- Well, it was my idea and Keilan gave me a vote of confidence, although the men we have are few.
- It was still fair!
- I don't know if it was fair, since there were more qualified men, but I'm honored by the opportunity!
Alistair stopped when we were near the center of the camp.
- That's funny!
- What's funny, Your Highness?
- Keilan talked a lot about his impetuosity, coldness and strategic vision, but never mentioned his humility, among other things.
I let out a laugh and squeezed the handle of the sword.
- That's because you've never seen me in battle. - I fired. - Modesty aside, I can guarantee I'm better than half your men.
- I'll bet you do! - Alistair fired with arrogance. - You can show me before I leave.
- It would be an honor, Your Highness! - I gave it back in a debauched way. - A great honor!
We've spent the last few hours reconnaissance of the entire camp. First on foot, then on horseback. Then, with Bruce's company, Alistair took me to the field where the men surrounded the foot of the hill where the Edinburgh castle had been built. On one side, miles of paths through rocks and forest on a steep slope. On the other hand, there were rocks from where the waves beat. It was practically impossible to enter that castle, so Alistair surrounded himself in the hope that Roy would surrender, which I doubted very much. Roy MacGregor didn't care about anyone, not even his men. It was easier for him to achieve his longed-for alliance with England than to surrender to his greatest enemy. It was for this reason that the orders were to kill every messenger from Edinburgh, whether by land or by sea. In months we've been able to intercept over 20 letters. All written for King Phillipe. I didn't know the reason, but that name gave me the creeps.
At the end of the afternoon, I put into practice everything I knew in duels to entertain men. Bruce and Alistair made a point of participating in the clashes and were impressed with my skills. In a few hours, I gained everyone's trust, and even those who disdained me for being a woman began to view me with a little more respect. Now it was just a little short. I just needed to figure out how to get into that fortress.
- Ah! That's something I'll find out, no matter what it takes! - I whispered as I lay on the bed of fur that was prepared for me. - Or my name isn't Breanna!
Chapter 02
Bree
Three months later...
- How are we doing? - ...I asked him to get off the horse.
- Nothing came out or entered the castle. - answered one of the warriors who was on the lookout. - There's been no movement for days.
- Oh, great! - I sighed watching the fortress from afar.
Alistair had left a few weeks ago and by now he should have been in Dunhill or at least close by. As a strategy, I asked some men to go up the hill on the opposite side of the castle. If the intention was to keep an eye on him from all sides... From where we were, it was possible to have a view of the upper part of the castle, even if distant. We could know how many guards guarded the towers, how many archers and how many provisions of weapons they had. Everything was very well guarded. It was impossible to get on top of it, let alone invade the gate. There was no way to climb the wall or we'd die before we even started. As the castle was at the top, there was still a steep hill to travel. Any man who tried wouldn't have the strength to climb the wall because of the fatigue of the climb.
Alistair's strategy was to corner Roy for as long as possible until the food and water ran out. In addition to intercepting messengers, we also killed anyone who tried to hunt and bring food into the fortress. Killing people who were starving there was a great strategy, but no one knew how much supply Roy took when he locked himself behind the walls. That siege could last much longer and for our side, even though it was well structured and reinforced, it was not a good thing. Winter was only just beginning and promised to be very rigorous. If hunger or boredom didn't kill us, the cold would certainly kill us. We had very little time.
- There must be a way in. - I whispered contemplating the movement of Roy's soldiers. - No fortress in this world is impenetrable.
- Ma'am, I apologize for interrupting your thoughts, but our supplies are running out. - the man said in a moaning and worried tone.
I looked around and realized that there was a meadow next to a forest with some deer grazing.
- There! - I did. - Gather some men to hunt. Tell them not to worry about how long it will take and ask them to enter the forest as well. There must be wild pigs out there. Ask another group to gather wood for the fires.
I hit my hands against each other and jumped off the stone on which I was standing.
- Ask the captain to gather some men to accompany me to the south side of the wall! - I commanded. - There must be a way in and I won't rest until I find it.
The rewind of horses caught
