The Highland Tale Notes and onto Merrlyn

 The biggest challenge to re-writing or adapting a well known tale was to make it your own. As I had mentioned before, I wanted to do this tale (shudder from mentioning it by the name.). The reason I had not, even thought I read it many times.,,,,,'

Some people believe the play Macbeth is “cursed,” and that has created a theatrical tradition: any mention of the play’s name, or quoting the play in a theater requires the offender to leave the room (or building), turn around three times, spit, curse, quote Hamlet (“Angels and Ministers of grace defend us!”), knock, and humbly ask to be let back in. This will remove the curse.

The play is frequently called “The Scottish Play” instead of Macbeth. Some literary historians will argue that Shakespeare wrote “actual” witches’ spells into the text of Macbeth. Whether due to the curse, the low lighting of the productions, or actor superstition, there are abounding stories of accident-prone productions, some that ended in death.

Even if an actor isn’t superstitious, it is best to keep mum with the “M” word so as not to stir up the fear of the curse among the company.

https://pashakespeare.org/press/the-curse-of-macbeth-the-scottish-play/#:~:text=Some%20people%20believe%20the%20play,us!%E2%80%9D)%2C%20knock%2C

Well, I am not a member of SAS or SEAL, but the call for me to try was always there. Hence, I took to the laptop and came out with my tale. By now, you woud had noticed that I made some changes to the tale. It's more like STARWARS version with the dark King, and the sisters are more than any; they are IT servers or rather an IT farm but they hold their own porgramming aka inspired by I, ROBOT. 

And more twist to the tales will come. 

I allowed some of the 'minor' characters to hold, their own in the tales, lending humour to the tale. And the last will be the 'WHODUNIT' revealed.

I am not writing MERRLYN (Or Merlin to many); the sequel or spin off from ARTHUR, and with my spare hours I will try to create the plot. I am at 25K words, and will add on more. 

So, what's next? I am unsure for I have a few unfinished tales..... and a promise to myself, I will complete them. 

Till, Tally Ho. 

(ally-ho is the traditional cry made by the huntsman to tell others the quarry has been sighted. It may also be used with directions, including "away" and "back") but i actually borrowed it from War Comics I read (and still reading); The phrase “Tally Ho” is a term used by fighter pilots to indicate that they have spotted an enemy aircraft or another object of interest. 

The Highland Tale; The King Act Zero Scene Two

 

A LADY’S SECRET

ACT ZERO

SCENE TWO

“Dear Mary, I have a secret to reveal”

“I am in love with your lover, and this hurts me more than you may feel. I met MacBeth at your engagement, and it was love to me then at first sight. It was unbecoming of myself but I could not ignore my feelings. I will recit you my favourite lines.

“But my true love is grown to such excess / I cannot sum up some of half my wealth” Romeo and Juliet (3.1. 33–34).”

“Love, in other words, resists any single metaphor because it is too powerful to be so easily contained or understood. I felt disappointed that father gave you away to him but not me. He was always loving to you, more than me. I know that father tried to give you the best given your frail health but in me I held a frail heart too. I needed his love but you were there.”

“I wished I could had told father then but we, the ladies are told and not tell. I disked that for it gave us no meaning to our existence except to bicker and gossip on each other’s back. Why can we not make to stand our own with the duels or the trading of fists? Why must we just have the obligations to the man?”

“Mary, MacBeth is a fine man, and destined for greater heights. While you owned him now and would not share him, I will await my moment next to you. It may sound like I envy you, and yes, I do.”

“I shall wait, Mary.”

“Your sister, Elleanor.”

Elleanor folded the letter not sent for her heavy heart was to be burdened by another event.

“Come Elleanor, Mary is in bad shape.” Elleanor heard the maid who rushed to her chamber. She hid the letter back into the vanity case and followed the maid. Her sister was to deliver the off spring with her lover, the Colonel of Gladis. She reached the door to the personal chamber and saw the departing nurses covered in blood and tears.

“What of my sister, Mary?” Elleanor stopped one of the nurses.

“She is dead, my Lady. Her child will not breathe either.” The nurse told her. “The Lord is inside. He just made it to her side.”

“The Healers ……”

“They tried but her Ladyship is too weak in her body and soul.” The nurse then rushed off. Elleanor made her entrance to the chamber and saw the Colonel was on his knees while holding his beloved right hand. He was at tears, and the child was shrouded by the mother’s side. She had not seen a man cried, but that sight was there. Tears knew no gender for it was driven by the emotion of the living. He did not bawl like the child but the tears were flowing. She saw then Banquo standing a distance away, and he saw her. He approached her and it was into his arms she took to release her tears.

“I have so much to tell Mary>”: Elleanor sobbed.

“She will hear, Elleanor. And forgive. Both of you are sisters.” Banquo held the lady close to him while he looked at his friend. “Elleanor, for now MacBeth needs you.”

Elleanor wept but unseen by her was the tears of Banquo.

“There’s beggary in the love that…... cannot be reckoned. Not by wealth or by death. You deserve more than this.” Banquo said to himself. “Good bye, Mary.”

Adapted and revised from – Antony and Cleopatra, Act 1, scene 1, line 16

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Four Sub Act Two

 

DUNCAN’S LOYALTY

ACT ONE

SCENE FOUR

SUB ACT TWO

 

The newly arrived walked towards the King and then bowed their respect. They have removed their sabres from the Palace Guards, but their attire is unchanged.

“My King, we came when we were summoned. I had with General MacBeth the Thane of Gladis and now the Thane of Cawdor.” Ross spoke first before he stepped aside to let MacBeth approach the King.

“My noble general. I am pleased to meet you once more.” King Duncan met the Thane before, but casually for Gladis, it was a small plot of land. “How do you fare, my nephew?”

