Highland Queen

by Melanie Karsak

  Banquo warmed himself by the fire as he read. His countenance growing increasingly dark as his eyes scanned the page.

  I handed Aelith a rattle, propping her so she could sit. She immediately stuck the toy into her mouth and started biting. I smiled at her. Her little teeth had begun coming in. She loved to bite to relieve the itch in her gums. Reluctantly, I went to Banquo.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “You aren’t going to like it.”

  “No doubt. But tell me all the same.”

  “Macbeth has talked Thorfinn into joining Echmarach on a raid into Ireland to retrieve Donaldbane,” he said then shook his head. “They are, no doubt, underway already.”

  “What?”

  Banquo nodded stoically.

  “But I told Macbeth I would go with a delegation this spring,” I said.

  “So you did.”

  “What does he want from you?”

  “From me,” Banquo said then scratched his chin. “He wants me to ride south to Dunsinane to help him prepare the army.”

  A chill washed over me. “What for?”

  “For war.”

  I swallowed hard then took the parchment from Banquo. As I expected, the handwriting thereon was a barely legible mess. Macbeth had fallen to the darkness once again, and unless I acted very soon, we would all fall with him.

  Turning, I looked back at my daughter. Her dark hair had softened to brown, much like Banquo’s, but her eyes were a lovely mix of deep blue and brown. She didn’t take after me as much as Crearwy and Lulach did, but she was clearly my daughter—mine and Banquo’s. You could see her parents in her face.

  Grinning, she pulled the toy out of her mouth and showed it to me. “Dah,” she babbled with a grin.

  I smiled at her. “Yes, I see it.”

  She giggled then began chewing once more.

  “What are we going to do?” I asked Banquo.

  “As for me, I will tell him I am unwell and cannot leave Lochaber. And I won’t. Not for him. Never again.”

  “You’ll resign your post as his general?”

  “Yes. I won’t leave Aelith. I have made too many mistakes over the years. I have sacrificed many things for Macbeth. At last, I have a chance to do something right. I will stay here with my daughter.”

  I felt ill. Banquo was right. His choice was best. But it was his choice. As for me, I felt the tug of fate. I was Queen of Scotland. Lulach was Macbeth’s heir. I couldn’t just let it all go, could I?

  Aelith jabbered, picking up then setting back down the toys I had laid on the fur around her, biting each one in turn. Again, I was asked to leave a child behind to follow a destiny I didn’t want.

  “You won’t have to go right away,” Banquo whispered.

  I nodded. I had known all along that I would not be able to stay in Lochaber forever, but knowing a thing and facing a thing were very different. What I hadn’t expected was Banquo’s decision. But now that it was out, I was glad. I wasn’t leaving Aelith alone; I was leaving her with her father. That, at least, would give me some comfort. Once things were settled, I could return to Lochaber.

  Banquo wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest.

  “I love you,” he whispered in my ear.

  “I love you too,” I replied.

  I waved to Aelith who giggled then waved back with both hands, one pointing backward. Our child. The gods were both cruel and kind. At that moment, I had the only thing I had ever really wanted. Yet a greater destiny called me, and there was no ignoring the call.

  A rider came from Moray within the week. He carried messages from the local thanes as well as a letter from Macbeth.

  While Macbeth’s letter to Banquo had been less than detailed, Macbeth told me more. As it turned out, Crinian was not content to be Abbott of Dunkeld. He had fled south to join Siward and young Malcolm in Northumbria. Rumor had it the pair were plotting, planning to retake the southernmost lands as soon as the spring arrived. Macbeth pleaded for me to return south.

  “Please come back,” he’d written, then signed the letter with his name.

  Given what I now knew, Macbeth’s calls for war made sense. Crinian deserved to be punished, and Siward could not be permitted to step foot in Scotland. I could see Siward’s plan unfolding. One square of land at a time, one turned or murdered lord at a time, he would make his way north.

