Page 34 of Queen of the Hollow Hills (Eagles and Crows #3)

CHAPTER 33

A fter the men left, the waiting in Rigodonum began to feel like an eternity. Days passed with no news. Feeling like I was going mad, I collected my guard and Corva and went into the village to visit Greer and Heather.

I found the little girl playing in the garden, laughing as she chased a butterfly while her mother pulled weeds.

Seeing them stopped me in my tracks, a deep feeling of despair waving over me.

I had come to shake my worries for Cormag, Ystradwel, Venu, and the others, only to be confronted with a sharp reminder of my losses. My hand went to my stomach, and I reached out for Corva.

“We do not have to stop,” Corva said. “Let’s return to the fort.”

“I…”

“Mum, Mum, Mum! Look!” the little girl called, pointing toward Corva and me.

Greer stood and looked. When she spotted us, she smiled. Wiping her hands on her apron, she joined us.

“You have your war, my queen, and I have mine. Unruly weeds,” she said, pointing back at her garden. The neat beds showed new tendrils and tender leaves poking from the ground. She had fixed frames for the vining vegetables to grow, and mounds of ground showed other growing things. Chicken and goats meandered behind the small roundhouse, one of the goats pausing to bleat at Corva and me.

“Let’s hope my war does not prove so fraught.”

Greer smiled. “Is there anything I can do for you, my queen? Is all well?”

Pushing my pain away, I merely smiled. “Just a visit to check on you and Heather.”

“Heather, come,” she called to the child.

I felt my chest tighten, but I reminded myself to breathe.

Greer picked Heather up and then smiled at me, “Come inside, my queen. My home is simple, but I have fresh ale.”

With that, she pushed open her garden gate and led me in to her little house.

Corva and I followed her inside.

A fire burned in the pit of the small roundhouse. A bed for Heather and Greer was built into the walls. She had a small table and crates with supplies. Pans for cooking hung from the posts. She had decorated her home with wheat wreaths. Effigies of Brigantia made of straw also adorned the walls, as well as a hand-sewn Brigantes banner. A small altar sat in one corner. On it, I saw clay figures of a man and woman side by side, a single man, and…two babies. Flowers adorned the shrine.

“Please, sit,” Greer said.

I smiled and took Heather from her arms. “Come here, pretty one. Let me see you,” I said, tickling her chin.

The little girl, whose hair had grown into long golden ringlets, laughed and played with my necklace while I sat.

Greer poured Corva and me an ale, filled herself a cup, and sat down with a tired huff.

“All well?” I asked her.

She nodded. “Backaches from bending,” she said with a laugh. “But I will be glad for tomatoes come summer,” she said, taking a long drink.

I gestured to Corva to remove the goods from my basket. Snatching one of the honey biscuits I’d brought, I handed it to Heather.

“Thank you,” she said, then ate happily.

I patted her little head and hugged her as she ate.

Greer smiled at her daughter. “Thank you, Queen Cartimandua. Is there any news from the west, my queen?”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

Greer nodded. “All the women in the village are worried, but I am sure all is in hand. Priestess Onnen and the priestesses of Brigantia went along with the warriors. I saw them depart. It won’t be much of a celebration for Beltane this year. No men left to light fires in the fields…or keep company,” she said with a wink.

I chuckled. “Then let us hope our strong Brigantes men return long before the Beltane fires are lit.”

“I will toast to that,” Greer said, raising her cup.

“How do you fare. Truly?”

Greer smiled. “I am well, my queen,” she said, then told me about her daily life, her weaving and sewing, and her trade in the village. “Weeds or not, I get good crops of herbs, vegetables, and lots of eggs. People are happy to trade. We get on very comfortably, Queen Cartimandua, thanks to you.”

“It is a small gesture in light of all you did for me.”

Greer smiled softly. “May the princesses always be remembered,” she said softly, lifting her cup again. “I take wildflowers to their mound from time to time.”

“Thank you, Greer,” I said, giving her a soft smile.

She exhaled deeply. “Beltane is nearly here again, and you and King Consort Cormag are still young. I know it was a hard labor, but Brigantia is giving,” she said, reaching out to take her child’s hand and place a kiss thereon.

