Hiraeth

Chapter Thirty Seven

The air in the courtyard felt electric as the news of the impending attack reverberated among the gathered crowd. Sage could hear the low murmur of fear and uncertainty blending with the sounds of hurried preparations. Panic threatened to rear its ugly head, but she clung to her resolve.

Beckett stood at the forefront, his presence commanding as he faced the gathering nobles and their households. "Listen up!" he shouted, cutting through the rising tide of anxiety. "We must prepare ourselves! This is our land, our home, and we will not let anyone take it from us!"

Sage stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. "We will stand and fight together! If we unite, we can protect our families and our people. This is not just about us-it's about everyone who calls this place home!"

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd, the fear in their eyes beginning to shift into determination. She could see some of the nobles nodding, emboldened by her words.

"Gather your arms!" Beckett commanded. "And prepare your households. Kade, you'll take charge of the training. I want the militia ready to defend the walls. Fleck, rally the volunteers and see who is willing to stand with us."

Sage felt a surge of pride for the men who had stood by her side through this chaos. They were willing to fight for something greater than themselves.

"Don't forget the women and children!" Sage interjected. "We can't afford to put anyone in harm's way. Let's gather them in the great hall and fortify it. That's where we'll keep them safe."

Beckett looked at her, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Good thinking, Sage. Kade, you and Fleck coordinate with the rest of the guards. We'll need to make sure the estate is secure for everyone."

As the nobles dispersed to carry out their orders, Sage felt a sense of urgency pushing her forward. She and Kade headed toward the great hall, where the initial chaos began to transform into action.

"Get everyone inside!" Sage shouted to the servants who rushed around, gathering supplies and preparing for the worst. "We need to ensure that our defenses are in place before nightfall."

Kade joined her, directing guards and volunteers alike. "We need to clear the entryways and fortify the doors. If they come, we must be ready."

Sage moved through the hall, her heart pounding as she checked on the families who had already begun to arrive, each face a mix of fear and determination. She could hear the distant sounds of clanging metal and shouting as the nobles prepared for battle outside.

Hours passed, and the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows that crept into the corners of the great hall. The atmosphere was thick with tension as they awaited word from the scouts.

Finally, Kade approached her, sweat glistening on his forehead. "The scouts have returned. They report that the rebels are closer than we thought-just a few miles out. We need to decide our plan of action."

"Gather everyone in the main hall," Sage instructed. "We need to discuss our strategy as a united front."

As the nobles and militia gathered, Sage took a deep breath, preparing herself to speak. "We've all heard the reports. They're closing in fast, and we don't have much time. Our priority must be to protect the people. We need to fortify our defenses and prepare for a long night."

Beckett stepped beside her, his expression serious. "We can't let fear control us. We fight not just for our land but for our people. Every one of us has a stake in this. We need to show them that we will not be cowed."

The room fell silent, all eyes on him. Beckett continued, "If we hold our ground, we can force them back. They may outnumber us, but we have something they don't-a reason to fight."