  I looked at the handwriting in Macbeth’s letter to me. As with Banquo’s, the perfect courtly script Macbeth usually used had disintegrated to scratch. Crinian’s treachery—and god knows what else—had unhinged Macbeth. But unlike in his letter to Banquo, Macbeth made no mention in his letter to me about Thorfinn and Echmarcach.

  That night, while Aelith slept, Banquo and I composed our reply letters to Macbeth. Banquo wrote that he contracted an ailment in the winter and had not recovered. He could not come. I wrote that I would return south within the month.

  I handed my letter to Banquo. He read it then set it aside.

  Rising, I went to Aelith. How sweet she looked. Her brown hair, glimmering with red highlights, sparkled in the firelight. Her lips were puckered like little roses.

  “She’ll be all right,” Banquo told me. “She’s eating solid food very well now.”

  I nodded. Already Aelith had begun to wean herself, preferring the taste of table food to milk. Poor lamb, she had no sense of flavor at all.

  “It would be better if I had more time.”

  “Of course,” Banquo said. “But you do not.”

  “I don’t want to leave her or you or this life. This was the life I was supposed to have. I don’t want to go. All those years ago, we should have run away together.”

  Banquo huffed a laugh. “So we have said, time and time again, but we didn’t. We had our reasons. Now, here we are.”

  “Do you think Macbeth will believe you? Will he believe the story of the ailment?”

  “He has no reason not to. And if you confirm it to him, he will have no doubts.”

  “Will you regret giving up your duties?”

  “No,” Banquo said very matter-of-factly. “I have caused enough harm on Macbeth’s behalf. Now, I will live my life. I will care for our daughter and look after our boys as best I can when I can. And I will rule the land of my fathers. I love Lochaber. I want to be home.”

  “I will miss Lulach and Fleance’s return,” I lamented.

  “Yes, but one day, you will come back.”

  “Yes. I will.”

  “Yes, you will,” Banquo echoed, but his voice had taken a faraway sound. When I turned and looked at him, he was staring into the fire. The look on his face was one of fear.

  Chapter 35

  I made ready to depart. I would not return to Moray but would ride straight to Dunsinane from Lochaber. Morag clicked her tongue and complained about Tira and Rhona who had—in Morag’s words—abandoned me.

  “I will send for them,” I told Morag. “If they want to return, they can.”

  “And what will you do in the meantime?”

  “My aunt Madelaine has maids.”

  Morag huffed. “No. That won’t due. You will take Greer with you.”

  “Would she want to go?”

  Morag laughed. “Lady Gruoch, I know your eyes have been on your man and your child. You’ve missed it completely. Wherever Sir Killian goes, Greer follows.”

  “Have they formed an attachment?”

  “Well, she’s certainly attached to him. I think he’s still deciding. I suspect his heart is hung where it shouldn’t be. It will take some time for him to realize it.”

  “Ahh,” I said. His heart was still hung on me. “Well, I’ll see what I can do to get it unhinged.”

  Morag laughed. “She’s coming up to speed as a lady’s maid, but it may still take her a bit of time.”

  “She helped bring my daughter into this world. What else could I ask for? Morag, she does know that—”

  “That Aelith does not exist? As I told you when you c
ame, your secrets are safe in Lochaber.”

  Killian organized my guard and some men of Lochaber to accompany me south. Word was beginning to spread about Thorfinn and Echmarach’s raid on the Irish king. Despite being opposed to the maneuver, I hoped it worked and wished them luck. Once more, Scotland’s blood was boiling.

  The morning we planned to depart, I rose early to find Aelith awake and talking. She lay in her bed, lifting and lowering her toys, studying each one and talking to them as she did so.

  I lifted her from her bed then lay her down between Banquo and me. Banquo sighed in his sleep but slept on.

  “I will leave today,” I told Aelith.

  She scrunched up her brow and looked at me. On some level, she understood. “But I will come home as soon as I can. Your dada will be here with you. And Morag. You won’t be alone.”

  “Dada,” she said, patting—more slapping than patting—Banquo’s face, waking him in the process.

