"Tell me."
"Tell ye what?"
"Everythin'." Alpin's voice was calm but firm. "I need tae ken yer honest opinion of her skills, her focus, her potential. Nae because I doubt her, but because I need tae understand what we're lookin' at here."
Donnach was quiet for a moment, considering. Then he began.
"She's remarkable," he said simply. "I've been a healer fer thirty-two years, me laird. I've trained four apprentices in that time. Three of them were adequate––they learned the basics, could treat common ailments, set bones, mix tinctures. One was good, truly good, with instincts that went beyond just followin' instructions."
"And Mhairi?"
"She could be exceptional." Donnach's voice carried absolute certainty. "She has the hands fer it––steady, gentle when they need tae be, firm when the situation demands. She has the mind fer it too––asks the right questions, remembers details, thinks three steps ahead when treatin' a patient."
Alpin felt something warm settle in his chest. "Go on."
"But it's more than that." Donnach leaned forward slightly. "Shecares. Really cares. I've seen her with patients––the way she talks tae them, reassures them, makes them feel safe even when she's performin' uncomfortable procedures. That's nae somethin' ye can teach, me laird. That's just who she is."
"What would apprenticeship look like? Practically speakin'."
"She'd spend most of her days with me, learnin' preparation techniques, studyin' illnesses and injuries, practicin' treatments. Eventually she'd start seein' patients on her own, under mesupervision." Donnach paused. "But there's one thing I'd like tae dae that goes beyond standard apprenticeship."
"What's that?"
"Take her intae town. Regularly." The healer's eyes were steady on Alpin's. "The castle is good fer learnin' basics, but she needs tae see more. Needs tae treat field injuries from farmers, childhood illnesses in the villages, birthings in cottages. Real practice with real people, nae just warriors with sword cuts."
Alpin considered this. It meant Mhairi would be exposed, visible to anyone passing through the villages, vulnerable if someone was looking for her.
But it also meant she'd be building a life. Putting down roots. Becoming part of the community in a way that went beyond just residing in his castle.
"How often?" he asked.
"Once, maybe twice a week tae start. More as she gains skill and confidence." Donnach tilted his head. "I ken there are... complications. With the lass's situation. But if she's tae learn properly, she needs this exposure."
"Aye. She daes." Alpin made his decision. "Take her intae town as often as ye think necessary. I'll assign guards tae travel with ye, nae tae restrict her movement, but tae ensure her safety."
"Ye're certain?"
"I am. She deserves the chance tae learn properly, tae build somethin' that's entirely hers." Alpin's voice was firm. "And I willnae let fear keep her locked away like some fragile thing that might break."
Donnach's weathered face creased intae a smile. "She's lucky tae have found ye, me laird."
"I think I'm the lucky one."
The healer stood, preparing to leave. At the door, he paused. "One more thing, if I may speak freely?"
"Always."
"The lass is healin'. Nae just learnin' the craft but healin' inside where the real wounds are." Donnach's eyes were kind. "Whatever ye're daein', keep daein' it. She needs that as much as she needs the apprenticeship."
After the healer left, Alpin sat alone in his office for a long while, thinking.
Ashcombe was still out there.
The prisoner's words kept echoing in Alpin's mind:
He wants the girl. That's all he cares about. The coin, the auction, the contract with Graham, none of it matters. He just wants her back.
Every instinct Alpin had was screaming at him to keep Mhairi locked safely inside the castle walls. To post guards at her door, to restrict her movements, to prepare for the possibility that Ashcombe might try to take her by force.
