Without spoilers, there is indeed a bit more drama over the heron to come in the next couple of chapters...

I always find those little differences in attitudes between past and present so interesting.

Yes, it's one of the most interesting things about good historical fiction—especially when specific historical attitudes inform the characters' motivations in plot-important ways that wouldn't work in a modern setting. Which is something I think Broster does very well!

I love that we got another reminder of how splendidly built Ewen is, and from Keith, no less.

:D