The room fell into grim silence. Suspecting was one thing. Having it confirmed was another.
"Christ," Malcolm breathed. "We'd hoped the rumors were wrong."
"They werenae." Alpin leaned forward, bracing his forearms on the table. "Graham's built an entire network. Guards, messengers, buyers from across the Highlands and beyond. This isnae some small operation we can simply shut down."
Silence fell over the table. Alpin could see his councilors processing the information, each face reflecting different degrees of shock and anger.
"So, what dae we dae?" Lachlan asked finally. "We cannae just let him continue."
"Nay, we cannae," Alpin agreed. "But we also cannae simply march up tae Graham's gates and accuse him. He's too powerful, too well-connected. If we move against him without evidence, without allies, he'll crush us."
"Then we get allies." This from Iain, who'd been quiet until then. He was the most strategically minded of the councilors, always thinkin' three moves ahead. "Other clans that have suffered losses."
"Exactly." Alpin nodded. "I've already sent word tae Peadar MacGregor. He's been dealin' with similar disappearances on his lands."
"MacGregor's a good ally tae have," Dougal said approvingly. "Ye've been friends since ye were lads."
"Aye. We've fought beside each other more times than I can count." Alpin's expression softened slightly. "If anyone will stand with us against Graham, it's Peadar. He kens what's at stake as well as I dae
Malcolm tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "Who else?"
"I'm workin' on it. But it needs tae be done carefully. Quietly. If Graham gets wind that we're buildin' a coalition against him, he'll either go underground or strike first." Alpin leaned back in his chair. "We need time tae gather evidence, tae convince other lairds that this threat is real."
"And what about the king?" Brodie asked. "Surely if we bring proof?—"
"The king is days’ ride away and has bigger concerns than a few missin' Highland lasses," Alpin said bluntly. "By the timewe got his attention, Graham could move his entire operation somewhere we'll never find it. Nay, this needs tae be handled by us first."
"So, we're on our own," Tavish said.
"Fer now," Alpin confirmed. "But nae forever. Once we have solid evidence and multiple clans willin' tae stand together,thenwe can take it tae the king if necessary."
Dougal shifted in his seat. "And the Munro lass? Where daes she fit intae this?"
There it was. The question Alpin had been expecting since the moment he'd walked into this room.
"She was at the auction," he said simply. "Bein' sold."
"Sold?" Malcolm's eyebrows shot up. "How did a laird's daughter end up there?"
"It seems her faither sold her."
The words dropped into the silence like stones into still water. For a moment, no one spoke. No one even breathed.
Then Lachlan exploded. "Herfaither? Angus Munro sold his own daughter?"
"Aye." Alpin's voice was hard. "Accordin’ tae what Graham told her, Munro needed coin tae pay debts. So, he sold both his daughters, though the younger one wasnae old enough yet tae bring in proper money."
"Christ," Brodie muttered. "That's..."
"Evil," Tavish finished flatly. "That's evil."
"Aye, it is," Alpin agreed. "Which is why when I saw her up on that platform, terrified and fightin' like hell despite bein' surrounded by guards, I made a decision."
"What kind of decision?" Malcolm asked warily.
"The kind where I followed the man who bought her and took her back by force."
Dead silence.
