Page 79 of Highland Queen

Chapter 22

For the next several days, I worked almost without stopping. Documents and ledgers had come from Edinburgh. I thanked Epona a thousand times over for teaching me to read and write as I went through the records. Everything was a mess. Aside from tracking land, wealth, and resources, I also spent considerable time considering what allies could be made abroad. I had just decided on a course with the Franks when a messenger arrived.

“Your Majesty, an envoy from Echmarach of the Isles has arrived. King Macbeth has asked if you would join them in his conference room.”

Setting my work aside, I slipped down halls of Glamis to join Macbeth. I still hadn’t gotten used to the lovely rugs on the floors, gold-trimmed sconces, and tapestries and paintings on the walls. Such opulence seemed foreign to me.

I arrived at Macbeth’s chamber to hear the sounds of jovial laughter.

I entered without hesitation.

“Ah, here is my queen,” Macbeth said, crossing the room, his arm outstretched in greeting.

The strangers bowed to me, their leader stepping forward. “Your Majesty, I’m Finnegan Macdrummel. I bring good greetings from my lord, Echmarach of the Isles.”

“We are grateful to hear from our friend and ally,” I said.

“We come with news. Your Majesty, you sought word of Donaldbane, son of Duncan, who was taken by Ímar mac Arailt?”

“Yes,” I said.

“We have confirmed he is with the Irish king. Lord Echmarach was eager to learn when he should send a force to retrieve the boy. As I am sure you know, Ímar mac Arailt has taken our lord’s lands by force. He is eager to repay the Irish king for this slight. Given the support Lord Echmarach gave you in your efforts to win the crown, he was hoping to hear news of how you could repay his help—by men or by coin—to both our happy ends.”

Macbeth poured himself a glass of wine. “Ímar mac Arailt is, undoubtedly, in the wrong here. Does Echmarach have men at the Irish king’s court?”

“Men, Your Majesty?”

“Spies. How did you confirm Donaldbane is with Ímar mac Arailt?”

“Oh. Well. I don’t know for certain how such information was acquired. But the boy is there.”

“Echmarach has been a valuable ally. We shall reward him for that. Please, why don’t you gentlemen take your rest? Feast with us tonight. I will consider his proposition and give you an answer tomorrow,” Macbeth said then motioned to his servants to lead the men away.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Finnegan said, the others echoing him. They bowed then left.

“You knew Ímar mac Arailt had Donaldbane?” Macbeth asked.

“Yes. I sent a messenger to the Irish king some time back.”

“Any reply?”

“Not yet.”

“We will support Echmarach’s bid to topple the Irish king and recapture Donaldbane,” Macbeth said.

“No, we will not. We will negotiate with Ímar mac Arailt.”

“What? Why?”

“Because we aren’t strong enough to go to war in Ireland. We do not have the men, resources, support, or desire to wage another war. If we do, Siward will come running back.”

“And what do you expect Ímar mac Arailt will do? Hand Donaldbane over because you asked nicely?”

“No. I expect him to ask for Echmarach’s lands.”

Macbeth laughed. “And then what?”

“And then we will make a decision. How valuable is Donaldbane? If we leave him in Ireland, he will be used against us. At this time, the Irish king has no reason to entertain offers from Siward. At this time. But Siward is shrewd. He will not slink away. He will make new allies and regain his power. In time, he will be back. He will seek to take the throne from us on Malcolm's behalf. Wouldn’t it be better to have Irish support over Irish enemies?”

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