Read Online Macbeth the King by Nigel Tranter - Free Book Online

him and his party back to the bridge-head.
    "When your grandsire dies, MacBeth, who will succeed to his throne?" the Dane asked, as they were parting. "You, or that Duncan?"
    "Duncan, sire. He is the King's choice. Ever has been."
    "A pity. I would have thought that Malcolm would have had more sense! Hear me then, young man. Should the time come when you might think to contest such clearly foolish choice, remember Knut Svenson. I might be useful to Thorfinn Raven Feeder's brother." 
    "I do not desire the throne, sire."
    "Then you are more fool than you look! And your realm the loser."
3
    Since there was to be no fighting, MacBeth was no more anxious to prolong his stay in the Stirling vicinity than had been Canute. Malcolm's company and Court held no attractions for him. But the King, for some reason, insisted that he accompany him as far as Scone—which, since it was on his way, MacBeth could scarcely refuse. In fact, en route, Malcolm seemed to have little to say to him, and the younger man rode most of the way with his own thanes and those of Glamis and Cawdor.
    Malcolm Foiranach was no sluggard, whatever his age, and it took the host only a day and a half to reach fair Scone, in its woodlands across Tay from Bertha at the mouth of the tributary Almond. MacBeth did not ford Tay, and took his leave of his grandfather here.
    "I fear that you are a fool, boy," the King said. "I sorrow for it. But then, your mother Donada was a fool. And she disobeyed me and married your father when old Sigurd died. I cannot abide fools."
    "Yet you abide Duncan!"
    "Ah, but that is different! A fool who will do what he is told is to be preferred to a fool who will not! Forby, Bethoc is no fool. And she married him that I chose for her—Crinan. Crinan's line the throne needed. Finlay's it did not! And Duncan is their son."
    "Yes. And many have had to die for that fact!"
    "Death is ever with us, boy. With kings more than others."
    "There is honest death and dishonest. Decent and cruel. You, sire, I think deal in the second!"
    "Watch your tongue, MacBeth! Forby, I have a kingdom to rule. And may not be so nice as some would like."
    "Have I your royal permission to leave, sire?"
    "Go, then. Duncan will go with you. As far as Dunkeld.
    Crinan—bide you with me, this night. I have matters to talk over."
    "Sire—I have a long road to go. I would prefer to go on alone, and fast."
    "Nonsense. Duncan will not hold you back. Is it that Gruoch you are in such haste to win back to? It is time that you bairns learned to live with each other instead of ever bickering. Duncan will go with you to Dunkeld, with the Athollmen. That is my royal command."
    Fortunately the cousins did not have to see a great deal of each other on the further fifteen miles to Dunkeld. Each had his own leadership group and friends, and their hosts kept separate. But at the Birnam pass of Tay, a couple of miles south of Dunkeld, with MacBeth discussing with Neil Nathrach his mother's strange dream about Birnam Wood moving to Dunsinane, Duncan rode up from the rear.
    "MacBeth," he said, without preamble. "We have had little cause to love each other. But we are kin, and there is no need for us to be unfriends. The King would have it otherwise. We near my father's house of Dunkeld and the day draws on. Bide the night there. My mother—your aunt—would welcome you."
    MacBeth looked at him sidelong. "I thank you," he said stiffly. "But I called upon the Princess Bethoc. On my way south. And we could ride another score of miles on our way, tonight."
    "It would please her. She often speaks of you. Come, even for a small while. A refreshment of wine or ale. It would be esteemed kindly."
    MacBeth could be obstinate, even ruthless; but he was not the man to utterly reject an advance.
    "Very well," he said. "For just long enough to pay my respects. And to drink a horn of ale." He saw Neil Nathrach scowling and head-shaking. "Neil, ride on with the host. I shall catch up with you before many