Page 56 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

“Queen Cartimandua, Lady Ystradwel has sent a messenger. He is below.”

Finally, word from Ystradwel.

“Can you fetch Greer to watch the little ones?” I said. “And where is the king consort?”

“He and King Eddin rode the walls this morning, Queen Cartimandua.”

I nodded. “Very well. I will change and come to meet the messenger.”

Kamden nodded.

“Kamden, any word from Mydils on Corva?”

“No, my queen. Nothing. And no one I’ve spoken to has seen the priestess. But there are… Your crows have left messages, when you are ready for them.”

“I will meet you below after I speak to the Setantii.”

Kamden nodded and then left the room.

With a heavy sigh, I went to dress. My whole body ached, but I managed to find a loose enough blue gown over which I pulled on a sleeveless black-and-silver cloak affixed with moons and stars. Brushing out my hair, I went downstairs, my guards following behind me.

The Setantii messenger had been left to wait in the formal meeting room. The man stood, his hand behind his back, studying the tapestries. When I entered, he bowed deeply.

“Queen Cartimandua,” he said.

I studied the tall, slim man. He was finely dressed in the teal colors of the Setantii, his expensive garments finely adorned. This was no standard messenger, and I did not recognize him from Cam’s court.

“You are welcome in Rigodonum,” I said, taking the high seat at the front of the room, my guards falling in line behind me. “But I am afraid I do not know you, sir.”

A moment later, the door opened, and Conall slipped inside. He gave the man a cursory glance, then inclined his head to me.

“I am one of Lady Ystradwel’s retainers, my queen. I am Lord Gregor. My lands are in that little nob to the west that is sometimes Setantii and sometimes Cornovii.”

“Sometimes Brigantes, you mean. Not Setantii.”

The man smiled and then bowed to me. “Of course. Brigantes. I refer only to our long history of conflict.”

“And when were you last Cornovii, Lord Gregor?”

“When Cam was a king, he acquired my lands, which were reacquired by the Brigantes, of course.”

I studied the man for a long moment, my eyes fixed on his face. I stared hard at him, a deep sense of mistrust welling up in me. Finally, his forced smile faded, and he looked away.

“What is the message from Lady Ystradwel?” I asked.

The door opened, revealing Fabius. He paused momentarily, but I gestured for him to enter and take his place with the guards.

Lord Gregor gave him a cursory glance then continued. “My lady regrets she cannot come in person, Queen Cartimandua. She has taken ill this spring.”

“Ill? How so?”

“I do not know precisely. She has described it only as a female malady that hinders her ability to ride. However, she sends gifts for the princesses,” the man said, gesturing to two chests sitting on a table nearby. “May I?” he asked, offering to open them.

I gestured for him to go ahead.

There was a slickness to this man I did not like. As he worked, I reflected on the limited news my crows had brought from Bell’s Harbor. Had there been word of Ystradwel being sick? I didn’t recall anything. Of course, such an ailment as he described would have easily been kept from others. And yet…

“Crowns adorned with pearls and abalone that come fromyourshores off the coast of Bell’s Harbor,” the man said,motioning to the two diadems in the cases—one for each daughter. “Gifts fitting for princesses of the Brigantes…and Votadini too, I suppose.”

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