Despite the absence of any physical harm from their encounter with the deserters, Claire couldn’t shake off the unease that lingered within her. She had become exceedingly cautious about venturing away from the safety of the campsite. Moody’s "constant vigilance’ started ringing in her ears again after all these years. Dougal tried to reassure her that bandits were a rare occurrence on the Highland roads due to the lack of valuable travellers, but Claire found herself startled by every sound in the woods. Simple tasks like fetching wood and water became hurried chores as she rushed back to the familiar presence of the MacKenzie men, seeking reassurance in the sound of their snores during the night. Her previous self-consciousness about their intimate moments beneath the blankets seemed trivial in comparison to the need for their comforting presence.