And just like that, the dispute was settled. The children ran back to their game, argument forgotten, laughter resuming as if nothing had happened.
Alpin and Mhairi rose from their kneeling positions, brushing dirt from their clothes.
"Well done, me laird," Mhairi said with exaggerated formality. "A most wise judgment."
"I had excellent counsel." He smiled at her. "Ye're good with them. The children."
"They're easier than adults. More honest." She watched the game resume. "And they recover from conflict so quickly. I wish we all could dae that."
"Some conflicts are harder tae recover from than others."
"Aye." Mhairi's expression grew more serious. "Like kennin’ that Ashcombe is so determined to get me back, he'll send men in disguise ontae yer lands."
"He's desperate. That makes him dangerous, but also sloppy." Alpin gestured to where Duncan was still questionin' the prisoners in the distance. "Those men willnae be the last, but now we ken what tae watch fer. And every failed attempt weakens Ashcombe's position."
"How?"
"Because it shows he's willin' tae break laws, tae use deception, ae send men on missions that could start wars between clans." Alpin's voice was thoughtful. "That kind of behavior makes him unreliable in the eyes of other nobles. Eventually, his allies will start questionin' whether he's worth supportin'."
Mhairi absorbed this. "So, what dae we dae now?"
"Now?" Alpin looked around at the village, at the children playing, at the normal life continuing around them. "Now ye go back tae learnin' from Donnach. And I go back tae the castle tae increase security and send messages tae our allies. We keep livin', keep buildin', keep movin' forward."
"Despite the threat?"
"Becauseof the threat." He met her eyes. "We daenae let fear stop us from livin', Mhairi. That's givin' Ashcombe exactly what he wants."
From across the square, several villagers were watching them.
An older woman nudged her companion, whispering something that made them both smile. A farmer nodded approvingly.
Alpin noticed their expressions—the way they looked between him and Mhairi with something like approval. Like they were seeing something that pleased them.
He realized what they'd just witnessed: him and Mhairi kneeling together to settle the children's dispute. Working as a unit, deciding together, supporting each other's judgment without question.
Acting like partners.
It felt... right.
"I should get back tae Donnach," Mhairi said, though she made no move to leave. "He'll be wonderin' where I am."
"Aye. I’ll wait, we’ll return tae the castle together." Alpin didn't move either. "But Mhairi?"
"Aye?"
"Ye did well today. With the patients, with the children, with keepin' yer head when those men tried tae take ye." His voice was warm with pride. "Ye're becomin' part of this community. They're startin' tae see ye as I dae, as someone strong and capable and worth protectin'."
Her cheeks flushed. "I'm just tryin' tae survive."
He stepped back, putting proper distance between them before he did something foolish.
"Thank ye. Again. For bein' here when I needed ye."
"Always," Alpin said.
And meant it with every fiber of his being.
CHAPTER TWENTY
