Highland Queen

by Melanie Karsak

  We walked down the narrow side street and then down into the temple of the Lord of the Hollow Hills. The blue fire in the sconces flickered to light before us. We turned and looked at one another but said nothing.

  When we reached the chamber, we went to one of the empty altars and lay Andraste down. Nimue gently folded Andraste’s arms across her body.

  “Cerridwen, what are we going to do now?” Nimue asked, but my thoughts were distracted.

  In the distance, coming from one of the caves, I heard the strangest whisper. Soft voices spoke.

  Cerridwen, come. The forest is awake. The forest is alive with fire.

  Light flickered in one of the caves, and I recognized the silver etching on the cave walls. It was the tunnel that led to Dunsinane.

  “Nimue,” I whispered.

  “I hear it too. Go, Cerridwen.”

  “But Banquo and Aelith,” I said, hesitating.

  “Return to us when the hurly-burly is done. We will wait for you. I will watch over them.”

  I headed toward the cave. Taking a torch from the wall, I stepped inside the tunnel once more and set off to return to Dunsinane.

  Chapter 46

  As I made my way back, it occurred to me that time had passed in the real world. In the wake of Banquo’s death—or, at least, what they would believe to be his death—everything would have fallen into disarray.

  I needed to get to Fleance and Lulach. I needed to let them know we were still alive.

  As I hurried through the tunnels, I heard strange sounds beyond the rocky hill. The noises confused me. I was glad when I found my way to the court of the Parisi king but struck with a chill when I realized the center brazier was lit. Someone had been here recently. Had Macbeth returned to Dunsinane? How? Surely Killian would have followed him to the ends of the earth for what he had done. Unless Macbeth killed Killian, in which case, they might not even know.

  I pulled Uald’s Gift and rushed down the hall. As I did so, I heard shouting and saw fire. When I emerged in the yard, I saw soldiers everywhere. Archers were on the wall, shooting flaming arrows into the night. A battalion of men stood ready at the gate as a battering ram crashed into it. Dunsinane was under attack.

  “Madelaine,” I whispered.

  I turned and rushed up the steps toward the second floor. As I passed, the soldiers gawked at me in surprise.

  “It’s the queen.”

  “The queen!”

  I grabbed a soldier by the arm. “Where is Lady Madelaine?”

  “On the third tier, with the king.”

  Macbeth was here. He was here! That damned, murdering bastard was here.

  I raced up the steps. As I did, I felt the raven within me swell in power. My blood thundered, my heart beat wildly. I heard the beat of ravens’ wings. Rushing to the third level, I watched as flaming arrows were launched from Dunsinane into the night. Outside the castle walls, men cried out.

  As firelight streaked the sky, I spotted Macbeth standing at the wall. He was all alone. He stood, staring down at the forest.

  I went to the wall and looked out.

  There, I saw something strange.

  The woods were moving. Branches and leaves made their way toward the castle.

  “Loose,” a soldier called from below.

  Flaming arrows shot into the night sky once more. As they flew, they illuminated the hill below Dunsinane. The trees were not moving. Those were men. Siward had disguised his army. He had bedecked the soldiers with tree limbs and leaves. Under the flash of firelight, I spotted the colors of Northumbria under the disguise. Siward had used the forest itself to creep in on Dunsinane.

  Birnam Wood had come to Dunsinane Hill once more.

  I turned and looked at Macbeth. To my great surprise, he had turned and was staring at me.

  He wore a white dressing gown and his crown. He held a sword in front of him.

  “Are you real?” he asked.

  “You’re about to find out how real,” I answered. Brandishing Uald’s Gift, I rushed at him.

  Macbeth blocked my attack and spun away.

  I swung again. Uald’s Gift glimmered in the firelight. Our swords met, and we dueled one another, moving across the stones. My heart beat hard in my chest. I would kill Macbeth. I would kill him, or I would die trying.

  “Gruoch,” he said, his voice pleading.

  Feeling even angrier at the mere thought that he would try to talk to me, try to appease me, I attacked once more, screaming as I advanced on him.

  Macbeth fell back, defending himself from my blows.

