Page 22 of The Robber Knight
She spoke the truth. Reuben hadn't noticed itbefore, but now that he took a closer look at her, he could seethat the long dress concealing her maidenly figure was spattered ingore. She didn't even seem to notice. What kind of girl was this?The personal witch and executioner of the local lord? No, not lord,lady. The mercenary had said these parts were ruled by a woman, aLady Ayla. That must be a horrible old hag, to have such anunnatural creature in her service.
“And what did your mistress have to say aboutyou bringing a strange man into the castle?” Reuben asked,observing her closely.
“My mistress?”
“The mistress of this castle. Lady Ayla.”
The girl smiled mischievously for some reasonbefore saying: “Oh, she wasn't really pleased. You see, she doesn'tparticularly like to have ungrateful louts in her home. But in theend she agreed that we couldn't just let you bleed to death. Whichbrings me to the matter at hand: I've got to take care of thosewounds in your back. Turn over.”
Reubenhesitated. “So... you're the local wise woman?[26]The village witch?” She was wearing astonishingly fine clothes forthat, if you looked past the bloodstains.
She nodded. “You could say that.” With acommanding wave, she gestured him to turn over. “I'm also the localperson in charge, so you had better turn around now. By the way, myname is Ayla. Lady Ayla.”
Push andPull
Reuben's first thought was:I'min the captivity of the girl I robbed earlier today, she has swornto have me killed, and she's the lady of the castle and has dozensof armed guards at her disposal!
His second thought was:So what? You've killed dozens of men before.
His third thought was:Yes, but not without a sword and with three arrows in myback.
His fourth thought was:At least she doesn't know who I am yet.
His fifth thought was:Emphasis on “yet.”
His sixth thought was:She's going to have me hacked into tiny little pieces if shefinds out!
His seventh thought was:Wait just a minute! Did she just call me an ungratefullout?
The tumult of his emotions must have shown onhis face, because the girl asked: “What's wrong? Don't like myname, do you?”
“Well,” he said with a shrug, “in my opinion,it sounds like the name of a totally green, pompous, and bossyperson who doesn't know when to shut her mouth. But that's probablyjust me.”
Her eyes flashed again. “Probably. Now turnaround. I'll have to get these arrows out or you'll die, and wewouldn't want that now, would we?”
Reuben hesitated. In his experience, it wasnever a good idea to turn your back on an enemy. But in this case,he probably didn't have any choice.
“Certainly, Milady,” he said, pulling awaythe sheet from his impressive muscles and turning over. “Enjoy theview.”
She snorted, but it didn't sound veryconvincing.
Reuben allowed himself a grin. Why not? Hewas turned to the wall; she couldn't see it.
“So tell me,” he began, feeling her gaze boreinto his back, “how does a noble lady come to know something abouthealing?”
“Why don't you tell me something for achange? How about your name? I've told you mine.”
Should he tell her his real name? Why not? Hehadn't mentioned it while robbing her. They hadn't had time forthat much polite conversation. And he wasn't really creative enoughto come up with anything else.
“Reuben.”
“And what were you doing out in the forest,Reuben—besides bleeding, I mean?”
He felt something cool gently brush againsthis back and twitched.
“Relax,” she said.
Oh. Those were her hands. Her touch wasgentler than he had imagined. A lot gentler, actually.
