Highland Queen

by Melanie Karsak

  “Queen Gruoch?” Magnus, one of my guards, said, offering his arm to steady me.

  “I’m all right,” I reassured him. Pregnancy was such an odd thing. The kitchen smells made me feel both ill and famished at the same time. “I think I’m still tired.”

  Magnus, a stout man with a red beard, smiled warmly but made no comment.

  I arrived in the feasting hall to see, much to my great relief, that the number of people gathered there had slimmed down to half.

  I went to the end of the table and took the empty seat between Madelaine and Macbeth.

  “My Queen,” Macbeth said politely.

  I forced myself not to sneer at him.

  “Good morrow to you all,” I said. I gave Macbeth a passing glance.

  Madelaine wrapped her arm around me and kissed me on the cheek. “My dear.”

  I smiled at her then turned to Banquo.

  He lifted his cup to toast me.

  I grinned at him.

  “We’ll be setting sail this morning,” Thorfinn told me. “Much work to be done in the north, and I don’t want Injibjorg to get used to southern luxuries,” he said, patting his wife on the back of her head.

  She laughed. “Southern luxuries?” She glanced down the table at the richly-dressed lords and ladies sitting there. “Some of the men dress like women here.”

  We all laughed. She was right. But her observation was also an important one. Many of the southern lords were dressed in such a manner to show there was great wealth in their lands. How had they come by it? What trade or deals had they won to earn it? And why hadn’t any of that wealth come north? That was something Macbeth and I needed to know.

  “I’m sorry I can’t go with you,” Macbeth told Thorfinn. “But Gruoch and I will depart for Glamis within the week.”

  “I will go with Fife for a time and join you after,” I said absently.

  There was a brief, awkward silence.

  “Of course,” Macbeth chirped. “I meant you’d join me in Glamis afterward. Naturally, since we are in the south, you will spend time with Madelaine. But you will always be welcome at court, Lady Madelaine,” Macbeth said. “I suspect Gruoch would appreciate having you there.”

  “To herd the chattel,” Injibjorg said, motioning down the table.

  I laughed then turned to Thorfinn. “All these years you bragged of Injibjorg’s beauty. You didn’t tell us that the gods had cut her tongue to match yours.”

  “Why do you think I found her so beautiful?” Thorfinn said, laughing merrily.

  I raised my cup. “Then a toast. To a perfect match.”

  The others around me raised their cups.

  “To Thorfinn and Injibjorg,” I said.

  “To Thorfinn and Injibjorg,” the others called.

  I lifted my cup and drank, fully aware that Macbeth’s eyes were on me—as were Banquo’s. The sooner I got out of this place, the better.

  The Northmen packed their belongings after the morning meal and got ready to return to their ships. We all joined them in the courtyard to wish them farewell.

  I kissed Injibjorg on both cheeks. “I wish you safe travels.”

  “May Freya watch over you and your little one,” she told me.

  “Thank you.” I squeezed her hand then let her go. I then went to Thorfinn. “I am sorry to see you leave so soon, but I understand there is much to be done.”

  Thorfinn nodded. “Things are not as settled for Magnus as they should be, but I will make sure things stay quiet in the north for you, Queen Gruoch.”

  I grinned at him. “I expected no less.”

  He leaned forward, his voice low. “Gruoch, you must be watchful. The paint covering the surface is already beginning to crack. Don’t get too far away or we may lose everything we’ve worked for,” he said then passed a glance toward Macbeth who was speaking to another of the Northmen.

  “I understand.”

  Thorfinn nodded.

  “Safe travels, all of you,” I called then stepped back.

  “Brother,” Banquo called to Thorfinn. “Fair travels.”

  “And to you, Thane of Lochaber,” Thorfinn said, touching his fingers to his brow.

  Banquo mimicked the gesture.

  I moved to join Banquo.

  “Macbeth has asked me to move some of the men, a standing army, to Glamis. I will begin today and will meet you at the coven as soon as I can,” Banquo whispered. “I’ve already told Macbeth I will go to Lochaber for a time, but he has asked me to return to court as soon as possible.”