  I laughed. “Yes, your dada. He will be with you always. He will always keep you safe.”

  Yawning, Banquo lifted Aelith’s hand and kissed it.

  “And your mother will keep us all safe. You see how perfect it all will work,” Banquo said.

  “I need to start getting ready,” I whispered.

  “I know,” Banquo said sadly. “Well, my Aelith, let’s get up and make sure everything is ready for your mum’s ride south. Shall we go see if Swift is saddled?”

  Aelith grinned with excitement.

  Poor little dear, if she only knew my heart was breaking.

  Killian had been hard at work making the preparations. By the time I was finally dressed, everything was ready.

  Carrying Aelith, Banquo waited while I mounted Swift.

  “I will write as soon as I can.”

  Banquo nodded. “Be careful, my Cerridwen, and not just on the road. Keep your man close,” he said, motioning to Killian. “But not too close,” he added with a wink.

  I laughed. “Oh, my love. That is the last thing you should ever worry about.”

  At that, Banquo chuckled. He handed Aelith up to me so I could kiss her once more.

  “Be a good girl,” I said. “Listen to your father. Now, give me a kiss.”

  Giggling, she planted a very wet kiss on my cheek.

  “I love you,” I told her then I handed her back to Banquo.

  Banquo gave me a soft smile. “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” I whispered. With a heavy heart, I tapped on the reins then turned my horse south.

  As I rode out of the gates of Tor Castle, I fought back my tears. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to be.

  Instead of staying with my husband and daughter, I was headed back to Macbeth.

  Chapter 36

  The road was long and cold. Even though spring had come, snow still trimmed the landscape. The first spring flowers pushed through the snow. A deep sadness fell over me as we rode south. Despite the beautiful scenery, I was returning somewhere I didn’t want to go to someone I didn’t want to see.

  It was a three-day ride to Dunsinane. As we rode through Birnam Wood, again I felt the eyes of the forest on me. Soon, the forest thinned out, and we spotted the massive old fortress sitting on its high hill.

  A sense of dread washed over me.

  “What a tall place,” Greer said, her eyes wide.

  “It’s an ancient fortress, from the kingdom of the Parisi.”

  She stared up at the castle then turned and looked behind her, a smile on her face. I followed her gaze to see she was looking at Killian who had returned her grin. But when he saw me looking, he stiffened his expression, taking on a formal stance.

  Sighing, Greer turned around in her saddle.

  “I’ll work on him,” I whispered to her.

  Greer raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing.

  We rode up the winding path that led to the fortress. When we were spotted, trumpets blasted, and a fleet of servants rushed forward.

  I was relieved to see a mop of red hair in the crowd.

  “Corbie? Corbie,” Madelaine called.

  I slipped off Swift, handing him off to a groom, then rushed to my aunt.

  “Oh, there you are,” Madelaine said, embracing me. She eyed me over. “You look well. Is everything…is everyone well?”

  “Very well,” I told her, linking my arm in hers. “We shall talk tonight. But she is very well.”

  “Thank the Goddess,” Madelaine said, patting my arm

  As we headed toward the castle, Macbeth appeared at the wall of the second-story rampart. He looked down, eyeing over the party, then me.

  I met his gaze.

  He lifted a hand in greeting.

  I returned the gesture.

  “How is everyone here?” I asked Madelaine.

  “Decidedly unwell,” Madelaine whispered. “It’s good you’re back, but we need to talk.”

  I unlinked my arm from Madelaine’s. “We shall, but for now, I should go,” I said, gesturing toward Macbeth.

  She nodded. “All right. I’ll see to your staff. Where are Tira and Rhona?”

  “At Cawdor. I have a new girl, Greer.”

  Madelaine nodded. “I’ll take care of her,” she said then patted my arm and let me go.

  Taking a deep breath, I climbed the steps to the second-story rampart. Macbeth stood watching the activity in the yard. I crossed the space and joined him at the wall.

  “Those are Lochaber’s men,” Macbeth said, eyeing the group.

