He found Mhairi near the village hall, working with Kenina to organize medical supplies.
They'd set up multiple aid stations throughout the village—small caches of bandages, herbs, and water positioned where they could be accessed quickly during the fighting.
"How many injured can we treat simultaneously?" he asked.
"With the supplies we have? Maybe ten at a time." Mhairi's hands moved efficiently as she sorted supplies. "We’ll keep preparing bandages but after that, we'll have tae improvise, tear clothin’ fer bindings, use whatever clean fabric we can find."
"And pain relief?"
"Limited. We have willow bark tea fer mild pain, but naething strong enough fer serious injuries. People will suffer, Alpin. There's nay way around that."
He knew she was right, but hearing it stated so plainly still hit hard. "Dae the best ye can. That's all anyone can ask."
By evening, the village had been transformed into a fortress. Barricades blocked every major approach. Archers were positioned on rooftops with clear sightlines to the perimeter. Warriors stood ready with weapons sharp and armor secured.
And everyone waited.
Alpin climbed to the highest point in the village, the roof of the hall, and surveyed their preparations.
From there, he could see the entire defensive layout, could spot the weak points they'd tried to shore up, the strong positions they'd exploit.
"Impressive work."
He turned to find Peadar joining him on the roof, his own eyes scanning the village below.
"It'll have tae be enough," Alpin said. "Because ready or nae, Ashcombe's coming."
"We'll hold." Peadar's voice was certain. "I've fought against worse odds with worse preparations. Yer people are ready, Alpin. They ken what's at stake."
"Their homes. Their families. Their lives." Alpin's hands clenched on the roof edge. "All because I refused tae hand over one woman tae a bastard who thinks he owns her."
"All because ye did the right thing, trying tae stop those men and their auctions," Peadar corrected. "They are fightin’ tae save their wives, their sisters, their daughters, nae just Mhairi. Dinnae doubt that. Nae now, nae ever. What Ashcombe's daeing, this attack, this violence, that's on him, nae ye."
Alpin wanted to believe that. But when the wounded started arriving, when families lost loved ones because he'd chosen to protect Mhairi over surrendering her, would he still feel so certain?
"Come on," Peadar said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Yer betrothed is looking fer ye. Something about wanting tae check the armor yer men brought ye before the fightin’ starts."
Alpin found Mhairi in their tent, his armor laid out on the cushions, her expression focused as she examined each piece.
"What are ye daeing?" he asked.
"Makin’ sure everything's secured properly. Donnach told me once that more warriors die from poorly fitted armor than actual combat—straps that break at critical moments, buckles that come loose, gaps that leave vital areas exposed." She held up his breastplate. "This strap is frayed."
"I have spare straps."
"I ken. I already replaced it." She set the breastplate down. "And I checked yer sword, yer dirk, yer shield. Everything's ready."
Alpin moved closer, taking in her determined expression, the way her hands shook slightly despite her steady voice. "Ye're afraid."
"Of course I'm afraid." She looked up at him. "The man who thinks he owns me is bringing an army to the village. People are going tae die tomorrow because of me. How could I nae be afraid?"
"It's nae because of ye."
"Yes, it is." Her voice was fierce now. "These people wouldnae be in danger if I wasnae here. That's just fact."
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "Men just attacked their village and took their women, so what ye say isnae true. And these people would be less protected, less organized, less prepared if ye hadnae been here helpin’ today. Ye coordinated the medical supplies, helped fortify defensive positions, kept everyone focused when panic tried tae set in. Ye did that, Mhairi."
She buried her face in his chest. "Promise me ye'll be careful tomorrow. Promise me ye willnae take unnecessary risks."
