Highland Vengeance

Chapter 47

All across the north, the red banner of war was raised. On the one hand, Duncan sent riders letting everyone know he rode in peace with his brother in law, the Earl of Northumbria, to tour the north. On the other hand, reports of a massive army amassing to the south and ships spied off the coasts came flooding in.

As Banquo had anticipated, not all the northern lords were quick to trust Macbeth. And despite Macbeth’s pretty words and rallying at Inverness, I found my hall full of lords and clan leaders who saw the same thing in Macbeth that both Banquo and I had seen, the shimmer of madness and the rotten seed of his father.

“My lords,” I said, addressing the assembly. “Lord Banquo of Lochaber will lead the army south. He is a loyal Thane and loyal to the north. This war will have a ripple effect. Duncan seeks to unseat the north and fix his English-loving allies here. We cannot allow this. Cnut and Duncan are playing games. If Duncan defeats us from the south and his armada, combined with that of Cnut’s, manages to win in the north, we will be crushed in the middle. Duncan would seat his own puppets in here, men loyal to him and his English factions. And Caithness and Orkney will fall to Cnut. But Duncan is a fool. How long before King Cnut decides little King Duncan is all that stands in his way? We must stop the English incursion now.”

“My lady, where is King Magnus?” someone called.

“North with Lord Thorfinn. An armada approaches the northernmost provinces. We will defeat those forces and assist King Magnus, who is now of age and a good and loyal ally, in retaking his throne.”

“Lord Macbeth went with his ships? He is not leading his men south?” another man called, a sour tone in his voice.

“No. Macbeth is a ship commander. His skills are best used at sea. A second wave of ships, an English armada, has been spotted near Aberdeen. He will sail to meet them.”

That news stirred up some talk, and some grumbling, in the room.

Banquo rose. “My lords, I am well known to some of you and not at all to others. But I assure you, we are ready to ride south. Each day our army expands. We have the men we need. We are a mighty force, and we shall roll over Duncan’s army like a wave.”

“That’s all well and good, but we cannot forget, Thane, that you rode with Macbeth when the former Lord of Moray was displaced,” a young man called from the back. I eyed his tartan. He was the eldest son of the Lord of Mar and would take his father’s place when the old lord passed away.

“My lords, the Thane of Lochaber can be trusted.” I knew there was a rumor about Banquo and me, and in this moment, I hoped it actually served me. But aside from that, the swirling druid’s designs on Banquo’s arms and on his brow spoke of his true allegiance. “The Thane is loyal to this land, and to the gods.”

“And to the future Mormaer of Moray,” Banquo added. “My friends, I did not know your mormaer well, and I was not there when he was…defeated. But Lady Gruoch speaks well of Gillacoemgain. I met him once, and he was an honorable man. I am sorry I did not know him better. I am here to ensure Lord Lulach can claim his father’s birthright—and beyond,” Banquo said. While Banquo didn’t say he had chosen the wrong side, he honored Gillacoemgain with his words. And more, he planted a seed in their minds that many had not yet considered. If Duncan was defeated, Gillacoemgain’s son might one day be king.

The men eyed Banquo and me then spoke amongst themselves.

“Lady Gruoch,” an elder clan leader called from the back. His grown son stood at his side. The man was rail thin with wispy white hair. He had one mooneye. “Many of us remember the day you stood in this hall and wailed like a banshee. Everyone knows you saw Gillacoemgain’s doom. Will you tell us, lady, what you see now? What should we do?”

At this, the room grew still and quiet.

Banquo, who had not heard the tale, looked at me.

I touched the amulet on my neck. “We will ride south. And we will win.”

And be avenged! And be avenged!

At that, the men nodded in assent.

“My lords, if you have not yet called your men to Cawdor, please send riders at once. We will need everyone’s help in protecting the north, protecting your homes and families. Lady Gruoch’s men are ready to assist you, as am I. Together, we shall defeat King Duncan,” Banquo called.

This earned him cheers. The matter settled, the men dispersed from the hall.

Banquo paused and looked at me. “What was he talking about?”

I shook my head, not wanting to remember. “A vision. I saw Gillacoemgain perish. I saw the fire that took him.”

Banquo exhaled sadly. “I am sorry. I was not there when it happened, but I heard.”

I stared at Banquo. “Who gave that order?”

“Order?”

“To kill Gillacoemgain. To set that fire?”

Banquo looked away.

“Banquo?”

“It was Macbeth.”

My hands began to shake violently, and the sound of raven’s wings beat in my ears. I swallowed hard and mastered myself. I nodded.

Banquo eyed the door. “I must go. Thank you for your help. I don’t blame them for not trusting me. At times, I don’t trust my own judgment in regard to Macbeth. I think we are both deceived.”

I stared at Banquo. “What should we do?”

He shook his head. “The wheels are in motion now. It is too late to do anything.”

He was right. I inclined my head to him.

“I need to go. I’ll find you soon,” he said.

“Very well.”

Banquo turned and left the hall.

After he had gone, I went back upstairs to my chamber. I opened the trunk where I’d stored all the fancy dresses Madelaine had sent to me, feeling a bit abashed when I realized I hadn’t worn most of them. Setting them aside, I dug into the bottom of the chest where I found Gillacoemgain’s old armor. I placed the pieces on the bed, determining what would fit. He’d been so much taller than me, so much larger. I picked up his leather jerkin and inhaled deeply. I caught the scent of the material, but just under that lingered Gillacoemgain’s smell, a faint perfume of cedar and lavender that had almost faded.

I closed my eyes.

I would protect what was Lulach’s.

And at last, I would have my vengeance.