Defy the Eagle (55 page)

Caddaric's only thought was that Clywd had come because Jilana was dead and his face darkened again.

Accurately reading his son's thoughts, Clywd came to a halt only a few paces away and held out his hand. "Jilana lives," he panted. "I swear to you, Caddaric, she lives."

Caddaric's eyes narrowed and he flashed a look at Ede, who nodded. "He is telling the truth, Caddaric. I have seen her with my own eyes." She smiled tremulously. "I have never lied to you."

"Nay, you have never lied," Caddaric agreed. He looked down at the man dangling in front of him. "Why did you do it, priest?"

"I have done naught!" Lhwyd protested hoarsely. "Why would I try to kill your slave? In time she will come to my altar, when the rest of the island is free of the Romans. Our Queen has sworn that not a single Roman will remain alive on Albion!" He looked triumphantly at Boadicea.

Anger stained Boadicea's cheeks until they were the same color as her flaming red hair. "Druid, you are under my protection, but lie thus again and I will see you delivered to Paulinus!" She sighed and stepped closer until she was even with Clywd.

Caddaric watched his sovereign approach. "Is it true, O Queen?" he asked softly. "Have you promised Lhwyd Jilana's life?"

Boadicea slowly shook her head. "I promised him nothing of the sort, warrior. I gave the woman to you— yours she will remain."

Caddaric considered her answer for a long time before coming to a decision. "I would ask a boon of you, my Queen."

The corners of Boadicea's mouth twitched with unwilling amusement. "You dare much, warrior, to assault a Druid, break my edict and then ask a favor." Dull color flooded Caddaric's face and Boadicea laughed aloud. "Release the priest, Caddaric, and I will hear your request." When he hesitated, Boadicea said, "A promise given under duress need not be honored."

Everyone held their breath for the space of several heartbeats until, with a snarled oath, Caddaric sheathed his dagger and shoved Lhwyd away to sprawl in the dirt at Boadicea's feet.

"My Queen, arrest him," Lhwyd shrieked as he rose to his feet. "He has broken your edict and threatened a member of the priesthood."

Boadicea looked down her nose at the Druid. "My edict forbade fighting; it did not seem like much of a fight to me." Some of the onlookers snickered, for indeed, Lhwyd had done little more than croak and be tossed about. "As for threatening a member of the priesthood," Boadicea continued, "the law demands that the murder of a Druid is punishable by death. It says nothing of threats."

"Majesty, if you will not punish this upstart I will have my guards—"

Boadicea glared at him. "If you try to harm this man, Lhwyd, I will disband your guards and forbid your sacrifices. I leave it to you to choose."

Lhwyd's face contorted in rage. With a jerky bow he left the Queen and stood among his guards. One of them offered him a cloak and he rudely snatched it out of the man's hands.

"Now, Caddaric," Boadicea said with a sigh, "what is your request?"

The royal guards sheathed their swords and Caddaric breathed easier. The danger had passed. Boadicea did indeed plan to hear his request, and, just as obviously, she did not plan to have him arrested. Caddaric cleared his throat and went down on one knee before his Queen. Boadicea hid a flash of amusement and touched his shoulder lightly. "Rise, Caddaric, 'tis too late to appear humbly beseeching."

Caddaric met the Queen's gaze and held it. "Majesty, I ask permission to free the slave you gave me.''

Of all the things she might have guessed Caddaric would ask for, Boadicea had never thought of this. "Free her," she repeated questioningly. "Why?"

"Because she has proven herself," Caddaric answered steadily. "With my father, she cared for our wounded after Camulodunum, and she has proven her loyalty to me in many ways." He inclined his head toward Lhwyd. "If I should die with Jilana still a slave, this one would no doubt claim her. She deserves better.''

Boadicea's gaze slid to Lhwyd, considering. The Druid had come to her with a wild tale, accusing the Roman slave of aiding one of his sacrifices to escape. Boadicea doubted the validity of the tale, but what was important was that Lhwyd believed his own accusations and was determined to see the girl punished. His obsession was like an ugly canker, growing and festering inside him. She did not doubt that Lhwyd was fully capable of poisoning the girl if the act would relieve his madness. And Caddaric was right; for her services to him, and her kindness to the Queen, the Roman did not deserve to die at Lhwyd's hands.