I chuckled lightly but said nothing. The truth was that there had been no sign that I could carry a child again since the girls’ deaths. Though Cormag and I were an eager couple who were very much in love, no fruit ever came from our efforts. Perhaps the midwife had been right. I might not ever bear again, but I had not given up hope yet.

Corva and I finished our ales and then made ready to set off once more.

Greer took Heather from my arms and walked me to the door.

“I am glad to see you, Queen Cartimandua,” she told me, giving me a gentle smile and then taking my hand. “You are always welcome here. We hold their memories together.”

“Thank you, Greer,” I told her. I paused to give Heather one last kiss, making the little girl giggle. “Crumbs,” I said, wiping the biscuit crumbs from my lips.

Greer laughed.

With that, we returned to the fort.

As I went, I felt conflicting light and dark feelings. My heart swung from a terrible dread about the war for Setantii lands and the coming of Rome to something that felt a little like hope. Perhaps… Maybe there was a chance for Cormag and me to have more children. I could send to Mael Muire and ask her to send one of her women. Perhaps it had been the heartsickness of the loss of Regan and Aelith that had left me barren, a heaviness of spirit more than any physical ailment.

Smiling lightly at the thought, I found myself standing at the gates of the king’s house when I finally realized I had walked all that way in contemplative silence.

Corva had said nothing, but that was her way. She knew me well and was comfortable in silence.

We approached the door to the fort when I heard a commotion at the lower gate.

Looking back, I waited.

When they opened the gates, a fast rider rushed into the courtyard.

The Romans?

But then, I spotted a familiar lock of blond hair. “Aedan,” I said.

I watched as he raced through the town toward us. Mud-spattered and looking exhausted, Aedan quickly dismounted his horse and hurriedly approached me.

“Aedan,” I called, confused by his sudden appearance. My heart started to thump loudly in my chest, and a strange ringing sounded in my ears. “Aedan?”

“My queen.” The chieftain wouldn’t meet my gaze. When he came to me, I reached out for him, but Aedan dropped to his knee.

My breath left me.

“My queen, we were betrayed. Lady Ystradwel has wed King Aengus of her own volition, uniting the Setantii and Northern Cornovii, allying their forces against the Brigantes. We were led into a trap.”

“Betrayed,” I whispered, then looked at Aedan. The expression on his face… “Aedan, where is Cormag?”

“Cartimandua,” Aedan said, looking up at me, unshed tears in his eyes. “Carti,” he said softly. “We were betrayed and ambushed .”

My hands began to shake.

“Ystradwel lured King Consort Cormag and Chieftain Andoc into Bell’s Harbor, summoning them to her aid. I… I was delayed in joining them because Aerin was injured in a skirmish. It is only afterward that we realized the deception. King Ord sent a messenger with the news of Lady Ystradwel’s duplicity, but he arrived too late. Cormag and Andoc had already advanced on the city. By the time the rest of us chieftains rallied our forces and pushed in… Oh, Cartimandua…”

“Where is Cormag?” I whispered.

“Carti…”

“Aedan, tell me.”

“He… He is dead, my queen. He, Andoc, and all their closest men were killed in the fighting.”

A chill washed over me. For a moment, I thought my heart had stopped. “Where is Ystradwel?” I finally breathed.

“Chieftain Venutiux has gone after her. He swears he will not rest until he brings her before you to pay for her deception. He led the forces south, chasing the rebels. I… I did not want you to hear it from a messenger, but I must return at once.”

I reached out my hand, lifting Aedan to his feet. Leaning in, I kissed his muddy cheek. “Thank you for coming yourself.”

“Cartimandua, I am so sorry,” he whispered. “He was a dear friend to me as well.”

I nodded, then turned and made my way toward the gate.

“Cartimandua?” Corva called.

Knees shaking, I waved to her to stay behind.

Leaving the fort, I followed the old path outside the gate that overlooked the city.

It can’t be real.

This can’t be real.

Aye, goddesses. Will you take my love from me as well? What is left for me?

When I reached the secluded corner, I collapsed to my knees, blind to the physical pain, and then I wept, hoping that I, too, would die.