Highland Vengeance

by Melanie Karsak

Banquo chuckled. “How would you like to ride with me?” he asked, reaching out for Lulach.

  Lulach grinned and nodded.

  “They’re coming,” Madelaine whispered then turned a cheery smile toward Macbeth and Duncan.

  “My king, my nephew,” Madelaine called happily.

  “Alas, the northerners return north,” Duncan said. “How shall we entertain ourselves now, Lady Madelaine?”

  Madelaine smiled. “Perhaps Queen Suthen will arrange a dance.”

  Duncan nodded then looked at me. “I am sorry, Lady Gruoch, that Suthen is not here to wish you off. She dislikes the cold weather. In truth, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her out of doors. She even rode here in a closed carriage.”

  Macbeth and Madelaine chuckled lightly.

  Was that supposed to be funny?

  “It is farewell for you as well, sir?” Duncan asked, turning to Banquo. “Moray’s loyal bannerman,” he said, eyeing Lulach in Banquo’s arms. “I must apologize. I’ve forgotten your name.”

  “Banquo, Thane of Lochaber, Your Majesty,” Banquo said, but Duncan had already turned his attention back to me.

  “I understand you have the opposite problem of Suthen, Lady Gruoch. Always out of doors. I remember hearing you once provided alms to your people, going from homestead to homestead in Moray.”

  “Medicines, actually.”

  “Medicines?”

  “There was a fever in Moray. I distributed medicines.”

  “Oh, well, it is good to win their hearts and minds. Very astute, Lady Gruoch.”

  I could not repress the half-laugh that escaped me. “If I had not gone, my king and cousin, many would have died of fever. It was more their bodies and souls I was concerned with.”

  “Indeed? Very well done, Lady Gruoch. I wish you a safe ride north. We are all sorry to see you go so soon,” he said, baiting us.

  “Indeed we are, Your Majesty,” Madelaine interjected, taking Duncan playfully by the arm.

  “It’s far too cold, Lady Madelaine. My mother is convinced we might freeze solid out here. Shall we leave these northerners and go see if Fife has left us any mulled wine?”

  Madelaine laughed a high, false laugh. “Let’s hope we’re lucky. Farewell, my loves,” she said, reaching out to squeeze Lulach’s hand once more.

  “Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Lochalsh,” Duncan said.

  Banquo gave a short bow as he suppressed a laugh then turned. Lulach with him, he mounted his horse.

  I curtseyed, Macbeth bowing, then we turned to the horses. I hated seeing Madelaine on Duncan’s arm, but the sense of relief I felt at escaping was nearly overwhelming. As we walked toward the horses, Kelpie nickered loudly to me. I guess I wasn’t the only one excited to leave.

  “Gruoch,” Macbeth said. “I want to make amends with you and Banquo. I have asked him to stay awhile at Cawdor. I…will join you there for a time if you will have me.”

  I flicked my eyes at him.

  He had such an earnest impression on his face.

  Be wary. Be wary! False faces, false hearts.

  I sighed. More than anything, I wanted to be at peace with Macbeth. Would it be so hard to refuse him? It had cost me before to open my heart to him. But, perhaps, if I let him in a little, there would be no harm.

  “Very well.”

  Macbeth nodded. “Good. Good. Then we are settled. I shall get to horse and join you. After all, I can hardly have my wife and son ride out of Scone at the Thane of Lochaber’s side,” he said then turned and left.

  Shaking my head, I climbed on Kelpie. Was that the only reason he was leaving now? To avoid gossip if I had gone alone with Banquo? I frowned. Once more, I swung on the pendulum. I reined Kelpie in close to Banquo.

  “Well, Lochalsh, shall we head to the lands where the faeries walk from Eilean Donan to Dunvegan?”

  Banquo chuckled. “I suppose if one has never seen a loch, they all look the same. And you, my wanderer, have you ever been in those lands?”

  I shook my head. “I’ve been far, but not there.”

  “Perhaps you have not been there, but your dagger has,” he said, pointing to my boot. The pommel of Gillacoemgain’s dagger was sticking out.

  “Scáthach,” I said.

  “Scáthach?”

  “Her name.”