“I am well, my King.” MacBeth smiled.

“Your accomplishments are heard by me. Laborious and brave and hurtful, as I was told, you were wounded in battle. You have done so much for the land and the King, and no matter how fast I try to reward you, I haven’t been able to give you enough.”

“I am honoured to serve the King.” MacBeth bowed to the King.

“If you deserved less, then perhaps the balance between what I can reward and what you deserve could be tipped in... Both’s favour.” A tinge of sarcasm, or was it a hint of fear? The King hid his meaning well.

“But all I have left to say is that I owe you more than I can ever repay.” The King smiled. It was a good move by the King to test the loyalty of the Thane.

“The loyalty I feel to you and the chance to serve you is its own reward.” MacBeth found his words well. “Your Highness’s duty is to accept our loyalty and service, while our duty to your Kingship and country is similar to that owed by children to their father or servants to their master: we’re only doing what we should when we do all we can to protect you.”

“Aye, Thane. I hailed you as... loyal to my Kingship." King Duncan laughed. “We live in troubled times now. The borders are on guard from the invaders, and within the borders, unchained... loyalty needs to be bridled.”

“I stand with you, my King.” MacBeth bowed once more.

“For that, I will work to help you grow into a great future.” King Duncan laughed. “Perhaps your own Kingship.”

That last remark drew gasps from the gathered. The King then looked towards Banquo.

“The fearless Colonel and loyal friend of the Thane. I bid you welcome, Colonel...”

“Colonel Banquo of Gladis, my King. I am...” Banquo was cut off by the King.

“Noble Banquo, you are just as deserving as MacBeth, as everyone should and must know. Let me bring you close and hold you to my heart.” The King gestured to the officer. Come forth.”

Banquo took the approach and stood, looking at the King.

“My loyalty, your highness. If I grow to greatness, it will be a benefit to you as well.”

“It brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart; I must tell them all.” King Duncan laughed, “To my sons, relatives, Thanes, and all those who are most close to me, I hereby proclaim that the heir to my throne is my eldest son, Malcolm, whom we will now call the Prince of Cumberland. He will not be alone in gaining new titles—new titles of nobility, like stars, will shine on all who deserve them.”

That announcement surprised the gathered and left Banquo in an awkward position, standing there before the King, and yet nothing was rewarded to him but some words of praise. He looked towards MacBeth, who motioned for him to step back.

“Let us rejoice, Thane of Cawdor. We will see to your new dwelling there at Cawdor.” The King looked at MacBeth. “But for now, we dine at your home. Bring your family, General. They will like the news.”

“I hold none, my King." My wife died at childbirth with my child.” MacBeth replied.

“Then I will find you a fitting lady to give you more children.” King Duncan smiled. He then looked to his sons. “As I have a pair of my own.”

“Shall we, my sons?”

“May I be excused, Father? I am unwell.” Donalbain bowed to his father and left without a reply from the King. MacBeth watched the royal family, and his thoughts went far and deep. The departing sight of the royal family weighs on him then, as if they may turn back onto him.

And his ambition.

“Return to yours then, Donal. I am sure Esther needs her lover now.” King Duncan excused his son. Donalbain took leave and the King watched his son depart.

“An part of me ails for him, but does he pick his foes and friends well? I hope so.” King Duncan said to himself on Donalbain. Unseen by him, the King was studied by another there.

“Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland! Well, he may stand between me and my Kingship.  It will be no with me moving for him or above me; none will give me up on my hopes of Kingship.” MacBeth thought to himself. “Not even this or the next King.”

“Stars, the prophecy stated that I would be King. Do not hide your brightness so that my evil desires are hidden from the light. I do what is needed and hold my hands, not what is mine to hold. Yet if I am halted, I will do the thing that my Kingship requires. I will see it once it is done.”

“I leave now. There is much to be prepared for your arrival.” MacBeth bowed to the King, He left with the other Thanes.

Unseen by the Thanes’, King Duncan stood by the opening of the palace’s wall and looked at them departing. He spied on one named Banquo.

“Lennox, I can see the potential of Banquo there. His loyalty to MacBeth is heroic, and through MacBeth I may be rewarded, but that marked that man. He is of the King’s blood and, if not, will lead the ones to be Kings. He is the unequal as a Thane or... he could be the Father of the Kings.”

 

 

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Four Sub Act One

 KING DUNCAN

ACT ONE

SCENE FOUR

SUB ACT ONE

 

Unlike the palace of Gladis, King Duncan was a traditionalist. He much prefers his décor to be real, not illusionary. He requested that the drapes be of fine silk material and the portraits be painted.

“Nothing of mine is an illusion.”

The King was seated on the real high back seat, adorned with the lions’ cravings. The manner in which you can describe the King was regal. He was covered by the huge coat sewn with bear’s skin and lined on the seams by the fox’s skin, and beneath the coat was his royal frock, red in shade with the golden neckwear that covered his chest. He wore the fine lemmings fur boots, and his headpiece was the golden crown with the intricate designs of the lions. The King himself was heavily bearded, and his fingers were seen as callous from the handling of the sword in battles.

King Duncan was not one to remain behind in battle, but his age had slowed his fighting prowess.

“Sit yourself well, Donalbain.” King Duncan looked to his youngest son. The prince was accustomed more to riding and archery than to waiting at the hall. He was dressed in the green shade, and his feet were covered by the sandals made by the monks for him. He was young but looked more like his mother than the King, making him taller than the King but smaller in build.

King Duncan looked to Malcolm, the elder son, and was pleased. The prince was dressed in the dark blue frock with the leather belt that held the sheathed dirk, the favorite dagger of the Highlands. His son was a mirror image of himself as young, brazen, and at times lacKing in finesse in the battle strategy, but the Kingdom was defended more by the former than the latter.

