"Ye're sayin' it could be anyone," Torvald said slowly. "Servants. Guards we've had fer years. Even men we trust."
"Even men we trust, aye." Magnus's expression was grim. "MacTavish is clever. He wouldnae send obvious spies. He'd send people who could blend in. Who we'd never think tae question."
Bjorn cursed under his breath. "That could be dozens of people. How dae we narrow it down?"
"We start with who was near the kitchens last night. Who had opportunity." Magnus stood, began pacing. His mind worked through the problem, analyzing angles like he would a battlefield. "The attack was planned. They kent Ada would leave the chamber. Kent she'd go tae the kitchens. How?"
"Someone was watchin' her," Torvald suggested. "Waitin' fer the chance."
"Or someone told them where she'd be." Magnus stopped pacing. "Think back. Who kent about the emergency meeting? Who kent I'd be occupied in the war room?"
"The council members," Bjorn said. "The scout. The guards who were on duty when he arrived."
"Make a list. Every person who kent I'd be away from the chamber last night and who could have passed that information to someone else." Magnus's voice was hard. "And start watchin' them. Carefully. I want tae ken everywhere they go, everyone they speak tae."
"Aye, me laird."
"What about Donnan?" Torvald asked. "He came with Lady Ada's escort. He's been overly attentive tae her since she arrived. Always hoverin' near, askin' questions."
Magnus had noticed that too. "Where was he last night?"
"Claims he was in the barracks when the alarm rang. Says he came runnin' with the others tae fight the fire." Torvald's expression was skeptical. "But I didnae see him there. And several guards say they didnae remember seein' him either."
"Bring him in fer questionin'. Quietly. I dinnae want tae spook anyone else if he is involved." Magnus moved to the window, looked out over the courtyard where men were already moving about their morning duties. Everything looked normal. Peaceful. "What about the other man? The one who escaped?"
"Nay sign of him. We searched the walls, the village, everywhere within a mile of the keep." Bjorn shook his head. "It's like he vanished into smoke."
"Ada thinks she recognized him as one of the guards her faither sent with her. He knew where tae escape and hide." Magnus turned back to his men. "Which means he's probably still close. Waitin' fer another chance."
The thought made his blood run cold. Ada wasn't safe. Not until they rooted out every last one of MacTavish's people.
"Double the guard on our chamber," Magnus said. "I want men posted outside the door at all times. And send word tae the other jarls. Erik, Halvard, the rest. Tell them what's happened. I want them on alert in case MacTavish is plannin' somethin' larger."
"Ye think this is the start of an attack?"
"I think this was a test. Tae see if they could get tae Ada. Tae see how we'd respond, tae test our weakness." Magnus's hands curled into fists. "And now they ken we're vulnerable. That our defenses have gaps. They'll be back. The only question is when."
The men nodded grimly, understanding the implications.
"What about Lady Ada?" Bjorn asked. "Should she be moved somewhere safer? One of the other keeps, maybe, until this is resolved?"
"Nay." The word came out sharper than Magnus intended. "She stays here. Where I can protect her."
"Magnus," Torvald started.
"She stays, Torvald. That's final." Magnus met his friend's gaze steadily. "I willnae send her away. Willnae put her on a ship where MacTavish could intercept her. She's safest here, with me."
Or maybe that was just what he needed to believe. That keeping her close was about her safety and not about the fact that he couldn't bear to let her out of his sight.
Not after the night before. Not after coming so close to losing her.
Torvald studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "All right. She stays. But we need to be smarter about protectin' her. Nae just guards outside the door. Someone with her at all times when ye're nae there."
"I'll assign someone trustworthy," Bjorn said. "Someone we ken fer certain isnae compromised."
"Make sure it's someone she'll nae mind havin' shadow her." Magnus moved back to the table, planted his hands on its surface. "Ada's independent. Stubborn. She'll fight havin' a constant guard."
"Then make her understand it's necessary." Torvald's voice was gentle. "She nearly died last night, Magnus. She kens the danger is real."
