Highland Vengeance

Chapter 36

Rhona and I were busy packing the next morning when Macbeth finally arrived.

“Gruoch,” he said as his eyes glanced over our packs. “I received your messenger.”

“I’ll go to the kitchens for the provisions, my lady,” Rhona said then left, scowling at Macbeth as she went.

Macbeth didn’t notice.

“I’m returning to Cawdor.”

“With Banquo?”

“Banquo is returning to Lochaber. His bannermen have offered to ride with Lulach and me to ensure our safety. I have my men, and if you have a few men of your own to spare, I’ll take them.”

“But…why?”

“Why?” I shook my head. “False faces hide what false hearts know. I am not keen on staying here and playing games. I came to do what I had to. Now I will go home.”

“And what was that?”

“To have Lulach acknowledged as the heir of Moray. I have no use for courtly pleasantries. No use for false faces.”

“You will cast suspicion on both of us.”

“Why? You’re staying. That should be enough. Let them say Lady Macbeth is rude. Let them say she does not like court. If you must say something to excuse me, say only that I am my father’s daughter. Say that, Macbeth, and none will question you. My father had no love of court. Boite would not dance to their tune, and neither will I. You, however, seem quite adept at this game. Stay as long as you like.”

Macbeth ran his fingers roughly through his hair. “Why must you be so damned difficult to talk to, Gruoch? I would like you to return to Inverness. Things will be complicated now. We should be together.”

“If you wanted me to return to Inverness, if you wanted to talk to me, where were you last night as I sat awake waiting for you?”

“I…was…” Macbeth began then looked away, a guilty expression on his face.

I stared at him. Just where in the hell was he? I had not intended to trap him with the question, but his expression revealed I had stumbled on something I should not have seen.

I set down the parcel I was holding. “Where were you, Macbeth?”

“With the others, that is all,” he stammered. “I just… I have not found the right words to say to you. I don’t know how to apologize in a way you will understand. You won’t hear anything from me, and everything makes you angry.”

“I see. I am to blame. We are done here, I think,” I said then turned and picked up the parcel once more. My heart was pounding in my chest, and jealous suspicions washed over me. Where had he been?

“You see. You prove my point.”

My hands shaking, I turned and looked at him. “I came to you in good faith. I could be sitting where Suthen sits now. You understand that, don’t you? But I rode north. Your mind, your moods, swing like a pendulum, Macbeth. I cannot keep up with the sway. You left me in the dark, left me in pain, bleeding, our child lost and my life in jeopardy. I will never forget that you left me alone.”

“I have done penance, Gruoch. I have prayed. My priest advises me—”

“Don’t tell me what your priest advises. I will not hear it,” I said then glared at him. The raven within me flashed with anger. I felt her silvery glow inside me.

Macbeth stared. “The old gods…” he began then said nothing more, seeming unsure what to say.

“Don’t talk about what you don’t understand. I’m leaving. Send me some men to join Lochaber’s party or don’t. Stay or don’t. I don’t care. You were nothing like what was promised to me. And if you don’t change soon, you will be nothing to me.”

“Gruoch.”

“Goodbye, Macbeth,” I said then turned to finish my packing. A few moments later, I heard the door close once more.

I gazed at Lulach who slept. I closed my eyes. For him. I would carry on for him.

I should have run away with Banquo.

A few hours later, dressed in our heavy winter clothes, our packs already delivered to the stables, Rhona, Lulach, and I headed outside. When we stepped into the square, I was surprised to see Macbeth’s men there—all of them. And Macbeth himself. He was chatting lightly with Duncan, the both of them laughing merrily.

Madelaine, who had been talking to Banquo, crossed the courtyard to join me. She smiled lightly.

“I wanted to say goodbye,” she said, pausing to fasten the ties on Lulach’s coat more tightly. “And to have a word with the Thane of Lochaber before I missed my chance,” she said then touched my chin. “I like him very much. He is a very good man.”

“Yes, he is,” I said, casting a look at Banquo who smiled at me and raised his hand in greeting. The morning sunlight shimmered on his brown hair, calling up shades of gold and red. Banquo motioned with his chin to Macbeth.

I cast a glance at Macbeth. He was dressed for riding.

“I am sorry, Gruoch,” Madelaine whispered, pulling me into a hug. “I am sorry to see in the flesh what I stole from you. And Banquo… I just spoke a word with him, but it was enough to show me he was the right man for you. I failed you. I’m sorry. If Boite had still been alive, maybe… Oh, my little raven.”

“You did your best. It was Malcolm’s fault. In the end, I am not sorry for my time with Gillacoemgain. I am only sorry for all the rest of it.”

She nodded then dashed a tear from her cheek. “There will be talk, you know,” she said, casting an eye toward Macbeth. “With Thorfinn absent and you and Macbeth leaving…”

“I didn’t know he was going to join me. But it is as it should be. It is the prelude,” I whispered. “Stay safe. Return home, close to Epona so you may stay hidden if things become complicated.”

