While they await for the riders to return about the location of the army Kara walks up to a water barrel in the ground floor pantry of the tower and starts trying to wash the blood off her hands, rubbing them together in the water, the water starting to turn a cloudy red as the blood washes off her hands. Marcus enters seeing her washing her hands, knowing how it feels to get blood on them for the first time.

That feeling never really goes away. That sticky, grimy feeling isn't something you get used to. I never have, and I never want to.

He walks up and asks her if she's doing okay, clearly worried about her.

"I'm fine, Marcus.. How many times are you gonna ask that?" She says with a dismissive tone while she shakes the water off of her hands.

"I just want to make sure you are okay. These last few days have been stressful, and now killing two men. I can take its toll." He says standing behind her as she keeps her back to him.

She says nothing, not even looking at him to hide her face so he can't see the emotion on her face from the dread she's feeling after killing the two young men.

"You mean the rebels? What does it matter?" She asks with a scoff, still trying to cover up her feelings.

"It matters because regardless of beliefs they are still people, they are soldiers fighting for something they believed in much like we are. They are someone's sons who left their home to fight. Killing is something you shouldn't ever get used to, Kara." He says walking towards her while she remains silent.

She thinks about what he said and she knows he's right, the age of the men she killed is no older than the same men she led to the camp just days ago, and no older than the same ones who she led into battle the day before. Her hand begins to shake again this time more aggressively as the realization of what Marcus says hits her: everyone fights for what they believe is right regardless of what side of a war you are one.

Her breathing becoming shaky as she leans over the water barrel, seeing her reflection in the bloody water. Suddenly a sharp feeling hits her in the gut, she retches over the barrel. Marcus holds her hair back while she spits into the water coughing. He goes to put his hands on her shoulders and lets her lean against him while he leads her over to the chairs by the table, and hands her some of his water while keeping his hand on her back for support. She sips the water while steadying her breathing with Marcus's hand on hers, making her heartbeat just like before.

Seriously? Now is not the time for this feeling again...

She goes to pass him the waterskin back when he reaches out to grab it he grabs her hand, both their hearts skip a beat, and for a moment stare into each other's eyes, his hand slowly covering hers. Kara can't think straight with the feeling of her heart pounding against her chest, and the feeling of his hands gently supporting her. The door opens making them flinch back from each other, and one of the soldiers enters informing them that the riders have returned.

Kara dismisses him as the two awkwardly stand up from their seats and walk out of the tower just behind the soldier as the sounds of rapidly approaching horses grow louder, six horses ride out of the darkness and into the light of the torches flying different banners: the Lord-Commanders with the Scouts. Liam is amongst them and the smile on his face alone says how proud he is of Kara despite his earlier hesitation, the expressions of the other Lords shows how impressed they are with her. Seeing their collective expressions fills her with pride, washing away the dreadful feelings she had.

"Well done, las. Your father would be proud of you." Liam says with a proud tone, the rest of the Lords give her their praise

"Thank you, but now is not the time to celebrate. We still have the Fort to deal with, and I may have a plan on how to cause enough chaos to buy you the time you need." She says with a smile that almost concerns the Lords, and Marcus. Marcus asks her what she's thinking with hesitation.

"We sneak into the rebel camp, and start a fire in the heart of it. Something big that they can't ignore. With all the disorder and chaos they won't have time to prepare themselves to face our forces." The Lords remain silent unsure what exactly to say to this plan, Marcus is the first to speak,

"She's right. We haven't been this close to reaching the rebel side of the valley, and confronting their position before. I think it's worth a shot."

The Lords look at each other, and reluctantly agree, while Liam enthusiastically volunteers to go with her,

"After the last few weeks I'm eager to crack some heads together!" He says while cracking his knuckles, Kara smiles as she agrees for him to go with them.

The three of them ride off after Kara orders the House Guard and the others to stay behind knowing too many people will make the odds of them being seen greater. They ride through the trees towards the rebel Fort with the sun starting to edge over the Valleys, knowing they are quickly running out of time with the cover of darkness fading. It takes some time for them to reach the outskirts of the rebel Fort, from the cover of a rock formation on the side of a hill seeing their banner flying over the very crudely built log walls.

"After all these months I thought their walls would be better built." Liam says mockingly seeing most of the walls are even more poorly built than others.

Marcus suggests that they try to find the poorest constructed section and try to break in through it, the others agree and they begin making their way around staying out of sight of the sentries on the walls. While they search for a way in Marcus can't help but feel uneasy, not because of the plan but whether or not Kara is really doing this as the best option or if she has another reason for wanting to get into the rebel fort

She tried to hide it but everything about her has changed. Her desire for revenge sheds through more and more each day she's out here, and it's gonna get her or someone else killed.

