There was no time for more words as more intruders poured into the castle like a swarm of rats, emerging from every crevice and corridor. A great flurry of activity began when Duncan ordered the men to take up arms and fight, though he didn't have to. They were already defending the castle with all their might.
The soldiers attacking wore no distinguishable tartans, adding to Duncan's confusion. There had been no information leading up to this invasion, no warning that could have prepared them. But, if the intruders were not clan members, who were they and why were they attacking the castle? He had little time to think about it as he fought alongside the brave men under his command. With swords clashing and daggers swinging, there was no time to wonder what had happened or where they had come from. He could address those concerns later.
Duncan had already fought off several soldiers, many of whom had fallen or fled. More soldiers arrived, but his own warriors were fierce. Women and children screamed, hopefullyin fear rather than pain. He also hoped that they were finding safe places to hide and defend themselves. The battle had begun in the main part of the castle, but it had not ended there. The invasion had spread like a plague through the corridors and to the upper floor, where Duncan now found himself. He moved through the stone corridors, watching as one soldier fell and another took his place. Hehad turned the corner and was now close to his bedchamber when was nearly frozen by the sight before him.
His mother had thrown herself over Keir, who lay unconscious on the ground, protecting him as best she could. Elaine wielded his brother’s sword and battled the soldiers as though she were one herself, felling one soldier only to be attacked by another. Duncan could hardly believe his eyes. With his lack of attention because of the distraction, the soldier he fought caught him in the arm with his dagger. He cursed with pain and turned his attention back to his own fight.
Duncan fought, spearing the soldier. The man dropped and heran toward Elaine. She was losing strength, and it was clear she wouldn't last much longer. He closed the gap to try to reach her, hoping he wasn't too late. Heraised his own blade and sliced the soldier down his back just as the man's blade was about to fall upon her chest. Hearched in pain and dropped his sword just inches away from Elaine, who laybloodied and exhausted.
“Duncan, Duncan!”
Duncan turned to see Finn nearing him, his bloody sword in hand, his blood-splattered shirt ripped, sweat pouring from his brow, clearly fresh from a fight. Hepaused at Duncan's side, shocked by the sight.
“What the devil?” he gasped.
“Help me, Finn. We’ve got tae get them all tae safety.”
The fight still continued. But the sounds of clashing swords lessened as did the cries of battle. Duncan could only assume that his men had slain most of the attackers, yet he had more pressing things on his mind.
“It’s all right, Mother,” Duncan said gently, taking her by the shoulders and helping her to stand. “I’m here now.”
“Oh, Duncan,” she cried. “I thought he was tae be killed, for sure.”
“He might have been if nae for…” Duncan didn’t finish the sentence. This was not the time. “Come on, let me take him. Ye go with Finn and Elaine.”
Keir was still unconscious. Grabbing his brother by his arms, Duncan heaved him from the floor and flung him over his shoulder. When he turned to check the others, Finn had helped Elaine to her feet. She struggled to stand, and Finn supported her on one side while Duncan’s mother held her up on the other.
“Take her tae her chamber,” he commanded, looking at Finn, “and then come and look after Keir.”
He nodded and then Duncan turned away, carrying Keir to his own room.
Keir began to regain consciousness shortly after Duncan placed him on his bed. He was confused and disoriented, as he usuallywas when he came out of one of his spells. Keir groaningly placed his hand on his head. Only when he finally managed to open his eyes and see Duncan's condition did he look surprised.
“What the hell happened?”
“I dinnae ken, but ye do pick yer times tae collapse, brother,” Duncan smirked slightly.
Pushing himself up in the bed and screwing his eyes slightly, he looked at Duncan more intensely. “Duncan. What happened?”
“The castle was attacked. Dinnae ye remember?”
“Nae,” Keir shook his head. “I remember walking with Mother. She was talking about…” Keir trailed off.
“What?”
“She’s not happy that Elaine is now residing in the castle but,” he shook his head again, “that’s nae important right now. Why were we under attack?”
“I cannae tell ye,” Duncan shrugged. “It disnae make any sense. There’s been nae warning, nae word from anyone. The men invading didnae even wear tartans, Keir. There was nae way of us discovering who they were or from where they came.”
Keir’s frown deepened. “Ye’re right, that disnae make any sense.”
“Oh, Keir,” Lady MacDougall cried as she burst into the room, interrupting the conversation. “Are ye all right?”
She reached the bed swiftly and sitting beside him, looked at her eldest son with worry. Finn followed her in and nodded toward Duncan.
“Elaine is safe in her chambers.”
“Good,” He nodded to Keir. “Examine him, will ye, and make sure he didnae damage himself when he went down.”