It’s all right,” I whispered to the kitten. “It’s all right.” The tiny kitten, no larger than a fist, quivered in my hands.

I looked up at the sky. The sun had started to rise. At the very edge of the horizon, the skyline was ruby red. A soft wind blew, sending embers floating above me. I watched as they floated overhead.

“Cartimandua… These embers are just the beginning of the flame that will soon consume your world. Make ready.”

The Cailleach.

Do not waste your time whispering to me. Why would I listen to one who set fire to my life? I replied indignantly.

The goddess did not reply.