Highland Queen

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.

“Tavis?” 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.

“To fetch a healer.”

“It’s dark,” he said in confused alarm. “Can’t you send someone?”

“No. I cannot. I must go.”

Without another word, Killian fetched his own horse and began saddling him.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Coming with you.”

“No, you may not.”

“Forgive me, my queen, but Standish made me promise that no harm would come to you. I don’t intend to falter on my promise.”

Frowning, I nudged the bay away from the oats then finished saddling him.

“Then you must learn to keep secrets.”

“Secrets? I… Of course, my queen.”

“And you need to start calling me Gruoch, or I may lose my patience with you. Come. We must hurry,” I said then slid onto my horse.

“As you wish…Gruoch.”

We rode off into the night. Part of me wanted to let the bay run the way I knew he could, but the other part of me remembered how fragile my womb was. I had lost Macbeth’s child. Banquo’s child was more precious to me than anything on Earth save Lulach and Crearwy. Yet Tavis’s life was at stake. I had to hurry.

We rode deep into the night, finally reaching the stream where Tavis often camped. When we arrived, I debated what to do. I had never agreed with Madelaine’s reluctance to bring Tavis to the coven. He was not a practitioner of our faith, but he knew what the coven was and had even befriended Uald. There would have been no harm in bringing him, yet he never came. I glanced at Killian. He had proven himself loyal, and I knew he worshipped the old ways. He was not the problem. Crearwy was. No one from the outside could ever see my daughter. Not even a man I trusted to protect my life.

“What is it?” Killian asked. “Do you need to rest?”

“No. We are nearly there, it’s just…this place I’m going to is special. It is closed to the outside world. I will ride ahead but will return soon with holy women, healers, who must be taken back to the castle at once.”

“I should ride with you.”

“I assure you, I am safe here. Make camp here. I’ll send word or come myself within the hour.”

“Gruoch,” Killian protested.

“By the Great Mother and Father God, I ask you to trust and obey me,” I said, and with a twitch of my fingers, I pulled a bit of magic from the aether, wrapping glamour around me.

Killian flexed his brow then inclined his head. “As you wish. I see there is an old fire pit here. I will camp… for now.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

Killian huffed a laugh. “Secrets then, Lady Gruoch?”

“Don’t we all have our secrets?”

“I suppose we do. Your secrets are safe with me,” he said then bowed. I couldn’t help but catch the glimmer in his eyes. Maybe Banquo was right. Perhaps Killian did hold some affection for me. It was a love I could never return, but if he admired me, he would be more inclined to keep my secrets.

“Thank you,” I said then turned the horse and rode into the night.

I moved through the dark forest, guided only by the moonlight. An owl shrieked, and animals moved through the woods, unseen. At that moment, I wished I had Thora with me. She had been a constant comfort and protector. I keenly felt her absence.

I pushed through the woods, finally arriving at the coven when the moon was high in the sky. I was surprised to find the place quiet. No one had risen to greet me.

The fire was out in Sid’s house. Her windows were dark.

Frowning, I tied the bay then went to Uald’s smithy. I crept quietly inside to find her in her sleeping chamber, snoring loudly.

“Uald,” I whispered, gently shaking her shoulder.

She woke with a start and sat bolt upright. She grabbed a dagger from her bedside and brandished it in front of her.

I stepped back. “Don’t kill me.”

“Cerridwen?” Uald asked, her eyes clearing.

“Yes.”

“What…when did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

“Epona didn’t tell us to expect you.”

I shook my head. “The entire place is asleep.”

Uald frowned hard. It was not like Epona to miss that a visitor was coming.

“Why are you here?” Uald asked.

“Tavis is gravely ill. I must wake Druanne. She must go at once.”

“Oh, well, this will be interesting,” Uald said with a chuckle then rose.

“That’s why I need you. Will you go with her? I need to see Crearwy, but Tavis…”

“No. You stay. I will take Druanne.”

“I have a man at the old camp. He will ride with you.”

“Corbie has another man. That’s not much of a surprise.”

“Not that kind of man,” I said. I had enough problems to sort out without complicating things further by entertaining a romantic dalliance.

Uald rose and grabbed her things. She nodded to me.

We crossed the coven square to Druanne and Aridmis’ house. Uald knocked on the door.

There was a shuffle inside. A moment later, Aridmis, her blanket wrapped around her, opened the door.

“Good evening. Or is it morning?” she said.

“Who is it?” Druanne called.

“It’s Uald. And Cerridwen.”

“What?” Druanne asked sourly. Her bed creaked, and a moment later, Druanne appeared behind Aridmis. She scowled at me. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for you,” I said, biting back the hundred or so nasty words that wanted to spew from my mouth. “Tavis is with Madelaine at the keep. He took a sword wound and is gravely ill. The wound has festered. I think it may be in his blood. I have no proper medicines with me, and Fife’s healers are unlearned. We need you.”

“Where is Epona?” Druanne demanded.

“Asleep,” Uald answered, a sharp tone in her voice.

Aridmis looked at Druanne.

“And you want me to go…out there?” Druanne asked.

“I will ride with you,” Uald said. “And Cerridwen has an escort for us.”