  I nodded. “I shall see you soon. Stay safe.”

  “And you. Gruoch, are you well? You looked very pale this morning.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. I was dying to tell him the truth. But not now. Not here. “I am very well, Thane.”

  At that, Banquo smiled. “Good.”

  “Queen Gruoch,” the Thane of Fife called, crossing the yard to meet me. “We will ride this afternoon. You’ll be joining us?”

  I nodded.

  “Very good,” he said happily. “Now, let me see about our escort,” he said then wandered off.

  “I’ll send Tira, Rhona, and most of the Moray men to Glamis. Have you been there before?” I asked Banquo.

  He shook his head. “No, but the report is it’s a small but sturdy castle.”

  “And the fortress of Dunsinane?”

  “Old, by all accounts, but Macbeth has already arranged for workmen to refortify the castle and craftsmen to improve upon it.”

  I frowned. “Why did he choose such a place?”

  Banquo shook his head. “Why does Macbeth do anything?” he said then looked toward Macbeth.

  I followed his gaze. Macbeth had taken to horse and was reining in beside Thorfinn. Apparently, he would ride to the port with the party.

  I shook my head. “Who knows? And now he is King of Scots, for better or worse. And we have placed him there. We are the ones who must ensure no harm comes from our doing.”

  “May the Great Father and Mother give us strength,” Banquo said.

  “And all the gods watch over us,” I said. While Scotia had set me on my path, something told me that I would need to elicit the help of all the gods—even the White Christ—to keep Macbeth in check.

  Chapter 15

  That morning, Tira and Rhona finished packing my things then headed off to get their own belongings ready to take to Glamis. I was in my chamber making the final preparations to depart with Fife when there was a knock on the door.

  “My Queen,” Killian called.

  A moment later, the door opened. Macbeth pushed past Killian.

  “A word?” Macbeth said.

  “Well, you’re already here,” I said then motioned to Killian to shut the door.

  He did so with a frown.

  “I don’t like that your guard tried to stop me. I am king,” Macbeth said then crossed the room to the table where he poured himself a glass of wine. He sat down and took a long, slow drink as he gazed around the room.

  “They are charged with protecting me.”

  Macbeth set down his goblet with a clatter. “From me? From their king?”

  “Of course.”

  Macbeth blew air through his lips.

  “What do you want, Macbeth?”

  “When will you come to Glamis?”

  “I don’t know. But I will come. I am sending my household ahead to join you if you are hunting for reassurance. Though you will not harass any of my people.”

  “Harass your people? What nonsense.”

  “Nonsense? Tell that to Ute. You will leave my people alone. That is not a request.”

  Macbeth turned and poured himself another drink. “And in the meantime, what am I supposed to tell the lords and ladies who want to see you? The ladies who want to come to court to join you?”

  “Tell them Queen Gruoch is traveling and that I will invite them when Dunsinane is ready.”

  “And will you?”

  “Perhaps. We shall s
ee…once Dunsinane is ready.”

  “Why are you going with Fife?”

  “Because I wish it.”

  “There is work to be done.”

  “So there is. I have already begun my work. Have you?”

  Macbeth huffed then ran his fingers through his hair. The action was so rough I thought for a moment he might rip his hair from his scalp. “I know what to do.”

  “I hope so. The southern lords are rich beyond any reasonable measure. They scowl and talk behind your back. Crinian, who holds all the silver in this land, is noticeably absent. Duncan’s son, Donaldbane, is still unaccounted for, and we have no more allies today than we did when the war began.”

  Macbeth threw his wine goblet across the room, the red liquid splashing the skirt of my dress. The cup hit the door then fell with a clatter.

  “I know what to do,” Macbeth shouted at me.

  I set my hand on the hilt of Uald’s Gift. “Then go do it. Besides, I think it’s time for you to leave.”

  Macbeth glared at me. He eyed my blade and then his eyes went to my gown where the red wine marred the pale green fabric of my dress. He furrowed his brow as if he were confused by what he saw. Then a look of realization crossed his face.

