Page 11 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

The men leaned forward, their eyes on me.

I inhaled slowly. “Gentlemen,” I began, my eyes dancing across the familiar faces in the room, “as winter approaches, we must assess our readiness. Chieftain Brennan, share your needs with us. Have the Parisii remained quiet?”

“Those who held Parisii lands that we acquired in the war have either fled south or quietly folded into the Brigantes, unwilling to leave their farms and lands,” Brennan replied. “Their allegiance was more to the land than to their king or queen, which is both a benefit and a potential detriment to your majesty.”

“It is understandable, in a way. If there was no loyalty to the Parisii, then Ruith did nothing to earn it. Reach out to those who have remained. Offer help in any rebuilding or harvesting. Ensure they know we are here to assist them. Let us earn their loyalty for the sake of the future.”

Chieftain Brennan nodded. “I will see to it.”

“And your stores and repairs at Mydils?”

Brennan nodded and then pulled a parchment from his pocket, on which he’d noted all the repairs being made to the fort and docks and the progress thereon. He read it to us.

“What of Ruith?” Andoc asked. “Any noise to your south, Brennan?”

Chieftain Brennan shook his head. “Queen Cartimandua was effective in making her point, but there has been some grumbling at the borders. So far, only disgruntled men bellyaching, but I will keep an eye on it. There are, however, rumors that Prince Senorix’s health has turned very poor,” Brennan said, glancing at Venu.

“Without Cuneda to serve as his dupe, Ruith will stay quiet now,” Chieftain Argenorix said, causing one of Venutiux’s retainers to huff in annoyance.

I turned my attention to the Carvetti.

“Mads, is it not?” I asked the man who had reacted.

He paused, not expecting to be called out. “Yes, Queen Cartimandua.”

“It is a reality that King Cuneda was persuaded to war by the Parisii, as much as it is a reality he was defeated. He paid for his error with his life, and the rest of the Carvetti suffered losses due to Cuneda’s unwise choices. Or are you pleased with the results of King Cuneda’s actions?”

“I… No, Queen Cartimandua. It is only a disrespect to his memor?—”

“It is a matter of truth, that is all. We must live in the world where we now find ourselves, even if we do not like it. Now, Chieftain Venutiux, is this rumor of Prince Senorix’s ill health true?”

“It is,” Venu replied, “but druids attend him, and there is hope he will survive.”

I nodded. “I will not wish ill on the boy. Perhaps he will prove a better ruler than his father. Very well, Venu. Will you please share with us the conditions of the Carvetti so we may learn how to help heal the losses your people have experienced and prepare for the long winter.”

Venutiux nodded. “Thank you, Queen Cartimandua,” he said, giving Mads a warning sidelong glance. “We do find ourselves atseveral disadvantages. Those lands given to the Novantae as war prizes and the lands returned to Vellocatux?—”

“King Eddin.”

“My apologies. Eddin.”

“KingEddin.”

Venutiux cleared his throat. “KingEddin… Those lands accounted for much of our fertile land and, thus, winter crops. King Merod of the Novantae has already helped himself to the harvest and now has full control of the port, diminishing our trade. To the south, the Dardani fields and groves are reclaimed. We are, as you feared, my queen, at a disadvantage. My father did not emphasize the people’s preparation for winter over his own goals for expansion. In Luguvalium, I am well-stocked. But the Carvetti as a whole? We find ourselves humbled. Without your help, many will go hungry this winter.”

“The Carvetti planted those crops to the south and tended those orchards. Those crops young Eddin has taken in are not his,” Mads grumbled.

“Orchards such as at Whispering Glen?” Corva asked. The tone in her voice was dark.

“Aye, Priestess,” Mads replied, eyeing her carefully.

“A hundred generations of Dardani cultivated those trees,” she said, her voice seething. “Nothing about the groves in Whispering Glen isCarvetti.”

When Mads moved to reply, I lifted my hand, silencing him.

“We are not here to discuss your feelings on King Eddin’s holdings, Mads. We are here to see what Brigantia can offer in aid. It will take time for us all to adjust to our new world. This is the first step. Chieftain Venutiux will lead you into the future, and I believe his ideas will be fruitful. But we must take this season to bandage all wounds and ensure we arrive in the spring fully healed and ready to begin anew.”

“Thank you, Queen Cartimandua,” Venu said. “I have many ideas for the future of the Carvetti. In the meantime, however…” Venu then began to outlay his needs, mainly hay, food, and seed for sowing come spring.

---