  “Gruoch, I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  “I am sick to death of everyone’s regrets,” I said, launching an attack once more.

  Macbeth backed toward the wall. Unable to retreat further, he blocked my moves, but he was out of space.

  “Loose,” a soldier called again, fire illuminating the sky.

  In a final effort to save himself, Macbeth swung his blade hard.

  To my shock, Uald’s Gift flew from my hands and clattered across the flagstones.

  Macbeth lowered his blade. “Gruoch,” he began, but I rushed him.

  I punched him hard in the face, hearing his nose crack, then I wrenched his sword from his hand, throwing it over the wall behind him.

  From deep within the castle, there was a terrible commotion. Something crashed.

  “The gate is down. The castle is breached,” someone screamed.

  “Gruoch,” Macbeth whispered.

  I grabbed the collar of his nightshirt and stared him in the eyes.

  With my free hand, I pulled Scáthach from my belt. I sneered at Macbeth then said, “Join your father.”

  Macbeth’s eyes went wide when he eyed the dagger.

  With a slash, I opened Macbeth’s neck.

  Blood splashed all over me as his head lolled, his eyes rolling back into his head.

  With a hard shove, I pushed him over the wall. Gripping the stones, I watched as Macbeth fell into the tangle of men, stones, and trees below. The forest swallowed him.

  From the castle yard, I heard screaming and the sounds of metal clashing.

  “Madelaine,” I whispered. I grabbed my sword then raced into the castle. Everywhere I looked, people were fleeing in terror. I ran to Madelaine’s chamber and flung open the door.

  To my surprise, she was standing by the window, gazing out placidly at her impending doom.

  “Madelaine,” I called.

  Gasping, she turned and looked at me. “Corbie?”

  I took her hand. “Come on,” I said, then pulled her from the room.

  “You’re covered in blood,” Madelaine said. “Are you hurt?”

  “Not yet, but we better move quickly.”

  We raced down a back stairwell to the second floor. At the other end of the hall, I spotted Siward’s men. They were already in the castle.

  “This way,” I said, pushing aside a tapestry to reveal an opening that led down a flight of stairs to the first level of the castle. When we reached the bottom of the steps, I peered out. Everywhere I looked, I saw soldiers. Luckily, most of them were so engaged that Madelaine and I had a chance to pass through unseen.

  I nodded to Madelaine, and we slipped out.

  “We need to get to the old part of the castle. Quickly,” I told her. We rushed down the corridor. Turning, I spotted one of Siward’s men in the hallway ahead of me.

  “You there, stop!” he yelled at me.

  I grabbed Scáthach by the handle and lobbed her at the man. She hit her mark, knocking the man off his feet as he fell to the floor.

  Bending, Madelaine grabbed a sword off a fallen soldier, and we raced down the hallway. I stopped only long enough to grab Scáthach, and we rushed on. The corridors in this part of the castle were dark, winding, and confusing to strangers. I heard the sound of metal as soldiers rushed about the place. I turned a corner, but Madelaine let out a yelp.

  “Stop,” a soldier called, grabbing Madelaine by the arm.


  But he hadn’t seen the sword.

  Madelaine thrust the weapon in the man’s gut.

  He groaned and fell.

  Pulling out her weapon, she nodded to me.

  We passed the ancient hall then followed the steps down to the caves once more. Again, my raven eyes led me.

  “Corbie, I can’t see anything,” Madelaine whispered.

  “We will walk between the worlds. Take my hand,” I told her then we stepped into the deep, dark passages. We wound through the twisting halls. The sound of men and fighting receded. The air grew cold. I could smell minerals and loam. Not long after, I spotted blue fire ahead of me. Leading Madelaine, we stepped into Ynes Verleath.

  Chapter 47

  Madelaine stared wide-eyed as we made our way through the ancient city. I led her up the stairs of the temple. When we reached the top, she stopped and looked out over the city.

  “I know this place,” she whispered.

  “This is the realm of the Wyrds.”

  “But I know this place.”

  “Once, long ago, we were all here together. In an ancient life, a forgotten life.”

