By this time, a group of would-be lancers, longbowmen, halberdmen, spearmen, and hook-scythes, led by several knights, had set out for Carlisle Castle with horses and armor that had volunteered to fight on the frontier. Some acquaintances of Isabel Walton remained in Sharif Hatton Castle to await further news.

As soon as Isabel walked out of the conference hall, she was immediately surrounded by people she knew. William Parr, who had received a certain degree of education, was pushed to the front by the crowd and summoned up the courage to ask her, "Your Excellency, is our battle with the Highlanders about to begin?" ”

Faster, who was standing on the side, looked at William, his colleague of the guards, a little anxiously, and swallowed his saliva and looked at Isabel, "Your Excellency, did Your Highness say at the meeting just now that everyone should be recruited to kill the highlanders on the border?" ”

Isabel was pondering how to answer these questions in the right words when the Duke of Richmond walked out of the hall with a valet. When he saw several of his guards surrounding Isabel, he said calmly, "What are you doing here?" ”

William, Fast and others hurriedly stood in place and saluted him, and after the salute was over, Fast mustered up the courage to ask the lord, "Your Highness, we are asking His Excellency the Privy Counsellor about the war on the border. ”

"Get out of here, and go to the little square outside the castle, where my Privy Counsellor will answer your questions."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The Duke of Richmond gave Isabel a wink, turned and left. After everyone saluted and watched the Duke of Richmond leave, Isabel hurriedly took the lead towards the stairs, glancing at the people following her as she went, "Are you guys crazy?" Here is the committee, and all the members of the committee have not yet left His Highness's castle. ”

William hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry, Your Excellency. You know, we all want to go and fight the Highlanders. ”

Henry VIII set up the Northern Council here, and all the members of the Council would have their own offices. When the Duke of Richmond passed by Baron Walton's room, he saw that the Baron was still sitting inside. It looks like he's thinking about something, and doesn't seem to have the desire to have lunch. Immediately, he asked the valet to wait for him in the corridor, and walked into the baron's room by himself.

A rectangular courtyard was built on the northeast side of Sherif Hatton Castle, which belonged to the Duke's Guard. In the open space in the middle of the courtyard there is both a school field and a small square. Therefore, it is suitable for announcing some major events. After Isabel and the others walked to the small square, the guards who were not on duty in the courtyard also surrounded them.

Isabel stood on the rostrum in the small square, glanced at the people present, and then said in a loud voice: "Brothers, at present the committee still does not have time for the highlanders to attack, therefore, the order to fight the highlanders will not be announced for some time to come. ”

Her words caused a whisper among the guards of the Duke's Palace, and soon they looked at her seriously and quietly, and the atmosphere in the small square returned to a solemn state. When Isabel saw that the crowd had quieted down, she announced one more thing, "At this moment, His Majesty's army is fighting in France, so His Majesty may not be able to take care of the war on the northern border. Therefore, His Highness will ask the counts of the counties to guard the castles, domains, manors, and everything else in the counties. ”

The official statement did not arouse the dissatisfaction and anger of the guards who were not highly educated. However, William Parr was the only one who could hear the meaning. He did not speak, nor did he stand up to accuse Henry VIII of not caring about the life and death of the people of the north, but only looked at the man standing on the rostrum in silence.

Seeing that no one expressed strong dissatisfaction with Henry VIII, Isabel let go of her suspense, and then said something uplifting, "Brothers, Your Highness has agreed with me to bring people into Scotland to investigate the time of the Highlanders' attack. ”

As she expected, everyone's attention shifted from the lack of military spending to support the war in the north to the invasion of Scotland and the killing of the Scots. Fast, who was standing in front, widened his eyes and raised his right arm excitedly, "Your Excellency, I ask to go to Scotland. In this place that's a day's ride from Scotland, you won't even see a fucking Highlander. ”

One of the guards beside him also raised his arm and shouted excitedly, "Your Excellency, I am going too." I've heard that men in Scotland wear skirts, and I'm going to have to get a dress and try it on this time. ”

"Stupid, highlanders wear skirts and no panties. You guy, you dare to show your ass in front of Your Highness. One of the guards said a few words with a grin.

"Fuck, you know Highlanders don't wear panties?" Wei Cong hurriedly pushed back.

"Shut up!" After Isabel yelled, no one dared to make any more small talk. Then, glancing at the faces of the crowd, she spoke out loud, "Brothers, I want to make it clear that this operation is voluntary, and that Your Highness and the Chief of the Guard of Carlisle Castle will not pay you a reward. ”

More than half of all the guards present were from poor families of gentlemen, yomans, stewards, and servants who worked for the Duke of Richmond. The purpose of these poor guards entering the Duke's Palace was to covet a life of leisure and comfort, food and clothing. Among them, one of the issues that they are most concerned about is whether they can get relatively high remuneration.

At this point, when they heard what Isabel said without honorarium, they immediately became silent. The mental strength and will to fight against the Scots that had been mobilized before became a little depressed again. Isabel looked at the facial expressions of these people and was able to guess what they were thinking.

However, Isabel also did not want to be left alone to guard the Duke of Richmond's castle and the Duke's personal safety. Therefore, she did not show dissatisfaction with the conversion of these people. On the contrary, some of the guards with whom she had a good relationship, such as Fast, Baldwin and William Parr, once again showed a strong fighting mentality after a brief silence.

Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Isabel made a final decision, "Those who are willing to go with me will go and pack their weapons, armor, horses, and personal belongings after lunch." After I have reported the number and name to His Highness, I am ready to go at any time. ”

At this moment, a manservant walked briskly, bowed when he saw her, and said, "Your Excellency, Your Highness has invited you to lunch. ”

"I see." Isabel agreed, looking to the other side, "Baldwin, bring me some letterhead, pen, and ink." ”