The Warrior's Princess

  ‘So, you are a prisoner in Rome, like Eigon!’ Carmella looked at Jess with a quizzical smile as she let her in.

  Jess nodded. She watched Carmella put the chain across the door then they made their way through into Carmella’s small sitting room.

  ‘Please. I desperately need you to read the cards for me.’ Jess sat down. ‘They spell things out clearly. I need to know what happened to her. And I need to know what will happen to me.’ Her face was drawn and pale. ‘I can’t get away from Dan. He follows me everywhere. He seems to know everything I do. He wants to kill me but I can’t leave Rome till I know what’s happened to Eigon.’

  Carmella sat down opposite her. Wearing a black silk bathrobe, her hair piled on top of her head straight from the shower, she looked strangely serene, almost ethereal. It was several seconds before it dawned on Jess suddenly that maybe she had been about to go out. ‘I’m sorry. I won’t stay long. But I have to know.’

  Carmella nodded. She reached for her cards and began to unwrap them. Jess’s eyes were fixed on her hands as she carefully shuffled the big cards, with a rhythmic, hypnotic motion. Finally she laid them on the table. ‘Cut for me, please!’

  Obediently Jess reached forward and lifted a small section of the pack, putting them neatly down beside the others. She waited, holding her breath. Carmella gathered them up and held them for a moment against her breast, her eyes closed, then slowly she began to deal them out face down onto the table.

  ‘Ancora il re di coppe al negativo.’ Her finger rested for a second on the card. ‘We expect to see him, do we not? He is still here. Still angry. And he is coupled with another. Spade. Swords. Molto combattivo. You have many swords in this reading.’ She paused, studying the cards. The other listener was there, silent. Concentrated. For a moment Carmella had a vision of a face, intelligent, amused, watchful, then it had gone. She brought her attention back to the cards with an effort. ‘Swords can mean danger and stress and even death.’ She hesitated. Her hand was hovering over the king.

  ‘Upside down,’ Jess murmured. ‘That’s bad, isn’t it.’

  Carmella frowned. ‘Il re di spade. Powerful. Arrogant. Obsessed with his needs to control a situation which he sees slipping from his grasp.’ Her finger had reached the Tower. ‘La casa di dio,’ she murmured. There was a long pause. She said nothing. Her finger moved on. ‘Dan is pushed, driven, by another man,’ she said softly. ‘An overshadow. A man with darker hair, amber eyes, a taller man –’

  ‘Titus,’ Jess whispered. ‘Titus Marcus Olivinus. The man who raped Eigon. The man who is pursuing Eigon.’ There was a long silence. Outside, from four storeys below they could hear the sounds of Rome drifting in through the open windows.

  Carmella leaned forward suddenly, chewing her lip. Briskly she dealt three more cards from the pack and turned them face up. ‘The ten of swords,’ she whispered. She shook her head and moved on. ‘OK. Here we see what they will do, these two men in one body. This is danger for you.’ She paused. ‘Here is the joker, the fool. He heralds a journey for you all. There is so much here. You cannot escape what is to happen, Jess. You are linked to Eigon in some way now, which is why you feel you cannot leave her.’ Her attention was still fixed on the cards. ‘Here is la luna. She warns that you are becoming too fixated on this inner life. You are not possessed by her?’ Carmella looked up suddenly.

  Jess shivered. ‘No, I don’t think so. No. Definitely not.’

  ‘But you are obsessed by her. Why?’

  ‘I suppose I was touched by seeing her as a little girl, so frightened and unhappy. So guilty about losing her brother and sister. She haunts Ty Bran as a child. Here in Rome she is a grown woman. I want to know what happened to her.’ She reached forward and ran her finger across one of the cards. The page of wands.

  Carmella smiled. ‘You have found her.’

  ‘Eigon?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘But it is a boy.’

  ‘Also known as la principessa!’ Carmella put her head on one side. ‘You think she cannot come to you as a grown woman when you return to Wales? Why?’

  Jess shrugged. ‘Just a feeling. I want to make it better for her, but I can’t, can I. It is all in the past. I can’t change the past!’

  ‘Can’t you?’ Carmella said the words almost casually, gently challenging.

  ‘How?’

