The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge Read Free Book Online Page A

straightened.
    “I cannot sing the song,” he said sorrowfully. “My royal master always breaks out in a rash of apprehension when I eulogize Togodumnus together with cattle.” He launched into a raucous drinking song to drown Togodumnus’s spluttered expletives, and they all screamed it with him while the rain pelted down. When it was over Cunobelin rose and Cathbad retired to his spot by the wall.
    “The time for Council is here,” he said. “Chieftains and all freemen take heed. All others leave.” No one moved but the few slaves and traders, who slipped out into the night. It was only the chiefs who ever had anything to say, but all freemen were allowed to hear how the affairs of the tuath were being settled, and they drew closer to the fire. Caradoc saw the Druid rise. He came closer, sat down by Subidasto and whispered to him, and Subidasto nodded. Boudicca was asleep, curled up in her father’s cloak.
    “Our guest may now state his business,” Cunobelin said, and went to sit beside Caradoc. “There will be trouble here,” he said in a low voice, “and harsh things said. This Subidasto does not like us.”
    “Does the Druid not speak first?” Togodumnus leaned over and whispered.
    Cunobelin shook his head. “He will not speak.”
    Subidasto was on his feet now, his legs astride and one hand resting on his sword hilt. He slowly surveyed the company, cleared his throat carefully, and began. “Does any man here deny me my immunity?” No one spoke. “Does any man here deny the Druid his immunity?” Again there was silence. “Good.” Subidasto nodded. “I see that you have a semblance of tribal dignity left.” He hurried on, ignoring the muttering. “I am here to protest against the repeated and unnecessary raiding carried out by the Catuvellauni into Icenian territory. My people have lost their flocks and herds, their servants, and even their lives.” He thrust out an arm as thick as a young tree trunk. “Why? Because, as usual, your ricon chooses to ignore the bounds of his tuath. He rides roughshod over the territorial rights of others as well as those of myself. Where is Dubnovellaunus? Where is Verica? Cunobelin’s sons are rapacious and cruel, and his own greed is uncontained even by his age. He looks ever beyond his own people, seeking new conquests, and I know,” he shook a fist at Cunobelin, “I know, that it is only his true master in Rome who prevents him from making full war upon me and mine.” Cunobelin stiffened but did not respond. His turn would come. “I demand to be left alone,” Subidasto shouted. “I demand an agreement, I demand hostages to back that agreement, and I want a full and proper restitution of all that my people have lost to you, you wolves of Gaul!” He stood for a moment longer, thinking, then with a twisted smile gestured to Cunobelin and sat down.
    Cunobelin paced to the fire, turned, and folded his arms. He appeared to ponder, head down. Now speak, you silver-tongued old fox, Caradoc thought. Put the Icenian firmly in his place. Cunobelin lifted his head and surveyed the Council with a question in his eyes, then raised his arms appealingly.
    “Who am I?” he asked, and his chiefs answered, “Cunobelin, Ricon!”
    “Am I a Roman?”
    “No!”
    “Am I a wolf of Gaul?”
    “No!”
    “Yes!” Togodumnus whispered in Caradoc’s ear, and the Druid glanced sharply in their direction as if he had heard. Cunobelin spoke to them all, but his words were for Subidasto.
    “You come from far, Icenian chieftain, with wild rumors in your ears and lies to tell. Of course we raid. Who does not? Do your chieftains spend their time raising children? We raid the Coritani, and the Coritani raid us. We raid the Dobunni, and the Dobunni raid us. We all lose animals and men, but that is the luck of the game. We are warriors. We do not work on the land. We fight. Will you stand and swear to us that you and your chieftains have not taken Catuvellaunian lives and cattle?