I turned to find the red-robed Morrigu there, her arm outstretched as she handed my sword to me.
I gripped Uald’s Gift by the handle then threw the scroll into the fire.
The Morrigu smiled then disappeared.
I wouldn’t bargain with either of them.
One at a time, I would deal with them both.
One at a time, they would both pay.
At this, the raven smiled.
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.