She got the water boiling, added the herbs, and positioned the pot where the mother could hold the child over the steam safely. Then she mixed honey with crushed thyme leaves, creatin' a thick paste.
"Here." She offered a small spoonful to the child. "I ken it daesnae taste good, but it'll help ye breathe better."
The boy resisted at first, turning his face away. But Mhairi was patient, speaking softly, waiting until he was curious enough to try it. When he finally accepted the spoonful, she praised him warmly.
"Good lad. Ye're very brave."
They kept the child over the steam for nearly twenty minutes. Gradually, his breathing eased, the wheezing quieting to occasional coughs.
"He should rest now," Donnach told the mother. "Keep him warm, give him the honey mixture three times daily, and if the wheezin' returns, bring him back immediately."
"Thank ye." The woman's eyes were damp with relief. "Both of ye. I was so frightened."
After she left, Donnach turned to Mhairi with an approving nod. "Well done. Ye kept calm, worked efficiently, and showed good instincts with the child."
She smiled and felt proud of herself
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of patients. A farmer with a badly infected cut on his hand. An elderly woman needing a salve for joint pain. A young girl who'd burned herself helping with bread-making.
Mhairi treated each one under Donnach's watchful eye, her confidence growing with every successful procedure.
By afternoon, she was exhausted but exhilarated.
"Ye're a natural," Donnach said as they cleaned up after the last patient. "I meant what I told the laird, ye could be truly exceptional at this.” The old healer's eyes were knowing. "He cares about ye, that one. More than he's probably willin' tae admit yet."
Heat crept up Mhairi's neck. "He's just bein' kind."
"If ye believe that, yer blindness extends beyond healin' arts." Donnach chuckled. "I've kenned Alpin since he was a lad. I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at ye."
Before Mhairi could respond, voices outside drew their attention. Through the window, she could see a commotion in the village square.
"What's happenin'?" she asked.
Donnach moved toward the door. "Come on. Might be important."
"I ken she's been through terrible things, but is she truly worth risin' the entire clan?"
Alpin's voice went cold. "She's proof of what Graham and Ashcombe are daein'. She's a victim of a trade that's stealin' women from all across the Highlands. And if we dinnae stand against it now, how many more will suffer?"
"So, this is about principle?" Malcolm asked carefully.
"This is about daein' what's right." Alpin leaned forward. "And aye, it's also about protectin' someone who's under me care. Someone who's become part of this clan."
Fergus spoke up from his position near the window. "The men are ready tae fight, me laird. I've been trainin' them, and morale is good. They understand what's at stake."
"And what about supplies?" Brodie asked. "If Laird Peadar and Lady Kenina accept yer invitation, we'll have additional mouths tae feed."
"We have enough stores tae manage fer several weeks at least." Alpin looked around the table. "I've already sent the letters tae Peadar explainin' the situation with Graham and Ashcombe. Ifthey agree tae come, we'll coordinate our efforts against both threats."
"And if they dinnae come?" Dougal's expression was grim.
"Then we handle it ourselves." Alpin's voice was firm. "But I'm hopin' they'll see this fer what it is, an opportunity tae finally bring Graham tae justice and stop these auctions permanently."
The Council continued debating for another hour, but eventually they reached an uneasy agreement. Preparations would continue. Messages would be sent. And they would wait for Peadar and Kenina's response.
When the meeting finally ended, Alpin retreated to his office with a stack of reports. Supply inventories. Patrol schedules. Intelligence about Ashcombe's movements.
He tried to focus. Really tried.