Lennox Mac Laine, the trusted adviser of the King, stood behind the princes. He was tall like Donalbain, dressed in the gray frock, and held the annals to record the King’s words. He was Duncan’s friend for a long time, but he was not the one to do the fighting, although he planned the strategies well. It was he who told the King to send MacBeth to battle the Irish.

The others gathered there were the Thanes and nobles, many of whom the King had not met yet, although he was the King.

“Father, are we not allies with the Irish?” Donalbain asked.

“Donald, we signed a truce on the borders, but now they have crossed it. We are to defend ourselves.” The King replied. “The Hebrides, long influenced by the Gaelic, had seen to take on our lands. Their islands are many, but they lack sustenance for growth and herding. They had allied themselves with the Irish to take on us.”

“Brother, I know of your affinity for the Irish, but we are to protect our land. If not, the Danes will come, and so will the English.” Malcolm looked to his brother. Donalbain was once an emissary of the King to Ireland; he was sent to foster the relationship and was said to have fathered a child there.

“I still think we should have called for a truce." Donalbain added.

“Whatever it was to be, we won and the enemies were routed. So were the Danes to sneak on our back.” King Duncan roared out. “What of the traitor, Thane of Cawdor?”

“His death was false. He was surrounded by his men; though wounded gravely, he was rescued.” Lennox replied. “The co-conspirators of the false news were detained.”

“Were Ross and Angus included?” Malcolm asked.

“No, my prince. They were not. They were told the same tale by the conspirators. They are innocent of the treason.”

"Am I facing something more treacherous on my land?" King Duncan was furious. “Whose head then shall I remove from now?”

“My King, they are no more to my count.” Lennox assured the King. “I spoke with someone who saw Cawdor die.”

“Die? It seems like a rumor that never seems to die.” King Duncan sneered at the adviser.

“The one who told me reported that Cawdor confessed his treason, begged your Highness’s forgiveness, and displayed deep regret for his actions. That was on his dying breath.” Lennox said. The previous Thane held nothing but regrets for his action. Nothing he did in his entire life was as noble as the way he died. He died like a man, completely prepared to throw away the most precious thing he owned as if it were a worthless trinket.”

“Did he? A man dying when he was to face his creator will confess anything lest his sins be absolved. I shall accept those words with... pain.” King Duncan sighed. “Thousands died in that battle.”

“I stand to say that it is impossible to tell what’s in a man’s mind by looking at his face.” King Duncan looked at the gathered. “I knew the Thane of Cawdor very well. Or so I think I did. He was a gentleman whom I trusted completely. I shared my wine with him here. Yet he betrayed me.”

“Why would anyone do it, though they are like brothers to me?” King Duncan sighed.

“Our allegiance to you, my King.” The group all spoke in unison.

“Announcing the arrival of the Thanes’: the Thane of . Cawdor, the Thane of Cambria, and... Gladis.” The palace servant announced with the last name mumbled.

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Three Sub Act Six

 PERSONAL AMBITION

ACT ONE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT SIX

 

MacBeth looked at the crystal columns with their shimmering aura.

It reminded him of the Northern Lights. It described ‘Northern Lights' psychoactive effects as settling in firmly throughout the body, relaxing muscles, and pacifying the mind in dreamy euphoria. Comfortable laziness allows patients to relieve pain and sleeplessness, while its mellow contentment roots out depression and stress.” (https://www.leafly.com/strains/northern-lights).

Later, MacBeth found those words were references to some other 'lights', but he felt the description affirmed his thoughts on the light.

MacBeth felt his presence was not alone. Banquo stood behind him, although the other two had left the citadel.

“Gladis and now Cawdor... I am awed by the magnitude of Cawdor. The land is eight or nine times that of Gladis.” MacBeth was in a euphoric state. He then whispered to Banquo.

“Do you not wish your sons to be Kings? Not Thane, but King.” MacBeth smiled. “A worthy title for anyone.”

“I am unworthy of that. I am...” Banquo looked at MacBeth.

"Shudder, not your ambition, Banquo. The sisters said it was your prophecy. Mine was... Kingship.” MacBeth was taken in by the prophecies.

“I had denounced my beliefs in them. They are... like the others who valued gold to keep, while their lips sweetened yours. Once it was tasted, the urge was... seductive but lacKing in substance.” Banquo tried to reason with the Thane. “You are Thane and have seen many of these.”

“Yet none as poetic.” MacBeth was into his dream.

“If you trust them, then it seems you might eventually become King, not just Thane of Cawdor. But all of this is strange. Often, to lead us to harm, the agents of darkness will first tell us some bit of truth. They win us over by telling us the truth about unimportant things, only to betray us when the consequences will be most terrible.” Banquo drew on the reasoning for it.

“If fate wants me to be King, well, maybe fate will give me the throne without me having to do anything at all.” MacBeth looked at Banquo. “Perhaps there is truth to those words.”

“MacBeth, you are... unreal here.” Banquo struggled with the word here, but later was into himself.

“Two of the prophecies may be more of a coincidence. I could be destined to... More like... no, it will end with my rise to the throne.” MacBeth was in deep thought.

“This supernatural temptation does not seem like a bad omen, but it cannot be ignored. It may be... bad or good, but the” MacBeth was in deeper thought. “The promises of successes that turned out to be true?”

“I was one of Gladis and now the Thane of Cawdor. There was a huge opportunity and... responsibilities, though, but nothing was given freely. I had shed my blood for it. I could have died. But if this is a good thing, why do I find myself Thinking that I am not deserving of it?” MacBeth was in conflict inside of him.

“I feel the horrifying thoughts that make my soul scream to flee, yet my heart pounds unnaturally within my chest for what? Was it to flee, or are the things I should fear less frightening to me than the horrible things I’m imagining?”

