An Ensuing Evil and Others Read Free Page B

come from a deep sleep. His hair was a little disheveled, and his clothes had not been put on with care.
    “Garban has informed me of these tragic events, noble lord,” the man muttered, his eyes moving swiftly from MacBeth to Gruoch and to the body on the floor. They glinted coldly in the candlelight and seemed to miss nothing.
    “I am glad that you have come, Cothromanach. It needs your skilled touch here, for I was saying to the Lady Gruoch, there are many who will wish to taint me with this killing. Your word is needed that this matter has been properly conducted and resolved so that none may level any accusation against me.”
    Cothromanach, the brehon, set his face stonily. “The truth is the truth. I am here to serve that truth, my lord.”
    MacBeth nodded. “Indeed, let us proceed with logic. Garban has told you that we have a witness to this deed in the prince Malcolm’s servant?”
    Cothromanach nodded. “I am told that he has been sent for.”
    “He has. The Lady Gruoch and I were in our bedchamber until Garban summoned me. The Lady Gruoch says that she is prepared to state that I did not rouse from our bed all night. I have told her that her testimony might be dismissed on grounds of her relationship to me.”
    The brehon pursed his lips wryly. “Madam, is there any other witness that will say that you and your husband did not stir until Garban summoned your husband here?”
    Gruoch thought a moment and then nodded in affirmation. “Little more than an hour ago, I asked my maid Margreg to bring me mulled wine to help me sleep. She entered our chamber with the wine while my husband slept on obliviously.”
    MacBeth raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I did not hear her.”
    “You were tired, my lord, after yesterdays hunt and last nights feasting.”
    “This is true. So Margreg brought wine and saw me sound asleep beside you? This, you say, was but an hour ago?”
    “It was so.”
    MacBeth turned to the brehon. “And I was roused to come here but a quarter of the hour past, and if the deed were committed not long before, it would mean that we have the best witness yet in the maid.”
    “What makes you think the deed was done but an hour ago?” queried the brehon.
    “Easy to tell. We have a witness to the deed.” He turned to his wife to explain. “I have sent for your brother’s servant, who, it appears, was attacked by the assassin. He has already indicated the time to my steward, Garban.”
    The Lady Gruoch stared at him in surprise. “This servant was attacked by the assassin? Then we have no need fear our innocence of the deed.”
    MacBeth sighed: “Perhaps,” he said softly. “Truth does not still malicious tongues.”
    “You sound defensive, lord,” observed the brehon. “As if you already stand accused and found guilty.”
    “It is why I want you to examine this matter closely, Cothromanach. I fear it may be so unless I demonstrate that I had no hand in this. Now, here comes Garban and Malcolm’s servant. Do return to our chamber, my lady, and dress yourself, for it is near dawn and this may be a long day.” He paused and turned to Cothromanach. “That is, unless you wish the lady to stay?”
    The elderly brehon shook his head. “I have no objections to the Lady Gruoch withdrawing.”
    As Gruoch left the chamber with a single glance back to where her brothers body lay, old Garban came forward. Behind him followed a younger man, tall and well built. There was a gash over his eye that still seeped blood. His face was pale, and he walked with an unsteady gait. He stood hesitating before MacBeth, looking from him to the brehon.
    Old Garban gave him a gentle nudge forward.
    “Tell my noble lord your name, boy.”
    The young man took a pace forward. “I am called Segan, noble lord,” he muttered, his eyes downcast.
    “How long have you been in the service of the prince Malcolm?”
    “I have served him ever since I can remember, and my father before me was a steward in the house