"That's nae what we're sayin'—" Malcolm started.
"I ken what ye're sayin'. Ye want tae knkenow if she's worth the risk." Alpin's voice was firm but not harsh. "And I'm tellin' ye, it's nae just about her. It's about what we stand fer. If welet Ashcombe take her, we admit that English gold and English threats matter more than Scottish honor."
Callum stood. "The laird's right. We cannae show weakness. Nae tae the English."
"And if it comes tae war?" Brodie asked. "If hundreds of English soldiers march on our lands?"
"Then we fight," Alpin said simply. "With our two hundred trained warriors, the best fighters in the Highlands. With our knowledge of this terrain. With our alliances."
"So ye'd call in other clans?" Fergus asked. "Bring them intae this?"
"Only if necessary," Alpin said. "Right now, I'm hopin' Ashcombe sees sense. He's camped with fifty men against our two hundred. Those aren't favorable odds for him, and he kens it. He may be posturin', testin' our resolve."
Lachlan nodded slowly. "And if we hold firm, he might back down."
"That's me hope." Alpin's jaw tightened. "But if he daesnae... if he pushes this tae war... then I need tae ken ye're all with me. I need tae ken that when I tell Lady Mhairi she's safe here, that promise is backed by the full strength of Clan MacDougal."
Silence settled over the chamber.
Then Callum spoke. "I'm with ye, me laird. As always."
"As am I," Fergus said. "The girl deserves our protection. And the English deserve tae learn they cannae just buy and sell people on Scottish soil."
One by one, the others nodded their agreement.
Even Malcolm, though he still looked troubled. "I'm with ye, me laird. Though I pray it desnae come tae bloodshed."
"So dae I," Alpin said quietly. "So dae I."
He looked down at the map. "Fer now, we prepare. Lachlan, I want our warriors on heightened alert. Double the patrols along the southern border. I want tae ken immediately if Ashcombe's numbers change."
"Aye, me laird."
"Brodie, make sure our stores are secure. If we need tae withstand a siege, I want us prepared."
"Already on it."
"And Callum..." Alpin met his friend's eyes. "Ride tae Clan MacGregor. Nae tae ask fer warriors yet, but tae let them ken what's happenin'. If this escalates, I want them ready tae help."
"I'll leave at dawn."
"Good." Alpin straightened. "We show Ashcombe that Clan MacDougal doesnae yield to threats. We have the warriors, we have the strength, and we have the will tae defend what's ours. He picked the wrong clan tae challenge."
The council members began to disperse, their expressions resolved now rather than uncertain.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"Ye wanted tae see me, me laird?"
Donnach stood in the doorway of Alpin's office, his weathered hands still bearing traces of whatever poultice he'd been mixing. The old healer's eyes were sharp despite his age, missing nothing as he took in Alpin's tense posture.
"Aye. Come in. Close the door." Alpin gestured to the chair across from his desk. "We need tae talk about Mhairi."
Donnach's expression didn't change as he settled into the seat, but something flickered in his eyes. "She's done somethin' wrong?"
"Nay. The opposite." Alpin leaned back in his chair, studying the healer carefully. "She mentioned ye offered tae take her on as a proper apprentice."
"I did." Donnach folded his hands in his lap. "And I meant it. The lass has a natural gift."