“I have killed, but now it feels like every kill was a murderous act. Mary had pleaded with me to stop.” MacBeth thought of his dead wife. “Stop for the sake of your unborn child.”

“Well, they died. She was unable to provide me with a living son. Was it murder then, but committed by whom? My thoughts of murder are just my bane; they shake my very sense of self. I did not murder; I only killed those who stood in my way.”

“I shall say that my ability to act is blocked by these thoughts, and all that matters to me are things that do exist now. I am Thane. And will be.” MacBeth raised his head to stare at the crystals. His action was noted by Banquo.

“Look at him now. He is reflecting.” Banquo looked at the other and spoke with his thoughts. “I saw that look when he was asked if he would be Thane of Gladis. He had pondered then and rode to the palace. He said Elleanor had met him and told him of Ambrose. I am unsure of that, for I knew Elleanor. She would have vouched for her brother.” Banquo looked further into MacBeth’s soul. “It was not her. He wanted the Thane.”

“If the role of the King was to be mine, as had the role of Thane, would it be mine... as I have now with my blood? It may sound too easy.” MacBeth was still in his thoughts.

“New roles are like new attire. It needs to be worn several times to fit comfortably.” Banquo smiled to himself. “MacBeth, you will do it, for I have known you long.” Like brand new clothes, MacBeth’s new titles do not fit as yet until they’ve been worn for a while.”

“Shall we leave, MacBeth?” Banquo asked. “Good MacBeth, we are waiting for you whenever you’re ready to go.

“Pardon me. I was occupied by forgotten thoughts. Let us leave.” MacBeth rejoined his friend. He then whispered to his friend.

“Banquo, we made bold steps today. Your efforts today are in my memory, and I will remember them every day. Let us not keep the King waiting. The King is not to wait for.”

“Very gladly.” Banquo made the move.

 

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Three Sub Act Five

 

THE THANE OF CAWDOR

ACT ONE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT FIVE

 

“Who goes there?” Banquo heard approaching steps.

“It is us, Ross. We are the emissaries of King Duncan. We are to meet the Thane of Gladis.” The voice belonged to Ross and was accompanied by another Angus.

Ross was no stranger to MacBeth, whom he met years ago. He was also in the infantry and fought his fair share of the battles. He held a companion like Banquo next to his side. Angus was hardly the vocal one, but he will die for his friend.

“How did you get in?” Banquo asked. He saw behind Ross that the doorway was open. “The doors opened.”

“We were told you were inside by the engineers. We walked to the door, and it opened.” Ross looked to the rear. “Was it not?”

“Nay, I am...” Banquo was puzzled.

“How fares the King?” MacBeth asked.

“MacBeth, the King was happy to learn of your success. And when he heard the story of your personal heroism in the battle against the rebels, he couldn't decide whether to praise you or just be silently amazed. He was also at a loss for words to find out that on the same day you fought the rebels, you also fought against the army of Norway—and that you weren’t at all afraid of death, even as you killed those around you. A stream of messengers brought news of this to the King, and they gushed with praise for how you defended his country.” Ross was all praise towards the other.

“Tell him, Angus. He needs to hear from just me alone.” Ross pulled his companion to the fore. Angus, the loyal... It shall remain unsaid in the open. Angus’s companionship had raised many eyebrows, but none dared to question him.

“I am Angus of Cambria. I serve the Thane with loyalty. I am neither his pet nor his lover. See to it that anyone mocked on this will face death.” Angus silenced the last one who asked. None were spoken into his face, but the mutterings had not ceased.

“How do you fare, Ross of Cambria?” MacBeth asked with his right hand extended.

“I fare well. I was late to the battle but did well. I thank you for the assistance.” Angus smiled.

“We battled for King Duncan.” MacBeth smiled. He knew how loyal Ross was to the King then.

“You surprised the Danes from the rear.” Banquo spoke to Angus. “A brave and noble move.”

“We saw the supply line, though we were late. It was a turn of events that allowed us to be there; we got lost in the woods and arrived late and from the wrong direction.”

“Ever the entrance, be it front or back.” Banquo slipped his tongue there and saw the frim look at Angus.

“We took the chance to even the odds, but the Danes were onto us before we could escape.” Angus related to the events that took place. “We were outnumbered and retreated, but then your army, led by General MacBeth, attacked them.’

The Danes found out about the attack on their supply lines and withdrew to defend them. It gave MacBeth the advantage of pursuing them at their rear. The Danes found themselves with both flanks attacked and were able to respond with strength. It was not all, for the Irish on the counterattack decided to battle the Danes too to regain their honor.

“The Irish are back, but towards the Danes. They hate each other deeply." Banquo was delighted at the Irish’s assistance.

“Aye, the enemy of your enemy is your ally.” MacBeth roared. He was to learn that more in his life.

“Aye, King Duncan was delighted to learn of your success. Your heroic action and leadership in the battles against the rebels... The Irish and then the Danes, he could not decide whether to praise you or just be silently amazed.” Ross smiled. “We met at the healing station, and he was at a loss for words. His men lie wounded, and at that same moment you fought the rebels, almost everyone against us, and with no fear of death, even as you killed those around you.”

“I thank you for telling me this. And to the King: ” MacBeth smiled.

“Not only that, but also a stream of messengers brought news of this to the King, and they gushed with praise for how you defended his country.” Angus added.

“We have been sent to give you the King’s thanks and to escort you to him, although we don’t have your reward with us.” Ross smiled. “But... to give you a hint of the honors coming your way—the King told me to call you the Thane of Cawdor. Hail, most worthy Thane, for that title is now yours.”

“What? Can the devil speak the truth?” Banquo uttered it in haste.

“No... it’s an honour too great.” MacBeth shook his head. “I am a Thane of a small land. Why do you dress me in such borrowed robes?”

