Page 78 of Highland Queen

I observed him carefully with my raven’s eyes. It was safe, for the moment.

I took a seat.

Macbeth poured some wine and set the cup in front of me. “You’ve just returned from Fife.”

“Yes. I put a friend to eternal rest.”

“I’m sorry to hear it,” Macbeth said. He poured himself a glass of wine then sat down.

“What have you been working on?” I asked.

“Deciding whether or not to attack England.”

“Attack England?” I blurted out. He couldn’t possibly be serious.

Macbeth nodded, his bottom lip jutting out as he considered it. “We have a great army. We’re strong. Why not?”

“Because many of the southern lords are still against you. And Thorfinn has taken the army to back to Magnus. And, because, there are better ways to gain control. Allies, Macbeth. We need allies.”

“Such as?”

“The Holy Church of Rome? The Franks? The Irish? We have many options to choose from. But first, we need to stop bleeding silver. Where is Crinian?”

“In Dunkeld.”

“Summon him. While he is here, send a force to seize the treasury. We shall put someone truly loyal in charge of the realm’s wealth. Crinian can return to being abbott if God still calls him, and Bethoc will join us at court.”

“Now, that is a wily plan,” Macbeth said with a tittering laugh. “You don’t trust Crinian?”

“We just murdered his son.”

“True. But I believe his love of silver outweighs his sentimentality for my dearly departed cousin.”

“We shall see.”

“Quite the sacrifice, Gruoch.”

“Removing Crinian is no sacrifice.”

“I mean bringing Bethoc to court. I suspect you’d rather gouge your eyes out than listen to her talk about the weather.”

Surprising even myself, I laughed. “That is true. But it will be good to have her here for when we reacquire Donaldbane.”

Macbeth raised an eyebrow. “Indeed?”

“Indeed. I’m working on it as we speak. Now, about the southern lords, who do we need to make an example of? Who is still backing Siward, making noise?”

“Menteith.”

“Let’s send some men to Menteith to let him know, by the sharp end of a sword, that we disapprove,” I suggested.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” Macbeth grinned.

“I’m tired. It has been a very long day,” I said then rose to go.

“Gruoch…” Macbeth called out to me. In his voice, I heard the tone of the man I had first met, the man I had first married, the man I had hoped to love. But knew that sound to be a lie.

I cast a glance over my shoulder at him.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he said with a smile.

“Goodnight, Macbeth,” I said then turned and left.

Never.

Never again.

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