Frederick’s hands clenched briefly before he forced them to relax.
“They matched a description,” Lennox said quietly. “Or theybelievedthey had.”
Frederick turned to him fully now. “Say what ye mean.”
“They might nae have kent who they were hunting,” Lennox replied evenly. “Only that they were to look for red hair. A woman traveling with a child. And perhaps more, but that is all we ken.”
Frederick’s gaze flickered for a fraction of a second. The white streak in his own hair had not gone unnoticed in the village.
“And if that description spreads?” Lennox continued.
“It will be contained,” Frederick said flatly.
Lennox studied him a moment.
“We can strengthen patrols,” he offered. “Without drawing attention.”
“Do it.”
“Already planned.”
Frederick exhaled slowly through his nose.
The wind shifted, carrying the scent of sweat and leather across the yard. He preferred tangible threats. Walls. Blades. Men whose faces he could see.
Loose ends irritated him.
A trail that died at a border was not closure. It was a challenge.
“If the neighboring clan shelters him,” Lennox said, “they risk escalation. We need to find out who has also experienced these kidnappings and attacks. Surely we arenae the first.”
“They risk nothing if we have nae proof,” Frederick replied.
“And if we never find proof?”
Frederick’s voice lowered, steady as stone. “Then we prepare anyway.”
Lennox gave a slight nod.
Behind them, a recruit faltered again.
Frederick strode forward without hesitation, stepping between the men and disarming the younger warrior in a single controlled movement.
“Balance,” he said sharply. “Ye fight like a man who expects mercy.”
The warrior flushed.
“Expect nothin’,” Frederick continued, handing the blade back. “Earn everythin’.”
He stepped away, leaving the lesson hanging in the air.
When he returned to Lennox, the yard had quieted in a different way. More focused. More aware.
“The hounds will run until dusk,” Lennox said. “If they catch scent again, we will know before nightfall.”
Frederick nodded once.
“If they daenae reach the scent again, then the runner has truly vanished,” Lennox replied. “For now – nay doubt to report on their findings. There might be more.”