  Banquo laughed. “She is well-named then. That flower on her hilt and on the brooch… You will find it on every standing stone in Skye. Lulach carries the rich blood of two ancient lines. Don’t you?” he said, tickling the boy and making him giggle. “Don’t you, little lord?

  Macbeth reigned in beside us. “Well, Lulach. Ready to ride home?”

  “Banc,” Lulach said, pointing up to Banquo, making clear he did not want to be moved.

  “Indeed,” Macbeth replied, his face tightening. He turned then and rode out ahead of us. Alone.

  Chapter 37

  “Good to have you back, my lady,” Standish told me, taking Kelpie by the reins as we rode into Cawdor.

  “Thank you, Standish. Can you see Lord Banquo’s men are provisioned for the return to Lochaber? Their lord will stay awhile,” I said.

  Standish nodded then eyed over Macbeth’s group. Macbeth, his guard, a footman, and two soldiers stayed behind. The rest of Macbeth’s party had already ridden on to Inverness. “Lord Macbeth will take residence with us…briefly.”

  Standish nodded. “I’ll see for chambers for both gentlemen.”

  “Thank you,” I said, not wanting to meet Standish’s eye. I suddenly felt ashamed at having brought Macbeth there.

  Rhona had already taken Lulach inside. The child had been asking for biscuits for the last hour. Tired, my bones aching and feeling weary from the road, I headed into the castle.

  “My lady,” Tira called happily when I entered. “Welcome back. I swear you were on the road longer than you were there.”

  I chuckled. “True.”

  “And how was it?”

  “Exceedingly dull. You’d be best to ask Rhona for the details. In the meantime, I would kill for a bath to heat myself back up.”

  “Of course, my lady. I’ll go get it ready for you,” she said then headed upstairs.

  I turned and went to the unused part of the castle. The small garden was blanketed with a light dusting of snow. I went to the bench, dusted the snow off, and then sat down. I closed my eyes and tried to feel Gillacoemgain’s spirit. It did not take long to sense his presence as I always did in this place.

  “I’m home, love,” I whispered.

  My head ached. While it would be better if Macbeth and I could be reconciled, it felt easier to let things be as they were. It was easier to remember Gillacoemgain, to love Banquo from afar, without Macbeth there asking things from me I didn’t know how to give. No matter what way I had tried to love him, nothing ever seemed right.

  A moment later, I heard movement in the garden, and a soft nose pushed my hand.

  I opened my eyes to find Thora there, her tail wagging.

  I chuckled. “I see I am forgiven for leaving you behind,” I said, petting her head.

  “I confess to setting her on your trail,” Banquo said then entered the garden. “What a beautiful space.”

  “It’s so lovely in the springtime. I planted all my medicinal herbs here.”

  Banquo glanced around. “You don’t use this part of the castle?”

  “No.”

  His eyes rose to Crearwy’s chamber. “I see,” he said, his gaze narrowing.

  “Don’t.”

  “Don’t?”

  “Don’t disturb her. Or the past. Or anything else there.”

  Banquo inclined his head. “As you wish.”

  I rose slowly, my back aching from the cold. “We should go find something warm to drink.”

  “Macbeth is already inside.”

  I chuckled. “I’m sure he is.”

  “He says he wishes to make amends.”

  “Well, let’s see if he can find the temperament to do so.”

&
nbsp; “Indeed.”

  Banquo and I headed back to the castle, him going to the hall to join Macbeth while I went upstairs. Tira had my bath ready.

  “Will you need my help, my lady?”

  “No, Tira. Thank you.”

  “Very well. I’ll be back in a bit to help Rhona unpack your bags. I need to go find our little lord and give him a good squeeze.”

  I laughed, waved to her, and then went to my box of medicines. I unpacked some herbs, sprinkling the hot wash water with dried lavender, chamomile flowers, and other fragrant flowers and leaves. I took off my riding clothes and dropped them onto the floor then slipped into the washing tub sitting before the fire. The hot liquid enveloped me, the fragrant herbs filling my senses. I closed my eyes, letting the water wash me clean of my encounter with Duncan, wash me clean of his words, his presence.