  “Gruoch, I—”

  “It’s time for you to leave,” I repeated.

  Macbeth let out a noise that sounded like a growl then rose roughly, the chair falling in his wake. He stalked to the other side of the room and wrenched the door open.

  Outside the door, my guard stood waiting. Their blades were drawn.

  I motioned to them, and they stepped aside to let Macbeth pass.

  Macbeth thundered down the hall and out of sight.

  I took a deep breath, calming the beating wings of the raven that were echoing at the edges of my senses. Pulling on a placid smile, I went to Killian. “Killian, please divide our men. I want most of the Moray guard to go to Glamis to keep an eye on my household while I am gone. You and two other men will ride with me to Fife.”

  “Yes, my queen. Are you…are you all right?” he asked, glancing down at my hand still resting on the hilt of my blade.

  “How can I be anything but well?”

  He smirked but said nothing else.

  I inclined my head to him then closed the door behind me.

  I couldn’t wait to leave Scone.

  Chapter 16

  That afternoon, as we prepared to leave Scone, a rider—one of Banquo’s men—arrived. Banquo, who had already gone to Glamis, wasn’t there. I flagged the man down.

  “Sir, do you have a message for Lord Banquo?”

  The rider nodded. “Yes, my queen. Lord Banquo, he…” he began then paused.

  “You may tell me anything you would tell Lord Banquo,” I said, reassuring the man. For once, I hoped news of my relationship with Banquo would help soften the situation.

  It did.

  “Lord Banquo sent some of us out looking for a man.”

  “Tavis? Did you find him?”

  The man lowered his gaze. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  For a moment, I felt like my heart stopped beating.

  I grabbed the man by his arm. “And?”

  “He was close to Lady Madelaine’s castle but senseless. He was badly injured. I took him there, left him in the care of that house, then came straight here afterward.”

  “Bless you, sir,” I told him. “Go, get some refreshment. Thank you,” I said then turned to go.

  “Your Majesty,” the man called. “You should hurry.”

  I swallowed hard then nodded. I rushed across the courtyard to Madelaine and Fife who looked like they were almost ready to depart. I forced myself to stay calm. It wouldn’t do for me to show my worry. As it was, Madelaine was going to be in a fit of distress.

  “Corbie?” Madelaine called.

  “Aunt, we must go to your castle at once. A rider has come. Tavis has been taken to your keep. He is injured.”

  Madelaine gasped.

  Turning, Fife snapped his fingers and called to his men to make ready. “We’ll ride together,” he told Madelaine. “Now.”

  Not waiting another moment, I grabbed the reins of the blood bay and mounted. Wheeling the horse around, I trotted over to Killian and the other Moray men. “We need to leave now,” I told them.

  Working quickly, the men finished readying their horses and supplies then mounted.

  I rode back to Madelaine. She was watching Fife’s men make ready. Her brow furrowed, and she chewed her lip.

  “Thane,” I called to Fife who turned and looked at me. “Moray is ready to ride. We shall go ahead.”

  Fife inclined his head to me.

  “Let’s go,” I told Madelaine.

  I nodded to Killian, and our small party set out.

  We rode quickly across the land. I wanted to ride harder than I did. I knew that during the battle I had not been careful. But now that I knew I was with child, I hesitated. After all, I had already lost a wee one. I didn’t want to risk another, especially Banquo’s child.

  Regardless, we rode briskly across the land and arrived at the castle in the early evening.

  I was surprised when we were met by a familiar face, Ute.

  “My lady,” she called to Madelaine. She rushed to my aunt and helped her down.

  “Where is he?” Madelaine asked, her eyes wild.

  “With a healer in his chamber.”

  Without waiting another moment, Madelaine rushed off.

  “Ute,” I called lightly, slipping off my horse.

  “Gruoch,” she said happily. She pulled me into an embrace.

