Page 6 of Highland Queen

“Malcolm was with his father at court. Perhaps he retreated with Suthen. We need to find out for certain. Many will try to use those boys, to set them against Macbeth and me. I will see them safely fostered in friendly hands,” I said.

“Away from Earl Siward.”

I nodded. “They are as much my kin as his. I must have them fostered by those who would not teach them to seek vengeance now…or later.” Unless I acted now, it would be Lulach who would have to deal with his unruly cousins backed by a Northumbrian army. I needed to do what I could to stop the bad blood from boiling.

Banquo inclined his head to me. “I will send spies south to track Malcolm down. There was a rumor that the younger son, Donaldbane, had been sent to Iona.”

I frowned. “Macbeth didn’t send anyone to retrieve him?”

Banquo shook his head. “No. I will see to it. We were so worried about Lulach and Fleance…”

I nodded. He was right. We should have thought of it before. “We’ll do what we can now. Thank you.”

Banquo nodded then handed the same scroll toward me once more. “Macbeth is victorious.”

I took the parchment and read over the dispatch. Macbeth had played his part. Very well.

“And Thorfinn?”

“He and Magnus have also had their victory.”

“Thank the Great Mother,” I said with an exhausted sigh then sat down.

“Are you all right?” Banquo asked.

“Yes…just weary.”

Banquo chuckled. “That is battle weariness. When you can, you will sleep for days. But for now…” he said then motioned to the stack of scrolls waiting.

“Thane,” someone called, waving to Banquo.

Another messenger had arrived.

Banquo motioned to the man to stay a moment.

“Go on,” I said tiredly. “You have much work to do. I’ll be here.”

“Rest, if you can, Gruoch,” Banquo said, his eyes lingering on mine. I could see there was more he wanted to say, wanted to do, but he could not with everyone’s eyes on us. Already everyone thought we were lovers. But in the presence of all our people, it didn’t do to show our feelings openly.

Banquo set his hand gently on my shoulder then turned to see to the messenger.

I lifted the first of the scrolls and began going through the reports. By all accounts, Earl Siward had survived. He’d left Duncan in the field and retreated with a large portion of his army. We had spies on him. In the future, I would have to pay for more eyes and ears at his court and would have to protect my own from such infiltration. But for now, Macbeth and I needed to move toward Scone. Only once we had the kingdom safely in our palms with crowns on our heads could we begin to think about what would happen next.

I spent the next several hours going through reports and receiving messengers. We’d had our own losses, but they were not as great as we feared. Still, it was too many men. Too much of a price to pay.

I was staring at yet another scroll, my eyes going misty from exhaustion, when someone called my name.

“Lady Gruoch?”

I looked up to find Standish there.

“Standish? What is it?” I could see from the expression on his face that everything was not well.

“Can you come with me a moment?”

I rose. Every muscle in my body protested, and my head swam. No matter the work, I needed to sleep soon.

I crossed the hall to join Standish. “What’s happened?”

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