“Corbie,” he said, smiling nicely at me, but I could see he’d come with something on his mind.
“Good morning,” I said with a smile. “Now, tell me your news.”
He chuckled. “I’m anxious to return south, but I didn’t want to leave you alone here. And Lulach…”
“Lulach is safe.”
Tavis nodded. “You’ll say no more as to where he is? Not even to me?”
“I’ll say… Uald would approve of Lulach’s whereabouts.”
“Ahh,” Tavis mused. “Very well. But what about you, my little raven?”
I grinned at Tavis. “These days, I am hardly anyone’s little anything.”
Tavis grinned at me, and in that smile, I saw a proud, fatherly expression on his face. “You will always be Madelaine’s little raven…which makes you mine as well.”
Rising, I left my work and took Tavis’s hand. “I’m sorry to see you go.”
Tavis nodded then took me gently by the shoulders and kissed my forehead. “You will be an excellent queen, little raven.”
Would I? I hoped so. Since the battle, I’d had no visions, no omens. The Otherworld had gone strangely quiet.
“If it pleases the gods.”
Tavis nodded. “It does. Don’t you see? I should go make ready.”
“Stay safe,” I told him. “There may still be mercenaries in the hills.”
“I will. The hornet nest is stirred up, Little Corbie. You, too, must be watchful.”
“Always.”
Tavis smiled at me then let me go.
Sighing, I sat back down and got to work. All things promised had come to pass. Now, I just had to ride the wave forward toward my destiny.
Later that day, a rider came from Inverness with word from Macbeth. We would ride south the next morning—him and me—and our army. He instructed me to be ready and to bring Lulach.
I stared at the letter.
No.
I would not bring Lulach. I would keep my boy away, keep him safe until it was all settled. That included keeping him away from Macbeth. If he was as unsteady as Banquo had said, then it would be a very long time before Macbeth would see my boy again. At this point, Lulach had already forgotten Macbeth. Growing up at Cawdor, he knew Gillacoemgain’s shade, knew Gillacoemgain as his father. Macbeth had never taken root in Lulach’s heart. And I was glad.
Drafting a quick note, I headed out to the yard to deliver it to the rider. There was nothing to say. I would hear no apologies, no pretty words. I neither wanted nor expected any. I wrote only, “Come. I am ready.”
I sent the rider away and stood in the middle of the yard taking in the sights and sounds of Cawdor.
Overhead, a falcon called.
I looked up, the sunlight making me wince. There, high in the sky over the castle, Gillacoemgain’s bird flew. I caught the sound of Standish’s voice. He was on the other side of the yard talking with the grooms. I went to meet him.
“My lady—no, my queen,” he said with a smile.
“Not yet,” I said with a grin. “But I will ride south tomorrow. When I’m gone, I want the castle closed and garrisoned.”
“Is there anything to be worried about, my lady? Any news?”
“No. No threats this far north. But I will keep Moray protected like a precious gem. When I am gone, you will watch it with your sword drawn. I don’t know how long I will stay south. Only as long as I must. I would also ask that you assemble a personal guard for me. A dozen trusted men. Can you do so?”
“Of course, my lady.”
“Thank you, Standish. And if you have any worries, please send someone to me right away. Do not hesitate.”
“Of course, Lady Gruoch. We’ll keep the castle warm and ready for you and Lord Lulach’s return.”
“Thank you, Standish. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Lady Gruoch,” he said, smiling softly. “You’re dear to all of us here.”
“As you are to me.”
“Ah, speaking of dear ones, your grumpy old stallion was out for a bit of exercise this morning. Limping but healing.”
“I’ll see to him. The blood bay I rode in on. Is he still here?”
“He is, my lady. Fine horse, that one.”
“That he is and sure of foot. I’ll ride him south. Can you see to it?”
“Very well.”
I headed through the stables to the field where Kelpie lingered not far away from the stable door. He’d lifted his leg, resting it. His ears drooped as he watched the other horses. My heart broke for him. “Are you pouting?” I called to him.
He nickered at me, but he didn’t budge.
The battle had taken a lot out of all of us. Even Thora had slept most of the time since we’d returned. I joined Kelpie, patting him on his nose, then bent to look at his leg. The wound was still covered, and I saw no signs of blood.
Sighing, I stroked Kelpie’s ear. “It is a bad wound, but you will recover. It’s time to rest, old friend. I’ll go south, and you will stay here and ogle the pretty mares.”
He nickered again then nosed my chin.
“Dear one,” I said, setting my cheek on his neck. “I’ll see you again soon.”
Feeling deep sorrow in my heart, I headed back inside. I needed to get Tira and Rhona ready. Soon we would be on the road to Scone where I would be crowned queen, a prospect, which, despite everything that had led up to it, didn’t matter to me at all.
Chapter 5
I stood in the window of my chamber and watched as a massive army rode toward Cawdor. At the front of it, I spotted Banquo and Macbeth. A cool breeze swept across the field, ruffling my shoulder-length hair. I closed my eyes and attempted to breathe in Cawdor, breathe in the smell of the stones, mortar, wood, and the lingering scent of Gillacoemgain I imagined in every corner. When I closed my eyes and dreamed, I smelled lavender and fresh mint, tasted strawberries and felt sunlight.
But that was just a dream.
The reality was far sparser.
“So, now it begins,” Morag, who was standing beside me, said stoically.
“Are you sure you won’t ride to Scone with us?”
“No. I will wait here. The boys… They will be back?”
“Yes. Eventually.”
“Very well. I will wait here, if I may. Or I could return to Lochaber if you prefer.”
“Cawdor is your home now too,” I said. In the years that had passed since Merna’s death, Morag had become a permanent fixture in my household. But time had advanced upon her. While she had watched over Lulach and Fleance like they were her own blood, her croning days were upon her.
“Thank you, Lady Gruoch. In truth, I’m too old to ride around the country like some wild thing, and the wine in Cawdor is better than in Lochaber.”
I chuckled. “You’re welcome to it.”
Morag laughed. “Now, let’s get this on you,” she said then turned to the trunk at the foot of my bed. I had dressed carefully, selecting a dark blue riding gown and trousers. I looked the part of a queen in that respect, but with things still so unsettled in Scotland, there was no telling what assassins might line the roads. It didn’t pay to be over-bold. I’d cleaned Gillacoemgain’s chainmail and would put it to use once more. Morag lifted the chainmail shirt. I stooped while she lowered it over my head. Once it was on, I adjusted my belt, so my father’s dagger and my sword were close at hand. I had hidden Gillacoemgain’s dagger safely in my boot.
Morag helped me lace the ties on my cloak.
“The helmet is on the bed,” Morag told me.
“Very good,” I said then went to grab it. When I did so, I was taken aback once more by the scarlet-colored stains on my hands. Stains that no one but me seemed to see.