“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.
Chapter 48
Two days later, Banquo began rallying the army to ride south. We would leave just before dawn. A late spring snow blew in, covering the ground with white powder. The weather was strange that day, thunder rocking the clouds. It was as if the sky itself was at war.
The Lord of Mar, playing the friend, rode south to welcome the king. Mar’s army, led by his elder son, waited alongside my own men and that of the north. If Mar’s deception was revealed too soon, his life would be in grave danger. I worried about the man who had once been so kind to me, the man who had remembered my father and my mother, who’d told the tale of Emer and her harp. I prayed to the goddess to keep him safe.
Alone in my chamber, I stood before the fire. I closed my eyes and reached out with my senses, feeling for Lulach. But no matter how hard I tried, I could not find my son. Wherever Balor had taken Lulach, he had taken him somewhere very deep. I suspected that I would have better luck reaching him if I returned to Ynes Verleath.
The sounds of men and horses rose from outside. It was almost time to go. I closed myself off from the noise and inhaled slowly and deeply. I found the silence and the darkness within.
And then, I called: Come.
I am already here. We are one.
The sound of wings filled my senses. Once again, the raven and I melded into one. I lifted my arms, feeling her and me all at once. I was a Valkyrie. I was an avenger.
Pulling Scáthach from my belt, I grabbed my long black braid.
For the Morrigu. For Scotia. For victory.
With a quick flick of the blade, I cut my hair at the nape of my neck. I threw my long locks into the fire.
Thora, who had been lingering around me all day, her tiny brood having now found new owners amongst the soldiers, whimpered.
“I suppose you want to come.”
Thora thumped her tail.
“It is war. It will be dangerous. You are not yet recovered from weaning, and in truth, you’re not as young as you once were. Stay at Cawdor. Keep the castle safe.”
Thora looked at me as if I had just said the stupidest thing she’d ever heard. Only my dog would dare judge the raven.
“Very well. Then you will need to stay beside me and help me fight.”
She yipped a small bark.
I turned then and dressed, pulling on a pair of man’s breeches, a stiff leather jerkin, and Gillacoemgain’s chainmail shirt. I fingered my short hair and then pulled on Gillacoemgain’s helmet. I looked out with my raven eyes. Little by little, I could feel that Gruoch was retreating. I was Cerridwen, the raven. Everything around me was brighter than it had been before. I was able to hear far more clearly than I had before. I belted Uald’s Gift then slid Scáthach into her scabbard.
I looked at Thora. “Let’s go.” I went to the door. I had already opened the latch, but then I paused. I went back into the room and dug deep into my trunk. There, at the very bottom, I found a small wooden box. Gruoch’s hands wanted to tremble as I removed the lid, but the raven would not allow it. Inside, I found a worn coin pouch stained with blood. The coins within jingled, the small fee my cousin had paid me for the complete alteration of my life. I closed my eyes, remembering Lulach and Crearwy as tiny babies, and the pain I felt having left my daughter behind. I slid the pouch into my pocket and then went to join the awaiting army outside.
* * *
Working my way through the scores of men in heavy armor milling about, I went to the stable. Thora followed a discreet distance behind me. I quickly saddled Kelpie, hoping Standish would not spy me, then rode out of Cawdor to join the army of men that had collected around the castle.
The men were falling quickly into ranks. I worked my way through the soldiers, positioning myself near one of the lesser lords of Moray. As the sun began to rise, Banquo came forward and began to rally the army.