Enemy Territory-On Hiatus

Chapter Four-Attack

"Secure the inner gates!"

Brodie barked, his heart thundering louder in his chest, for the screams had grown louder.

"They er 'ready beyond the gates and attacking the villages, Lord."

Hearing this, Brodie felt helpless. Being in peace for so many years, he did not prepare for an unexpected attack like this one.

"Then attack them and don't let them get closer to the keep!"

Bowing, the man rushed back out of the room.

The room that once held smiles, laughter, and happiness was now empty. Everyone had either fled or rushed into battle. Still, Brodie searched around the place for his family. Sensing his plight, Donald threw a newly sharpened sword in his wake.

Effortlessly catching it, he frowned.

"Yer go with em brother. I will find yer family."

Briskly nodding, for he trusted his older brother with his life, Brodie rushed out of the room, his mind on destroying his enemies and kicking them out of his territory.

As soon as his brother's silhouette disappeared through the opened doorway of the banquet hall, Donald's expression distorted. His grip around the sword handle tightened until his hands turned white. Tense, his eyes looked straight ahead as he patiently waited. Soon, a man came running into the room, the sword in his hands tainted with blood.

The blood of the innocence. As soon as he arrived in front of Donald, he slightly bowed.

"My Lord."

A smirk broke across Donald's lips until he began laughing like a mad man. The man in front of him slowly joined in, his heart as black as his. Suddenly, the tip of his sword was placed underneath his chin, his laugh turning into a dark scowl. The man gulped as he choked on his laughter, for the burning eyes of anger in Donald's eyes were scary.

"Are yer trying to anger me, boy?"

"No, no, Lo...I mean..."

Stuttering, the man shivered.

Barking a laugh, as he quickly pulled the sword from his neck and placed it in the sheath around his waist, Donald playfully smacked him on the shoulder.

"I like it, boy."

Breathing a heavy sigh of relief, the man lightly chuckled. Again, Donald's face turned dark and impassive.

"Now. What news yer got for me?"

The man hastily spoke, the dark sense of humor of his master paralyzing.

"We have already secured the entire Keep and struck down the unharmed villages."

"Good. Is there anything else?"

"Aye. How did ye know Highlanders would attack, Lord?"

Smirking, Donald shrugged.

"Nah. I did not know. 'Tis instincts that told me, we act tonight. The Highland attack tonight is an advantage."

"But what of the plan?"

Suddenly, Donald grabbed onto the collar of his shirt and pulled him in front of his face. Spitting in his face, he was livid.

"What of it?"

Hesitating, the man glanced everywhere else, except in his master's face. His breath hitched when he applied more pressure.

"Well?"

"What...what if...the Chief finds out?"

Pushing him away from him, Donald chuckled. Squaring his shoulders and with a pointed look, he glared at the shaking man.

"You needn't worry. Find me brother's family. Kill them."

Averting his eyes above his head, he evilly smirked.

"And let me deal with the Chief."

Bowing, the man hastily left the room.

Hearing the loud battle shouts, the clanging of swords, and painful grunts,

Donald's smirk broadened.

'Tonight yer die, brother.'

Everywhere was on fire.

The thick smoke blacked the sky. It was choking, constricting.

There was no mercy.

The Highlanders were unstoppable.

Struck down were the confident men, and butchered were the weak. Screams enveloped the air.

Blood from innocent victims littered the ground.

Dead bodies scattered every which way. It was the darkest night that the Baird Clan had ever experienced.

It was a nightmare.

Feeling the hot air slapping against his skin, Glenn panted, his heart palpitating in his chest, as he saw women, as well as children, fall victim to the hands of his Chief and his men.

'Why did he let this happen?'

Through harsh terrain, they had met in their travels. Starvation robbing him of men had not deterred the Chief. Glenn had the opportunity on many occasions to strike the monster dead.

Instead, he was gripped by the fear of his victory and return, where he would slaughter his family and people. Gripping the handle of the ax in his hands, Glenn felt tears prick his eyes as he overlooked the damage caused.

In between the chaos, he saw the victorious smile on his Chief face as he hacked down desperate men.

As the smoke grew deeper, Glenn's loyalty diminished. However, before he could finally act on his instinct, an angry and tall man adorned with the Clan colors suddenly struck him down. The attack was so effortless because the foolish man had not protected himself from any potential danger.

Everything turned still. The screams died down. The ruthless Highlanders' attacks decreased when they saw that their Chief had fallen. It was also because the once weak men had become braver from their Chief's brave act.

"Who is yer Chief?! Come out and fight me!"

Waving his bloody sword in the air, the man was cross and determined to rid the Highlanders of his land. Soon, the tables had turned when the Highlanders were now on the losing side. It was also at that moment, the man that was once confidentially bellowing had met his end when someone pierced a sword through his person.

Watching as he had twisted around to face his attacker, Glenn frowned, for his last words were 'brother?' before he fell unconscious on the ground.

Realizing the situation would soon be dire, Glenn threw his ax onto the ground. Like a coward, he moved through the rowdy crowd.

Most of the Highlanders were dead, but something stirred in the air. Something darker than his Chief's foolish attack.

He could sense it. As he rushed through the crowd unnoticed and aching to escape, the man's attacker loudly barked.

"TAKE NO PRISONERS!"

And he was not referring to the dead Highlanders. No, this was betrayal, and he had fallen right into it. Moving faster, he suddenly ducked behind a stone pillar when the same man had turned around and faced in his direction. Soon, the screams had resumed, but louder than before.