"Maybe. But he's a fool with an army."
Alpin nodded slowly, absorbing it all. Then he turned toward the stairs.
"Wait," the prisoner called. "Ye said you'd let me out. If I talked."
"I said maybe." Alpin glanced back. "But I dinnae negotiate with men who threaten me people. Guards!"
The two warriors appeared at the top of the stairs immediately.
"Keep him fed and tended," Alpin ordered. "But nay visitors and nay messages in or out. If he tries anythin', put him in irons."
"Aye, me laird."
Alpin took the stairs two at a time, his mind already moving to the next step. He would speak with his Council. He had to send for reinforcements from allied clans.
Alpin straightened, every inch the laird now.
We prepare fer war.
The council chamber filled quickly once word spread.
Callum, Fergus, Lachlan, Brodie, and the others arrived within minutes, taking their seats around the long table.
Alpin didn't waste time with pleasantries.
"Ashcombe wants Lady Mhairi," he said flatly. "Nae the money. Nae a negotiated settlement. Just her. And he's got fifty mencamped at our border right now, with potentially hundreds more he can call on."
The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled over them.
Fergus was the first to speak. "Fifty now, but hundreds if he calls in favors?"
"Aye." Alpin spread a map across the table. "The prisoner confirmed it. Ashcombe has connections with other English lords. If this escalates, we could be facin' a significant force."
"How many warriors dae we have ready?" Lachlan asked.
"One hundred trained warriors in our garrison," Alpin said, his finger tracing their holdings on the map. "About one hundred militia, probably less, we can call up from the villages if needed. We're the strongest clan in these territories, we have good numbers and trainin’."
Malcolm shifted in his seat, his weathered face troubled. "Me laird, I dinnae question yer strength or yer warriors. But... is it worth riskin' them? Fer one lass?"
The question hung in the air. Several council members exchanged glances, clearly thinking the same thing even if they wouldn't say it aloud.
Alpin's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice level. "What are ye suggestin', Malcolm?"
"I'm suggestin'..." Malcolm chose his words carefully, "that we have tae think of the clan first. Our warriors have families. If we go tae war with an English duke, if men die defendin' this girl... will their wives and children understand why?"
"Malcolm has a point," Brodie said quietly. "It's nae that we dinnae trust yer judgment, me laird. But riskin' our warriors, potentially drawin' other clans intae conflict with the English... that's a heavy price."
"Ye're worried about the cost," Alpin said.
"Aye," Malcolm admitted. "I am. We all are. Nae because we question yer leadership, but because we have tae consider what's best fer everyone. The girl brought trouble with her. Through nay fault of her own, aye, but trouble nonetheless."
Alpin looked around the table, seeing the concern on their faces. They weren't opposing him, they were worried. Worried about their families, their people, the warriors who would have to fight if this came to battle.
And they had every right to be.
"I understand yer concerns," Alpin said. "And ye're right tae voice them. But here's what ye need tae understand, I have more warriors than Ashcombe does right now. Clan MacDougal is the most powerful in these territories. We're nae some small holdin’ he can intimidate."
He straightened, meeting each man's eyes in turn. "If we show weakness now, if we hand over someone under our protection because an English lord demands it, what message daes that send? That the MacDougals bow tae threats? That our word of protection means naethin'?"
