Page 12 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

“We will see to your needs as best we can,” I reassured Venu, then turned to the rest of the chieftains to ask for an accounting of their stores. I could see on their faces that none of them wanted to help the Carvetti. I did not blame them, but we had to see beyond the past to the future.

“What of the Setantii?” Chieftain Aedan asked. “Ystradwel is not here, and we were told Cam’s health is failing.”

I nodded slowly. “Lady Ystradwel is at his side now. Cam is not expected to be with us in this world much longer.”

“You must watch them, my queen,” Andoc told me. “Even under Cam’s eye, they have plotted rebellion and were bold enough to seek allies. What seeds of rebellion Cam could not stamp out will continue to stew and fester unless Ystradwel acts.”

I nodded. “Yes. You are right.”

“King Consort, you have been quiet. Do you have any news to share with us, or have you and your men been too busy hunting to attend to the affairs of the Brigantes?” Venu asked Cormag, causing several of the Brigantes chieftains to frown.

Cormag looked down the table at Venu. “I would not presume to speak for men who know their lands better than I. What has been spoken here is plain. Your Parisii relatives are not to be trusted, and your defeated tribe is not yet in hand,” he said, causing Venu’s brow to furrow. “I will add that Chieftain Cam’s unwanted ally, false King Aengus of the Northern Cornovii, rattles his sword even as the true king of the Cornovii, King Ord, fights alongside his warlike allies, the Catuvellauni. There is much to watch,” he said then sat back, adding, “Winter is atime when small, pitiful, and jealous men look for someone else to blame for their impotence,” he replied in a blasé tone.

Beside Cormag, Brodi and Damhan tapped their mugs together and drank.

Aedan swallowed a laugh then gave Brennan a knowing look.

Oh, Venu…

Venutiux smiled at Cormag, lifted his ale in a toast to him, and then drank. But the corners of Venu’s eyes told the tale. Venu had prodded Cormag out of jealousy, but my husband had risen to the occasion and put Venu’s pettiness in its place. I did not like Venu’s attempted slight on Cormag, but I knew it came from a wound.

I glanced at Cormag, whose expression was unbothered.

“The king consort is right,” Chieftain Calos said. “The south is buzzing like bees, but except for this mess Cam has left us, what happens in the south is of no concern to the Brigantes.”

“King Aedd Mawr and King Verica have fled south to Rome,” Corva said stiffly. “The Catuvellauni war is a problem because a divided south invites trouble from beyond our shores.”

“Expecting Caeser to arrive any moment, Priestess?” Andoc asked with a laugh.

Some of the others chuckled.

“What if Rome sees it as an opportunity? Caesar failed because we were united. Where on this island, aside from the Caledonians to our north, do you see unity now?” I asked.

At that, the men grew silent.

“You will exhaust yourself watching every border, Queen Cartimandua,” Aedan told me.

“Me? Never. I am a murder of crows, a dozen eyes looking everywhere all at once.”

Aedan grinned at me. “Our crow queen,” he said, then winked at Cormag, who chuckled.

Our talks bled into the midday meal and resumed thereafter. By late afternoon, however, we had concluded our business, and the chieftains and their retainers left the great hall to attend to whatever business they had in Rigodonum before our final feast that night.

Aedan had already convinced Cormag, Brodi, and Damhan to go with him and Aedan’s nephew, Aerin, into the city in search of pups to train for hunting dogs. Cormag had mentioned to the chieftain that a man in the village was selling a litter of excellent dogs. After kissing my husband goodbye, I turned to join Corva but her gaze went behind me, gesturing with her eyes that someone was there.

I turned to find Venu approaching me, his men having departed.

“Cartimandua, a moment?” he asked.

I nodded. “Come, let’s go somewhere quiet,” I told him, then motioned for Corva to stay behind.

She frowned but did not follow.

Venu and I went to my private workroom. I motioned for Venu to sit while I poured him a mead, then sat across from him.

“Tell me how you are. Really.”

Venu smiled sadly. “I sit in my father’s seat wondering how I got there, but I’m making the best of what the gods have arranged for me.”

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