Monday, July 15, 2024

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

 THE LIONESS AILS

ACT FIVE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT TWO

 

“Keep away, you demons.” The healer heard the Queen screeched at the imaginary ones near her. She was at the ones behind or under the bed. She had swung the candle stick there; the sharp items were removed from her lest she hurt herself.

“I did not kill you.” The Queen screeched. The healers had given her medications to ease her anxiety but none worked. She was ranting on words that made no sense, but it feared the ones near her.

“I had placed it there. That was all I did. I did not kill you.” The Queen moaned out.

It was her recollection of the night event when Duncan was killed. MacBeth had returned to her that night. He told her he had killed the guards.

“Slit their throats, I did.” MacBeth said.

“Yet you brought the dagger here.” The Lady had motioned to dagger in the King’s hand. “Are you stupid? You should had left it there.”

It was then the Lady took the dagger and returned to the King’s chamber. She saw Duncan on the bedding and then the guards. The sight of blood was rare to her, and she dropped the dagger near the guards. She fled the chamber.

Since then, she had not done the kills but had it done by the two mercenaries hired by the King. She had to remove some of those who were seen as a threat to her as Queen, and the removal was absolute.

“The deed will be done, my Queen.” Indeed, the mercenaries did their tasks, but the spirits knew the death of their body host was by whom. They came to haunt the Queen.

“Banquo, I did not do you.” The Queen moaned. “It was MacBeth.”

Fleance was never seen since that night; some said he was murdered elsewhere, or he remained in hiding. His mother, Esther had left for Ireland to live her life in isolation at the nunnery.

“Look for MacBeth!” The Queen screeched. “You! You! Do not stare at me. I have no ……. Yes, I did tell them to end your miserable lives. I will visit you when I am ready. To Hell with all of you.”

The King had restricted the maids in attendance and posted guards at the Queen’s chamber. He was specific with his instructions.

“Not word on the Queen or it will be your head removed.”

None was said, and even the priests were seen there without a cure for the Queen. They had proposed an exorcism but the King was against it.

“She is not possessed but ill. The healers will see to her wellbeing.” That was the last the priests came to visit the Queen.


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