I hid behind the curtain and watched what was happening outside through the crack. William was surrounded by a group of masked guards in black armor. One of the leaders drew his sword and pointed it at William, saying something. William took out a shining gold badge and waved it in front of the man. The man immediately put his sword away and quickly dismounted his horse. Then, the other guards jumped off their horses and bowed to William.
William talked to the guards for a while. Then, the guards rode away. My troubled heart relaxed. When William came in from outside the house with a dark face, he said, "Annie, I want to talk to you!"
We came to a stream behind the farmhouse. William stared at the water flowing slowly in front of him. He said in his usual calm tone, "It looks like Ian is going to win!"