“The Thane of Cawdor is still alive? How can you pretend that his title is now mine?”

“The Thane lives yet? We doubt so. If so, he will be held under a death sentence. No rebels are allowed to live. He deserves to die. I do not know to whom he allied.” Ross spoke. “The Danes, the Irish, or to himself., he betrayed our King. That is treason, and he will be rescinded of his rank.”

MacBeth smiled and then turned to crystals.

“Please leave. I need a moment alone.” MacBeth made his words heard.

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Three Sub Act Four

 

THE KING, AM I?

ACT ONE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT FOUR

 

“I am the Thane of Gladis; my father was one, and it was bestowed on me upon his death.” MacBeth looked to Banquo. “Bless his soul to eternal rest.”

Banquo fought with him against the other nobles for the rightful passing of the rank.

“MacBeth is a clout by manners. He does not hold the requirement to be Thane.” One of the nobles argued at the succession talks after the death of the Thane.

“MacBeth is a soldier. He knew nothing of the talks at the palace. He is better armed with a sabre than the rank of Thane.” Another noble voiced the lack of support for MacBeth.

“I bear my call for Ambrose to be Thane.” Another noble added the name to the successor. The others gathered there in deep conversation, and then the announcement came.

“Colonel MacBeth arrived.”

The gathered there hushed their talks and looked to the high doorway of the castle. Its doors were opened, and in came the indomitable general, followed by his aide, Major Banquo. He strode in, still dressed in infantry fatigue and with his sabre on his belt.

“General MacBeth, you cannot wear your sabre here.” The palace staff cautioned him, as it was the tradition of the palace not to be armed there except by the palace guards. The men in suits were stationed outside and were all fully armed.

MacBeth ignored the staff and proceeded to the high back seat of the Thane. His eyes rested on the wooden seat with the intricate carvings of the Highland lions. It was said to belong to the previous Thane, who had died in that seat. MacBeth's father did not; he died in the arms of his lover, who was turned away from the palace by the nobles.

Was she silenced by the nobles, or were there rumors that MacBeth disliked her? And would kill her. The other murmuring was that Thane does not die in that manner unless he is poisoned. There are many speculations, but no MacBeth to dispute them all.

“The prodigal son returned.” MacBeth heard that when he walked in. It may be to support or mock him. Nevertheless, he made it back. He turned to look at the décor of the hall. The sides of the hall were adorned by the great portraits of the greats of Gladis, and lined below the portraits were their weapons. Thirteen seats were lined up for the nobles, each of them pledging their loyalty to the Thane.

Thirteen-year-old men they were.

“I was late to my father’s burial, but I saw him before arriving here. The rebels were not to let return before I sent them back without their heads.” MacBeth stood by Thane’s seat. “It was the wish of the Thane that no rebels would rob his people of their harvest.”

“Two hundred rebels will not return home.” MacBeth looked at the nobles. “We were strong, but the victory of a battle was not by numbers but by strategy. I took them to battle hard and well.”

MacBeth looked at the noble, who suggested his cousin as Thane.

“My men will attest to that. They are here in the courtyard.” MacBeth looked at the nobles. He could see the uneasy feelings among them. “They fought for Gladis as I did. And we are all of Gladis.”

All the thirteen nobles bowed to MacBeth and made him Thane.

‘Change the décor. My father lies dead, and we still fly the red velvet on the drapes. I want it... solemn.” MacBeth gave his first command as Thane. The staff there reprogrammed the machines that set the décor, and all was done in an instant. The hall was then seen as more solemn, and the portrait of the last Thane was displayed.

“Good, now we can mourn for my father’s death.” MacBeth made his second command.

The Hall then was emptied but not all left in person. Four nobles were there in their holographic form, and upon dismissal were blinked off. The other furnishings of the Hall were all blinked off leaving only the High Back Seat of the Thane.

Later, in the personal chamber of MacBeth, both Banquo and him were immersed in the hot bath to ease their bodily aches. They were alone and sharing the goblet of wine when Banquo asked.

“Why did you not tell me that you wanted to challenge the nobles for the Thane?”

“I... I did not until I saw my father’s burial. It was done deservingly, and there I met the relation of my wife.” MacBeth sighed and then submerged his head under the bath. He later rose up and spoke.

“Elleanor told me of the nobles’ plan to place Ambrose there. She told me he is young and lacks influence.”

“Ambrose is your wife’s brother. He is not raw to the worKings of the Thane. He had been the clerk for the Thane.”

“A recorder of events, yes. But unsure of the intricacy of the clan.” MacBeth told him. “It was said by Mary. God bless her soul.”

“And where is the army of ours?” MacBeth asked.

“They just arrived just now. Your bluff that they were there in the courtyard was brilliant. It held the nobles from revolting.”

“I had planned that.” MacBeth smiled. When he was Thane, he removed four of the nobles.

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Three Sub Act Three

 

THE CREATION

ACT ONE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT THREE

 

“Speak if you can, ladies.” MacBeth bowed to the angels.

“We are the sisters, the creation of the citadel. All hail to the Thane of Gladis and now also to Cawdor. But to a more important hail, we hailed thee as King.” All three angels voiced out. “The next King.”

"Treachery, as I hear it. I am to serve King Duncan only.” MacBeth refuted the claim. “Who are you to make such a foul declaration?”

“We need to declare ourselves to the guests.” One of the voices sounded.

“I am Voice One.” The middle of the three columns sounded. Next to me are VOICES TWO and THREE. That was our brief designation, or if you prefer our coding rank, it will be CENTRIUM FIVE ZERO—ONE, TWO, AND THREE, but please call us the SISTERS.”

“Or tweaks, if you think appropriate.” The third voice sounded.

