Frang, Isobel and about 70 men-at-arms arrived the next morning around 9:30. Ailene came to the Thorburn's door to tell him. He rose and put on some clothes and came down to greet them. Stuart walked out shortly afterward.

"Still sleeping, brother. It's unlike you to be abed at this time of the morning," Frang joked.

Thorburn hugged him, whispering, "If you'd been up half the night, you'd be sleeping too." Then he hugged Isobel. "You're lovely as ever, Mrs. Cameron. Pregnancy agrees with you."

"Thank you, Thorburn. Where's Teárlag?"

"I believe she was awake until all hours worrying. I left her abed for now. Wait, here she is now....