"It was..." Mhairi searched for words adequate to describe it. "It was perfect. He taught me about herbs and preparations, and I even got tae watch him stitch a wound and it was fascinatin' and terrible and wonderful all at once, and—" She stopped, suddenlyaware she was practically bouncing with excitement. "Sorry. I'm ramblin'."
"Dinnae apologize." Alpin's smile widened. "It's good tae see ye this animated. Ye're practically glowin'."
"I'm covered in chamomile dust and probably smell like a apothecary."
"Ye smell like someone who spent the day daein' work that matters tae them." His expression softened. "That's a good smell."
Mhairi felt heat rise to her cheeks. "Well, I... thank ye. Fer makin' this possible. Fer talkin' tae Donnach, fer givin' me this chance.”
They stood there for a moment, the busy corridor flowing around them like water around stones. Alpin's hands were still on her shoulders, and although it should have been inappropriate, they were warm and solid and somehow exactly where they should be.
"I should let ye go," he said finally, though he did not move. "Ye must be exhausted."
"I am. But it's a good kind of tired." Mhairi stepped back reluctantly, and his hands fell away. "I'll see ye at supper? Save me a seat??"
"Aye, of course."
As she walked away, Mhairi could feel his eyes on her back. And despite her exhaustion, despite everything, she found herself smiling.
Alpin was reviewing patrol schedules when the knock came at his office door.
"Enter."
The door opened to reveal Duncan, one of his most experienced scouts—a wiry man in his forties with sharp eyes and the kind of weathered face that came from spending more time in forests than castles.
"Me laird. Ye asked tae be informed immediately if there was any unusual activity at the borders."
Alpin's hand stilled on the parchment. "What did ye find?"
"English soldiers. About twenty of them, camped three miles south of our territory line." Duncan stepped further into the room, pulling a rolled map from his pack. "Here. I marked the location."
Alpin spread the map on his desk, studying the mark. Close. Too close.
"Banners?" he asked.
"Couldnae get near enough tae identify them without risking detection. But they're organized, well-supplied. This isnae a random patrol."
"Ashcombe," Callum said from where he'd been standing by the window. "Has tae be."
Alpin's jaw tightened. He'd known this was coming, had been preparing for it since the moment he'd taken Mhairi from thatforest. But knowing and facing the reality were two different things.
"How long have they been there?" he asked Duncan.
"At least two days, based on the state of their camp. They're nae makin’ any move tae advance, but they're nae leaving either. Just... waitin’."
"Fer what?" Duncan moved closer to the desk. "Orders? Reinforcements?"
"Or tryin’ tae decide their next move," Alpin said grimly. "Testin’ our response. Seein’ if we're aware of their presence."
"What dae we dae?" Duncan asked.
Alpin considered. Twenty soldiers wasn't enough for a full assault on the castle, but it was more than enough to cause significant damage if they decided to raid outlying farms or villages. And if Ashcombe was willing to come this far, to position troops this close to MacDougal lands... the man wasn't giving up.
"Double the patrols along the southern border," Alpin said. "I want eyes on that camp at all times. Any movement, any change in their numbers, I want tae ken immediately."
"Aye, me laird."
"And Duncan? Good work. Stay alert."
