McKinney pushed open the heavy wooden shutter with trembling hands and peered outside.
In an instant, he froze.
Across the distant snow, a column of black-and-red cavalry was racing toward the castle, their armor gleaming coldly in the dim light.
Most striking of all were the banners snapping in the wind, each bearing a golden sun on a red field.
Those were indeed the banners of the Red Tide Fief!
"This... this is impossible!" McKinney's throat went dry, his eyes fixed on the cavalry.
"How could it be them... how could they have found out!" His voice trembled, and even his legs began to weaken.
By now, the hall had descended into complete chaos. Knights scrambled to their feet and snatched up their weapons in a flurry of panic.
A hint of madness flashed in McKinney's eyes as he cursed under his breath. "Fuck... I've really gone too far this time..."
As the Red Tide Fief's cavalry drew closer, McKinney finally snapped out of it. He gritted his teeth, swept out a hand, and roared, "Raise the banner! Everyone onto the walls! Now!"
Moments later, the blue-and-gold banner of the McKinney Family rose above the castle's high tower.
The guards frantically barred the castle gates and raised the drawbridge, then took up defensive positions with bows and crossbows clutched in their hands.
McKinney hurried up onto the wall with several personal guards. He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm and composed.
"Well, if it isn't my esteemed neighbor, Lord Calvin of the Red Tide Fief!" He leaned out, putting on a show of warm enthusiasm. "If you wanted to visit, why didn't you send word ahead?"
The moment McKinney finished speaking, a knight rode forward from the Red Tide Fief's ranks below.
He bellowed at