  Madelaine turned and looked at me. She eyed my clothes then looked down at her own hands. “Corbie.”

  “Come,” I said, leading her into the temple.

  She walked slowly, gazing at the broken statue of the Goddess, past the eternal flame, then to the cauldron terrace.

  Guiding Madelaine, I led her to my chamber. There, Banquo slept, his arm around Aelith who was curled up at his side. Nimue rose when we entered.

  “Nimue. How is he?” I asked.

  She nodded. “He is well. Aching but well. Your little one just fell asleep.”

  “What happened?” Madelaine asked.

  “Macbeth came to Lochaber. He tried to kill Aelith, but Banquo saved her. He was injured,” I said, eyeing Nimue. We needed to say no more.

  “Aelith,” Madelaine said softly. “Oh, Corbie. How beautiful she is.”

  “Nimue, this is—”

  “Elaine. Yes, I know. Welcome, sister. I am Nimue.”

  Madelaine gave Nimue a weary smile then turned and looked at me. “Corbie, there were dispatches before the attack. Macbeth sent a rider to Lulach. I don’t know if word reached him in time.”

  “I will look,” I said.

  “And Macbeth?” Madelaine asked.

  “He has paid for his treachery.”

  Madelanie breathed a sigh of relief then nodded.

  “Come with me, Elaine,” Nimue told my aunt. “There is water and fresh linens here.”

  Madelaine turned and left with Nimue.

  I gazed down at Banquo and Aelith.

  Macbeth was gone.

  Finally, we were free.

  But now what? And at what cost?

  I went to the cauldron terrace. When I arrived, however, I found I was not alone.

  The red-robed Morrigu waited for me.

  We stared at one another.

  “Come,” she said. “Come and see.” Her hand danced over the cauldron.

  Reluctantly, I came and stood beside her. I looked into the cauldron then watched events unfold at great speed. I saw Lulach and Fleance on the field, overtaking Siward’s army. The Northumbrian forces retreated after the attack on Dunsinane. Lulach and Fleance won the day, repelling the invaders once more.

  I saw Macbeth laid to rest on the Isle of Iona.

  Gripping the side of the cauldron, I watched Lulach go to Scone, the ancient crown of Moray placed on his head as he sat on the stone of destiny and was declared King of Scotland.

  The Morrigu waved her hand over the surface of the cauldron. I saw the coven. There, under the limbs of a tall oak, I saw Fleance lean in and place a soft kiss on Crearwy’s lips. Blood dripped from their entwined hands where they had made their handfasting cuts.

  Again, the Red Lady touched the surface of the cauldron. I saw Lulach at Dunsinane, but shadows surrounded him. Dark, evil things whispered in the corners. In the hallways, in the stairwells, I saw men talk behind my son. I saw coin change hand. Men rode away from Dunsinane to Northumbria where a fair-haired man who looked much like my father stared out the window, his angry blue eyes bent on the north.

  “Prince Malcolm,” one of the shadowy men whispered. “It is arranged.”

  The Morrigu touched the surface of the cauldron, and the images disappeared. “You once told me that Lulach was not beholden to me or anyone else. That his fate was his own. But is it? Has Lulach carved out his own destiny as he willed it, as he wishes?” the Morrigu aked.

  I glared at her. “Of course he has.”

  She touched the surface of the cauldron once more, revealing Lulach. He was alone in Birnam Wood. He had come to a ring of standing stones. He wove through them, touching each stone as he passed.

  “A different world. A different life. I would give it all away in service of you.”

  I covered my hand with my mouth.

  “Lulach,” I whispered, reaching out to touch his reflection.

  He paused. “Mother?”

  I looked at the Morrigu.

  With a wave of her hand, the boundaries between the words faded. I saw Lulach before me, standing between the stones. He stared at the Morrigu and me.

  “My lady,” he said, inclining his head to her. He looked at me. “Mother…are you alive?”

  “Yes, my son.”

  “I am king now.”

  I could feel the Morrigu turn and look at me. I didn’t give her the satisfaction of returning her gaze.

  “Lulach, you are in great danger,” I told him.

