It was a peaceful night and all were retiring.  The cool autumn night called for the hearth to be lit setting off a warm glow in the study.  Hazel eyes concentrated on the pieces of the chess board then at her opponent.  Very determined to win this round delicate long fingers reached for a piece dubiously then another.

The smirk of her opponent looking at her made her change her mind. This went on for what seemed an eternity. In a hurrah when she finally defeated him.

“Checkmate” she breathed in relief giggling.

An applaud from her father came after. “I do say you have won me again.” He laughed.

With so much excitement her eyes lit up. Clapping she begged for another round.

“Papa again, Please.” She began resetting the board.

Stretching and yawning he was tired. His aching body needed rest and a long nights sleep. Looking at Brienna, he  chuckled at  her excitement.

“No my child, I am dreadfully tired and it is time for bed," Pouty eyes met his now hooded sleepy eyes.

On that note she smiled and walked over to him wrapped her arm around him with a warm hug.  Embracing her cheeks he placed a kiss on her forehead.

“Sleep well my child,” He smiled.

Standing she walked to the door and repeated the same. “Sleep well papa”

Running through the corridor she saw Alice that met her with a smile.

“Off to bed now, on with you,” Following her into her room she stoked the fire at her hearth and tucked Brienna in.

Before long all was quiet.

****

On a hill from far away Defoe gave the signal for the sneak attack. The outer walls were breeched and immediately horns were blown and the chapel bell tolled.

The warriors approached and the keeps men were outnumbered they were fully armed and seizing control quickly. Hand-to-hand combat began immediately in the courtyard and bailey.

The dreadful screams and chapel bell woke Brienna. Running quickly to the window she could see the battle below. More than a hundred men ensued in battle with their swords keeping the enemy from entering the greathall the deafening shouts and clangs of steel rang in her ears.

“Brienna!” Her father shouted as he burst open the door to her room.

Crying in fright she ran into his arms. “ Papa, what is happening?”

“We are under attack my child, I want you to hide,"  quickly he pulled her to the huge trunk in the corner.

Pulling out a dagger from his belt he placed it firmly in her hands.  Kneeling before her he breathed quickly and looked into her eyes. There was fright and worry that looked back at her.

The screams and shouts continued below.  “Now listen to me love, no matter what ,you must hide and stay here until I come for you. Do you understand?” He shouted.

Nodding he questioned her again and repeated what he said.

Helping her into the trunk he gave her strong hugs and placed cloths and blankets ontop of her. Closing the trunk he ran out and closed her door.

Frightened and crying she lay in the trunk and waited as she was told. A loud bang shook the walls and screams of the doors to the great hall was breeched.

Footfall and loud noises where in the corridor loud bangs of all the doors being kicked in and rooms ramsacked.  Below, Hugh fought and was deep in sword combat his men one by one were struck down. His only thought went back to Brienna.

He must stay alive for her, for her well being he may have to surrender. One by one Defoe’s men looked under beds and in garderobes overturned tables and did a full search.  Her heart stopped when the door to her room crashed open.

“Overturn everything and find her,” Came the voice. 

Closing her eyes tight she covered her ears. She was terrified.

The trunks lid was flung open and all the sheets yanked out followed by her scream. The large man grabbed her wrists and pulled her out. Screaming and crying she fought as hard as she could. But she was no match for the large brute that dragged her from the trunk.

The shinny gleam of the dagger came and swiped the mans arm, He howled in pain holding his arm.  she bolted out the door to the corridor down the stairs.

“After her,” he shouted.

She was met with pure carnage. She watched in horror as they cut one of the guards down.  There were bodies everywhere.  She watched as they dragged servant girls to the ground,  raped them and killed the ones that fought back .  Covering her ears she cryed.  Stepping over all the bodies she got out into the courtyard where the battle continued.  Her breath lodged in her throat.  Her stomach churned as she watched her father fight,  he was struck with a blow to his side and he went down on his knees and collapsed to the ground.

Her ear shattering scream turned his opponents head towards her.

She ran to his side.

“Papa get up!”

With so much anger she turned to the man behind her and sreamed.

“You murderer, you murdered my father,” she lunged at him and began to punch and kick him.

“Brienna!” Her father called to her in pain.

“Papa!” She called back as his assailant dragged her away.

“Run my child don’t let them take you, run,” He breathed.

Her sharp teeth clamped down on his hand, with an oath he shouted. She bolted off in a run through the bailey to the courtyard. Dodging through fighting men. Running back through the greathall she quickly saw a guard on the floor. His sword clutched in his hands. Quickly she pried it from his hands and ran. She darted through the halls and ran as fast as she could. The moan of a young man called her to look down to the far end of the corner and she skidded to a halt.

“Edward!” she shouted.

Running to his side she knelt beside him and covered his wound with her hand. There was so much blood. She cried and embraced him trying to pull him up, but he refused and begged her to run.

Shaking her head she pressed down on his wound to try to stop the bleeding. Looking around she tried to pull him into a darker corner where they could hide.

Strong hands grabbed her by the waist. Kicking and screaming she held on to Edwards hands but, her hands slipped. She was carried out and thrown on to a horse. With a bellowed order they all retreated towards the hills. Riding fast and hard she continued to kick and fight. They neared the top and came to a full halt before others on horses.

She was dragged from the horse and placed before a man tall in stature. Fists clasped her hair and yanked her head back to stare deep into his eyes. Looking up he questioned them all.

“And Hugh?” His ice cold eyes looked at the man that dragged her off the horse.

“Dead,” he answered. “All of them are dead,” He continued.

