“Tavis,” I called in reply and we turned to meet him.
He dismounted then kissed me on my cheek in greeting. “Well met. I come with Madelaine’s apologies for the delay. The path is clear. We can ride whenever you’re ready,” he said but then looked at my stomach. “Gruoch…such a trip may be very dangerous,” he said then looked at Gillacoemgain.
The expression on Gillacoemgain’s face startled me. I could read very plainly then that he, too, was worried. If he left me at Cawdor I was not safe. If he sent me to Aberdeen I was not safe. If I rode south I was not safe.
“I’ll be all right,” I told them both. “Kelpie is a sturdy horse. He never shies at anything. I can make the trip.”
“A wagon, maybe?” Tavis asked Gillacoemgain.
I shook my head. “It will attract too much attention.”
Gillacoemgain frowned. “I’ll send Standish and two other of my best men with you.”
“But you need them here.”
“No,” Gillacoemgain said, “I need you safe. There is time.”
I sighed then turned to Tavis. “Please take your rest. Eat, drink, and sleep if you can. I’ll need to get ready,” I told him then waved to one of the lads crossing the square. “Will you escort my guest to the main hall?”
“Yes, My Lady,” the boy said.
I took the reins of Tavis’ horse. “I’ll have him fed.”
Tavis nodded. “Just let me know when you’re ready,” he said then followed the boy inside.
Gillacoemgain patted Tavis’ horse on the neck. “It will be a difficult trip,” he told me then. “I…I don’t know.”
I looped my arm in his, and together, we led Tavis’ horse to the stables. I passed the steed off to the master of horse then wordlessly led Gillacoemgain back to the mews where his falcons waited.
Almost instantly, he smiled then whistled playfully at the birds. They responded by turning an eye toward him, hopping across the mew to get close to him. They were keen to fly, and happy, or so it seemed, to see him.
“You’ll have to teach our sons how to hunt with them, when they’re old enough,” I told him. I wanted Gillacoemgain to have faith in the future. I needed the reassurance as well.
Gillacoemgain smiled at me. “Sons now, is it?” He set his hand on my stomach.
“We’ll soon see.”
Gillacoemgain reached for me, taking my face into his hands. He pulled me into a deep kiss and after, set his forehead against mine.
“Think of the summer. Think of the sunshine. We’ll all be together. All four of us…and your birds and Thora too. We will roam the hills together. Think of your sons’ laughter. Make the dream real, then lock it in your heart. If darkness comes, close your eyes and remember the dream,” I whispered.
“Corbie,” he whispered, setting the lightest kiss on my forehead.
“Gillacoemgain?” a voice called. We turned to see Fergus. He was holding a scroll. “Sorry, My Lord, My Lady. News from King Malcolm.”
Gillacoemgain smiled at me then touched my chin.
“Go ahead,” I told him. “I’ll come in a moment.”
He nodded then turned and joined Fergus.
I waited a few more moments, gazing out at the tents covering the field. I was not surprised when Eochaid arrived. In truth, I’d been waiting for him.
“Lady Gruoch,” he said with a smile. “You’ll be traveling south then?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied. “And you, you are not planning on marching with the men, are you?”
“No, M’Lady, I’ll stay here and keep watch on M’Lord’s falcons.”
“Good. Eochaid…I don’t know what will happen. If Cawdor gets overrun…make sure you stay safe, stay away. But please know, wherever I am, you are welcomed to join me. You can ride south with me, if you’d like.”
Eochaid cocked his head, and I knew he was listening to the invisible fairy man, but he simply said, “No, M’Lady. But thank you.”
“May the fair ones watch over you,” I said, gently squeezing his shoulder.
“And over you too,” he said, but then he had a confused expression on his face. “I don’t understand, but he, Eitri,” he said, motioning to his shoulder, “told me to tell you to lock the dream in your heart as well. Does that make sense to you?”
“Yes,” I said, trying to hold back the tears that threatened. Gently, I hugged the boy then turned and left, a heavy feeling of dread sweeping over my heart.
Chapter 22
I headed back to my chamber where I found Ute pacing pensively.
“My Lady? Lord Gillacoemgain told me to prepare your things. We’re riding for Aberdeen?”
“Yes,” I lied, “as King Malcolm commands.”
She nodded. “I’ve packed warm clothes for us and the little ones,” she said. Her voice sounded assured, but she had gone completely pale.
“Very well. Head to the kitchens and ensure we have enough food for us and four men for the journey.”
“Yes, My Lady,” she said then headed out of the chamber.
I opened my trunk and pulled out what few belongings I could not bear the thought of parting with. I set Uald’s gift on the bed, as well as the torcs and amulet I’d brought with me from Ynes Verleath. I gazed down at the violet-colored wedding gown lying in the bottom on the trunk. It would have to stay behind. Sighing, I closed the trunk then dug into my medicines, pulling out anything that might help me in case anything went wrong during the journey. I placed everything into my bag then sat down on the bed. The little ones turned excitedly. How was I ever going to manage the trip?
The door opened behind me. Gillacoemgain entered.
“I spoke to Tavis. I want you on your way today. The men are getting ready. They will be ready when you are.”
I nodded, rose, then pulled some warm clothes from my wardrobe. Slowly, I began getting dressed, Gillacoemgain helping me slide into a woolen tunic. Wordlessly, he bent and helped me lace up my riding boots.
I lifted Uald’s gift, but the belt wouldn’t fit around my waist. The tension was so high, the air so thick and sad between us, that we were startled when we both laughed.
“Here,” Gillacoemgain said, helping me strap the sword around my chest. “It’s harder to pull the blade when it’s on your back but is still at hand if needed. And take this as well,” he said, unbelting the dagger he always wore. I recognized it by the gold pommel decorated with a Pictish flower.
I shook my head. “Oh no. It’s such a precious blade. You should carry it.”
Gillacoemgain took my hand and placed the dagger in my palm. “It bears the symbol of my mother’s line which, much like your own, springs from the royal blood of this land. It was given to my sister by my mother, and before her, by her mother, all the way back to our ancestors from the isle of Scáthach where the women in my family once learned the ancient arts.”
I stared at Gillacoemgain. “Then you do know,” I whispered.
“From the moment I laid eyes on you, walking into Madelaine’s hall like an ancient queen. And I know, no matter what happens to me, you will survive. And you will care for our children.”
I closed my eyes, wishing for the millionth time that the babes I carried were, in fact, his. Tears streamed down my cheeks.
Gillacoemgain wiped my tears. “None of that, little Corbie,” he whispered. Taking the dagger, he slid it into its scabbard then slipped it into the top of my boot, lacing it inside.
Without another word, we headed downstairs where Ute, Tavis, Standish, and two soldiers waited.