Page 68 of Queen of the Hollow Hills

Aelith smiled at me once more.

I kissed her cheek, then handed her back to Greer.

“I will see to them, my lady. Nothing to fear,” Greer reassured me.

Regan sneezed while I was handing Aelith back, making her sister laugh.

“Is that funny, Princess Aelith?” Greer asked the smiling baby.

I chuckled lightly. “Thank you, Greer.”

Corva reined in beside me. “My queen. We are ready,” she said.

I nodded. The other priestesses had ridden off earlier that morning to see to some preparations at the sacred site. I would ride to Isurium Brigantum and remain there until they called for me.

I felt my gaze pulled upward. In an open window casement at the top of the fort, I spotted Verbia—and Fabius. Fabius waved cheerfully to me while Verbia merely watched on.

I chuckled, wondering what nonsense Fabius was up to, then grinned at Verbia. After a moment, she cracked a flicker of a smile. Shaking my head, I turned back to Cormag once more, holding his loving gaze for a moment, then turned and rode out.

With guards before us and behind us, we made our way into the city. As we neared the town proper, the people began to gather. Conall reined in on one side of me while Corva covered my left flank.

“Am I to be shielded?” I asked them.

“We still do not know who tried to kill you at Yule, my queen, unless you’ve forgotten,” Corva replied.

“This streak of silver on my cheek will not let me forget,” I said, touching my face where the scar from the fletching had left a mark.

“You are the queen of the Brigantes, the greatest, strongest, and richest tribe on this island, which also means you have the biggest target on your back,” Conall told me.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing you are here to shield me,” I replied with a smirk.

“As you hope to shield us all,” Corva replied stoically.

The rideto Isurium Brigantum took the entire day, with our party arriving at the second largest of the Brigantes strongholds at night. The walled fort sat on a plain not far from the river. The ancient site, as old as Rigodonum itself, was teeming with life. From within the walls, I heard music, laughter, and people. A stone wall surrounded the fort. From the ramparts, the watchmen called, heralding our arrival.

“The queen! The queen! Open the gates for the queen!”

Our horses’ rigging jingled as we made our way to the gate.

The doors swung open a moment later to reveal a small city bathed in torchlight. We rode through the narrow streets to the chieftain’s house at the center of the village. It sat on a high mound above the rest of the buildings, with a good view of the city. A party appeared. I spotted Aedan and his young nephew, Aerin, ahead of a crowd of guards and others. When we reached them, I pulled Branagán to a stop.

“Queen Cartimandua,” Aedan called. “You are welcome in Isurium Brigantum.”

“Thank you, Chieftain Aedan. It has been too long.”

“Priestess,” he added, inclining his head to Corva.

She gave him a brief nod.

I dismounted, Aedan taking my hand to steady me. “Come,” he said, “you have traveled far, and it is late.”

“Thank you,” I said, going with him while my guard saw to the horses, Corva following behind us.

“I must admit that your message alarmed me, Queen Cartimandua. It was brief and lacking in detail. That is never a good sign.”

“The priestesses have gone to the Claws of the Cailleach. I await their call to join them.”

“The Claws of the Cailleach?” Aedan asked, alarm in his voice. “What’s happening?”

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