Highland Vengeance

Chapter 44

The next morning, I found Lulach and Fleance in their chamber watching the flurry of activity below with curiosity.

“Mum,” Lulach said when I entered. “The castle is closed, and there are soldiers in the yard.”

Fleance stared out the window. “Will my father be able to come back in?”

“Of course. We have closed Cawdor to outsiders.”

Both boys turned and looked at me.

“Why?” Fleance asked.

“The king will ride north,” Lulach said, his eyes taking on a faraway look.

“Yes.”

Lulach blinked hard. “We should go to Tavis for sword practice.”

Both boys nodded then turned and headed out of the room, their puppies scampering quickly behind them. But Lulach paused at the door. “Mum, did you need something?”

I smiled softly at him. “No. Not yet.”

He nodded then turned and rushed off.

I gazed out the window, and in the distance, I saw a rider approach the castle. I was startled to see the familiar gold and red colors of King Duncan. I hurried back downstairs and outside.

A footman raced to me. “Lady Gruoch, a messenger from the king.”

I crossed the lawn where I met Standish. “Take the scroll. Send the rider away. Get someone ready, and send a rider to track the messenger.”

Standish nodded then went to the gate. He paused, speaking to a Moray soldier standing there. The man rushed to the stables. Not long after, he returned on horseback, waiting just inside the gate. Standish went outside, returning a few moments later with the scroll. I heard the sound of hoof beats as the king’s messenger departed. The gate opened, and my own rider slipped out. Standish returned, the parchment in his hand.

“The messenger rode north,” he told me.

“Thank you. Let me know when our rider returns,” I said then went back inside.

Returning to my council chamber, I unrolled the letter, which was written in Duncan’s own hand.

It began nicely enough with fine courtly pleasantries. Then Duncan made two moves I did not expect. He wrote that he was sorry to learn that Macbeth and I were estranged and that if it was ever in his power to see his cousin more happily wed to anyone of her own choosing, no matter the lord’s station, he would do everything he could to ensure my happiness.

There was his first offer. If I let Duncan pass, if I let him destroy Macbeth, he would bless my union to Banquo without interference. Clearly, the rumor of my attachment to Lochaber had reached the king.

I frowned then read on wherein Duncan sent his regards to Madelaine, hoping she did not find the winter climate in Moray too cold. He said he looked forward to seeing us both, and the little Lord of Moray, in good cheer when he made his visit to the north.

He thought Madelaine was here. Or, at the least, he was trying to determine if she was. No doubt someone had seen Tavis at Cawdor and recognized him as Madelaine’s personal guard. Perhaps Fife had put it about she’d gone north as a way to decline the invitation from the queen. That made sense. Either way, I was glad Duncan thought she was at Cawdor. If he did, he would have no reason to look for her anywhere else.

I tapped the scroll in my palm then went to the fire.

So, Duncan wanted to make a deal. What deal did he offer Macbeth? A new bride? An acknowledgment of his bastards? Little Findelach, Elspeth’s son, would be nearly six by now.

Should I consider the offer?

What would it cost me, really?

I closed my eyes and thought about Creawry.

Because of Duncan, I had to give up my daughter.

If not for Duncan, Crearwy and Lulach might actually be Gillacoemgain’s children, not Duncan’s.

If not for Macbeth, Gillacoemgain might still be alive.

Damn them.

Damn them both.

There was the sound of movement behind me. My heart stilled, and a strange sensation crept across my skin.

I turned to find the red-robed Morrigu there, her arm outstretched as she handed my sword to me.

I gripped Uald’s Gift by the handle then threw the scroll into the fire.

The Morrigu smiled then disappeared.

I wouldn’t bargain with either of them.

One at a time, I would deal with them both.

One at a time, they would both pay.

At this, the raven smiled.