Chapter Six: Betrayal and the Cost

William’s growing fame caught the attention of the nobles.

They spoke of freedom, but their hearts were calculating.

The Scottish lords began to meet in secret.

They feared England, and they feared real change.

William tried to persuade them to unite.

He believed that standing together could bring victory.

But not everyone was willing to take risks.

Some chose to wait, others chose to retreat.

The English king took advantage of this division.

He used promises and threats to win over the nobles.

Before a crucial battle, the reinforcements did not arrive.

William realized he had been betrayed.

The soldiers felt disappointed, but they did not flee.

They chose to keep fighting.

The battle was brutally fierce.

Blood stained the land.

Victory did not come, but the cost was heavy.

For the first time, William felt doubt.

Yet he did not abandon his belief.

The path to freedom is always paved with sacrifice.