  Opening my eyes slowly, I gazed at the wash water. The fire from the fireplace was mirrored on the surface. I gazed deeply into the flames reflected there. The sound of raven’s wings came to me, and I felt my gaze shift as the raven and I became one. The water rippled. I heard the sounds of rough voices, waves, and wind. A moment later, I saw the image of ships burning and sinking upon a tossing sea. Duncan’s banner slowly drowned under the waves. The raven looked around and found Thorfinn at the prow of a longship, the wind blowing back his long, blond hair.

  “For Macbeth! For the north!” the Northman called, lifting his ax in the air, his men cheering.

  Then the image faded.

  I closed my eyes. The battle at sea as the Morrigu predicted. Soon. It was coming soon.

  Chapter 38

  A few days later, I found Macbeth standing in the hall reading a dispatch, his brow furrowed.

  I approached him slowly. Things had been stiff and awkward between the three of us. When Macbeth and Banquo were alone, there was an ease between them. But between Macbeth and me, there was still a barrier I didn’t know how to pass. I should forgive him and move on, but the raven wasn’t sure that was a good idea—at least not yet. I laced my fingers together then approached him.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Thorfinn. His cousin Rognevald has returned from exile. Rognevald is in Norway under Cnut’s protection. He is amassing a navy—and he has help.”

  “Cnut?”

  “Cnut and Duncan,” Macbeth replied, crushing the note in his hand. “Duncan…how many questions he asked me about Thorfinn. Cousin this, cousin that. You are right, Gruoch. False faced liar. They will seek to oust Thorfinn and set Rognevald in his place.”

  I shook my head. “If they truly believe you are loyal, they will set Rognevald in Thorfinn’s place and then they will send you to destroy Rognevald. Once you have done so and the north is solidified, Duncan will come for you and take it all.”

  Macbeth stared at me as if the weight of my words was sinking in. “We should not have ridden south. We should have stayed north as Thorfinn did, set our allegiances square from the beginning.”

  “If you had asked me, that is what I would have advised.”

  “Really? Would you have? But you are so keen to protect Lulach’s claim,” he said, his voice hard.

  “No matter what you do, it will come to war in the end. Duncan will not be content to see you so powerful. We hold too much sway. Lulach will be Mormaer of Moray one way or another. Since we rode south, I forced the words from the king’s mouth.”

  Macbeth paused then looked behind me. “Banquo? Good god, man, you’re ashen. What is it?”

  I looked back to find Banquo there, a grave expression on his face. “I must return to Lochaber at once.”

  “What’s happened?” I asked.

  “Fleance and Merna have both taken a fever, and they’ve had no luck healing them.”

  Macbeth nodded. “Have Gruoch’s men saddle your horse. Take whatever you need. Go at once, old friend.”

  “I’ll see to it,” I told Macbeth then turned and left the hall, motioning for Banquo to come with me.

  From behind me, I felt Macbeth scowling. While Macbeth and Banquo had warmed to one another, Macbeth had not warmed to the sight of Banquo and me together. His jealousy was insufferable. But at that moment, I didn’t care about his pettiness. Banquo was in trouble.

  Banquo and I headed toward the stables. “I can come with you. We can ride quickly. I’ll go back upstairs and grab my medicines. I’ll be ready before the horses are saddled.”

  Banquo shook his head. “They write that the illness is contagious. Several members of my household are ill, and two have died already. I would not risk you there. I’ll send a casting to Balor. He winters in Skye. He can walk the old paths and come quickly. The old paths. Cerridwen, your garden,” he said then grabbed my arm. “I have no time. The rider just arrived, but it may already be too late. My son. Cerridwen, your garden. I know you said not to intrude, but the worlds are thin there.”

  I nodded. “Come with me.”

  Banquo and I headed quickly into the garden.

  “This way,” I said then led him up the steps to the unused part of the castle. Grabbing a lantern, I led Banquo down the dark halls. The air stilled, and my skin rose to gooseflesh. Taking Banquo’s hand, I led him forward.

  “I’m sorry to leave you like this,” Banquo whispered.

  “Think nothing of it. Your son, your wife. You must hurry to them.”

  “Fleance,” Banquo whispered, his voice choking.

