Page 94 of Highland Queen

Chapter 27

While the castle was still under construction, Kirk saw that a small meal was prepared for Macbeth and me and our guard. We kept the conversation pleasant and light, Macbeth mainly asking about the construction of the castle and me keeping quiet as I mulled over my vision and fought off fatigue. The ride had taken more out of me than I had expected. I really needed to go north soon.

“Sir,” I said to Kirk, “has a chamber been prepared for me? I’m a bit weary.”

Kirk motioned for a servant to come forward. “No ladies’ maids on hand, Your Majesty. We could ask one of the cooks or serving girls—“

“No. I know well enough how to dress myself,” I said with a smile. “Thank you.”

Killian motioned for the other men to stay and eat while he joined the servant and me.

“This way, Your Majesty,” the servant said.

“Goodnight, Gruoch,” Macbeth called.

“Goodnight, Macbeth.”

The servant led me down the halls to a room on the second tier of the castle. Some of the rooms were still having masonry work completed, but the chambers on this end of the castle seemed to be in good condition.

“Here you are,” the servant said, opening the door. The room was simply adorned with a huge but old wooden bed. I could smell the scent of new straw therein. Skins lined the floors. There were no windows in the space.

Killian inspected the room, nodding when he found everything in order.

“I’ll have two guards on the door all night,” he told me.

“Thank you,” I told him. “And please, don’t forget to rest.”

He smiled.

“Do you need anything, Your Majesty?” the servant asked.

I looked around the room. Both water and wine had already been set out.

I shook my head. “No. Thank you.”

At that, they left me. I closed the door behind them then went and sat down on the bed. I sighed heavily, feeling overcome by weariness. I set my hand on my stomach.

“What do you think, little one? Do you like this old, magical place?”

I could sense my tiny babe there but heard nothing more.

I lay back and looked up at the stone ceiling. The land of the Parisi. Well, at least I was in the home of my allies once more. Closing my eyes, I soon drifted off to sleep.

It was the caw of a raven that woke me late that night. Sitting up, I listened intently. It sounded like the raven was in the castle, not outside.

Rising, I grabbed a taper and went to the door.

I was surprised to see that there was no guard stationed there.

“Killian? Camden?”

No one answered, but from deep within the castle, I heard the call of a raven once more. How strange.

Taking my candle with me, I followed the raven’s cries. I had nearly reached the feasting hall—and I had still not seen anyone else in the castle—when I heard the raven caw once more.

I looked all around, realizing that the sound was coming from the lower level of the castle. Maybe someone had a pet raven. They were smart birds. Some said they made good pets.

Panning my candle all around, I looked for any sign of the servants.

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