She nodded. “My little raven, and my little love,” she said, leaning in to kiss Lulach, who giggled.

Banquo joined us then.

“Banc!” Lulach screamed.

Banquo chuckled. “How would you like to ride with me?” he asked, reaching out for Lulach.

Lulach grinned and nodded.

“They’re coming,” Madelaine whispered then turned a cheery smile toward Macbeth and Duncan.

“My king, my nephew,” Madelaine called happily.

“Alas, the northerners return north,” Duncan said. “How shall we entertain ourselves now, Lady Madelaine?”

Madelaine smiled. “Perhaps Queen Suthen will arrange a dance.”

Duncan nodded then looked at me. “I am sorry, Lady Gruoch, that Suthen is not here to wish you off. She dislikes the cold weather. In truth, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her out of doors. She even rode here in a closed carriage.”

Macbeth and Madelaine chuckled lightly.

Was that supposed to be funny?

“It is farewell for you as well, sir?” Duncan asked, turning to Banquo. “Moray’s loyal bannerman,” he said, eyeing Lulach in Banquo’s arms. “I must apologize. I’ve forgotten your name.”

“Banquo, Thane of Lochaber, Your Majesty,” Banquo said, but Duncan had already turned his attention back to me.

“I understand you have the opposite problem of Suthen, Lady Gruoch. Always out of doors. I remember hearing you once provided alms to your people, going from homestead to homestead in Moray.”

“Medicines, actually.”

“Medicines?”

“There was a fever in Moray. I distributed medicines.”

“Oh, well, it is good to win their hearts and minds. Very astute, Lady Gruoch.”

I could not repress the half-laugh that escaped me. “If I had not gone, my king and cousin, many would have died of fever. It was more their bodies and souls I was concerned with.”

“Indeed? Very well done, Lady Gruoch. I wish you a safe ride north. We are all sorry to see you go so soon,” he said, baiting us.

“Indeed we are, Your Majesty,” Madelaine interjected, taking Duncan playfully by the arm.

“It’s far too cold, Lady Madelaine. My mother is convinced we might freeze solid out here. Shall we leave these northerners and go see if Fife has left us any mulled wine?”

Madelaine laughed a high, false laugh. “Let’s hope we’re lucky. Farewell, my loves,” she said, reaching out to squeeze Lulach’s hand once more.

“Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Lochalsh,” Duncan said.

Banquo gave a short bow as he suppressed a laugh then turned. Lulach with him, he mounted his horse.

I curtseyed, Macbeth bowing, then we turned to the horses. I hated seeing Madelaine on Duncan’s arm, but the sense of relief I felt at escaping was nearly overwhelming. As we walked toward the horses, Kelpie nickered loudly to me. I guess I wasn’t the only one excited to leave.

“Gruoch,” Macbeth said. “I want to make amends with you and Banquo. I have asked him to stay awhile at Cawdor. I…will join you there for a time if you will have me.”

I flicked my eyes at him.

He had such an earnest impression on his face.

Be wary. Be wary! False faces, false hearts.

I sighed. More than anything, I wanted to be at peace with Macbeth. Would it be so hard to refuse him? It had cost me before to open my heart to him. But, perhaps, if I let him in a little, there would be no harm.

“Very well.”

Macbeth nodded. “Good. Good. Then we are settled. I shall get to horse and join you. After all, I can hardly have my wife and son ride out of Scone at the Thane of Lochaber’s side,” he said then turned and left.

Shaking my head, I climbed on Kelpie. Was that the only reason he was leaving now? To avoid gossip if I had gone alone with Banquo? I frowned. Once more, I swung on the pendulum. I reined Kelpie in close to Banquo.

“Well, Lochalsh, shall we head to the lands where the faeries walk from Eilean Donan to Dunvegan?”

Banquo chuckled. “I suppose if one has never seen a loch, they all look the same. And you, my wanderer, have you ever been in those lands?”

I shook my head. “I’ve been far, but not there.”

“Perhaps you have not been there, but your dagger has,” he said, pointing to my boot. The pommel of Gillacoemgain’s dagger was sticking out.

“Scáthach,” I said.

“Scáthach?”

“Her name.”

Banquo laughed. “She is well-named then. That flower on her hilt and on the brooch… You will find it on every standing stone in Skye. Lulach carries the rich blood of two ancient lines. Don’t you?” he said, tickling the boy and making him giggle. “Don’t you, little lord?

Macbeth reigned in beside us. “Well, Lulach. Ready to ride home?”

“Banc,” Lulach said, pointing up to Banquo, making clear he did not want to be moved.

“Indeed,” Macbeth replied, his face tightening. He turned then and rode out ahead of us. Alone.