Highland Vengeance

Chapter 45

Several days later, Banquo returned with news. Thorfinn would return to Thurso, Macbeth going along with him. Thorfinn and Magnus would guard Caithness. Macbeth would take half of Thorfinn’s navy and his own ships and sail to Aberdeen. Banquo would ride south, leading the northern lords to meet Duncan’s English-backed army.

“When I was at Inverness, there was a rider, a message from Duncan,” Banquo told me.

I already knew. My man had followed Duncan’s messenger to Inverness and had seen him return south thereafter.

“Duncan… He offered to annul your marriage to Macbeth, cancel Lulach’s claim, and give Macbeth a new wife, solidifying Moray under Macbeth with the condition that Macbeth turned on Thorfinn.”

“I’m sure that led to an awkward conversation.”

“Indeed. And I was glad Thorfinn was there to keep Macbeth’s response…balanced.”

“And what did Macbeth say?”

“That he would not betray Thorfinn.”

I snorted but said nothing more. What was there to say, to feel? Macbeth had never loved me. There was no use in pretending he had.

“Macbeth is much changed since I saw him last.”

“Changed? How?”

“Not for the better, I’m afraid. There was always an unsteady spark in him, which I am sorry you have seen. That spark… It glimmers more brightly now. Inverness has become an odd mix of priests and—”

“And?”

“And debauchery. Macbeth is uneven. Thorfinn and I spoke of it. Macbeth’s words often don’t reflect reality, and he sees malice everywhere.”

“What do you mean?”

Banquo frowned. “It is one thing to be wary, but another to be paranoid. My Cerridwen, strange shadows surround Macbeth.”

“Cursed…or madness?”

“Or both? Whatever his priests are doing for him, they are not keeping those shadows away. Thorfinn spoke to him at length, and he seemed better after. Better, but not right.”

My thoughts went to Findelach, Macbeth’s father. There was an echo of the past here. Was this what had happened to Findelach? Had he slowly gone mad until he had done the unforgivable? I had seen that streak in Macbeth, but now… Did I have a responsibility to do anything about it?

“They will sail within the week. I will stay here in Cawdor and rally the northern army. If, of course, you will have me.”

“How well Macbeth plays. He cannot ride here himself, so he uses the relationship between us—the one that he so hates—to get what he wants. Hypocrite. And will he be sending supplies for his army from Inverness?”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

Banquo scanned around the room. “Have the boys been sparring in here?” he asked when he saw the targets and weapons.

“No, I have been training.”

Banquo smiled. “Uald would be proud. But you must not worry. You will be safe here in Cawdor.”

“I will not stay in the castle. I will ride out.”

Banquo stared at me. “What?”

“I will join you when the time comes.”

“But… You cannot.”

I laughed. “I can, and I will.”

“Cerridwen, you don’t know what it’s like. The blood. The men. It’s not safe. You are a gifted swordswoman, I know, and a Valkyrie at heart, but I can’t let you do that.”

“My dear, I love you well, but you cannot stop me.”

“What if something happens to you? Think about Lulach and Fleance. The boys need you.”

“I promise you, I will be safe.”

“But Cerridwen—”

“I will ride out,” I said, more venom in my voice than I had intended. But it was not me who had spoken the words but the raven. And once more, that dark force hooded my features. “I will ride out, Thane. As has been foretold.”

Banquo looked at me then lowered his eyes, seeing that it was not Gruoch who spoke but the other. “Yes, my lady.”

I inhaled sharply, feeling the presence of the other—me and not me—fading once more. “Banquo, I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He shook his head. “Say nothing of it. I’ve known all along what you are. I should not have tried to stop you. We will make plans to keep you safe. I expect Balor to arrive tonight. We shall see our sons safely bestowed then we will make our plans for battle.”

“Banquo—”

“I honor the words of the Dark Lady, but prophecies do not always hold true. Sometimes our visions are lies. We see things that make us act in one way, but, perhaps, we should not. The gods have been said to plant false visions, stir our emotions, and make us know things that are false to see their own will is done. I honor the gods, but I know how they meddle. We may not win this battle, Cerridwen. The numbers… The Earl of Northumbria’s army is enormous. Cnut has sent his armada north. There is a chance we could all die.”

No.

“Then we will do what matters most and see our sons safely hidden away,” I said. But then my thoughts turned to Andraste. She often riddled, and in the past, I questioned her motives. Was Banquo right? Would the gods be so cruel to give us visions, make us believe lies just to see their own will done?

“That will settle them, but what about ourselves?”

“Ourselves? Well, tonight I will make passionate love to my husband and dare the world to damn me for it.”

Banquo smirked. “That, at least, is a plan I can agree with.”

* * *

In the early evening, I received word that a small band of riders was at the gate.

“They have an odd manner about them, my lady,” Standish said.

I went to the gate, climbed the rampart, and looked out to see the familiar face of Balor and that of the druid, Calean. With them were two other young men I did not know, but both were tattooed in a similar manner to Banquo. While the others did not carry the mark of the stag, I saw ravens and other swirling designs on the brown of one of the men. No wonder Standish had thought them odd. These men were amongst the last druids in all of Scotland. And they had come for my son.

I swallowed hard.

It wasn’t forever. It was just for a time.

“Let them in,” I called.

The gate opened and Balor’s party rode inside.

At the same time, Banquo emerged from the castle.

I descended the stairs and went to welcome the party.

