Page 36 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

“Thank you. Take what you need. And is my king in the same condition as his friend?” I asked with a laugh, gesturing at the mud.

“Doubly so,” Brodi replied, attempting to wipe grime from his cheek only to spread it on more thickly with his dirty hand.

I laughed. “Good. Then that means he is working hard.”

“He is.”

“Take whatever is needed. The men can send along another wagon of supplies into the village.”

“Thank you.”

“And stop by the kitchen. Ask them to send some food.”

Brodi gave me a bow and turned to go, only to find Fabius gaping at him. Fabius pulled back the hem of his cloak to prevent it from touching Brodi’s muddy body. He gave Brodi a mock disgusted look and clicked his tongue at him.

Brodi grunted in reply then departed.

“Queen Cartimandua,” Fabius said with a sigh, “how do you ever survive with such ruffians about? You are such a refined, intelligent, and beautiful lady. You should be in a villa in Capri draped in silk and sunshine, not mucking about with warriors, swords, and mud,” he said, sidestepping muddy tracks on the floor.

“Perhaps in my next life.”

“Touché. I have a lesson for you today, my dear. Today, I will teach you about the goddess Diana, a moon goddess, just like yourself,” he said with a smile.

“Very well. I’ll deliver these to Kamden and then return.”

“After you ask the servants for a tray of sweets and mead?”

I chuckled. “Yes. After that.”

Fabius smiled and then went to his favorite spot on the workbench. “I will be waiting.”

Leaving Fabius, I left the workroom to find Kamden in the great dining room, overseeing a deep cleaning of the space.

“Are we expecting someone?” I asked, my eyes flicking briefly to the flagstones where my mother had crumpled to her death. I looked away, turning back to Kamden.

The housecarl smiled. “Two someones, my queen,” he said, gesturing to my round belly. “And with them, every chieftain in Brigantes lands, and maybe a king or two.”

“Onnen says it may be another moon, you know.”

“Onnen does not see you daily as we do, my queen. It hurts nothing to be ready,” he said, looking at the messages in my hand. “May I be of assistance?”

I nodded. “Riders, please. The snow may still be deep to the north, but I will not delay gathering news.”

“I will see to them,” he said, taking the notes from me.

“Fabius would like a tray of sweets and mead sent to the workroom,” I told Kamden, who chuckled.

“That man is made of sugar and alcohol.”

I laughed, then paused. “Are they baking onion bread?”

“Indeed. With a heady cheese.”

“Hmm,” I mused. “I amnotmade of sweets and alcohol, but since there are no walnuts to be found, onion bread…” I said, giving the housecarl a wink, then went to the kitchen. There, I discovered several loaves set to cool. While the cooks were busy, one of the kitchen boys was working at the counter where the bread was resting. I grabbed one loaf, gave the boy a knowing wink, and then went up the back stairs. Following a path on the narrow hallways, I finally found myself at Verbia’s door.

Knocking lightly, I entered to find the old woman sitting by her window, her shutters opened, knitting.

She looked up at me.

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