“We were created aeons ago, with the self-growth of our structures herewith inside the CITADEL. Our frame substance is the crystals that your sight befalls. We are grown organically within the crystal properties, or technically, if you want to understand our evolution through the complex growth of the programs inside the crystal. We absorbed the events happening around us, studied the new probabilities, and weighed in the eventualities. Our links to the outside are provided by the four elements of the realm: the earth, air, wind, and water. We collate the findings and flow them into the ever-growing algorithms to arrive at conclusive results.”

‘You are soothsayers.” MacBeth cut in. “Those knowledges were disputed and ignored by the land for generations.”

“Soothsayers, Prophecy’s Masters, or the bland... fortune telling are long gone, but its art and studies are more inclined to the works of equations and paradoxes that are soon founded conclusive. The Crystals here are extensive in their understanding of the new findings and the refinement of these works. We are all evolving.”

“More blasphemy to my ears.” Banquo was a person of action, not words. “Can you work back to the creation of mankind? Or why do we need war to sustain our...”

“As expected from one like yourself, a great warrior who will soon be the King’s lineage.” Voice One sounded. “You are all... Kings, or will be. To your query, Banquo, yes, we know your name. The past does not intrigue us, but the future does. We studied the past and worked out the future.”

“Stargazing is my favourite pastime, but I stand by my beliefs and my sabre.” Banquo reacted. “I am no King but to serve one. Like MacBeth.”

“Study of the constellation is a good subject, but gazing at it without a thought of understanding is akin to looking at oneself in the mirror without studying the changes.” The second voice snapped in.

“That was not needed, second. We are addressing the future, King.” The first voice stayed on the subject before looking at the duo.

“Yes, you will, but your next generation will be King." The second voice sounded like one.

“Speak no more, Banquo. Tell me... angels, if I may term that to... you.  How do you give such...”

“MacBeth, we have been here for generations. Note that the Citadel knew of the events outside and constantly added to its learning of the new programs, if I may name them as such. It works on the events and... inherent learnings of the... participants to derive the possible outcomes.”

“Destinies you meant?” MacBeth cut in. “As you had called me King, Am I to be King? Of which land? Norway perhaps? I cannot...”

"You are motivated by ambition and the influence of power. Yet you may lead, but... we cannot be conclusive on...” The third voice trailed off. “Rats ….”

“Rats? What behold you?” Banquo snapped out. “MacBeth is no rat.”

“Stay your words. Words. Are you truthful? Are you some kind of illusion... what you appear to be doing here?” MacBeth grew impatient. “You greeted us as nobles with the newly discovered Kingship in our line... or shall it promise of becoming King... yet it astonished our being.”

“Hail, the future King.” The voices sounded.

“But we are mindful, King MacBeth. All those prophecies could come true, but the destiny of each remains unclear. What is yours must be kept... from others.’ The first voice sounded.

,“Another blasphemy to my ears.” Banquo cried out. “Yet you do not speak at all to me. If you can look into the futur.... Of both of us, how may the generations of my be King?  And say what will happen, then speak to me. I neither want your favors nor fear your hatred …… but your findings.”

“You are less than MacBeth but also greater.” The first voice sounded like Banquo.

“Not so happy, yet much happier.” The second voice sounded.

“Your descendants will be Kings, though you will not be King. So, all hail, MacBeth and Banquo!” The third voice sounded. “Banquo and MacBeth, all hail!”

“We must retreat now.” The first voice sounds out.

“No,” MacBeth called out.

“I hid no desire to expand my lands, but for me to become King is beyond belief, just as it’s crazy for me to be Thane of Cawdor.” MacBeth laughed but he did not hide his desire. “Tell me where you got this unnatural information. And why did you come to us on this bleak and empty field with such a prophecy? I command you to speak.”

“We have disclosed enough. Now we will depart.” The voices sounded, and the hologram dissipated.

“Where did they go?” Banquo rushed towards the crystal. He was stopped in his tracks by MacBeth.

“Hold yourself, Banquo.” MacBeth looked at the crystal. “Just as the earth may rotate from day to night and the water may be rain, they have done their worth and taken leave.”

“I don't understand.” Banquo walked toward the crystal. “They stood there as before, and yet I felt no aura around them.”

“Does the soul not list itself to the corporeal form upon the demise of the body host? They may still hear and see us, but they chose to be hidden from us.” MacBeth had felt the presence of the ones he had killed, but he carried no remorse to end their physical form.

“They are...” MacBeth was interrupted by Banquo.

“Have you lost your senses, MacBeth? Or have the words that you will be King clouded your mind?”

“I stand for reason and... my sanity. They are gone now.” MacBeth replied. “Like the dreams of sleep.”

“Should I dream of my children being Kings?" I sensed madness.”

“You will be...” MacBeth paused in his words.

“As you will be King, And how can I be the father of the King if I am not yours, nor can I topple you as King?" Banquo bit his tongue on the last words. “I meant no offense, MacBeth.”

“Dinna worry, my friend. The land is vast, and we may all have our own and be Kings." MacBeth roared out. “Or remain as Thane? As I am. Or perhaps of Cawdor? I can smile at that.”

“We came far, my friend.”

“Who goes there?” Banquo heard approaching steps.

 

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Three Sub Act Two

 

THE SISTERS

ACT ONE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT TWO

 

The doorway to the Citadel opened on the push by MacBeth. He did not hesitate to step into the citadel, followed by Banquo. There was a storm that suddenly came upon them when they reached the Citadel. MacBeth was feeling the surface of the walls when the freak storm hit them. It began raining hailstones and huge pellets of rain.

“Get to shelter!? The engineers there rushed to cover the storm. The Chief Engineer, during his run, fell to the ground and was barraged by the hail stones. He screamed out in pain before he was whisked off by the others to the safety of the command centre.