Immediately  he pulled her to her feet, grabbed her hair and squeezed her face to look at him, his closeness sent a wave of revulsion up her spine.

“You belong to me now,” He whispered near her lips.

“Never,” She screamed driving her knee into his groin.

Keeling over in pain, he stood upright and back handed her to the ground.

“You little bitch, soon you will learn to obey me,”

Turning and holding his groin, he ordered them to gag and tie her up.

Grubby hands reached for her but, never saw the sand and gravel from the ground she gathered in the palm of her hand. Throwing it in his face, she blinded him and took off in a sprint down the hill.

Defoe yelled for his archer to come forward.

Bow and arrow intow he aimed for the billowing black hair that ran down the hill.  With a thwang it was shot midair.  By the breathless faint  scream in the distance, it landed on its target and she went down.

The baritone voice of one of his men asked if he wanted to retrieve her.

“Nay, leave her she is of no use to me now, I got what I came for in due time we will return to claim this land, let us ride.” Mounting his horse they all galloped off.

Brienna ran as fast as she could before the sharp stabbing pain caught her.  She continued to run but felt the warmth of liquid seeping down her shoulder. She began to slowly walk feeling tired. Collapsing to the ground she watched as the bright clouds drifted past her eyes. Her vision began to blur and darkness claimed her.

The towns people ran in a frenzy looking through bodies strewn all over the courtyard. A few got away in search for help.  Thomas an injured squire got away on horse throughout the chaos and was on route to Castle Ravinhurst  the closest by a days ride but he must get there alive. He rode hard and fast.

*******

The clash of steel reverberated throughout the battlefield men yelled and hurrahed watching the two men fight.

The tall figure in the far corner watched with arms crossed against his chest. Observing their techniques and moves his men were in top shape.  Another tall figure stood beside him contemplating his friends demeanor he turned to look at the men as well.

Deep in his thoughts he stared into the distance. Something did not feel right and he could not put his finger on it. He turned to look at Haroun his childhood friend. A stow away on his fathers ship that he took in on his many trips abroad. 

“They are good,” Haroun said.

Agreeing in silence he continued to observe John one of the men fighting.

The loud horns sounded opening his eyes quickly he walked with hand on sword to the outer gates ready for the unknown. Guards stood behind him. The porticulis was lowered when they shouted it was an injured man on a horse. Looking forward when the porticulis touched ground the slouched over rider bounced lifeless on its back as it pranced forward.

The well known flag that hung from the riders horse, put him into a run as he screamed to help the man off the horse.

It was a Young squire. With an oath Gavin recognized him, it was young Thomas, Hugh's squire.

Breathing heavily in pain they lay him on the ground. With a gurgled plea for help.

“Thomas talk to me what happened?" He held Thomas’s hand.

“We were under attack,” he breathed. Clenching his wound.  “ Milord the keep is under attack, Lord Hugh is dead,” He coughed.

The racking thumps of his heart was all he felt the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach came harder.

Immediately he looked and breathed the question Thomas could not answer.

“And Brienna? Thomas . Answer me Thomas!!!” He shook his hand.

Leaning forward to listen for his breath. The meek voice of one of his own squires behind him was ready to confirm the worse.

“I belive he is dead Mi’Lord!”

With relief a soft cough came from Thomas as he past out.

“No he is severely wounded.” He stood quickly.

Take him inside and attend to him.

Between four men they carried him into the keep where servants awaited to attend him.

Taking off to the stables, Haroun followed at his feet.

“I go with you,”  He mounted his horse as well.

The large black stallion of Gavin stomped and snorted ready to ride. I want about 100 men readied. We leave now.  Moments later, the heavy bustle of all his armored men peeled out the gates into a gallop. H e rode as fast as he could, Trying to cut the days ride short. His heart slammed against his chest he prayed he would get there in time.  The ride was hard and grouling but there was no time to spare.

******

At the edge of the cliff looking down he could see the castle coming into view smoke billowing from the courtyard. From the distance it looked like no one moved. He sent one of his men to scout the area.

After sometime, The galloping horse returned with its rider and at break neck speed it stopped midway for him to jump off and kneel to the ground and vomit at his feet.

Short wimpers came from him as he explained the horror. There were bodies everywhere.

Kicking his steed into a gallop down the hill, he halted at the entrance to the keep. The moat was riddled with floating dead bodies. The share horror and bile that crept up his throat of the scene that awaited him in the courtyard. People walked around injured and crying hauling bodies into piles. Dismounting he looked around. The dark crimson robes on the ground in the far corner caught his eye as he ran to the downed mans side.

“My friend, I am here,” He cradled Hugh's head in his lap.  Looking around at all the bodies looking for Brienna. His heart hurt.
Who could have done this?

“What happened?” He asked. The worry grew into terror.

Hugh coughed and cried out. “ They took her, They took her away.” His breathing became labored.

Impatiently Gavin looked up and shouted for help to get him some cloth to staunch the bleeding.

“Who? Hugh, Who took Brienna.?” Pressing on his wound to staunch the bleeding with his bare hand.

“Defoe and his men.” He whispered.

“Don’t worry my friend you will be well, hang on. Don’t you die on me,” The tight grip Hugh  had on his hand slowly began to weaken.

Labored breathing began.

“Please find her Gavin, promise me you will take care of her,” He coughed.

"She is the last of the Du'montclief. Tell her I love her. Promise me you will care for her," he begged.

Swallowing hard, he began to close his eyes.

“I will my friend,”  He promised.

Giving his last breath after hearing Gavin promise, the life went out of his eyes.

And he died.