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

I did not hear you protest when I rode into Camulodunon with my chariots and my men, crushing the Trinovantes and sending Dubnovellaunus running for the coast. And I have heard rumors of my own, Subidasto. Are the Iceni not pushing west and discomfiting the Coritani themselves? No?” Subidasto muttered something. “We will have an agreement, if you like.” Subidasto’s head jerked up in shock but Caradoc smiled to himself. He knew what his father would say and he knew Subidasto’s outraged answer. “I will cease to raid you and you will cease to raid me, and to seal the bargain we will exchange hostages. I will give you one of my sons. Who will you offer?” A slow, anticipatory smile spread over his face. Subidasto swallowed noisily and his hand went out to rest on Boudicca’s fiery hair.
    “I have only my daughter,” he said quietly, “and well you know it, Cunobelin!”
    Cunobelin clucked sympathetically. “But my friend, something that hurts must be sacrificed to seal such a solemn bargain. Little Boudicca would be quite safe here. She would learn every gentle art of living. She would imbibe the culture of a rich and various tribe.”
    The inference was obvious, and Subidasto flushed hotly. “I am as rich as you, wolf of Gaul, and as for culture, I prefer the Icenian way of life to this…this cheap Roman muddle!” Cunobelin did not reply. He merely stood there smiling, his eyes almost hidden by the seamed flesh of his face. He could have pointed out that fully six generations had gone by since his ancestors brought the fire and the sword from Gaul to Albion. He could have raved that he was no man’s servant, let alone Tiberius’s in Rome, but he did not.
    He bowed to the company. “Is the Council over?” he called, and they all shouted back, “It is!”
    “Then to bed. I trust, Subidasto, that our poor Roman hovels are comfortable and to your liking?”
    Oh Father, easy, Caradoc thought. Do not tempt the man to a show of arms, for you will have to kill him. But Togodumnus craned forward eagerly and was disappointed when Subidasto rose without a word, gathering the warm bundle of child into his arms and walking regally out of the Hall. No one else stirred, and Caradoc saw that the Druid had gone. He rose and stretched, yawning.
    “Tog, you can supervise the loading of the dogs tomorrow,” he said. “That at least you can do for your folly.”
    “But I have much to do!” Togodumnus protested. “Aricia and Adminius and I…”
    “You can do it,” Caradoc said firmly over his shoulder as he left the Hall. He stood for a moment on the threshold and gulped great drafts of the heavy, wet air that beat upon him. He drew it down into his lungs with relief, closing his eyes and turning his face upward so that the rain washed his face with its cold, clean fingers. Cinnamus passed him, bidding him a polite goodnight, and Caelte paused beside him. “Do you want my music tonight, Lord?” he asked, but Caradoc declined. He was tired but pleased with the day. Perhaps he should go and talk to Aricia, to find out what she thought of the mysterious member of the Druithin. All at once he opened his eyes in shock, setting his lips firmly against his thoughts and his feet upon the path to his door. Not tonight, Aricia. By the Dagda, not tonight!
    The light from his fire and his lamps shone out under the doorskins, and Fearachar stood without, huddling dejectedly into his short cloak while the rain dripped off his long nose.
    “I have been waiting…” he began in an injured tone, and Caradoc cut him short.
    “I know!” he snapped, not amused tonight by the servant’s whining. “For a long time. Go away, Fearachar. I have no patience with you tonight.”
    “Lord, I have been waiting here to tell you that you have a visitor,” Fearachar concluded in a morose but satisfied tone. “Seeing that you wish no commerce with me tonight I will forbear to tell you who it is.” He sniffed once and sneezed twice. “I