第八章（164字）

Chapter Eight: Hope and Alliance

William’s defeat did not end the war.

Across Scotland, people still whispered his name.

The English believed fear had returned to the land.

But they were wrong.

William gathered the surviving fighters once more.

They were wounded, but they did not lay down their weapons.

William told them this was not about hatred.

It was about dignity that could no longer be trampled.

At the same time, the Scottish nobles began to waver.

They feared defeat, but feared losing their people even more.

Some secretly sent messengers to meet William.

They cautiously asked if an alliance was still possible.

William did not trust them.

He knew power often mattered more than freedom.

But he also understood war could not be fought by anger alone.

For Scotland, he chose to move forward.

A new alliance formed, fragile and uncertain.

Some followed with true belief.

Others waited for a chance to betray.

As long as hope remained, freedom was still alive.