chapter 3

Cato watched with admiration as Boudicca and Costa spoke. He weighed his own opinion in here and there as the conversation went on, but he genuinely enjoyed just watching the Iceni princess exchange witty banter while her delicate, yet strong, hands made short work of the meal before her.

Her long black lashes drew him into her intense gaze. Her hair fell so freely down to her shoulders. Nothing about the way she dressed would lead a man to believe she was a princess. Her bear-fur coat was neatly done yet it held no mark of prestige and title. She wore a simple silver bangle on her left wrist. It was slightly too big and shifted gently along her arm as she spoke.

“Well, I think I shall withdraw for the evening.” Boudicca announced, suddenly standing up. “I do thank you for such delightful conversation.”

“It is only a pleasure.” Cato replied, standing with her. Cato caught a sly glance from Costa. “Shall I walk you to your tent? Or may it be my company that tires you so?”

“There’s no need to take things personally Roman.” Boudicca giggled, taking her last swig of wine. “I’d prefer you not try to take advantage of me in such a state.”

“It would seem Roman wine has better reputation than its soldiers.” Costa remarked. “Do stay my boy, there’s yet much to discuss.”

“I shall have to find my own way through this life Roman.” Boudicca teased, her speech slurring slightly. “It is better that I walk alone in the moonlight anyway. That way I can here her speak to me.”

She stumbled towards the tent entrance. Cato leaped forward and caught her before she hit the ground. He body felt weightless in his arms. Her warm breath caressed his neck.

“You are truly drunk.” He said, helping her to her feet. “I’ll have the orderly call one of your men to assist you.”

“Leth’m drink!” Boudicca yelled disjointedly. “I will make ith… by my own. If you dare to follow me… I will kill you.”

With that she stormed out into the cold winter’s night. The torches lit her path and Cato watched as she marched directly towards her tent. Had she been playing drunk? She seemed quite steady on her feet. She reached her tent and paused at the entrance. Suddenly she turned her gaze to the heavens. That moment would forever be etched in Cato’s mind.

Her face was illuminated by the moon. It was a clear night and the Cato’s gaze darted between the moon and Boudicca’s face. He felt a cool tingle run through his entire body. He had to say something to her.

“By the gods,” Cato uttered, turning towards his father. “I’m not sure what is more radiant, her face or the full moon."

"Those are dangerous words my son." Costa warned, walking over to Cato. “Come let us go over your mission tomorrow.”

“I’m not so foolish to believe we can take this island without strong alliances.” Cato replied, glancing out at the camp one last time. Boudicca had gone. He turned back to his father, and they headed to the table. “The Brigantes will be a formidable ally. I am sure Boudicca can persuade them.”

“And how do you presume she will do that?” Costa inquired. Cato sensed he was assessing him. There was something his father was not telling him.

“I cannot be sure what her father has charged her with.” Cato replied.

“Guard!” Costa called out. One of the guards stationed at the tent entered and saluted. “Fetch an orderly, I need a map.”

It was not long before another scrawny man scurried into the tent with multiple scrolls and pieces of parchment. He stopped at the entrance and saluted before running over to the table and laying out the map.

“Thank you. That will be all.” Costa dismissed the orderly with a warm smile. The man bowed deeply before running out of the tent. Costa placed his hands onto the table, leaning over the map. He looked up at Cato.

“It is good to treat all those in your command well, even with a smile. Look at this.”

Cato walked around the table, Costa moving aside for him to get a better view. It was a map of the entire island. When had they chartered this? Cato was not aware such a map existed.

“You are surprised,” Costa remarked with a hearty chuckle. “It helps to have alliances. Courtesy of our friend, King Galedir. Boudicca’s father had his men describe the island to our cartographers. He even called in some fishermen who trade with the various tribes.”

“That’s quite thorough.” Cato nodded, studying the map before him. “So where am I headed?”

“You will be escorting Boudicca to the Brigantes’ fortress of Eboracum.” Costa traced a path from the southern coast to the center of the island. “The Brigantes king, Tel, expects you to arrive in ten days.”

“That’s deep into their territory,” Cato noted. “If talks go south our return would be most unexpected. What hastens this epic trek?”

“We received word that the Caledones are seeking to unite the tries against us.” Costa slammed his finger onto the map, further to the north. “They will hold a meeting of the tribes to discuss attacking us and the Iceni.”

“What stops them from just capturing the princess and turning the Iceni against us?” Cato inquired.

“That’s where you come in Roman.” Boudicca stood before them. They had not noticed her enter. “Besides, my father loves Rome so much head easily sell his only daughter to protect his relationship with your emperor.”

What did she mean by sell? Cato thought to himself. Surely, they had something to bargain. His heart dropped as the realization hit him. It must have shown on his face because Costa quickly began packing up.

“Do excuse me for the night.” Costa yawned packing up the map. “I have need for a bath.”

With that he briskly marched out into the night leaving Cato and the Iceni princess alone. Cato felt a lump form in his throat. His mouth became dry. He struggled to find the courage to ask Boudicca. Strange how a moment in the moonlight shakes a man’s entire world, the melancholic thoughts circled his mind.

“I should go.” Boudicca moved towards the entrance, turning her back to Cato. A silver streak of moonlight trickled though the gap.

"What brought you back here?" Cato called after her.

She stopped and turned to him. Her emerald eyes shimmered.

“Do you ever dream of the moon?” She asked softly.

The question was so innocent, so true that it stunned Cato. He could not find the words to reply. Her voice jolted something inside of him. Like a memory. He thought of his dream, how the moon had pulled him.

“Leave it then.” Boudicca sighed, pulling the screen aside and stepping into the night.

Cato felt his body surge forward. He needed to know what she meant. Something in her eyes seemed to pull him in. He lunged towards the entrance.

“Boudicca wait—” Cato cried out as he grabbed her hand. She turned, gazing into his eyes. The night sky shone as bright as daylight. She glowed before him.

“It would seem the gods do have an order to things.” Boudicca smiled briefly. “I have only known you for a few days and yet…”

“Why am I so drawn to you?” Cato asked, scanning her face. The smile of the wolf flashed before his eyes, and he let go of her hand. “It seems the fates have intertwined us for a purpose.”

“Are you a religious man then?” Boudicca asked quietly, the smile evaporating from her face.

Cato looked deep into her eyes once more. The smell of her perfume drifted to him on a light breeze filled his mind.

“I believe there is a bigger plan, yes.” Cato replied softly.

They stood there in the cold. For a moment, the cold fell away. The world shrunk into darkness until it was just Boudicca before him. The guard returning from patrol coughed gently, pulling Cato back into the present.

“Excuse me.” Boudicca breathed and walked off into the camp once more.

Cato glanced up at the moon one last time before returning to his own tent. It had been a long day. He needed to rest.