  “Yes.”

  “And where is the thane?”

  “He is very ill. I went to see him before riding here.”

  “Will he recover?”

  “Yes, but he is much weakened.”

  “How…unfortunate.”

  “And you, Macbeth. How are you?” I eyed him over. Once more, he looked sleepless and agitated. When I had first met him, he had the cut of a soldier. Now he looked thin and weak.

  Macbeth frowned. “I… You will not need to go to Ireland.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  “Echmarach and Thorfinn reclaimed some of the lands stolen from Echmarach. We have had success there.”

  “And Donaldbane?”

  Macbeth didn’t answer.

  “And Donaldbane?” I asked again, my voice growing dark.

  “I don’t know. Our operatives never returned, and the Irish king has ceased all communication.”

  “Of course he has.”

  Macbeth blew air through his teeth then roughly ran his fingers through his hair.

  “It is no matter. It’s done now. What plans have you made for Crinian and Siward?” I asked.

  At that, Macbeth grinned, a wild gleam in his eyes. “Many, many plans.” He gripped the stone wall hard and rocked back and forth.

  “We should go in and discuss,” I said, motioning to the castle.

  Still smiling, Macbeth stared out onto the horizon. He didn’t move.

  “Macbeth,” I said gently. “I haven’t seen the finished castle. Let’s go inside. You can show me Dunsinane.”

  He turned to me. His eyes searched my face. “You came back.”

  “Yes.”

  “Come, let me show you,” he said. Motioning for me to follow him, his footsteps hurried, we headed back inside.

  I turned and looked behind me, unsurprised to find Killian there.

  He nodded for me to go on. He followed just behind us.

  With a heavy sigh, I trailed the mad king.

  Chapter 37

  After Macbeth toured me through the castle, we went to his meeting room on the second floor. He went over all of his plans with me, and from what I could see, he had done well. The troops were rallying at Glamis. He had already called in a contingent of his army, enough men to keep the border secure from any incursion.

  “Without Banquo, I will need to go myself,” Macbeth said.

  I frowned but said nothing. Unsteady as he was, it wasn’t wise to have him o
n the field. But despite his nerves being wrought, the stratagem he shared with me was sound.

  “If you must,” I said carefully.

  “And you’re sure about Banquo? He is ill.”

  “Yes,” I said, my tone dark.

  Macbeth nodded.

  “When will you go south?” I asked.

  “Within the week. I was waiting for Ross and Mar. And you.”

  “Me?”

  “Of course. You must be here at Dunsinane to manage things. They must understand we are not to be trifled with. I will leave for Glamis in the morning,” Macbeth told me.

  “Then I will begin my work here tomorrow,” I said, fingering through the papers on Macbeth’s desk, disturbed by what I saw.

  Macbeth nodded then crossed the room, looking like he was heading somewhere in a hurry.

  “Macbeth?”

  “Oh. Oh, yes. Why don’t you rest? I’ll see you at supper,” he said then headed out. As he passed Killian, who was standing just outside the conference room door, he ruffled the man’s hair then turned and rushed off.

  Gaping, Killian stared at Macbeth.

  Completely bewildered, I shook my head then motioned for Killian to come inside.

  “Your Majesty,” he said, a concerned look on his face.

  I nodded. “I know. I think we’ve returned just in time.”

  Killian sighed, echoing my thoughts.

  Once again, I spent my time working through Macbeth’s mess. I was relieved when a servant came to fetch me for dinner. Feeling weary, I wandered to the massive banquet hall. It was still under construction when I’d come with Kirk all those months ago. Now, the place had been fully restored. Wide timbers lined the ceiling, and colored glass had been set into the windows. Sconces lined the walls, and new tables and chairs filled the space.

  “Corbie,” Madelaine said, catching up with me. “You’re still in your riding clothes.”

  “Yes,” I said blearily. “I’ll take a bath and rest after supper.”

  “Corbie, there’s something you must know,” Madelaine whispered.