The Warrior and the Druidess Read Online Free PDF Page B

time to announce the wedding, since it is to take place so soon.” As she worked the pestle, she vowed to keep this a happy day, a day to celebrate the harvest. She smiled, and bubbling warmth floated through her.
    “Yes, there will be merriment, of course, with the first night of Lughnassa. But, after all, the games and the feasting are a moon long, and the tribes won’t gather here until next week. That is the best time for my husband to announce your betrothal to Brude.” She laid her hand gently on Tanwen’s shoulder as she continued to pound the grain. “I welcome you to the family and to the Caledonii tribe.”
    “You have my thanks, Ciniatha.” I can wait one more week if I have to. Tanwen sat on the floor in front of a small, short table that was covered with a sheepskin. She gazed fondly at Brude’s mother. She reminded Tanwen of the Druidess Sulwen, whom she had to leave behind at the Silure hill fort.
    Tanwen dumped the flour on the sheepskin and then dipped her hands into the washing bowl Ciniatha held. After sprinkling droplets of water on the flour, Tanwen dug her hands into it. She loved this part of baking. As she slammed the dough on the sheepskin, she wished she could pound and shape Brude as well, to make him hasten the wedding. It seemed odd to her that Calach would not announce the wedding feast tonight. Could she trust Brude to go through with the marriage? He had lied about it once already.
    She pounded the dough hard with her fist. At least Ciniatha is on my side. Surely she’ll encourage Brude to marry me, and as soon as possible. But will he listen to his mother?
    The door flap opened, and a dark-headed boy ran forward with a stack of hazel wood cradled in his skinny arms. This would be used to fire up the flat, stone hearth on which Ciniatha, as the chief’s wife, would bake the first loaf.
    Tanwen jabbed pieces of wood into the flames. As she fed the fire, she knew the great blaze of destiny couldn’t be changed by one week of waiting. Whether they moved forward today or a week from now, their actions fed the fire of fate, all the same.
    “What will be, will be.” She smiled at Ciniatha. “I shall return this eve for the sacred ceremony of the first bread.”
    “Druidess, I am so pleased that you will perform the ritual for us this night.” Ciniatha took the rest of the kindling from her.
    Tanwen pushed the door flap aside to walk outside into the balmy summer evening. She cast her eyes up to the sky. The moon would soon rise. She had to hurry. The ceremony of first bread must be tonight; it couldn’t wait a week.
    When she entered her stone house, tallow candles burned brightly throughout the home. Both Gethin and Huctia sat around the central hearth.
    Eager to splash cool, soothing water all over her dirty, tired body, Tanwen nodded to her guard and friend. “Huctia, you must help me bathe and dress as fast as I can for the moonrise ceremony.”
    “Yes, you have been working in the threshing hut all day. You need a bath.” Huctia turned to the tall, muscular warrior. “Gethin, go fetch water.”
    Gethin grabbed a bucket then ducked outside.
    “As soon as he gets back, you can wash. But now, let me style your hair.”
    “Yes, we must hasten.” Tanwen sat on a pelt and pulled the torque off her neck. She placed it in her lap. She closed her eyes as Huctia untied her braids and massaged her scalp. Her head tingled as tired muscles throughout her body relaxed under her friend’s tender care.
    “There, now you look like the daughter of Boudica.” Huctia stuck a bronze mirror into her hands.
    Tanwen wrapped her fingers around the bottom loop of the handle and gazed into the well-polished bronze at her face, which was so like her mother’s. “They said my mam looked like Boudica.”
    “Yes, and as you are the spitting image of your mother, you must favor your grandmother, as well.”
    “It is she, the warrior queen, who bade me marry Brude. But the wedding will not be