Frederick’s gaze flicked briefly toward the horizon beyond the yard walls.
“Where did the trail end?”
“That is the part ye willnae enjoy,” Lennox said slowly.
Frederick turned his head expectantly.
“It faded past the Camerons’ perimeter,” Lennox continued. “Right along the southern edge. Close enough to claim coincidence. Far enough to deny intention.”
Frederick’s expression did not change. Cameron wouldnae send men so sloppily into me lands.
“After that?” he said stoically.
“Nothing conclusive. The horse tracks merged with older ones near the border path. If he crossed fully into their lands, he did it cleanly.”
Frederick folded his arms across his chest. “Which means we have nothin’,” he said.
“We have suspicion,” Lennox corrected. “But nae proof.”
Frederick looked back toward the sparring men, though he was no longer seeing them.
The attack in the forest had not been random. The men had known where to wait. They had watched long enough to identify their targets. That was not desperation. That was direction.
“Have the hounds been sent?” Frederick asked.
“They are already working the outer perimeter,” Lennox replied. “I placed two additional men along the southern ridge. Quiet ones. They willnae provoke anything, but they will watch.”
Frederick nodded once.
“If the runner makes contact, we will hear of it,” Lennox added. “If he doesnae… then he is either dead or very well hidden.”
“Dead men are easier to account for,” Frederick said.
Lennox’s mouth twitched faintly. “Aye.”
A shout rose from the yard as one of the warriors misjudged a step and took a wooden blade across the shoulder.
Frederick’s head snapped toward the sound.
“Reset,” he called.
The men obeyed instantly.
Silence settled again except for the steady thud of boots and the scrape of steel.
“Do ye believe they were after the missing village lass?” Lennox asked carefully.
“Nay,” Frederick said at last.
“Because?”
“They had opportunity,” Frederick replied. “They didnae take it.”
Lennox nodded slowly. “They were focused.”
“Aye.”
The memory sharpened: the way one of the attackers had reached not for coin, not for distraction, but forward, toward Iona. Toward Jamie.