  ‘You have already changed things. By thinking about them. By drawing attention to them. By dipping your finger into the waters of time and causing ripples. You have awoken Titus and brought him into the present.’

  Jess was shaken by a wave of nausea. ‘To possess Dan. Does that mean he will leave Eigon alone in the past and come after me instead?’

  It was a while before Carmella answered thoughtfully. ‘It would not have happened were Dan not open to him. Dan needed the anger and the fear. They need each other.’ She looked up suddenly. ‘But this makes it twice as dangerous for you.’

  ‘So how can I escape them?’ Jess met Carmella’s eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to match Carmella’s serenity.

  ‘You, Jess, share one characteristic with Eigon which is very marked.’ Carmella dealt another three cards. She scanned them and looked up. ‘Neither of you is prepared to rely on someone else. You are not prepared to rely on a man. There are men prepared to help you, as there are men prepared to help her. You do not trust them. You do not think they are strong enough.’

  ‘Which men? Will? Rhodri?’

  Carmella glanced up at her. ‘At least you know who they are.’

  ‘But it’s not fair to drag them into this. It is not their problem.’

  ‘I think they are both in your story already, Jess. Will, from the beginning. He is, as we tarocchi readers say, at the heart of the matter. Then Rhodri comes in, at the same moment as Titus enters the drama. Is he going to be the deus ex machina, who will bring resolution to the story, or will he be the catalyst who stirs the pot? Or,’ she glanced up, ‘will he turn out to be the villain?’

  In spite of herself Jess laughed. ‘What a hotchpotch of mixed metaphors! But surely, this is what the tarot can tell me?’

  Carmella shook her head. ‘I merely lay out the scenario at this stage. I tell you to beware. I tell you to trust Will.’ She pointed to the king of Pentacles. ‘Trustworthy. Loyal. Patient.’ She glanced up again. ‘Perhaps not exciting, but do you need any more excitement at the moment?’

  ‘And Rhodri is exciting?’

  Carmella grinned mischievously. ‘Ah. Our cantante lirico, our divo. He is a big character on the stage. The lead role!’

  ‘Does he feature in Eigon’s life?’

  She frowned. ‘I don’t see him there. But I don’t see you there either, Jess. You are silent watchers. You are not characters in her play. But in your own, it is you who are the greatest danger to yourself, Jess. To escape Dan you should leave Rome. You won’t go. To be safe you should stay inside; you go out. You court danger. Why?’ For a moment she held Jess’s gaze.

  Jess shook her head helplessly. ‘I can’t help it,’ she whispered.

  The conversation was interrupted by the doorbell, jangling intrusively through the intimacy of the moment. Jess stood up, frightened. ‘Is that Dan?’

  Carmella shook her head. ‘It is my date. I am sorry, Jess. But I have to go out.’

  ‘I’ll leave.’

  No!’ Carmella sailed past her towards the front door of the apartment. ‘No, you can stay here as long as you like.’ She pulled the door open and let in a tall, grey-haired man. Pulling him into the room she introduced them. ‘Henrico, this is my friend, Jess. Jess this is my dinner date. I will get dressed quickly. Cinque minuti, carissimo.’ She winked at Henrico as she headed for the bedroom door. ‘Jess, I want you to stay in the flat. Please don’t go out. Think about what I have said. There is food in the fridge. You know where things are. Stay here and stay silent. Don’t ring anyone. I’ve called Kim. She knows you are safe. Stay the night. If I don’t come home this evening,?
?? she glanced coquettishly at Henrico, ‘do not worry. I shall return domani and we will talk some more, but before I go, there is something I must say to you. Come in here.’ She led Jess into the bedroom and closed the door. ‘I must teach you more to protect yourself psychically. Eigon is leading you into dangerous places and there are things you can do to keep yourself safe. Do not follow Eigon into the past. Watch, but don’t take part. Imagine a circle of flames around you. Light the dark places. Be aware of the dangers. Protection, Jess. Never forget it. And remember, never say Titus’s name! Make sure you are on your own ground. Surround yourself with guides and angels; there is no point in Christian prayers and platitudes. Hit him with his own gods. Call on your power animal. Whoever you see as your inner friend, call on them to protect you. And clear the space physically. Wait, I will show you what to do.’