Banquo held Balor’s reins as the Arch Druid of Scotland dismounted. When Balor finally alighted, Banquo kissed both of his hands in a show of respect, the druid placing his hand on Banquo’s head. Balor whispered something in undertones that I did not hear.

“Thank you, Father,” Banquo whispered then turned to Calean. “Calean,” he said, embracing the druid. I remembered the man from my days at the coven. I had liked him, mainly because he’d argued with Druanne.

Suddenly, I felt eyes on me. I glanced up to see Lulach watching from the window, his eyes on the druids. After a few moments, he turned from them and looked at me.

I inclined my head to him.

He smiled and returned the gesture.

I went to Balor. “Merry met,” I told him.

“And to you, Lady Gruoch.”

“Calean,” I said, nodding to him. “It is good to see you again.”

He smiled knowingly. “Lady Gruoch.”

“May I introduce my party,” Balor said, turning to the unknown men. “This is Beric,” he said, introducing a man who wore leaves tattooed on his brow and on his cheeks, symbols of the green god of the woods.

“Lady,” he said, inclining his head.

“And Diarmad,” Balor introduced, referring to the man who wore the symbols of the raven.

The man put one hand on his brow and another on his heart then bowed to me.

“My lady,” he said. And from his tone and manner, I realized it was the other he saw, not Gruoch.

I nodded to him.

“My friends, come take your rest,” I said, motioning for them to follow me.

I looked back to see Standish rubbing his chin as he considered the group. He turned and met my eye, nodded, then went back about his business.

I led the druids inside to the great hall.

“Gentlemen, will you excuse me for just a moment? My house will see to you,” I said, waving to the servants to bring refreshments.

Balor nodded.

I turned then went upstairs to the chamber from which Lulach had been watching. He was still alone in his room—save Angus and Thora. He was sitting by the open casement looking out.

“Lulach,” I called merrily. “Where is Fleance?”

“With Tavis.”

I crossed the room and took a seat opposite my son.

“Who are those men?” Lulach asked.

“You tell me.”

“They… Well, I can see, but I don’t know what name to use.”

“They are druids.”

“Druids,” Lulach repeated as if saying the word made it more real.

“Why are they here?”

“You will go with these men for a time.”

“Where?”

I shook my head. “I do not know. Perhaps Lord Banquo can say better than me.”

“For how long?”

“Not long, my dear,” I said, taking his hand. “The king marches north. He means to remove Macbeth from power, and me along with him. Lulach, you must understand, as the son of Gillacoemgain, you are a very important person. If Duncan is defeated in battle, Macbeth and I will rule Scotland. Given we have no other son, that means you—”

“That I will become king after Macbeth. But doesn’t King Duncan have sons?”

“He does.”

“What will happen to those boys?”

“I don’t know. As was the case for Macbeth, perhaps they will be fostered with Macbeth himself. But, given your importance, it is imperative that when the king rides north, you go somewhere safe. If Macbeth is defeated, Balor will know what to do.”

“If Macbeth is defeated, what will they do to you? What would happen to you?”

I smiled as to soothe his worries. “I will be fine. Ladies are treated differently. Duncan would probably give me a new husband, but I won’t be hurt.”

“Would he give you Banquo as a husband?”

“I don’t know.”

“That would be good. But what about me? Would they try to hurt me?”

The truth was, I wasn’t sure. To protect Donalbane’s and Malcolm’s claim, they might. But still, something told me Duncan would be more inclined to bargain with me if it came to it. And I could certainly spin a web of lies to ensure a future for Lulach and me. But I didn’t want to trouble Lulach with such things. “No, but just to be safe, it is better if you are with Balor. Moray is yours, my son. No one can ever take her from you. But crowns change heads, so you must guard yours well.”

“What about Fleance?”

“You will go with the druids together.”

At that, Lulach eased. “But not forever, right?”

“No, not forever. Think of it as an adventure. Go see what these men know. Like you and me, they too can see that other side. They will teach you.”

Lulach nodded. “All right,” he said then smiled. While his words were spoken with certainty, his smile eliciting the dimple in his cheek, there was also a tremble in his chin. It was telling enough. But it was the manner of his expression that caught me off guard. It so reminded me of Gillacoemgain that I stared. Once more, doubts nagged at me. Both Andraste and Epona had told me Duncan was the father of my children. I’d had a vision of Lulach in the hours after Duncan had…assaulted me. But still. I shook my head. No, it was merely wishful thinking.

I turned and gazed out the window. There, I saw Thora pass through the yard, three little ones nipping at her tail.

“One of the puppies is gone,” Lulach said sadly. “I looked everywhere for it.”

I nodded. I had already discovered the same, but I’d also found the bundle of cloth that had held the fruit tart empty. “Yes. But I think she’s all right.”

“You think so?”

I nodded. “I know so. Come,” I said, reaching out for his hand. “You must meet our guests. Say nothing about them to anyone. Save Lord Banquo and myself, no one will know where you have gone. Not Tavis. Not Morag. No one.”

Lulach nodded then slipped his hand into mine.

“I’m not afraid,” he said.

I realized that his words were partially for his own comfort and partly for mine. “Of course not. You are the son of Gillacoemgain of Moray and the blood of the ancient line of MacAlpin. There is no more blessed and fierce blood in this land.”

At that, Lulach smiled, his heart filling with pride.

And for some reason, this time when I spoke the lie, it felt like the truth.