Dark Eagle II: The Hidden by K.M. Ashman

Author:K.M. Ashman [Ashman, K.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Britannia

Marcus and Cassius approached the Cantiaci village situated near the edge of a small lake dotted with small boats. Their journey south through the rugged territories of the Iceni and Trinovantes had been longer and harsher than anticipated, marked by muddy roads, treacherous marshes, and watchful eyes. Now, at last, they had reached their destination and Marcus stared at the village ahead, assessing the threat and their own vulnerability. The thatched roofs of the roundhouses stood huddled together against the constant wind, but the place seemed eerily quiet.

‘Where are the men?’ Cassius muttered, his sharp eyes scanning the scene.

‘They won’t be far,’ said Marcus. ‘These people are well known for their ferocity.’

They watched for another hour or so, but eventually, Marcus knew they could wait no longer.

‘We go in,’ he said, standing up. ‘Openly.’

With a nod of agreement, Cassius followed Marcus as they stepped out from the cover of the trees and walked toward the village. As they neared, the usual rhythm of the settlement, children running, women weaving, men sharpening tools, halted as all eyes turned to the two strangers.

Three men, tall and broad-shouldered, emerged from one of the huts to stand before them, their hair hanging in wild braids, and tattoos covering almost every piece of visible skin. One of them stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as they swept over the dishevelled pair.

‘Who are you?’ he demanded. ‘And what do you want?’

‘We are messengers,’ said Marcus, ‘and here to speak with your chieftain.’

‘You look like Trinovantes to me,’ said one of the men, ‘and smell like them too.’

‘We are not Trinovantes,’ Cassius cut in sharply. ‘Nor are we enemies. We are friends of the Cantiaci and here purely to negotiate.’

‘You ask to see our chieftain as if he is a comrade of yours,’ came the reply ‘so tell us his name.’

Cassius hesitated, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. They knew that the Cantiaci essentially came under the rule of the Catuvellauni, but they were also known as a fiercely independent tribe and since Cunobeline had died, he wasn’t sure where their allegiances lay. The warrior stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with malice.

‘You don’t know, do you? He said, ‘and yet you come here, claiming to be an ally.’ His hand drifted to the hilt of the dagger at his belt. ‘Perhaps you are spies, come to gather information for your Trinovante masters.’

Cassius opened his mouth to speak, but Marcus cut him off, picking up on the warrior’s tone of voice when he mentioned the Trinovantes.

‘We are not spies,’ he said firmly, ‘and although I know Cunobeline has passed, I admit that I do not know the name of your master. But if it is Togodumnus who leads you, then our journey has been wasted for our words are not for his ears, and we will leave you in peace.’

At the mention of Togodumnus, the three men exchanged dark looks. The tension thickened further, though their hands now hung by their sides rather than near their weapons.

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