Author's note: Thank you so much for everyone that's following the story, I'm sorry that I haven't been able to update it sooner. Hope you enjoy!
Lorelai and her mother fought their way through thecastle, and managed to retrieve the Cousland blade and sheild thanks to the help of some Highever soldiers. There was no way that the small force that remained at Castle Cousland would be able to withstand Howe's assault. The castle would be lost this night but not the Couslands themselves. They would survive, or so Lorelai thought. She and her mother made it to the main hall only to be confronted by the sight of their soldiers bracing the door against the force of Howe's men, protecting their Teryn until the end. Ser Gilmore was the first to spot them "My ladies! Thank the Maker you are both safe, I feared the worst."
"Have you seen Bryce?" Eleanor's normally calm voice had a panicked edge to it.
"Yes my Lady. He passed through here not too long ago, making for the servant's passage, he hoped to meet you there." Ser Gilmore hesitated before swallowing hard, "He was badly wounded my Lady."
Lorelai clenched her fists tightly Howe will pay for this.
"My men and I will hold off the assault for as long as we can, though I fear we will not be able to hold them for long, but we will give you as much time as we can to get to safety. Now go quickly."
Eleanor and Lorelai hurried to the servants passage, Lorelai wondered just how many more lives will be lost this night? Men were willingly giving their lives so that she and what remained of her family could escape. Howe would pay for each and every life he took she would see to that.
When they got to the servants passage, neither Eleanor or Lorelai were prepared for the sight that greeted them. Bryce Cousland the great Teryn of Highever laid sprawled on the stone floor, blood pouring from his stomach, pooling all around them.
"There you too are." He managed to splutter the words out, Eleanor and Lorelai knelt down at his side.
"Maker's blood? What's happening? You're bleeding." Eleanor said surveying her husband.
"Howe's men..found me first...nearly did me in." Bryce's breathing was ragged
"I'll kill Howe for what he's done." Lorelai's voice was stronger than she felt.
"He can't...get away with this. The Kin-g" Bryce spluttered between coughs.
"Bryce we must get you out of here, find you healing magic."
"I-I won't survive the standing."
"Then I will carry you." Lorelai was determined she wasn't going to lose her father.
"If will alone could make me stand then I've no doubt I'd make it, pup."
"Bryce please, once Howe's men break through the gate they will find us. We must go!"
"Someone must reach Fergus tell him what has happened."
"You can tell him yourself, father."
" I wish that I could. The castle is surrounded I cannot make it. Pup, take your mother to safety."
"Bryce are you sure?"
"Our daughter will not die of Howe's treachery. She will live and make her mark on the world."
"Darling go." Eleanor said turning to her daugher "You have a better chance of escaping without me."
"Eleanor-"
"Hush Bryce. I'll kill every bastard that comes through that door to buy her time."
"No I won't leave you!" Tears of anger began to well up in her eyes, she wasn't prepared to lose them, not while she still drew breath.
"Pup, you are a Cousland and a Cousland -"
"Always does their duty." Lorelai finished solemnly
"Take this." Bryce struggled to remove the signet ring from his finger and held it out to the youngest Cousland. "Go to Ostagar. Tell the King, warn your brother." Reluctantly Lorelai took the ring. She looked between her parents. Suddenly the whole Castle shook and there was a loud crashing, like thunder.
"They've broken through the gates. Darling go!" Her mother urged
"Pup, you must go. Know that you and your mother love you both."
Lorelai ran as fast as she could down the passage, refusing to look back, tears streaming down her cheeks. Each step was harder to take but she knew she had to survive. It was her duty.