The Carvetii Prince

Julia would have left Cartimandua's story hanging in limbo. But both Tanaquil and Jewellee urged her to continue.  "I could talk hours on end and not do a better job that Jewellee did in her account. Let usw hear the rest of her account. What more could do better? 

Cartimandua's initial meeting with the Cartvetii prince, if that was what he really was,  left little doubt of her plans for  what she considered the  interloper. Thus her account!!

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When Venutius came from the Carvetii as a foster son to her father she welcomed him with less than enthusiasm, fearing he would fill a place in her father's attentions she was loathe to share even with her brothers. She certainly could not appreciate some upstart from some far away uncivilized tribe.  How come, she often wondered during those years, were people to the north so much more savage than those to the south.  Was it indeed true that the Romans brought with them this civilization.  That first day she met Venutius burned in her memory.

Properly bathed, appropriately dressed, hair neatly braided, she appeared as summoned to her father.  Venutius stood shy, with lowered eyes, looking smaller than she was later to learn he really was.

"Sleek.."  Noticing her wince King Orain smiled broadly and began again. "Cartimandua,"  he said quite deliberately.  "Cartimandua, this is Venutius.  He comes to us from the Carvetii and will be here for a time yet to be determined.  You will treat him, at first, with he respect due a visitor.  Later you will grant him the status of family member. With the gentility I know you are capable of."  He ignored her rolling eyes and tightly drawn lips.

She reddened as she eyed her new foster brother and relished in his blushing also.  "You will," her father said slowly and emphatically, "consider him as one of the family and treat him as one of your brothers.  Do I make myself clear?"

She nodded hoping the warmth in her cheeks did not appear as red as it felt. "Yes sir."

"Yes sir what?"

"Yes sir, I understand."

"And you will not try to incite your brothers against him.  As you have been known to do."

How did he know?  Was she that transparent?  Had he found out she plotted endlessly against the last foster son?  Daringly meeting his stare she said, "Yes Sir."

Orain looked from Cartimandua to Venutius and back to his daughter.  Finally he smiled.  "I see we understand each other. Perhaps you will now show Venutius around.  Introduce him to your mother and the boys."

"Yes Sir."  She made no effort to move.

"Today."  He left her alone with the interloper. She glared at Venutius. He would be short lived as were the others.  But she would be more careful this time.

Venutius stood silent and motionless, not responding to her steady gaze.  Sensing she was in complete control she grinned.  "Want to meet my brothers?"

"Right now?"  He raised his eyes only to drop them again.

She felt her power.  Venutius was going to be easier than the last one.  He was hers. He would be clay to be molded as she chose.