Page 113 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

“Lucky hostage,” Cormag said, then kissed me. “I have news from the west and south. Come inside,” he said, then eyed Corva. “Priestess. You must be weary from riding.”

“I’ve learned to sleep in the saddle.”

“I’m tired too,” Fabius exclaimed wearily. “Not that you asked.”

“Of course you are,” Cormag replied, causing Fabius to screw up his face at my husband.

Cormag chuckled, gesturing to Corva, Conall, and me to follow him.

“I’m for a bath, Queen Cartimandua,” Fabius said tiredly. “Summon me if you need me.”

I nodded to him.

We made our way into my workroom. Cormag had laid out a map of the Brigantes on the table and set tokens depicting armies. My eyes quickly scanned the table. It showed half of the Setantii forces protecting Ystradwel in Bell’s Harbor, the other half on Lord Gregor’s lands, King Aengus’s warriors behind him.

But more than that, I saw he had placed tokens in Gaul.

Rome.

“What is the news from Gaul?” I asked.

“They are two weeks’ march from the port,” Cormag told me.

“And the Catuvellauni?” I asked, looking toward the tokens for Caratacus’s and Togodumnus’s forces.

“Pushing west.”

I studied the board map. “Where is King Ord?” I asked of the rightful Cornovii king.

“Here,” Cormag said, pointing to southern Cornovii lands. “He has pulled back to his own lands while Caratacus and Togodumnus are courting brides—and alliances—before another push east.”

I nodded. “We will send a fast rider to King Ord while waiting for our troops to rally. King Aengus and Lord Gregor have become a thorn in both of our sides. Aengus may have helped in our battle against the Carvetti, but only as an unwanted guest. I hold him no loyalty. Perhaps we can return Cornovii lands to their rightful ruler and make an ally in the process.”

“And crush the rebellion in between,” Conall said.

“Yes.”

“And the Romans?” Corva asked.

My eyes scanned the map again, seeing the tremendous force of the Brigantes. But I was no fool. Everyone knew that once Rome set its eyes on something, there was no stopping it. Rome was an illness. It would snake onto the land and infect all it touched, unless…

There were ways to play Rome’s game.

My father had taught me that one did not always have to bring fire to win.

“Rome is coming. At first, they will say they are coming to aid Verica and Aedd Mawr, but that is a lie. They will build and take. All those so-called client kings who made promises to Rome in Caesar’s time will feel the weight of their ancestors’ promises. Rome will crush the south, through force or friendship,” I replied.

“What do we do?” Cormag asked.

“Be a threat…and a friend.”

“A friend?”

“Embrace with one hand, but hold a dagger in the other.”

“That is a risky game,” Corva warned.

“Yes. And one that will have me dancing on the edge of a blade for the rest of my life. We will deal with the Parisii first and then Rome.”

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