  He nodded. “I know. They will try to murder me. But isn’t it a beautiful day?” he said, motioning to the forest around him.

  “Lulach…”

  My heart beat hard in my chest. I could hear Lulach’s thoughts, I could read his heart. He didn’t want any of this. He didn’t want to be king. He wanted a life of service; he wanted a life with the gods. I had guided his fate. I had led him down a path of my choosing. I had picked Lulach to be king. I had not hidden him as I had Crearwy. I had forced this gentle soul into the world of men. I had seen to it that there was a crown placed on his head. For what? I had sacrificed everything; I had given up everything to secure a destiny for Lulach that he didn’t want.

  I turned to the Morrigu.

  “It is not an easy thing to guide people to their fate,” she told me. “But you will learn,” she said. Much to my surprise, she handed me the crown of Moray.

  Taking the crown, I stepped through the gateway into the world.

  The warm summer sun shone down on my face. I heard the birds call, and a soft wind swept across the forest, carrying with it the perfume of flowers, ferns, and leaves.

  I closed my eyes. “I need you now,” I whispered.

  The wind blew, the leaves of the trees rustling. I could hear soft whispers on the breeze.

  Taking Lulach’s hand in mine, I led him to the center of the ring where there was an ancient stone altar. Moss and lichen grew on the sacred stone, nearly covering the faces that had been carved thereon. I handed the crown of Moray to Lulach.

  “From this day forth, you shall be the master of your own fate. Choose, my son. Choose what life you will. You are free.”

  “But…but how?”

  “Walk away,” I said. “Listen to the trees, if that is your wish. Listen, and you will find the way.

  Lulach looked at the crown. “If I leave, I have failed Scotland.”

  “That is what I told myself too. But there are other ways to serve.”

  Lulach set the crown of Moray on the altar stone.

  “Mother, what about you? What will you do?”

  “I am for the Wyrds, as was always intended. And Banquo is with me.”

  “The Thane of Lochaber lives?”

  “He does.”

  “I must tell Fleance.”

  “Please do,” I said then slipped off the raven torcs on my wrists. “And give these to Cre
arwy. Tell her they are a bridal gift from her mother,” I said, handing them to Lulach. “Tell her and Fleance to follow their hearts. That they are beholden only to one another. I free her from any obligation I ever laid upon her. I love her, and I set her free.”

  Lulach flexed his brow, a move he had made a thousand times since he was born, then he nodded. “And Aelith?”

  “You will see her soon.”

  Lulach nodded. “Thank you, Mother.”

  A horse whinnied. Lulach and I turned to see Arden, the priestess from Birnam grove, there.

  “Go, my son. The green calls you.”

  Lulach looked at Arden, a curious expression on his face. He turned back to me. “I love you, Mother.”

  “I love you too,” I whispered, then closed my eyes and willed my spirit onward.

  A moment later, I found myself standing beside a brook. Water fell gently into a pool at its base. The surface of the water rippled as a fey thing bobbed on the frothy waves. Grinning mischievously, Sid splashed water at me. She laughed when the droplets passed through me.

  “Well, finally did it, eh?” she said.

  “Did what?”

  “Became the raven.”

  “Yes.”

  She nodded then dunked under the water. After a moment, she broke the surface once more, gasping for breath. She pushed her hair away from her face. “I hate that city of yours. It’s too dark,” she said with a frown. “But I suppose I’ll come anyway.”

  “Good. Otherwise, I’d have to force you there. But, Sid, I need your help. I must bring—”

  “Mad Elaine. I know. We’ve been waiting for her. Our ninth will return to us once more but this time as the crone. Tell her to come when she is ready.”

  “I will. I don’t know yet what we will do about Aelith.”

  Sid shrugged. “The answer will come to you in time, raven beak.”

  “Sid,” I said with a shake of my head. She could make light of the most serious matters.

  She grinned wickedly at me. “Now go away, and no spying on me through that cauldron of yours.”

  I laughed. “I love you, Sid.”

  “I love you too. Now, go run away with Banquo,” Sid called then disappeared under the water once more.