"Very well, you may free the girl. For a price," Boadicea added before Caddaric could express his gratitude. She had to exact some punishment for his wild actions. "You will give me a horse, one broken to the saddle, for the disruption you have caused."

"Thank you, Majesty." Caddaric bowed.

"Do not be so quick with your thanks," Boadicea said tartly. "Your chieftain may exact a higher penalty for your behavior, and I will not intervene." She swung away, her guards following.

"This is not over yet," Lhwyd snarled when Caddaric—flanked by Clywd and Ede—walked past him.

Caddaric paused and fixed the Druid with an icy stare. "Harm Jilana, or any of my family, or even attempt to do so, and I swear you will pay. I am a patient man, priest; I can wait years to have my revenge, and you, in the meantime, will never know a moment's peace." He strode off, leaving Lhwyd to fume impotently.

Caddaric walked silently, listening to Clywd's explanation of the poison and the measures he had taken to counteract it. When they reached the camp, Caddaric went straight to the tent and entered. A small fire had been built within the leather walls and in its light, Caddaric saw Heall sitting beside the pallet, one of Jilana's hands clasped in both of his. The older man looked up at Caddaric's entrance and managed a smile.

"She will live, Caddaric."

"Aye, so I was told." Caddaric bent down to brush the damp hair from Jilana's face. "Has she awakened?"

"Twice." Heall placed the delicate hand beneath the blanket and tugged the material higher around her neck.

"Clywd says 'tis best to let her sleep." Caddaric grunted noncommittally and Heall studied the younger man. "He saved her life, Caddaric."

"After nearly causing her death," Caddaric replied caustically.

"He thought she would be safe," Heall argued. "How could he know—"

"He could not," Caddaric flared. "None of us could. That is why we agreed that one of us would remain with her at all times."

"Caddaric, he has checked all of our provisions; none of them are poisoned." Heall cleared his throat. "Did Lhwyd admit the deed?"

"Nay, but he is guilty."

"Then we will have to warn Jilana. Mayhap if we had told her our suspicions, this could have been avoided." Heall rose. "I will dress the hares and prepare a stew."

Once they were alone, Caddaric moved to Jilana's side and tenderly drew his fingers over the fine bones of her face. He could delude himself no longer. The pretense of keeping her only for the child was only that—a pretense. She had found a way into his warrior's heart and built a place for herself there. He had not realized, until her death seemed imminent, how great a part she had come to play in his life. The thought of life without her was enough to drive him mad, as was the thought that she was anyone's slave, even his. So he had asked for her freedom and been granted his request. A pang of fear stabbed at him. Once she learned she was free, Jilana would have the freedom of remaining with him or leaving, as she chose. Many of the Iceni would welcome her into their camp, adopt her; and the young, unmarried warriors would be free to vie for her hand. Would she go? Caddaric wondered sadly, and then answered his own question. Why would she not? Whenever she looked at him, she saw the death of her family and the beginning of the end of her world.

Kissing her gently on the forehead, Caddaric left the tent and strolled to where the horses were tethered. From the six, he selected a mare whose coat was black as ebony for the Queen. She was a spirited horse, but well-trained; the Queen would be pleased. He returned to the camp with the mare and found his chieftain sitting beside Clywd by the fire.

"This one is for the Queen," the chieftain demanded, rising.

Caddaric nodded and handed the rope to the man.

"I should punish you. To break the Queen's law about brawling was bad enough, but to assault a Druid and try to kill him!" He shook his head. "Lhwyd wants your head on a pike, young Caddaric."

Caddaric folded his arms over his chest. "Are you going to give it to him?"

