“You don’t have to explain. You are the lawful wife of Macbeth. Please, let’s speak of this no more.”
“Very well.”
We walked back to the village. Banquo handed Lulach back to me. “I’ll be in the stables when you’re ready. I’ll have them prepare a cart.”
I nodded then turned and went to the hall. It was still early in the day. Macbeth and Thorfinn sat together looking over dispatches. Their conversation was low and dark.
“My lords,” I called as cheerfully as possible.
Macbeth stood.
Thorfinn smiled at me. “Ah, the Lord of Moray has come to hear the news. Come, Lord Lulach. See what we are scheming.” Thorfinn rose and reached out to Lulach who went readily to him.
I felt a brush against my leg as Thora suddenly appeared.
“Now, where have you been?” I scolded her then turned to Macbeth. “Word has come, my lord. My dear friend’s lying in has begun. With your blessing, I will go attend her.”
Macbeth smiled kindly. “Of course. Banquo will escort you. Ask him to prepare a cart,” he said then turned to Lulach. “What say you, my boy? What shall we men do while your mother is gone?”
“Is there news?” I asked, looking down at the papers scattered on the table.
Thorfinn groaned. “Cnut posturing in Norway. Malcolm unusually quiet.”
I chewed my lip. No. This was not the time.
“Anything from Madelaine?”
Macbeth shook his head.
I frowned. It had been some time since I’d heard from her. I had not yet sent news south of my pregnancy in case one of Malcolm’s spies intervened. If Macbeth and I had a son—before Duncan—it would further add to our claim. It was best that no word was sent until the child was delivered.
“I’ll go make ready then?” I said, letting the question linger, well aware of Macbeth’s reaction the last time I’d gone out with Banquo.
Thorfinn kissed Lulach and handed him back to me. “Safe travels, lady. You’re a lucky man, Macbeth. Your wife is wise, beautiful, and has a healer’s touch. One day, she and my Ingibjorg will be quite the pair.”
I chuckled. “And your Ingibjorg, what is she like?”
“She has the sweetest heart, tits big as melons, and a blonde braid thick as a horse’s tail down to her round ass.”
Macbeth laughed.
“So, many good qualities then,” I said with a laugh. “Anything else?”
“Does a man need anything else?” Thorfinn replied.
“Perhaps not.”
Thorfinn smiled. “Be safe, Lady Macbeth.”
“No worries there, Thane,” Macbeth said. “Banquo watches over her like she was his sister.”
“So he does,” Thorfinn said with a nod then turned back to his papers, smothering a look that had only briefly crossed his face.
“Come back soon,” Macbeth said, kissing me once more. “And stay safe.”
“And you,” I said then turned to go. My heart felt much at ease. Perhaps the last time too much drink had provoked his jealousies. Whatever worries had nagged Macbeth, they were gone. He was not the man he had been some months ago, thank the Goddess.
It took me about an hour to prepare, but soon Banquo and I had the wagon loaded and were ready to go.
Merna chatted quietly to Banquo, who nodded and replied to her in whispered words. From the expression on her face, I could tell she was worried about him. In truth, I was not sure if he had been truly ill or merely melancholy.
“I’ll be all right,” he finally told her, his voice sounding a bit exasperated, then he kissed her on the forehead. He turned to Fleance. “Mind your mother,” Banquo told him.
“Yes, sir,” he said in his sweet, earnest, child’s voice. But the fact that he was lying was so plain, it made me chuckle.
“And don’t get into any trouble,” Banquo added.
“No, sir,” he said then giggled knowing that his lie was too bold.
Banquo smiled then shook his head.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come, my lady,” Ute asked me for the hundredth time. “I’ll be on hand in case you need help. And I can help your friend with her little ones. Are you sure, my lady? It won’t be any bother.”
I looked at Ute realizing then that she wanted to come but didn’t have the courage to break protocol and just ask. I eyed her over. She was very pale and worked her hands nervously. “Ute, is everything all right?”
“Oh, of course. I just worry about Lulach. I know you’ve got him almost weaned, but I hate to have him far from you, especially since you might be gone a couple of days. I worry,” she said then looked down. “And you might need help. I could help you.”
She was lying. Something was wrong. “Ute?”
“Are you sure you don’t want me and Lulach to come? I got him ready just in case. I have everything packed for him and me, in case you changed your mind.”
I stared at her. There was something going on here that I could not see.
“You will need to keep Lulach out from underfoot,” I said.
“Of course, my lady. I’ll go get our things now,” she said then turned and rushed to the house.
I turned to Banquo who looked like he’d just caught the tail end of our conversation.
“Ute and Lulach will join us,” I told him.
Banquo nodded. “Very well. And where is Thora?”
I spotted her in the distance running around with her pack of mongrels. “There,” I said, pointing.
Banquo whistled loudly. The sound grabbed Thora’s attention. Leaving her pack behind, she raced across the village and hopped into the wagon.
“Merna, will you be so kind to let Macbeth know Lulach and Ute decided to join us?”
“Of course,” she said with a smile.
I exhaled deeply. Surely, Macbeth would take no issue with it. After all, it would free him from being troubled with Lulach while I was gone.
Ute raced in and out of the house, first depositing bags and then returning with Lulach who was bundled up. I climbed into the wagon then she handed my boy to me. After, she crawled into the back of the wagon with Thora, wrapping her arm around the dog. I didn’t miss the look of relief on her face.
“Safe journeys,” Merna called. Fleance, Morag, and Merna waved to us as we set out.
Banquo and I waved farewell then headed off.
“No talking to the good neighbors when we go into the forest, my pretty boy. They’ll take you and leave me a changeling,” I whispered to Lulach.
Banquo laughed. “They’ll never touch him. Don’t worry.”
“And why do you say that?”
Banquo pointed to the red dart on Lulach brow. “He comes by his protection naturally.”
“It was a blessing gifted to him.”
Banquo nodded. “Have you noticed the shape of it? It’s changing as he gets bigger.”
I stared at my son. Banquo was right. The red dart had the subtle shape of a stag’s head.
“What does it mean?”
Banquo smiled. “As you said, he’s blessed.”
I thought back to that morning by the water and how Lulach had been able to see the selkies. And when Sid had come for that brief moment, Lulach had noticed Nadia. I had always assumed Crearwy would be the one gifted with the old magic, but Lulach truly had been touched.
I exhaled deeply and looked at my little boy who was snuggled against me. In protecting his claim to Moray and to the crown, I had never considered what might happen if Lulach’s spirit was more suited for a different life. A terrible feeling of dread washed over me. What if he was more like his father? Gillacoemgain had much preferred the woods, the animals, birds, and sunny fields to statecraft. But I tripped over my own thoughts. Gillacoemgain was not his father.