Eventually they find a section of the wall that appears even more poorly built than the rest of the Fort, they observe seven rebels patrolling the area marching towards a section of the wall. Confused why they are seemingly marching into the wall they watch as the lead rebel walking up to the wall, Marcus is the first to point out what's happening.

"That's our way in, a hidden door. Very clever."

The lead rebel knocks on the wall, and just as Marcus said a door opens allowing the rebel patrol to enter, sooner than the door closes after the rebels walk through the three of them rush down the hill towards the door with their swords drawn. Liam looks for any way to look inside, he finds a small gap in the wood and puts his hand up signaling to wait as he watches the patrol group marching away, and a lone swordsmen standing sentry. Liam whispers, do it. Marcus knocks three times on the door, and they wait as they hear the lock of a lock turning over from the other side, as the door opens a light accented male voice is heard,

"Who the bloody hell is knocking?"

The door opens and before the sentry can say anything he's greeted by the towering height of Liam, with a cheeky smile he looks down at the sentry saying, hi there! Grabbing him violently out of the door, with a sudden high pitch yap he's ripped off his feet and thrown into the air and slammed on the dirt, and punched in the face by Liam knocking him out.

Marcus, and Liam enter first with Kara following just behind them all feeling the tension of where they are. They steadily make their way through the camp staying to dimly lit areas as much as possible while avoiding roaming rebel soldiers, passing by several tents, but as they pass by another they hear cheering and shouting from inside,

"A round for the Lord Slayer! Who took the head of a southern Lord's guard!" A male voice shouts getting other people inside cheering and mugs clanging together.

"I ran my spear through the heart of that pig, just that bastard Lord! Next I'll mount that southern whores head on my wall!" He yells out with a thick accent, the cheering continues.

Kara stops dead in her tracks, the face of the man who killed her guard flashes in her mind, now hearing his voice he knows without a doubt who this is. her grip on her sword tightens to the point her knuckles turn white, her heart aches with a fiery pain and anger. Marcus looks back to see Kara stopped, he tries to call out to her as quietly as possible but she remains still. Liam keeps a steady watch while Marcus goes back for her.

"Kara, we have to keep moving. I know you want revenge for Aidan but you can't avenge him from the grave if you die here! We have to go now!" He snaps, grabbing her wrist and pulling her forward.

I'll rip his heart out of his chest, and shove it down his throat!

After reaching the centre of the rebel camp Marcus and Liam agree on the perfect target: The Storehouse where all their food, cloth and other materials are stored. Aside from the occasional roaming or drunk soldier the outside of the Storehouse isn't overly guarded on the outside with one spearman at the front entrance. They circle around the back of the building where two guards are watching the back, Marcus wasn't expecting them to have more guards in the back.

Damnit! Guess this makes sense. These rebels have been anything but predictable since the war began.

"I'll take the closest one, you take the furthest one." Marcus says to Liam, he agrees.

Before they round the corner Kara tells them to stop, and puts forward her own plan.

"Wait! We can risk the nose. I have an idea." She says then begins taking her armour off, Marcus has a pretty good idea where she's going with this.

Liam keeps watch while Marcus helps her remove her armour as quietly as possible, once it's off and she's wearing her clothes she fluffs her hair, smiles and goes around the corner.

Gods I hope this works

She rounds the corner and gets the guards attention, at first they are surprised and put on alert because of her sudden presence but quickly remark seeing she isn't armed one of the guards asks her, what are you doing back here?

"Saw you two were back here by yourselves and thought it's not fair you have to be here all alone while everyone else is getting to celebrate the Slayers victory. How about I let one of you slay me?" She says with a soft, seductive voice and smile while walking slowly towards them.

After a brief moment of hesitation they go along with it, Kara suggesting somewhere more private such as inside the Storehouse, one of the guards agrees while the other tries to oppose but before he can say anything Kara and the guard are already inside

"Fucking hell it worked!" Liam exclaims quietly, Marcus not over sure what to make of this but impressed it worked.

The remaining guard stands by the door with his back turned when he feels a tap on his shoulder, he snaps around but before he can even see who is behind him Liam punches him across the face spinning him back the way he was facing. Marcus opens the door to see the second guard on the floor dead with a dagger in his chest, he looks at her confused,

"What? You didn't expect me to come in here unarmed did you?" She asks Marcus as he and Liam quickly enter and shut the door behind after they drag the body of the outer guard inside.

Wasting no time they begin looking for the best place to start the fire and after quickly going through most of the building they find bundles of cotton and other flammable materials. Kara grabs one of the wall mounted torches throwing it on the bundles and within seconds the fire ignites the cotton and it begins to spread. With their task done they leave the Storehouse and start going back the way they came in from undetected, and out the side entrance as yelling can be heard behind them followed by a bell ringing.

