Highland Queen

Chapter 12

The lords and ladies gathered that day in the great hall to celebrate our coronation. As was the custom in older days, the warriors who had gathered hung their shields on the wall, displaying to all which lords, thanes, and clans had come to pledge their fidelity to the new king.

While Duncan’s feast had been a lively event—full of proper dinner etiquette and stimulating conversations on the weather—our feast was far different. Pipers played, and lords and ladies danced. The Northmen drank and laughed, and even the more refined in the crowd seemed honestly at ease. Macbeth worked his way through the room, meeting with the southern lords, accepting their congratulations and—it did not escape my notice—introducing himself to all their fair daughters.

Killian had sent some of the men of Moray to work the room as well, but their eyes were looking for something far different from beautiful girls. And he was right to do so. Amongst all the cheer, I could feel the seeds of anger. The southern lords smiled to Macbeth’s face, but they exchanged wary glances when his back was turned. More would need to be done to bring them back into the fold. Money, land, or properly placed threats would be needed, not pretty words. Surely Malcolm had taught Macbeth that.

My eyes also scanned the crowd for Banquo. He wasn’t there. In fact, I hadn’t seen him since having that strange, terrible vision at the coronation. My stomach knotted with worry.

“They will want to send ladies to court once you are settled at Dunsinane,” Madelaine said.

I scoffed. “Well, I shall tell them no thank you.”

“Corbie, it’s tradition,” she protested.

“It was a tradition. I will not lord over a court of luxury and waste. There is work to be done.”

Madelaine sighed. “There are some elements of politics you must come to accept, despite how odious they may seem, including making nice with the ladies.”

“We shall see,” I said then turned to the bishop who was on his second decanter of wine—speaking of luxury. “Lord Bishop, I have a question for you.”

The bishop swallowed the large mouthful of wine he was savoring then coughed lightly. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“This crown,” I said, touching the coronet on my head. “It appears quite old. What can you tell me about it?”

“Ah, you ask an excellent question, Your Majesty. King Macbeth chose the crowns for the coronation. That is the ancient crown of Moray.”

“Of Moray? Who wore it?”

“Well, we are not entirely sure. Some say it was passed down from the ancient Pictish kings, saved from loss and ruin by your ancient ancestor, Kenneth. But no one can say for certain. King Macbeth thought it would befit you, the Lady of Moray, to be crowned with the ancient crown of your people.”

“And it does,” Madelaine said, touching the crown gently.

“That was very thoughtful of His Majesty,” I said, casting a glance at Macbeth.

“And King Macbeth’s crown?” Madelaine asked.

“Newly made, Lady Fife.”

Madelaine nodded but said nothing.

Now, why would Macbeth make a special effort to have me crowned with a piece that would hold meaning for me, a crown that would tie me to the land and people I had come to love? Macbeth didn’t care at all for me. So why make such a gesture?

“Thank you, Lord Bishop,” I said. The man nodded, but he was already refilling his wine goblet and hardly paid me another thought.

“I don’t see the Thane of Lochaber,” Madelaine told me as she scanned the room.

I shook my head. “No. I haven’t seen him since the coronation.”

“So, does he know?” Madelaine asked in a low whisper.

“Know what?”

“That you are with child?”

I turned and looked at her. “How do you—”

“Corbie, I may not have borne you, but I was a mother to you all the same. And I know your shape like my own. The laces on the gown…”

I smiled lightly. “Then you are wiser than I, for it had escaped my notice until Injibjorg said something.”

“I wondered,” Madelaine said.

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Wondered?”

“I wondered why you would go into battle in such a state. You didn’t know.”

I shook my head. There was no use in trying to keep anything from Madelaine. “No, I didn’t know.”

“It is a glad tiding,” she said, setting her hand on mine.

When she did so, I followed her gaze only to find my own hands covered in blood once more. Slick red blood covered my fingers. The ruby red liquid marred Madelaine’s pale skin.

Gasping, I pulled my hands back and grabbed a cloth. Moving quickly, I turned to clean the filth from Madelaine’s hands, but when I did so, I found nothing there. I glanced at my hands again. The marks were there, red splotches staining my skin, but the dripping blood was gone.

“Corbie?” Madelaine said, startled. She took my hand again. “What is it?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? That was not a nothing.”

“I’m plagued by strange visions. Like clouds on a summer’s day, they come then go, blocking the sun in the interim. I just need some air.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

I shook my head. “Please, stay and keep the others company. I’ll return shortly,” I said then rose.

“Very well,” Madelaine told me, a confused and worried look on her face.

Killian stepped forward to pull out my chair.

“My Queen?” he said.

“I’ll retire for a short while,” I told him.

Killian signaled to some other guards.

We turned and headed toward the exit of the hall. As I went, I was greeted with bows and curtsies. I felt like I could barely catch my breath.

We had just reached the doors when the crowd parted to reveal Banquo—but not Banquo—standing there. Once more, I saw my love like a man dead. His face was pale, eyes a milky white, clothing ragged. And again, I saw a dagger hanging from his chest, his clothes marred with blood.

I gasped and stepped back, tripping on Killian.

“Cerr—Gruoch?” the corpse said. But when he opened his mouth to speak, his lips and tongue were black. A swarm of flies flew out, some of them pausing to land on his face.

“No,” I stammered.

“My Queen,” Killian said, holding my shoulders to keep me upright.

“Who has done this?” I whispered, staring at Banquo, abhorred by the sight. “Who has done this?” I demanded loudly.

“Lady Gruoch?” Killian said again. He then turned to the others and whispered, “Our Queen is not well. Let’s get her to her chamber.”

“Do you see him there?” I whispered to Killian. I lifted my finger and pointed at Banquo. Blood dripped from my extended digit.

“Lord Banquo? Of course.”

“But do you see?”

Banquo advanced quickly on me. Closing my eyes, I suppressed a scream.

“Gruoch,” Banquo said sharply, grabbing my arm.

“She’s taken ill, my lord,” Killian said.

“No. She’s had a vision. Come, let’s take her from this place before the others notice something’s wrong. Gruoch, look at me,” Banquo said, taking my hand.

I shook my head. “No.”

“It was a vision. Look at me.”

His hand in mine, I felt the warmth of his flesh.

Great Lady, let the vision pass.

I opened my eyes only to find Banquo standing there, whole and alive.

“Banquo,” I whispered.

“What did you see?” he asked.

I shook my head, not wanting to tell him.

“My queen?” Killian said.

“Killian, I’m all right now. Please, let’s return to my chamber,” I said. Banquo and I departed then, the men of Moray following close behind.

“You were frightened of me,” Banquo whispered.

“Not of you, for you.”

“For me?”

I nodded.

Banquo frowned. “This day has been full of ominous portents.”

“At the crowning, you saw something as well.”

Banquo nodded.

“I’ll ride with Madelaine when we are done here. Will you come with me?” I asked.

“Yes. I too need…time.”

“Banquo, what does it mean, such ill omens?”

“You know as well as I,” he said, his voice dark.

Dark times were ahead. On the day I had been crowned queen, I had foreseen the darkest visage I could imagine…the death of my soul mate.