Chapter 25: DeGroot Keep
By the time Aonghus arrived at DeGroot Keep it was near twilight, and yet he managed to avoid any Zombie hordes despite seeing legions of them in the distance. Naturally, everyone was surprised to see him, since they thought he was dead. Matthias and Gavin were the most glad to hear of his arrival, along with Terenti and Ivana. After a brief explanation to all of them, Aonghus drove the orange truck through the main gate, and with Igor's help they managed to hide it in one of the storage-rooms located near the courtyard within the castle that served mainly as a fortress. Meanwhile, the women and children were being transported to the dungeons underneath since the town next to the castle was probably going to be where the Zombies would attack first, while the able-bodied men and boys were arming themselves for battle. The mercenaries thought they would do the same, as well as Terenti, while Ivana reluctantly followed the women.
"Sounds like we're going to be in for a long night," Gavin said as he tried putting on a Die Regime-Panzerung armored breastplate.
"Yeah, but I doubt we'll last long," Matthias muttered.
Gavin looked at the Sniper dubiously.
"You heard what Aonghus said. There are hundreds, possibly millions of Zombies coming this way, and we're several hundred men short of that number."
"You don't think I know that?" Gavin slammed the Die Regime-Panzerung breastplate on the table where the Samson Skewer knives and Shotguns were assembled. "We just have get through tonight until Gerald shows up with reinforcements."
"But when will that be? We might be dead by tomorrow morning!" Matthias loaded his Sniper Rifle with the remaining bullets that Helen had given him back at Gullywash. "Don't you agree, Aonghus?"
During Matthias and Gavin's argument, Aonghus was putting on Dark Age Defender armor that Terenti claimed had once been worn by DeGroot, the Demoman who protected this fortress at the cost of his life and a distant relative of Iomhar, Aonghus' unfortunate ancestor.
"I'll go talk to Terenti," Aonghus replied, and left the armory.
He found Terenti inside the castle, talking with the general of the Keep, and was able to pull him aside for a private talk.
"I was talking with one of my mates, and he brought up a genuine concern regarding our situation."
"And what is concern?" Terenti asked folding his arms.
Aonghus hesitated and then he said slowly, "Even though this fortress may not have been breached before, we're still no match against the Zombies in terms of manpower. I know Gerald promised he'd bring reinforcements, but we need help now."
"Who would answer the call? The Snipers won't come, the Engineers wouldn't care less, and the Spies will only ask for money."
"What about the Soldiers in the Desert Area?"
"Where was Desert when Zombies invaded Alpine? We are alone, Demoman."
A sudden Bugle horn sounded from the Village, alerting the fortress that unexpected visitors were arriving. Terenti and Aonghus went out of the castle and onto the second-story battlements where they saw several Snipers with Huntsman bows were marching up to the main gate. Aonghus recognized their leader, who wore that same purple hood and bandana from the day they met outside Gullywash.
"Let him in. He works for the Administrator," Aonghus said, turning to Terenti.
"The Administrator?" Terenti's eyes widened, and then he nodded. "Very well. Open the gate!"
His order was carried out, and the Snipers were let in through the main gate, while Aonghus and Terenti went downstairs to meet them in the courtyard. Once they got down there, the purple-hooded leader took his bow from off his back and knelt before Terenti.
"My name is Hunter, and these are my best Snipers from Gullywash. We were sent here by Saxton Hale to honor the old Mercenary contract."
For a moment, neither Terenti nor Aonghus said anything, then Aonghus hollered, "Well, alright!"
After that, Aonghus helped Hunter stand up, and then went to tell Matthias and Gavin the news. Meanwhile, Hunter led the Snipers up to the battlements, where they cocked their Sniper Rifles and stood poised like statues to the surprise of the Heavies already standing there with their Shotguns loaded. Then as the sun set to the west of DeGroot Keep, the main gate was closed permanently, and a number of Heavies led by Georgy, who was much older than Terenti, took their positions at the village. As night fell, the sound of several footsteps and incoherent hisses and growls were heard. While Terenti went to an open-air turret facing west from the castle, Aonghus and the other two mercenaries stood on the battlements along with Hunter, the Gullywash Snipers, and the Heavies. The growls and hisses became louder, then it was followed by scratching sounds.
"What in Sam Hill is going on?" Gavin said, trying to squeeze past the tall Snipers in front of him for a better look. "I can't see a darn thing."
Matthias grinned mischievously at the Engineer. "Do you want me to describe it, mate, or put you on my shoulders?"
Gavin chuckled at the jest Matthias made. "Okay, camper, what's happening?"
"The Zombies have entered the old BLU fort across from the castle instead of the village, and they're trying to climb the fence."
Everyone inside DeGroot Keep watched nervously as the Zombies' heads appeared over the fence. Meanwhile, the sky overhead became dark, followed by a heavy rainfall. Georgy and the Heavies stationed in the village stood poised to attack, as Aonghus unsheathed his Eyelander sword and the Heavies pointed their Shotguns at the fence along with the Sniper's rifles. Then one Heavy pulled the trigger on his Shotgun by accident, which hit a Zombie right between the eyes, causing it to fall off the fence. There was a long period of silence, then the Zombies screamed in agony, and soon dozens of them were crawling over the fence and charging into the open field.
"So it begins," Terenti solemnly said, before nodding to Aonghus, who in turn ordered the Heavies and the Snipers to shoot just as Georgy and his men were charging into the field to intercept the Zombies.
End of Chapter 25