Page 86 of Arise the Queen
He was a man grown, prepared to put down his life for this cause.
And Esme… with the fire’s flames dancing in her bright, green eyes. Gwendolyn longed to know better.
And Baugh…
So much had changed for Gwendolyn, and she had so much to live for—so much yet to learn.
Caradoc continued, bringing her back from her reverie, advising them now how best to fight in the bogs—how to avoid quagmires, how to use the land to their advantage.
“No doubt, he will have found thefogous,” he said. “He may send his women there, but if the battle goes poorly, he may retreat there as well.”
Estrildis would hide there, no doubt, and Gwendolyn had a moment’s odd consideration for the son she did not bring, relieved to know he would be safe in Loegria with his grandmother.
She still did not know what she would do with the boy, but as they continued to discuss the course of this battle, she knew beyond any doubt that she could not end an innocent child’s life for the sins of his father.
“If Loc’s attention remains on the hill fort—as mine so oft was—there is no way he’s been able to spare enough men to keep the tunnels clear. But those tunnels will collapse without proper care.”
“Can we seal them?” Baugh asked.
Gwendolyn shuddered, imagining Estrildis entombed within—and all her previous outrage over the woman’s treatment of her turned to pity.
Caradoc lifted a shoulder. “It would not be worth our effort, but… if we do, we should wait till he retreats there with the women, and then seal them all within…”
“The white-livered fool is too fastidious to get his hands so filthy,” scoffed Bryn. “I’d not count on him retreating into thosefogous.”
Esme winked at him, then grinned, her porbeagle teeth on full display. “Dearling, you’d be surprised at what men would do when frightened. I’ve seen many a grown man piss himself only to glimpse my smile.”
Bryn’s cheeks flushed red, but no one else seemed to note the affection with which Esme delivered her rebuttal.
Gwendolyn did, and so did Málik, but Málik only lifted a silver brow at Gwendolyn. He had been silent this evening, leaving Gwendolyn to explain even those things he had told her about Fae magic—perhaps because he understood how important it was for her to establish her authority amongst these men.
Alas, there was no guarantee any of them would survive this battle with two thousand fewer men than Loc. They still needed the Iceni to bolster their numbers.
Gwendolyn gave Caradoc a pat on the back, and said, “So we follow the coastline till we reach the Wash, and from there, we travel south-southeast?”
Caradoc nodded. “To where the River Tas meets the River Yare. That is where we shall find the Iceni village.” He peered up at Gwendolyn, then added, “And you should be the one who approaches. They’ve no love for Cornwall, or your father, but they will despise the Usurper all the more.”
“I will accompany her,” said Málik, his tone brooking no argument.
“Yes, of course you will,” agreed Caradoc, giving him a toothy grin. “But do not worry, King of the Fae, they’ll hearourqueen’s appeal, particularly once they note the support she has garnered. I have faith they will call their banners and join us.” He was quiet a moment, then added. “Rest assured, if they refuse her, the Iceni chieftain will grant safe passage from his village. I know this man well enough to know he fights with honor—after all, it was not he who stole our lands,” he said bitterly.
Gwendolyn nodded somberly, her thoughts drifting to her conversation with Locrinus on the night she’d first met him.
He had so gleefully, and without the least compunction boasted of his plans to seize Plowonida, and even then, she hadknown this would be a terrible mistake—one that would see him defeated if the gods allowed.
“The Druids should also accompany you,” said Caradoc. “All of them. Amergin, as well. The Iceni have much respect for the Old Ways.”
They would welcome Emrys and Lir before anyone, he explained, and Málik would lend credulity of the Fae’s support.
“And don’t forget your flaming sword,” he said with some mockery, because, of course, he had never witnessed this for himself. He smirked then. “But leave Esme. She’ll never further your cause.”
Esme rolled her eyes, glaring at him. “Simply because I have injured your manful pride does not mean the Iceni will have skin so thin.”
“Esme stays,” Málik agreed, and Gwendolyn also nodded her agreement. She hitched her chin at Caradoc, then said to Esme, “I’ll need you to keep this one on his best behavior.”
“With pleasure,” she allowed, crossing her arms, and she and Gwendolyn shared a private smile. This morning, they’d found the occasion to speak again, and Gwendolyn understood all the reasons Esme had done what she’d done. If she could forgive Málik and Bryn for their deceptions, she could forgive the sister who’d risked so much to protect her.
When all of this was over, Gwendolyn would welcome the opportunity to know Esme better, not as a sour-mouthed conspirator, but as a loving sister.
