At the bottom of the carved stone steps, Bryce stood with his shield high and his sword in hand. He waited until Eldon's oversized silhouette filled the open doorway before he spoke. 'Barton. I knew it would be you. You've come for me?''I've come to reclaim that which is mine.' Eldon laughed. 'For you? No. You may leave alive, if that is your wish. As for Glendaarin Castle, I reclaim my birthright.' 'Your grandfather lost the Barton rights when he was tried and convicted of treason. You weren't even born here. Glendaarin was never your home.' Bryce knew that Eldon had always refused to accept his grandfather's banishment and untimely death. Built by the Barton's, Eldon believed it still belonged to them. Over the three generations of living in the castle, the Gauche's had become as much a part of the land as the ancient oaks along the river.'I've come to take back what rightfully belongs to the Barton dynasty.' His sword clanged against Bryce's shield with a force that pushed Bryce down on one knee. 'This castle is mine!'Recovering his footing, Bryce returned the attack blow for blow. 'The King granted these lands to my grandfather for his loyalty to the crown. You have no claim here.' Awake for more than thirty hours with Lauren, Bryce tired quickly and stumbled across the stone floor. Breathless, words came hard passed his lips. 'These lands will never belong to you.''The King? He'll never know. The castle is too far from court to warrant his attention. He can't remember what he did yesterday, much less what his father did more than sixty years ago. You'll not leave this room alive. I'm taking back what has always been rightfully mine.' His sword held above his head, Eldon came down with all his power. Bryce fell backward and quickly recouping his balance stepped into the next parry.Strike after strike pounding against his shield, Bryce backed Eldon into the west corner of the great hall.Eldon's boisterous laughter filled the emptiness of the early morning hours.C