The granaries were half-destroyed, their contents either burned or scattered. What grain remained was barely enough to feed the survivors for a week, let alone sustain them through winter.
"The raiders knew exactly what they were daein’," Peadar said, running his hand through his hair. "They didnae just take women, they crippled the village's ability tae recover."
"How much firewood is left?" Alpin asked one of the village elders.
"Maybe two weeks' worth, me lord. And with winter coming..." The man trailed off, the implication clear.
Alpin's jaw tightened. Mhairi could see him calculating, weighing options, trying to figure out how to keep these people alive through the approaching cold months.
"We'll need tae forage," he said finally. "The forest around here should have game, wild berries, herbs. It's nae ideal, but it'll supplement what we can bring from the castle stores."
"I'll organize a hunting party," Callum offered, having joined them at some point. "Take some of the men who ken these woods."
"Good. And we'll need foragers fer plants and herbs." Alpin looked at Mhairi. "Ye ken what's edible and what's naefrom yer trainin'?"
"Some. Donnach taught me to identify medicinal plants, and many of those are also edible." She straightened despite her exhaustion. "I can help gather."
"Good. We'll need people who ken what they're daein'." Alpin's expression was serious.
"These people need food. I can help provide it."
He studied her for a long moment, clearly torn between protecting her and accepting the practical necessity of her skills.
"So can I," Kenina added, stepping forward from where she'd been checking on the injured. "I grew up foragin' with me clan. I ken these herbs."
Alpin looked between them, his jaw tight. "Fine. But ye both go with armed guards, and ye stay taegether. I'm nae takin' any chances after today."
"Agreed," Peadar said. "I'll go with them."
"And I will too," Alpin added. "We leave at first light tomorrow. Get what rest ye can taenight."
Dawn came too early.
Mhairi had spent the night in the village hall with the other healers, catching a few hours of fitful sleep on a bedroll before someone needed attention. When she finally emerged into the grey morning light, every muscle in her body ached.
Alpin was waiting near the forest edge with Peadar, Kenina, and several armed guards, his sword strapped to his back.
"Ready?" he asked as Mhairi approached.
"As I'll ever be." She'd borrowed a basket from one of the villagers, prepared for a day of hard work.
They entered the forest in a loose group, following game trails that wound between ancient trees. The morning air was crisp and cold, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth.
Mhairi walked slightly ahead of Alpin, her eyes scanning the undergrowth for useful plants.
They continued deeper into the forest, spreading out slightly to cover more ground but staying within sight of each other. The guards maintained a perimeter, alert for any threats.
Mhairi found wild onions growing near a stream and carefully harvested them, placing them in her basket.
Nearby, Kenina was gathering mushrooms, checking each one carefully before adding it to her collection.
"These are edible," Kenina explained, showing Mhairi a cluster of golden mushrooms. "Good eatin’, and they grow in abundancethis time of year. But ye have to be careful, there are poisonous varieties that look similar."
"How dae ye tell the difference?"
"The gills. See how these run down the stem? And the color is consistent throughout. The poisonous ones have different gill patterns and often darker spots."
They worked together for a while, with Kenina teaching Mhairi which plants were safe and which to avoid. It was peaceful, almost meditative, moving through the forest and gathering what nature provided.