The chieftain frowned blackly. "Have a care, young pup, or I may consider it!" Caddaric nearly laughed at being called a young pup, but he caught himself in time. The chieftain, however, had seen the glint in his eye and now shook his head in exasperation. "Lhwyd is forbidden to enter your camp uninvited, and you are forbidden to enter his. I have no liking for Lhwyd, but you have left me no choice in the matter." He extended his hand and wiggled his fingers. "Another horse, Caddaric, that is my fine. One I choose myself."

Caddaric had no choice but to agree and led the man to the horses. The chieftain inspected all of them, but he lingered over the golden stallion and Caddaric's heart sank. Resigned, Caddaric stepped forward to untie the stallion.

"Nay, not this one." The chieftain pointed to one of the mounts that held no interest for Caddaric. "That one."

Trying not to show his relief, Caddaric untied the horse and handed the rope to his chieftain.

"Let this be a lesson to you," the chieftain admonished as he took the rope. "Do something as stupid as this again and the Queen will not be so generous. And never forget that I could have taken the stallion."

Clywd was emerging from the tent when Caddaric returned to the camp a second time. They met at the entrance to the tent and for a long time, neither spoke. Behind them, the fire crackled and the sounds Heall made as he prepared the meal were muted.

"I thought she would be safe," Clywd said finally, his voice low. "Lhwyd's camp was far away—" The words died; his eyes fell away from Caddaric's. He spread his hands helplessly and started to walk away.

"Wait." Caddaric stared at the tent flap. "I should not have spoken to you as I did."

Clywd laid a trembling hand upon his son's arm. "I would cut off my arm before I would hurt you. In truth, I do not know what I was thinking of. We set up the camps and then I remembered that I had bandages to change and I needed to replenish some of the herbs and roots in my medicine case and I..." He shook his head sadly. "I am so sorry, Caddaric."

Caddaric covered his father's hand with his and squeezed roughly. "I understand, Father. I did not mean the things I said; but I was so afraid for her." Clywd nodded and moved away. Caddaric went into the tent to sit with Jilana.

As the sun set, Heall brought a pot of stew, bowls and spoons into the tent and gave them to Caddaric. "Do you want me to stay with her?"

Caddaric shook his head. "I will care for her."

Heall looked as if he might argue, but then thought better of it. With a slight nod he left them alone. Caddaric took a portion of the stew and ate without really tasting it. He nestled the pot into the coals to keep it warm and then rolled into a blanket on the ground beside Jilana's pallet. The camp quieted earlier than usual, anticipating the battle tomorrow. With a start, Caddaric realized that he had not spared a thought for the coming battle, nor sharpened his weapons. He started to rise and then fell back wearily. There would be time enough in the morning.

Jilana awoke in the cold, dark hours of early morning. Her body and head ached, but she recognized immediately the emptiness in the pallet. One hand crept over to where Caddaric normally lay, and when it did not encounter the familiar warm body, she weakly called his name. Why did it hurt even to speak, she wondered, and then gasped when Caddaric loomed over her.

"What is it, wicca?"

Jilana blinked, trying to bring his face into focus. "Thirsty," she whispered.

"Wait." Caddaric fetched a skin and held it to her lips while his other arm supported her head. "Drink, but only a little." When she would have emptied the skin, he firmly removed it from her mouth and returned her to the furs.

The water eased the parched ache in her mouth and throat and Jilana turned her head to the side. The tent looked different and it took several moments before she realized why. "Why did you light a fire inside?"

"Because Clywd said you should be kept warm."

Remembering what had happened, Jilana sighed. "I fell ill. Have I been a terrible burden?"

Something between a laugh and a sob escaped Caddaric's throat. He shook his head and took her hand. "Nay."

"I am glad." Jilana searched his face. "Are you angry with me?"

Caddaric closed his eyes and shook his head again. When he opened them, Jilana was still staring at him. "Are you hungry? I have kept some stew warm."

Jilana's stomach revolted at the thought. "A bit more water?" Caddaric brought the skin to her lips and this time allowed her to drink a bit more. "Is this fresh? It tastes much better than the water I drank at midday."

"Nay, 'tis from the barrels." Caddaric studied her intently. "What was wrong with the water in your skin?"