Highland Queen

Chapter 8

In the days that followed, we settled in and began our preparations for the crowning. With the place bustling with news and people—most of whom I did not know and did not trust—I was relieved when the first of two very welcomed visitors arrived.

There was a knock on the door followed by the call, “Corbie?”

A moment later, Madelaine pushed opened the door and rushed into the room, an excited smile on her face.

Outside my door, I caught sight of Killian who gave me a knowing wink then closed the door behind her.

“Lady Madelaine,” Tira said, then curtsied.

Rhona, who had been in the adjoining room, joined us. “My lady.”

“What a welcome sight you all are,” Madelaine said as she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight squeeze. “Corbie! Your hair,” she said when she pulled back. She touched my short locks. “What happened?”

“For the Morrigu.”

“I won’t begrudge the dark lady her sacrifice, but now we’ll have to work some magic of our own for the coronation. Oh, my little raven. Now, where is Lulach?” Madelaine asked, looking around, a confused expression on her face.

“My lady, shall Tira and I bring you and Lady Madelaine some refreshment?” Rhona asked, motioning to Tira. Clearly, Rhona understood I needed to speak privately with Madelaine.

I nodded. “Yes. Please.”

Tira looked a bit confused, but Rhona dragged her out the door behind her.

I went to the window and looked out. The yard was busy. As much as I had hoped that the crowning would end quickly, and I could return to Cawdor—with Banquo—it was beginning to look like the politics of the country were sloshing their way toward me. I was surrounded by news and need. Every day, visitors arrived to meet with Macbeth or me. There was struggle, hunger, and strife in every corner of Scotland. Dealing with all of it was exhausting. What Duncan had been doing all these years, I had no idea. But he had not been ruling. At least, not well.

“Lulach isn’t here,” I told Madelaine.

“Where is he?”

“I sent him to Balor. Lulach and Fleance will stay amongst the druids until things are settled.”

“Hmm,” Madelaine mused.

I turned and looked at her. “Was it the wrong decision?”

She shook her head. “No. Keep him hidden. Boite disappeared for a time as a boy as well. Our mother saw to that. But Kenneth would not let Malcolm go. The men they later became is evidence of their upbringing. This is good for Lulach. Besides, you will have enough to manage without tending to Lulach and Fleance as well.”

I nodded. “Duncan’s ineptitude reveals itself each day.”

“What he learned at Malcolm’s foot and what you learned in Moray are, no doubt, very different.”

“Gillacoemgain was a good ruler, that is true, and I learned much from him. But it is you and Epona I credit,” I said with a soft smile. “I learned how to manage things from watching the two of you.”

“Corbie,” she said with a dismissive wave.

“It’s true. You must care about what happens. If you don’t—”

“You end up with Malcolm…and Duncan.”

I nodded.

“Very well. All right, my Corbie, you’ve hidden Lulach from me. I can accept your reasoning on that, but I think you’ve had my man long enough. Where have you stashed Tavis?”

A knot hardened in my stomach. “Tavis?”

Madelaine caught the confused sound in my voice. She’d been blustering about the room, fingering the dresses hanging in my wardrobe. She turned and looked at me. “Yes. Tavis.”

“Tavis rode south just after the war. He…he’s not in Fife?”

The color drained from Madelaine’s face. “No. He’s not here? He didn’t ride with you?”

“No,” I said, a terrible feeling of dread washing over me.

Madelaine covered her mouth with her hands. “Corbie, he never returned,” she whispered.

I went to the door.

“My lady,” Killian said, coming to attention the moment I opened the door.

“I need to speak to the Thane of Lochaber at once.”

“I will see to it, my lady,” Killian said. He signaled another guard to take his place then headed down the hallway, moving quickly.

I shut the door behind me then turned and looked at Madelaine.

“Oh, Great Mother, what if something’s happened?” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

“Don’t think like that. Surely, you would have felt it. Banquo will come. He will be able to see. We will ask him to search for Tavis the old way.”

Madelaine sat down on the corner of my bed. All the mirth that had surrounded her had deflated.

“Maybe he found some good hunting. Or perhaps he missed you and Fife and is on his way now,” I said, but even as I spoke the words, I knew they weren’t true. I could feel Tavis, just on the edge of my awareness, and all was not well.

“I hope so,” Madelaine whispered. “Oh, Corbie.”

I sat beside her, wrapping my arms around her. “We’ll pray to the Goddess for his safe return.”

“May she listen well to our words.”

Banquo arrived within the hour, a worried expression on his face.

“Gruoch? What is it? I was in the field with the men when one your guards came,” he said then paused, looking toward Madelaine. “Lady Madelaine,” he said, giving her a short bow.

“Tavis did not return to Fife,” I told Banquo.

I could see him turning my words around in his mind then he nodded. He pulled his dagger from his belt.

“Lady Madelaine,” he said, turning to her. “I need a lock of your hair.”

Madelaine took the dagger from Banquo’s hand then cut a red curl, which she handed to Banquo.

Banquo nodded to me then went before the fire. Kneeling, he poured some water into the cauldron. He then dug into his vest and pulled out a small pouch. From within, he withdrew some herbs and berries. He dropped them into the water as he whispered quiet words. He pulled other herbs from a pouch hanging on his belt. He tossed these onto the flame. The room filled with heady sage and the sweet scent of herbs. Madelaine and I stood behind him, watching him as he worked.

I could feel the energy around me shift and move. The light streaming through the window bent oddly, scattering at strange angles, the shadows twisting. When I narrowed my gaze and looked at Banquo with my ravens’s eyes, I saw the green glow that often surrounded him.

Banquo whispered under his breath then tossed Madelaine’s hair onto the fire.

The scent of burnt hair filled the room. I felt dizzy. I reached out for Madelaine, so I wouldn’t swoon.

Banquo stilled and looked into the water.

After a moment, he winced and clutched his side.

Madelaine moved to go to him, but I held her back.

Banquo shuddered then lifted his hands, covering his eyes. I could hear him whispering but couldn’t make out his words.

A moment later, he sat back on his heels.

“I know where he is,” he said, his voice soft.

“And?” Madelaine asked. “Is he…”

“He is injured, Lady Madelaine,” he said, gently touching his side once more. “I…I just hope we can reach him in time.” Banquo rose and turned to me. “I’ll send riders at once. He is not far from your old keep,” he told Madelaine. “There are some soldiers amongst my men who follow the old path. They will understand,” he said, touching the tattoo on his forehead. “I will go to them now.”

“Thank you, Banquo,” Madelaine said, tears trickling down her face.

Banquo passed me a look. I could read the words behind his eyes. It might already be too late. With a nod, Banquo left.

Exhaling deeply, I closed the door behind him.

“Oh, Corbie. Whatever would I do without Tavis?”

I shook my head. Having been separated from Banquo, I knew well the pain. But I could not imagine Banquo dying. If Banquo died, I would lose my mind. It would be the very end of me.

“Don’t think like that,” I whispered. “Have faith, not fear.”

Madelaine nodded mutely but said nothing more. In the face of uncertainty, fear is a monster that’s impossible to slay.