Highland Queen

Chapter 4

The next morning, Banquo rode to Inverness, and I made plans to go to Scone. I was busy with my preparations when Tavis appeared.

“Corbie,” he said, smiling nicely at me, but I could see he’d come with something on his mind.

“Good morning,” I said with a smile. “Now, tell me your news.”

He chuckled. “I’m anxious to return south, but I didn’t want to leave you alone here. And Lulach…”

“Lulach is safe.”

Tavis nodded. “You’ll say no more as to where he is? Not even to me?”

“I’ll say… Uald would approve of Lulach’s whereabouts.”

“Ahh,” Tavis mused. “Very well. But what about you, my little raven?”

I grinned at Tavis. “These days, I am hardly anyone’s little anything.”

Tavis grinned at me, and in that smile, I saw a proud, fatherly expression on his face. “You will always be Madelaine’s little raven…which makes you mine as well.”

Rising, I left my work and took Tavis’s hand. “I’m sorry to see you go.”

Tavis nodded then took me gently by the shoulders and kissed my forehead. “You will be an excellent queen, little raven.”

Would I? I hoped so. Since the battle, I’d had no visions, no omens. The Otherworld had gone strangely quiet.

“If it pleases the gods.”

Tavis nodded. “It does. Don’t you see? I should go make ready.”

“Stay safe,” I told him. “There may still be mercenaries in the hills.”

“I will. The hornet nest is stirred up, Little Corbie. You, too, must be watchful.”

“Always.”

Tavis smiled at me then let me go.

Sighing, I sat back down and got to work. All things promised had come to pass. Now, I just had to ride the wave forward toward my destiny.

Later that day, a rider came from Inverness with word from Macbeth. We would ride south the next morning—him and me—and our army. He instructed me to be ready and to bring Lulach.

I stared at the letter.

No.

I would not bring Lulach. I would keep my boy away, keep him safe until it was all settled. That included keeping him away from Macbeth. If he was as unsteady as Banquo had said, then it would be a very long time before Macbeth would see my boy again. At this point, Lulach had already forgotten Macbeth. Growing up at Cawdor, he knew Gillacoemgain’s shade, knew Gillacoemgain as his father. Macbeth had never taken root in Lulach’s heart. And I was glad.

Drafting a quick note, I headed out to the yard to deliver it to the rider. There was nothing to say. I would hear no apologies, no pretty words. I neither wanted nor expected any. I wrote only, “Come. I am ready.”

I sent the rider away and stood in the middle of the yard taking in the sights and sounds of Cawdor.

Overhead, a falcon called.

I looked up, the sunlight making me wince. There, high in the sky over the castle, Gillacoemgain’s bird flew. I caught the sound of Standish’s voice. He was on the other side of the yard talking with the grooms. I went to meet him.

“My lady—no, my queen,” he said with a smile.

“Not yet,” I said with a grin. “But I will ride south tomorrow. When I’m gone, I want the castle closed and garrisoned.”

“Is there anything to be worried about, my lady? Any news?”

“No. No threats this far north. But I will keep Moray protected like a precious gem. When I am gone, you will watch it with your sword drawn. I don’t know how long I will stay south. Only as long as I must. I would also ask that you assemble a personal guard for me. A dozen trusted men. Can you do so?”

“Of course, my lady.”

“Thank you, Standish. And if you have any worries, please send someone to me right away. Do not hesitate.”

“Of course, Lady Gruoch. We’ll keep the castle warm and ready for you and Lord Lulach’s return.”

“Thank you, Standish. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Lady Gruoch,” he said, smiling softly. “You’re dear to all of us here.”

“As you are to me.”

“Ah, speaking of dear ones, your grumpy old stallion was out for a bit of exercise this morning. Limping but healing.”

“I’ll see to him. The blood bay I rode in on. Is he still here?”

“He is, my lady. Fine horse, that one.”

“That he is and sure of foot. I’ll ride him south. Can you see to it?”

“Very well.”

I headed through the stables to the field where Kelpie lingered not far away from the stable door. He’d lifted his leg, resting it. His ears drooped as he watched the other horses. My heart broke for him. “Are you pouting?” I called to him.

He nickered at me, but he didn’t budge.

The battle had taken a lot out of all of us. Even Thora had slept most of the time since we’d returned. I joined Kelpie, patting him on his nose, then bent to look at his leg. The wound was still covered, and I saw no signs of blood.

Sighing, I stroked Kelpie’s ear. “It is a bad wound, but you will recover. It’s time to rest, old friend. I’ll go south, and you will stay here and ogle the pretty mares.”

He nickered again then nosed my chin.

“Dear one,” I said, setting my cheek on his neck. “I’ll see you again soon.”

Feeling deep sorrow in my heart, I headed back inside. I needed to get Tira and Rhona ready. Soon we would be on the road to Scone where I would be crowned queen, a prospect, which, despite everything that had led up to it, didn’t matter to me at all.