Page 16 of Highland Queen

Chapter 6

We rode throughout the day without incident. Bonfires lit the fields as we made our way south, a signal to us that the north was on our side. They were lighting our way to glory. From sunup to sunset, we rode southward. That night, the men of Moray prepared my tent. Across the field, I could see Macbeth amongst his own men. We hadn’t spoken since the sparse words we had exchanged that morning. It was for the best. I wouldn’t waste my breath on him. Once the tent was settled, I went inside to rest.

“Tira and I will find us something to eat, my lady,” Rhona said. “There are guards here to keep watch. I can smell that the soldiers are cooking. Let’s see what they’ve made.”

“May the Great Mother protect us,” Tira said with a laugh, exiting behind Rhona.

I chuckled then began pulling off my armor. My whole body ached.

“My lord,” one of the soldiers outside my tent said.

“My lord,” the second echoed.

I scowled. The last thing I wanted was to see or talk to Macbeth. I was relieved when Banquo called my name.

“Gruoch?”

“Come.”

He entered the tent, closing the drape behind him. “I can’t stay long. I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.”

“Road-weary but well enough. How are the men?”

“Good. Eager to get to Scone.”

I nodded. “Are there any reports from our scouts?”

Banquo nodded. “The way south is clear, for the most part. There are mercenaries hiding in the woods, but our soldiers are making quick work of them. We have captured some of Northumbria’s spies. Otherwise, most of the lords who allied with Duncan have remained within their keeps, their armies disbanded. I suspect they will seek to broker peace.”

Outside my tent, one of my soldiers said, “Sir,” a hard tone in his voice.

“Sir. My lady is engaged,” Killian said. His shadow reflected on the tent, he moved protectively toward the tent opening. Another second soldier joined him, blocking the path.

Banquo and I both turned.

“Gruoch, perhaps you should remind the men of Moray that I’m about to be crowned king,” Macbeth called.

Still, the Moray soldiers didn’t move.

I met Banquo’s eye. A thousand unspoken words passed between us. I shook my head then pushed the heavy fabric of the tent door aside.

“You should applaud them for their loyalty to your wife and queen. It’s good to know that Moray will always see that I am safe. Did you need something?”

Macbeth frowned hard. “I understand Banquo is here. I would like to discuss the reports from the south.”

I glared at him, unable to hide my disgust. “Let him pass,” I told Killian. “This time only,” I added under my breath.

“Yes, my lady,” Killian replied, meeting my eyes.

I stepped back inside.

This was only the beginning. Somehow, I was going to have to find a way to live with this man, rule alongside him. I was going to have to find a way to co-exist with someone I utterly loathed. How does a person do that without losing their mind?

“Banquo,” Macbeth said, giving him a nervous smile.

Banquo inclined his head to Macbeth. “I was telling Gruoch that our scouts indicate that the way south is mostly clear. There are a few small bands, paid men, in the hills. I have sent men to route them already. Siward has spies out, but the Northumbrian army has withdrawn all the way back to their own lands. The southern lords have gone home, their armies dispersed.”

“What resistance Siward tried to rally has come to nothing,” Macbeth said.

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