As the sun rises over the Valley's the smoke from the fire can be seen from all around for miles. From the central tower Kara, and Marcus can see the armies approaching: hundreds of Cavalry, hundreds of archers, thousands of foot soldiers and wagons pulling materials for siege weapons, and soldiers pushing a battering ram. Kara and the rest of their original raiding party mount their horses and begin riding back towards the armies.

From across the field the Lords, and the Royal Army General lead from the front of the armies see the Banners of Kara's house approaching, Lords Williams is the first to spot them,

"House McKaelyn approaching!" He yells out prompting others to yell out the same phrase, unleashing a wave of cheers and shouts from the armies.

The overwhelming cheers grow louder the closer the party gets to them, Kara feels the echoes vibrating deep in her chest as her heart pounds against her chest.

Finally, this is it! I'll finally have my revenge!

The armies eventually reach the Fort and begin laying siege: soldiers begin planting Cavalry spikes into the ground while the Lords prepare the strategy for who will be leading the charge into the Fort and to the amazement of Kara Lord Williams proposes Kara lead the charge feeling she deserves the honour given her bravery, the rest of the Lords agree, the General doesn't agree still hesitant to accept her rule.

"You think because the woman gets one victory makes her a Commander? HA it makes her lucky!" He laughs mockingly at them, Marcus and Williams appear visibly offended by his remark.

"With due respect General, but our Lady has done more in the last day than you have! She's the reason we are here at the rebels gates while you fattened yourself in your tent safe behind the walls!" Lord Williams snaps with a snarled lip, and an angered expression.

The General mutters in Gaelic under his breath wanting to say something but seeing that the other Lords are standing with Williams he curses in Gaelic and rides off with his personal guards. Kara looks at Williams surprised by his willingness to defend her.

He just spoke out against the General, has he really had a change of heart? Do I have his loyalty now?

"Thank you, Williams. I wasn't expecting you to speak up on my behalf." She says with a grateful tone.

"It's not a matter of speaking for you, Mi'lady, it's a matter of not allowing someone to speak ill of my Lady and Commander. It's a matter of truth, and the truth is you have proven yourself in our eyes." He replies looking back at her.

Kara smiles slightly, and Williams returns it as she and the others finalize the plan of attack: Marcus, and Kara will lead the Cavalry through the first breach followed by Liam, and Williams bringing in the infantry while the archers keep the enemy off the walls and shoot fire arrows into the camp to keep them from organizing any kind of defense or counterattack while the ram is moved into position.

With the siege well underway the ram is slowly rolling up to the gate while the rebel archers blindly loose arrows over the wall with most of them missing any kind of target, a few hitting the ram but doing no real damage or even injuring any of the soldiers pushing it. Kara, the Lord-Commanders and the rest of the army eagerly, and nervously watch as the ram inches its way closer to the gate, hearts pounding and blood running cold as this moment will make or break either side. Kara tries to hide the fact she's nervous from the others as seeing them so calm and collected feels almost intimidating, Marcus rests his hand on her shoulder grabbing her attention.

"Breathe, Mi'lady, it helps." He says with a smile trying to ease her tension, she takes a deep breath and returns the smile.

Shouts and cheering ring out and echo throughout the Valley as the ram lands its first impact against the wooden gate, the Lord-Commanders rallying their forces by riding up and down the front ranks waving their swords and shouting in Gaelic followed House Guards riding flying their Banners to drive the enthusiasm, and energy, soldiers yell war cries brandishing their weapons, swordsmen banging their sword handles against their shields, spearmen thrusting their weapons into the air and the Cavalry horses reacting with neighs and rearing up from the energy of the army. Kara follows suit to rally her army as a whole, requesting one the House Banners from her Guard to carry while she rides and the army responds louder and prouder than even Kara expected seeing their Lady-Commander flying the Banner showing that she is leading from the front.

The Commanders return to take their positions in front of their particular forces as the ram makes its final impacts, splintering off large chunks of wood off of the gate while the archers continue to send arrows over the wall. With the final impact of the ram breaking the wooden beam on the other side of the gate, blasting it open the ram begins to withdraw from the gate, Kara rallies the Cavalry and leads her forces towards the gate while the archers and soldiers manning the ram begin to run back towards friendly lines as the thunderous rumble of the horses charging towards the open gate, the withdrawing soldiers yelling and cheering as the ground shakes beneath them.

The Cavalry crash through the rebel soldiers who were desperately trying to close what remained in the gate, sending them flying in multiple directions, some flying into wooden crates and tents. Yelling and screaming mix with the sound of hooves charging through the first section of the Fort with rebels being crushed beneath the horses, the riders cutting them down with their swords and others impaling them with their spears. Kara and Marcus leading the charge ride through any rebel in their path carving a path for the rapidly approaching infantry behind them, the overwhelming sound of yells and war cries from Liam on his horse and the infantry following close behind him yelling as their swords and shields clash with the rebels left behind from the Cavalry charge. Kara and Marcus continue to lead the Cavalry deeper into the rebel camp towards the section where the Officers would be.