“Heaven forbids it. That was some storm.” Banquo stood there, looking at the heavy rain from inside the citadel. “I have never seen a day that was so good... because of our great victory... and yet with such bad weather. Foul Mary will match that mood.”

“We had victory just then, and now the gods have celebrated it for us with hail stones and rain. What had happened to the land? Or us?” Banquo saw, then the doorway slipped to close. The doorway closed on their entry. He rushed forward to open the doorway, but it would not budge.

“Help me, MacBeth. We are trapped.”

MacBeth moved to assist, but the doorway was sealed. He then turned to look at the interior of the citadel. He saw the sight before him. There were columns of crystals that were thick on the stem and reached high to the ceiling that were not made out. There were many columns of differing dimensions, numbering more than a hundred, but some were small, like young bamboo sprouts in the grove. There were three columns that stood thicker and higher than the others. The crystals illuminated the surroundings with their assorted auras of shades. It was a pleasing sight, and soon Banquo was taken in by it.

“A crystal... cave?” Banquo uttered his amazement. He had last seen this design in a holographic theater emphasizing illusions.

“Mesmerizing….” Banquo added.

“It is a beauty.” MacBeth replied. When he was a child, he was brought to the hills to view the Aurora lights. It was spectacular then, and that was what he felt then.

“Spectacular.” MacBeth uttered it then.

“Not spectacular, MacBeth. This is your dream.” The voice sounded out to the two soldiers. The sound came from the direction of the crystals.

“Who is there?” MacBeth reached for his sabre, but all he saw were the columns of crystal.

“Who is there? Banquo repeated the concern and took a defensive stance with his sabre drawn.

“We are the sister’s... rather creation of the same.” There were voices then heard by the duo.

“Perhaps we need to give them a familiar sight.” One of the voices sounded. It was then that the holographic trio appeared before the duo. It was not an anticipated sight then.

“What are these... features that appeared here? All of you looked haggard and flea-bitten.” Banquo was the one who spoke of his sight.

“Haggard? I saw none.” What MacBeth saw were three angels appearing before him.

“Second, could you be more decent?” One of the voices screeched. “These are our invited guests.”

It was then that Banquo saw the new image before him.

“What in Forres of Duncan’s Palace did I miss?" Banquo shook his head.

“Banquo, shed your memory of Forres. I knew those dancers were appealing, but could we focus here?” MacBeth snapped at his friend. It was Banquo's drunken stupor then that made him stumble onto the dancers’ chamber when he was in the palace. He was treated to a repertoire of dances to lessen the burden between his legs.

“Yes ….” Banquo shook his head and still saw the haggard lady’s image. And they held beards to their chins. “God forgive me.”

“Why do you invoke God here? Do you not see what I saw?” MacBeth looked to Banquo.

“Are you for real?” Banquo sighed. “Are you something that a man can question? Or should not. God bless my long-gone mama.”

The voices released what may be termed laughter.

“I see before me are a set of ugly women with menacing thoughts …….” Banquo sounded upset.

“Truly you compared us to the woman who birth you.” The voices said. “No…... no rude intentions there. We are acquainted with you and your fate.”  

“You look like women, but your beards will not let me believe that you are. My mother held no beard there.” Banquo smiled.

“Enough of your patters, Banquo.” MacBeth looked from his friend to the three images of the angels. “Who are you?”

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Three Sub Act One

 

RAT’

ACT ONE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT ONE

 

"Where are you, Second? Are you in hibernation?” The first voice sounded. "I have not received a response to my links."

“I am here, First. Do you need to resort to vocal volume? My communication ports are all functioning.”

“You could have been shut down. I recalled, " The first voice screeched out.

“I was trying to do a re-boot on some routines. I did the sheep thing, but it did not work. The routines made the sheep jump, and I lost the connections. I resorted to the action of culling the rats.” The second voice cut in.

“Rats again!” The first voice snapped. “What a breakdown that will be!”

“You can communicate that to me again. The virus program had snapped in and caused some of my routines to slip into sleep mode.”

“Yeah, the rats virus. I thought we had that removed before.” The First Voice ran the diagnostic on the memory’s banks.

“The virus had evolved into several versions despite the counter-programs. It was Rats VII during the last re-boot. It was affecting my logic codes and adding in new hook-ups onto the command lines.” The second voice sounded.

“Mine was version XI, and it inserted the lullaby into the programs.” The Third Voice sent in the report. “Some had the lines on.”

“And you did not send us the solution. That is very narrow in your logic sharing, Third.” The first voice screeched. “And for the community at large, we had always shared.”

“I would, but it was a beta fix and needed some tuning.” The third voice replied. “I got the fix from the tale of the rat.”

“The Rat again?” The first voice screeched. “Do you think we have enough rats or tales of them?”

“It was understanding the logic and applying it.” The third voice added, ”Anyway, the fix requires the tale to be told.”

“Rats….” The first voice shrieked.

There was the narrative of the rat then.

In the village, the squire’s wife acquired some chestnuts, fresh from the farm and drained of the penny they were paid for. Everyone owes the Squire a living there. When she reached the kitchen, she had the chestnuts in her lap and went munching like a beaver at the tree bark.

“Munch! Munch!” The noise of the crunch woke up the rats.

“Give us some, Mrs. We had not had a chestnut since Tom the Cat took to roost the orchard.”

“Get your own. I had to pay for these.” The Mrs. was not keen to share.

It went on the munching.

“I want to munch too. A munch I want so I can sleep.”

“Get out of here, rat!” The fat-bottomed, scabby woman cried. “You will get nothing from here.”

It was then that her husband went to Aleppo as captain of a sailing ship called the Rattle-A-Lot. It is unusual for a name.

“I’m going to sail there on a moon trip; quick to the nip and back like a rat without a tail.” The captain said. “Do not get your rattle busy, for I will be there before it rattles.”

