Page 44 of Highland Queen

“And to you, Thane of Lochaber,” Thorfinn said, touching his fingers to his brow.

Banquo mimicked the gesture.

I moved to join Banquo.

“Macbeth has asked me to move some of the men, a standing army, to Glamis. I will begin today and will meet you at the coven as soon as I can,” Banquo whispered. “I’ve already told Macbeth I will go to Lochaber for a time, but he has asked me to return to court as soon as possible.”

I nodded. “I shall see you soon. Stay safe.”

“And you. Gruoch, are you well? You looked very pale this morning.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I was dying to tell him the truth. But not now. Not here. “I am very well, Thane.”

At that, Banquo smiled. “Good.”

“Queen Gruoch,” the Thane of Fife called, crossing the yard to meet me. “We will ride this afternoon. You’ll be joining us?”

I nodded.

“Very good,” he said happily. “Now, let me see about our escort,” he said then wandered off.

“I’ll send Tira, Rhona, and most of the Moray men to Glamis. Have you been there before?” I asked Banquo.

He shook his head. “No, but the report is it’s a small but sturdy castle.”

“And the fortress of Dunsinane?”

“Old, by all accounts, but Macbeth has already arranged for workmen to refortify the castle and craftsmen to improve upon it.”

I frowned. “Why did he choose such a place?”

Banquo shook his head. “Why does Macbeth do anything?” he said then looked toward Macbeth.

I followed his gaze. Macbeth had taken to horse and was reining in beside Thorfinn. Apparently, he would ride to the port with the party.

I shook my head. “Who knows? And now he is King of Scots, for better or worse. And we have placed him there. We are the ones who must ensure no harm comes from our doing.”

“May the Great Father and Mother give us strength,” Banquo said.

“And all the gods watch over us,” I said. While Scotia had set me on my path, something told me that I would need to elicit the help of all the gods—even the White Christ—to keep Macbeth in check.

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