Blood splatters and sprays through the air as Kara cuts down two rebel riders who manage to get into their horse without hesitation her eyes fill with fire,

Where is he? WHERE IS HE?! I'll find him, I'll kill him!

A rebel tries to flee but isn't fast enough, AHH! Yelling out as Kara cuts him down. Finally she sees him: the Lord Slayer engaged with a member of the Cavalry who he slashes across the throat and shoves off his horse, visibly pleased by the kill. Her teeth clench, heart races, anger sores,

Today you die, bastard!

She yells out furiously and races towards him, Marcus hearing the yells looks around frantically and sees her charging the Slayer. He rushes after her.

Ah shit! Not again!

The Slayer seeing her charge at him smirks at her and meets her challenge charging at her with his spear aimed right for her heart. With a swing of her sword she knocks his spear away hitting the tip of it, letting momentum carry her back swing and cutting him across the face, he yells out in pain as the slash claims his left eye. He covers it with his hand groaning in pain as they lock eyes: with a snarled lip and clenched teeth he sees a blank expression, no anger, no sadness, only hell's fire in her eyes. Marcus followed by the House Guard came charging in. Seeing the tide of battle turning against them a horn blares,

"Retreat! Fall back! FALL BACK!" a male voice calls out followed by a scream as arrows pierce his chest.

"The dogs are fleeing with their tails between their legs! Push on!!" Liam can be heard yelling as his forces carve their way through what little resistance remains.

The call to retreat continues, the Slayer without hesitation rides as fast as he can towards the rebels secondary gate even riding over some of his fellow soldiers who attempt to flee, and knocking a rider off his horse.

NO! You don't get to run away you spineless son of a fatherless whore! Not this time!

She chases after him with Marcus and her Guard trailing behind her. Pushing her horse to the limit, and running down anyone who gets in her way she begins to gain on him, nearing striking distance,

JUST A BIT CLOSER! ALMOST THERE!

"Bastard! You won't get-" Just as she is about to take her swing arrows strike her horse, sending her flying as the horse collapses, she rolls and gets onto her feet to see riders dressed in all black clothing and leather armour with their faces covered and immediately knows who they are.

Shadow Riders!

She dives for cover behind a wagon as the Slayer safely makes his way out the gate followed by riders. Marcus and the Guards stop next to her with Marcus asking her if she's okay.

"No! No I'm not okay! That bastard got away! I was go fucking close!" She yells in anger, groaning in frustration.

Clouded with blind fury she walks back into the camp where the prisoners are being rounded up, and goods seized to be taken back to the fort. She watches as the prisoners are marched into the centre of the camp with their hands placed on their heads then tied behind their backs. Despite the Slayers escape he celebrates with her men who cheer upon seeing her, waving their weapons in the air, Bannermen waving their House Banners to show their renewed support for her and her House.

As night dawns and the prisoners locked up in makeshift cells the armies begin celebrating: Tradition drums and other instruments are playing, joyful cheers and laughter fill the now former rebel fort as men and women dance around the open spaces cleared for the celebration. Kara and Marcus stand together watching as the troops dance and sing, the riders race through flying Banners together. Marcus decides to take Kara's hand, and pull her forward to dance to which she doesn't object. Soldiers cheer as the two approach and join in the traditional dances going on. For the first time in days Marcus sees Kara smile again, a sight that warms his heart to see after so long.

The music is halted when a female voice yells out, Riders approaching! Three horses barge into the fort kicking up dirt as they come to a sliding stop in the middle of where the dancing was taking place, making several soldiers jump back. Two of the riders are flying very tattered House McKaeyln, a sight that immediately doesn't sit well with Kara.

"Mi'lady McKaeyln! Balfort has fallen!" The led rider says barely able to stay on his horse, murmuring quickly spreads through the fort.

"Who would dare attack our House?!" She asks with a shocked tone.

The rider falls from his horse, with Kara and Marcus quick to catch him and lower him to the ground repeating the question.

"Lord Ceallach! He claimed Right of Absence saying you were killed in battle. Your sister demanded proof, when he refused that's when his men attacked us." the confused atmosphere quickly changes to anger.

"What happened to my sister? What happened to Anie?!" kara's voices shaking as she tries to get an answer out of him,

"I- I don't know... she sent us to find you..." The rider says weakly before fainting.

Murmurs continue as Kara stands up slowly with her fists clenched, she hears what is being said around her: Why would he do this? Surely this is a mistake! This treachery won't stand! We must return to Balfort and fight!

Kara finds herself with a difficult choice: return to reclaim her home and find her sister, or continue to fight the rebels and claim revenge for Aidan. No choice has a good outcome and she knows it.