“Oh…wonderful,” Druanne said, rolling her eyes so hard it must have hurt.

“Enough, Druanne. Tavis is dying. That man has been true to the secret of this coven and one of its daughters for many years. Please. Please come,” I said.

Druanne blew air through her lips then turned and went back into the house. I heard the rattle of boxes, bottles, and tools as she began collecting her things.

“I’ll get the horses ready,” Uald said then turned and headed back to her smithy.

Aridmis stepped outside, pulling her blanket more tightly around her.

“I wish you many felicitations,” Aridmis said. “I saw it there, your crowning,” she said, pointing to the heavens. “But wish I had seen it with my own eyes. Queen of Scotland.”

I nodded. “May the Goddess guide me.”

“Hmm,” Aridmis mused with a heavy shrug.

I looked at her. “Aridmis, you’re making me nervous.”

“What’s fair is foul and foul is fair,” she said.

“You’re not the first to say that to me,” I told her, remembering that Andraste had said those very words to me just before my entire life turned upside down.

“I know,” Aridmis said with a wink.

A moment later, Druanne reappeared, bags and boxes in hand. “I’m ready.”

I nodded to her then the three of us went to join Uald who was leading the horses. I took the reins of Uald’s steed, so she could mount.

“My man’s name is Killian,” I told Uald. “He is a loyal man. Ask him to take you to the keep. Please reassure him that I am safe here.”

Uald nodded.

I took Druanne’s things, so she could get on. As she settled in, I secured her bags and cases. “Thank you, Druanne.”

“Who am I to say no to the Queen of Scotland?” she said then turned her horse and headed toward the coven exit.

Uald shook her head then followed Druanne into the night.

Wordlessly, Aridmis and I watched them go.

I cast a glance around the coven. It was so quiet. It seemed to me some of the buildings had fallen into disrepair. Everything looked run down.

“What do your raven eyes see?” Aridmis whispered.

“I don’t know.”

“Decay. Decline.”

“Yes.”

“You must prepare yourself. As do we.”

“For what?”

Aridmis took my hand and led me to Epona’s house. Moving quietly, we went inside.

The light from the hearth made the place glow a soft orange color. Someone stirred in one of the rooms in the back. And a moment later, a shadow appeared in the eating area—but it wasn’t a person.

It was a dog.

A black puppy.

“Thora?”

The dog wagged her tail then walked over to me.

No, this wasn’t Thora. This pup had a spot of white just above her eye. I recognized the puppy. She wasn’t Thora, but she was one of the pups from Thora’s litter. Eochaid had done as I’d asked and delivered the puppy for me.

“Well, grand-dog-daughter, how do you fare?” I whispered, patting the dog on her head.

“She appeared in the coven not long ago. Uald swore she looked just like your dog. But Sid…Sid knew,” Aridmis said.

The puppy licked my face then went and lay down in front of the fire.

Aridmis lit a taper, and we headed to the back of the house where Epona slept.

At first, I was confused. In Epona’s bed was a woman whose advanced age put me in mind of Andraste. The woman had white hair tinged yellow. Her face was deeply lined and marred by age. She looked old and frail under her heavy blanket.

She sighed in her sleep.

It was then that I realized that the woman was Epona.

“Aridmis,” I whispered.

She nodded. “Her time is coming to an end.”

A soft sigh sounded from the other room. Aridmis shifted the candle, panning the light therein. On a small pallet was a little body lying under a heavy bear fur. A mop of dark hair fell from the bed to the floor.

Crearwy.

There was no denying she was my child, but in her placid face, relaxed with sleep, I saw the mirror of Gillacoemgain’s sister.

“That’s not possible,” I whispered.

“What’s not possible?” Aridmis asked.

“She looks like Gillacoemgain’s sister. Just like her.”

“And why isn’t that possible?” Aridmis asked.

“Because…”

Aridmis set her hand on my shoulder. “Goodnight, Cerridwen.”

I stared at Crearwy. It didn’t make any sense. Certainly, Gillacoemgain’s sister did share some looks with me, some small features, but it was almost as if I was starting at the shade herself.

“Aridmis,” I said, my heart thudding in my chest.

Aridmis turned and looked back at me. “Cerridwen, why should you be surprised? All children resemble their family,” she said then turned and exited Epona’s house, leaving me standing there, reeling at her words.

It wasn’t possible.

It just wasn’t possible.

Both Epona and I had seen a vision the night I was assaulted, a vision that showed us I would have twins. And Andraste had plainly stated that I carried Duncan’s children.

But Andraste tells lies.

The words echoed through my head. But whose words were they? My own? The Goddess? The raven?

Setting my candle down on the table beside Crearwy’s bed, I slipped onto the pallet beside her. Covering us both, I wrapped my arms around my daughter and pulled her close to me.

She stirred a little in her sleep then sighed contentedly.

Exhausted from the long night’s ride, worried for Tavis, confused about Epona, my mind in a fit of confusion, I lay staring at the wall.

Crearwy took my hand into hers. “Welcome home, Mother,” she whispered.

My heart full of joy, I finally relaxed and drifted off into dreams.