  The apartment was very silent after they had left. Jess walked slowly out of the opened windows onto the roof terrace and stood looking round. It felt safe here; otherworldly. She sat down at the small wrought iron table thinking about Carmella’s revelations. She was a silent watcher in Eigon’s play. That much was true. She wasn’t a character; she wasn’t there. There was nothing she could do to influence the past one way or the other. But, protected by Carmella’s rituals, she could watch it. And perhaps if she watched it enough she could reach into the open window of their lives and lightly touch them in warning.

  Julius defied Cerys’s ban to bring Eigon the news himself. ‘It was very quick. He would not have suffered.’

  She was shredding the edge of her stole between nervous fingers, fighting back the tears.

  He swallowed hard. He had gone to visit Melinus in the dungeon of the Mamertine before the day of the executions. Nero had seen to it that there was a good selection of men and women, some Christians, feeling the weight of the city’s suspicion, some murderers, traitors who Nero felt had threatened him personally, all condemned to die the worst of deaths. And Julius had forced himself to go to the arena to watch. ‘I will be there for you, my friend,’ he had said before he left. ‘Grandfather should not come. He is not strong, but I will be there and I will hold you in my prayers. Your gods and my God will stand firm beside you. You will have one friend in the stands who will see to it, I promise.’

  Melinus had smiled a little wanly. ‘It is my belief, Julius, that I shall go to the land of the ever young, in the country of my forebears. It will be a happy day for me. I bless the creature that chooses to end my suffering and I forgive it.’

  ‘That is a Christian sentiment, old friend.’ Julius teased gently. ‘I see now why Eigon always calls you her Christian Druid.’

  Melinus gave a wistful laugh. ‘Eigon is probably right, as with so many things. I give her into your care, Julius.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Last night the powers of foresight which have forsaken me for so long returned. I saw her enemy. And mine, it seems. There is a man out there in the city. A member of the Praetorian guard who seeks her death. He is afraid of her and angry at her. The gods did not tell me why. They veiled the past where the reason lies, but I have my suspicions. This man was behind my arrest, and the arrest of Pomponia Graecina. Because he is Eigon’s enemy he is also your enemy. He is the enemy of all who love her. Take warning, Julius. Be strong, my boy. Take her away from Rome if you can. As long as she remains here she is in terrible danger.’

  Julius frowned. ‘Who is he? Did you see his face?’

  Melinus shook his head. ‘The gods enjoy their games. They warn but they do not reveal. That is for us to work out. Ask your Jesus to protect her, Julius. She has had little love in her life. A god of love would be a kindness now.’ He paused and a small smile lit his eyes. ‘I think your attentions might be welcome too, my boy!’

  Julius blushed. ‘I don’t think she has even noticed me in that way.’

  ‘Oh, I think she has. You know her mother has forbidden her to see you? Why would the lady Cerys do that unless she sensed an interest there. Eigon has an iron will, Julius. She has been well trained. By me.’ He grinned again. ‘She is clever and witty and educated. She is a talented and blessed healer. She could be a priestess in our own land.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘I am sad not to see what she will become, but perhaps I will be granted a new life to do just that, who knows. She thinks she will not marry. She thinks the powers that be in Rome have decided that there should be no bloodline of Caratacus to focus dissent in Britannia. The rest of her family died. She is the last.’ He put out a thin hand to rest on Julius’s arm. The iron manacle around his wrist clanked uncomfortably and Julius felt the weight of it dragging the old man down. ‘Someone must see to it that she returns to her own country.’

  Julius looked round nervously. The other prisoners, all wrapped up in their own terror and misery were paying them no attention. ‘Do you know what you are saying?’

  Melinus nodded. ‘Go now, my boy. Take my blessings. Pray for my soul.’

  The lion killed him with a single clean bite to the neck. It must have been instantaneous. As Julius stood in the baying crowd watching the blood of a dozen victims soak into the sawdust of the arena he felt a soft touch against his cheek, the smallest breath of wind. ‘Courage, my boy. It was easy.’ Were those words whispered in his ear? He stared round. The crowd was focused on the gore and the roaring of the beasts as their prey was dragged away from them on hooks, taunting them, luring them to look round for other victims. Blindly Julius turned away and fought his way towards the exit. He wasn’t the only man to vomit into the bushes outside.