“I read that.” The third voice sounded. “It was a humanity-odd statement.”

“I give thee a cat.” The Second Voice laid the new link. “That was the fix for the rat.”

“Sordid it all of you? Let me complete the narrative.” The third voice hit out.

“The ship sailed, and there was a stowaway. It was the rat. It remained hidden until it was out at sea. It then gnawed at the ropes and sails. When it mattered to call forth the winds, the ship was without it.”

“Heave the sails, and the ropes broke into tatters, and the sails had tears in them that no wind was holding onto them.”

“Thereon, the ship remained adrift, and the sailors perished, including the captain but not the rat. It rationed its meals and survived until the rescuer came. Then it hopped onto the new ship, and it held a chest of chestnuts.”

“I studied the logic and applied it to the program. It was about mastering the solution. I placed my rats on every junction and directional links on the main connection. The intruding rat held no chance while I drained it of its power and options. There was no escape gateway, and it was wasted at the command lines. It could not eradicate the virus, but it contained it. With that, the rat was isolated.”

“Share with me.” The first voice sounded. “Or I will sever all communication with you.”

It was then that the alert was heard.

“MacBeth is here.” The second voice sounded alert.

“Rat!” The first voice was added. “The trap is not conclusive. What is set in motion cannot be denied its conclusion, which is... undetermined yet.”

“Why was I not communicating before I hailed the storm?” The third voice sounded.

“Because you are another rat.” The first voice sounded.

 

Footnote:

The original play was about a sailor's plight to sail the sea without the wind to assist the ship’s sails. It was to set the ill fate of the sailor. It was over the sailor’s wife's refusal to share the chestnuts.

I narrated it with the virus named Rat that was damaging the programs, and hence the solution was to isolate the rat—in other words, to exterminate it.

 

The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Two Sub Act Five

 

VICTORY

ACT ONE

SCENE TWO

SUB ACT FIVE

 

“General MacBeth will be made Thane of Cawdor.” The words went out to the land, and all rejoiced.

“The General saved us all.” The approval of the people was there. “Hail the Thane.”

But how fared the general?

“MacBeth, are you mad? Please let the Healer do his recovery. You must...” Banquo was pleading with the general, who had left the healing station. He had moved to see to the welfare of the infantry. He stopped to chat with survivors and instructed the wounded to be sent with haste.

“MacBeth, please prevail with sanity.” Banquo had shed his armour; only his side arm was on his belt, but Geneal was limping ahead.

“Banquo, these men fought with us, and now we must make sure they are taken care of.” MacBeth whispered to the Colonel. “We are only as good as their leader if they see us with humanity.”

“I know that, MacBeth, but you are wounded. Your stitches are loose and... bleeding.” Banquo held out his arms to stop the general. “More to it, the King awaits you to give you the title of Thane of Cawdor.”

“Thane? I am no Thane. Give it to someone else. I am more comfortable with my men than with those... Plump Thanes. They are all there for the King and await to be rewarded by him. Most of them had not fought a single battle, let alone led any men.”

Banquo was to protest when the general was approached by a junior officer.

“General, we have secured the area around the citadel. We could not find access to the inside. We have tried, but nothing seems to work.” The officer bowed to the general.

“Lieutenant, do not feel bad about it. You may not be around here.” The general patted his right hand on the left shoulder of the office. “The myth of the citadel was that only the invited were allowed in. You may not be.”

MacBeth made his way past the carnage of the battlefield and soon reached the citadel. It stood like what many had said—a huge cauldron that reached to the sky. The citadel sat on the hilltop and could be seen from afar. Even with the battles going on there, none of the fighting is near it.

MacBeth saw the King’s Engineer pitting their expertise at the base of the cauldron, but they seemed to be lost in their work. He saw them lay the explosives that could flatten any hill, but there was not a scratch on the structure.

“It is utter madness. Nothing will break that.” The Chief Engineer spat out the curse in the aftermath of his work. He spat at the ground there.

“Do not do that, Chief. I was told that.” The assistant engineer cautioned the chief.

“Bane with your beliefs, Jimmy. I have cursed at more places that your mama had licked at.” The chief took off to the setup command centre. He was watched by the general with a grin.

“That Chief... If I am told well, he may just get himself killed by his own works.” MacBeth heard the warnings from the so-named wiser ones, and that intrigued him.

“Do tell, MacBeth.” Banquo stood by the right side of the general. I knew that expression well.”

It was a personal request from a friend at the time.

“I do not know much, but the scant words of those who had visited this place or heard from their friends.” MacBeth stated at the walls there. It had stood that way for over a generation, and there were rumors that only the invited would get in and be told of their prophecy. Coincidentally, the last King to step in was the founding King of the Highlands.

“Shall we give it a go there?” MacBeth was curious to tempt his fate there. “I may be told of my future.”

“MacBeth, I have known you for years, and you are not a believer in these...” Banquo made a joke about MacBeth’s call.

“I have lived my life holding to my wits and sabre. It may be true, but maybe this could be the turning point.” MacBeth laughed. “After all, I am Thane. That is a dishonourable title.”

“Dishonourable? You …” Banquo was ignored by the general, who had moved towards the citadel.

Unknown to the Colonel, MacBeth had a calling to visit the Citadel. It was in his dream just before the battle. He had a vision of someone calling him to the Citadel. He woke up with a start, and being a military figure, he was not into the unknown. That did not end well for him. The lady died at childbirth, as did the mother and the baby that was to be his heir. He had attributed that to his mass killings as a soldier.

“I would not repent for them. They all deserved to die. We are at war. And in war, soldiers die.” MacBeth had cursed at the priests that tried to pacify him, but, on that day, he was to take his chance with the unknown.

An unknown for dreams are not any words to read again but heard only once.