  I squeezed his hand. An image of my own daughter fluttered through my mind. The thought of hers or Lulach’s lives in danger would be more than I could take. I understood Banquo’s need for expedience.

  The hallway was dark, dank, and filled with cobwebs. We walked to the door of Crearwy’s chamber.

  “Cerridwen, what is this place?” Banquo whispered.

  I shook my head. “I promised I would not speak of it.”

  Banquo nodded.

  “If I can do anything, cast to me. I will come.”

  “All right.”

  “Grip the door handle and wish for home,” I said, motioning to the door.

  “Thank you.”

  “May the Great Mother and the Father God watch over you and yours,” I whispered then stepped back.

  I closed my eyes, and pulled magic around me, feeling the great beyond.

  Send him home.

  Banquo inhaled slowly letting out a slow, steady breath. The air around me seemed to tremble.

  The door opened then closed.

  I opened my eyes once more. The hallway was very still, very silent.

  Turning the latch, I opened the door. My lantern shone into the room, revealing the orange-colored stain on the floor. I cast a glance across the dusty chamber, the cobweb-covered spinning wheel, the decaying gown lying on the bed. There, at the window on the other side of the hall, stood Crearwy’s—Gillacoemgain’s sister’s—shade. The slim girl, her dark hair fixed prettily on a pile on her head, turned and looked at me.

  “Sister,” I whispered, bowing to her.

  A slight smiled crossed her lips. She inclined her head to me then disappeared.

  Chapter 39

  With Banquo gone, I was left with Macbeth and the awkward balance between us. Late one evening, we sat in the hall reading dispatches. Macbeth, I could see, was growing increasingly agitated as he read. He tossed the scroll he’d been reading onto the table then took a long drink of his ale.

  “Is there any news from Banquo?” Macbeth asked, eyeing the message I held. It was a letter from Madelaine.

  I shook my head. Neither by paper nor by casting, I hadn't learned anything about what had befallen Merna and Fleance. Part of me thought to cast myself to Lochaber, but I wouldn’t intrude where I was not invited. Yet still, I worried for Fleance who was still so young and for Merna. And for Banquo too. He’d said the illness was contagious. What if he’d grown ill as well?

  “No.”

  Macbeth eyed the paper in my hands once more.

  “From Madelaine,” I tol
d him, lifting the parchment.

  He nodded then slid the message he’d been reading across the table to me. I picked it up and scanned the contents.

  “When we were south for the coronation, I was told a great deal of silver had been invested in shipbuilding,” Macbeth told me.

  “Shipbuilding,” I repeated, reading over what I dared not believe. Duncan was building an armada off the west coast. All signs pointed in the same direction. When the spring thaw came, Duncan would launch his new armada and join Rognevald in war against Thorfinn.

  The vision I had seen in the water was beginning to take shape in the real world. And if the premonition had been true, the first battle would be ours.

  “What will you do?”

  “We will share what we know with Thorfinn, and we will wait.”

  “We cannot let Thorfinn be destroyed by that boyish king.”

  Macbeth laughed. “No, we will not. I have spent my own silver. It is hard at work in the south. We will learn soon enough what Duncan plans.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “And what have you purchased?”

  “Eyes and ears.”

  Surprised, I smirked. Perhaps Macbeth wasn’t as naive about the “good cousin” game as he seemed.

  “Gruoch,” Macbeth said, his tone careful. “Yule is coming and the celebration of the birth of Christ. I would like to return to Inverness for the holiday. And I would very much like you and Lulach to join me there. We can celebrate together as a family. I…am not comfortable here in Cawdor. I want to be with you, but I would like to go home.”

  I looked at him, remembering what Banquo had once told me about Macbeth’s desire to be at Inverness. And in truth, I could see my servants merely tolerated Macbeth. This was Gillacoemgain’s castle. They would never make Macbeth welcome here.

  “All right,” I said warily, not sure if I was making the right choice.

  Macbeth smiled then grabbed a sheet of parchment. “I’ll send word to ready the castle,” he began then stopped and set down his quill. Reaching across the table, he took my hand. “Thank you, Gruoch.”

  “You’re welcome, Macbeth.”

  “Now, you must tell me what favor I can give you as a gift you to celebrate the season.”