  * * *

  He reached out and gently he took Eigon’s hand. ‘I had a long talk to Melinus last night, before –’ He didn’t finish the sentence. There was a moment of silence, then he went on. ‘He saw into the future and he saw a man who he said was your enemy.’ He was watching her face and he saw the colour drain from her cheeks. Reaching out he stroked the tears away. ‘You know who he is, don’t you?’

  She nodded wordlessly.

  ‘Are you going to tell me?’

  She shook her head slowly. ‘He’s a shadow from my past. Best forgotten.’

  ‘You can’t forget him if he is hunting down your friends.’

  She stared at him. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Melinus said this man was the one who had accused Pomponia Graecina and the one who had named him. He said he was going to take your friends away one by one.’

  Eigon turned away sharply. ‘Then you must go. You mustn’t come here again.’

  ‘It is too late, Eigon. Everyone knows you are my friend.’ He smiled gently. ‘Just as my family are your friends. Antonia and Grandfather are just as much in danger as I am, if indeed there is any danger – we will be the judge of that. But if I am in danger, I need to know where it is coming from. Melinus said he is a member of the Praetorians.’

  Eigon nodded slowly.

  ‘And he obviously has influence.’

  She nodded again.

  ‘Then why has he not been able to reach you?’

  She shrugged. ‘I have often wondered. I suppose my father’s household look out for me.’ She paused. ‘But I suspect sometimes that, maybe, he is playing with me.’

  He raised an eyebrow. That could be a shrewd deduction. He glanced towards the doorway as a figure appeared in the shadows. ‘Julia!’

  ‘Julius!’ She giggled as she ran towards them. ‘Why did no one tell me you were here!’ She threw her arms around his neck. ‘Eigon, you selfish woman! You have been keeping him to yourself.’ She planted a kiss on Julius’s cheek. ‘Have you come to collect me and take me to the games?’

  Eigon turned away sharply. She went to stand by the fountain staring down at the water, pitted by the gentle waterdrops cascading from the central figure.

  ‘I have been to the games, Julia,’ Julius said sternly. ‘I do not intend to go again. I went to watch Melinus die.’

  Julia stared at him in horror. Then she turned to Eigon. ‘Did you know –’ She broke off, shrugging. ‘Of cou
rse you did. I’m sorry. That’s awful.’ She sat down on one of the chairs under the fig tree, smoothing down her skirt. ‘I can see that would spoil the games for you.’

  ‘A trifle,’ Julius said dryly. He walked back to Eigon. ‘I should leave. Will you be all right?’

  She nodded.

  He put a hand on her shoulder gently. ‘Take care, won’t you.’

  ‘And you. Be careful, all of you.’ She looked up through her tears.

  He turned away. ‘Look after her,’ he said to Julia as he passed her, then he had gone.

  Julia looked up. Her face was white. ‘Poor Melinus.’

  Eigon came over and sat down beside her. ‘At least he is free now. Free to go home, to the land of the ever young. Perhaps from there he will see the mountains of my home too.’

  ‘You sound as though you still miss it,’ Julia said, puzzled. ‘Can you still remember it?’

  ‘Of course. It wasn’t that long ago.’ Eigon sighed. ‘I may have been a child but I can remember it well. The mists and the rain, the soft sunlight, sucking up the clouds and leaving the land bathed in gold, the apple trees, the gentle breezes, the hills full of mysterious shadows and wild rushing rivers. Eagles soaring above the mountains.’

  And ravens. The thought came to her suddenly. Ravens, harbingers of death, gathering over the battlefield, warning them, crying at her father not to engage the enemy. He had ignored the portents. And his people had paid with their freedom and their lives. And his younger children, had they also been sacrificed to the goddess of war? She shuddered.

  ‘They won’t send Aunt Pomponia to be torn apart by lions, will they?’ Julia had finally realised the significance of what had happened that morning. She bit her lip. ‘Eigon, we have to save her!’

  Eigon smiled. ‘Your aunt will be fine,’ she said gravely. Julius had already told her the news. Pomponia Graecina had, as the law demanded, been called to face a court headed by her husband but he had immediately decreed the accusations against her arrant nonsense. She was already free.