Page 104 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

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 cattlemooin 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.

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