Page 114 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

A rider departedRigodonum with great haste to reach King Ord. I had considered writing to Caratacus as well, guessing the Catuvellauni king would not want his most fierce ally to lose his crown, but thought better of it. The further I steered away from Caratacus now, the better. Rome was coming to put him and his brother Togodumnus in chains. I would not have the Romans thinking I had any association with the Catuvellauni.

With the rider sent off, we waited.

The chieftains and their bannermen soon began to arrive.

As we waited, we watched.

We watched the Parisii.

We watched the Setantii.

We watched the western ports for news of Rome.

I also kept one eye on the southern tribes. Did they not see? Did they not have eyes abroad to warn them? Beltane was coming. Their minds would be on the spring festivals and farm labors. Would they even think to worry about what was happening beyond our shores?

As I waited for news, I pondered… Where would the Romans land? Regnenses lands seemed the most obvious, but the inclusion of Verica and the heirs of Aedd Mawr in Rome’s midst left some uncertainty. Aedd Mawr, the ruler of the Trinovantes, was so very old. It was doubtful he could make the trip. But King Verica… Verica was young enough, strong enough, and angry enough to make the Catuvellauni second-guess their actions. Although he had been exiled to Rome for many years, the Atrebates had not folded to the Catuvellauni quietly.

But more than that, where in the twin goddesses’ names was Venutiux?

Venutiux was the one I had expected to arrive first of my chieftains.

And still, there had been no word from the Carvetti.

My stomach pinched with worry when I guessed at the worst possible meaning of his delay.

Would Venutiux betray me?

Would he ally with Aengus and Gregor to try to regain his lands from Eddin?

Annoyed, I left my meeting room and went outside to find Cormag speaking with Conall and a rider wearing Eddin’s colors. The man bowed to my husband and then entered the fort, pausing to bow to me as he passed.

Cormag joined me.

“Eddin got your messenger. He is ready if you and Ystradwel need him,” Conall told me.

“And Ystradwel? Any news?”

“A dozen riders sent. No answer,” Conall replied.

“Lord Gregor has spies. The messengers must not be getting through,” Cormag warned.

I exhaled deeply, feeling unnerved. I did not want to act too late.

“Word from King Ord?”

“Nothing yet,” Conall said. “We should have word today if there is any to be had.”

Frowning, I left the men and went to the still-open gate. I looked down over the city. The market was flooded with warriors.

I closed my eyes. Maybe my father had done the right thing by pursuing peace. But my father had not dealt with Rome and assassins. That burden had been left to me. I had been fighting so hard to keep my people strong. Would it be enough?

Cormag joined me. “Cartimandua?”

“No matter what happens next, we must stay one step ahead of the Romans. Rebelling Setantii be damned. To our south, a storm like no other is brewing. The rest is merely a distraction. The Romans will come, and they will fight or flatter. But in the end, they want only power and resources. We must never forget. Have you sent word to your mother?”

Cormag nodded.

“At least there are a few of us in the north who are not blind to what is coming,” I said, referring to Mael Muire, Eddin, Cormag and me.

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