  I leaned back and looked at her. “How good to see you,” I said. The years in Fife had given Ute time to recover. She’d regained much of the weight she’d lost in the last months she’d been with me. Where her cheeks had once been hollow, they were full and rosy once more. She smiled at me, but there was worry behind her eyes.

  “Tavis…how is he?”

  Ute shook her head. “Fever. The wound has festered. It’s good you’re here. You should come now.”

  I nodded. “Do we know what happened to him? Has he said anything?”

  “He’s in no state to speak clearly. From what we have been able to glean, he sustained a sword wound on his side. It looks like he tried to treat it, but the wound went bad. He’s burning up, and convulsions started an hour ago. He…Gruoch…” she said then shook her head.

  Ute led me to a chamber on the second floor of the castle. Even before we got to the room, I could smell sickness.

  I entered to find a servant with a blood-covered apron and a healer I didn’t know. I cursed myself for not carrying my medicines with me. The room smelled of illness and incense. Madelaine was sitting at Tavis’ bedside, his hand in hers.

  “Tavis,” she whispered. “Tavis, can you hear me?”

  “Why is this room closed?” I asked. “Open the casement and freshen the air.”

  The servant and priest looked up at me, both pausing to stare.

  “Oh…Your Majesty,” the servant said, dropping a curtsey.

  “Your Majesty,” the healer repeated.

  I waved a hand dismissively. “No time for that. The windows,” I said then went to Tavis.

  “Corbie,” Madelaine whispered, moving aside so I could see.

  As she had with me, Ute relayed to Madelaine what had been happening.

  “Tavis?” I whispered, setting my hand on his head. He was burning with fever.

  I went to the washbasin and cleaned my hands. I then returned to the bed. I pulled back the coverlets to see the wound there. It was neatly dressed, but the scent of rot wafted from the bandages which were tinged yellowish from the liquid that had seeped from the wound.

  “Fresh water,” I told Ute.

  Working gently, I removed the bandages to see the festering wound underneath. Someone had carved into Tavis’s side. By now, the wound should have begun to heal, but it hadn’t been properly cleaned.

  “Tav
is?” I said, gently touching his shoulder. “I will try to clean your wound. Can you hear me? It will be painful. I’m so sorry,” I said then motioned for Ute to hand me the pitcher of water.

  “My queen—” the healer began in protest.

  “Send him out.”

  Madelaine moved quickly to remove the others.

  Working carefully, I washed Tavis. Again and again, I cursed myself for not bringing along any of my herbs or medicines.

  Frowning, I worked hard at cleaning the wound while Tavis winced and groaned. It soon became evident to me that the infection was severe. Dark, spidery veins had crept across his chest. If the poison was already in his blood, it could kill him at any time. Working as best I could, I cleaned the wound then applied what paltry medicines the healer had brought with him. There were medicines that could help, that could slow the infection, but none were on hand. Wordlessly, I redressed the wound once more.

  “Corbie, will he be all right?” Madelaine asked through a mask of tears.

  I rose and washed my hands.

  “Corbie?”

  “I must ride out at once. Either Druanne will come, or I will tie her to a horse and make her come.”

  “But Corbie…”

  “Madelaine, we need Druanne,” I said, forcing myself to be strong, but in spite of myself, my voice cracked. The truth of the matter was, Tavis was dying. Unless I got Druanne there in time, he would not live.

  Madelaine caught the sound in my voice. A sob escaped her. “All right,” she whispered. “Then go. Quickly.”

  I turned to Ute.

  “I’ll go get help. Please, watch over them both,” I said, motioning to Madelaine and Tavis.

  Once more, I turned to Tavis and set my hand on his forehead. “Old friend,” I whispered. “Please hold on. Help is coming.”

  Tavis let out a soft groan but did not open his eyes.

  Without another word, I turned and left the chamber.

  Moving quickly, I returned to the stables where the blood bay was getting his fill of oats and water. I pulled my saddle from the wall and began readying him to ride once more.

  “Queen Gruoch?” a voice called.

  I turned to find Killian there.

  “Where are you going?” he asked.