Page 45 of The Robber Knight
“What would you have me do?” Ayla demanded.“Throw him out to die on the off chance that he might be aspy?”
“Doesn't sound like a bad idea to me.”
“You had better concentrate on the realthreats instead of making up imaginary ones,” she chided him.“Catch me that red robber knight for a start!”
“He's not likely to show his face on thisside of the river now that we've got an armed guard at the bridge.And to cross the river to search for him would be too dangerous.Falkenstein could have hundreds of men in the forest by now.”
“So you're afraid?”
“Now listen here, you little slip of agirl...”
Isenbard had walked alongside them listeningto their heated conversation without showing any emotion. Now heinterrupted: “Milady?”
She took a deep breath and turned to him.“Yes, Uncle?”
“I think you said you needed my help. Againstwhich of those two you mentioned? This robber knight or theMargrave von Falkenstein?”
“The Margrave,” Burchard repliedimmediately.
“The Margrave,” Ayla conceded grudginglyafter a few moments. “Though I'd dearly love to see that villainousrobber's head on a pike,” she added.
“Your wishes are duly noted,” Isenbard saidwith a bow of his head. “We shall discuss the matter of theMargrave as soon as my men are settled in at the castle.”
Ayla frowned, momentarily thrown off. “At thecastle? Why at the castle, Uncle? We're planning to head the enemyoff at the bridge. Wouldn't it be better to erect barracks or tentsfor the men there?”
Isenbard shook his head. “No. The bridge maybe the first line of defense, but the castle will be any enemy'smain objective. It may be that they find a way across the riverother than the bridge. If we leave the castle unguarded, they couldtake it before we even notice. Such things have happenedbefore—I've heard of one case where a lord with all the castle folkwent to a feast in the neighborhood. When they returned, the doorswere locked and a different flag was flying from the tower. One ofhis supposed friends had simply snatched the place while nobody wasin it. We cannot make the same mistake. The castle must be guarded.We will station a small force at the bridge, and if they needsupport, they will have to wait until help from the castlearrives.”
Even though his words were grim, they broughta smile to Ayla's face, and she let herself bask in the security ofhis presence for a moment. This was why she needed Isenbard. Heknew what he was doing. “Good. Burchard will see to your men'sneeds. I have to go and change Reuben's bandages now. Till later,Uncle.”
They had reached the keep, and she startedtowards Reuben's room. From behind her, she heard Burchardshouting: “Make sure you've got a guard posted outside the doorwhile you're alone with him!”
Rolling her eyes, she began to climb thestairs.
*~*~**~*~*
By the time she had reached Reuben's room, abright smile had replaced the annoyed expression on Ayla's face.Sir Isenbard's arrival, and the fact that he was obviously still infighting form, was such a blessing that Ayla couldn't be put out byanything on this fine day. It was obvious as soon as she opened thedoor, though, that Reuben did not share her happy mood. Themerchant—it was still odd to think of him in that way, he lookednothing like a merchant—lay with his back to the wall, staring atthe opposite wall as though it were a deadly enemy. The scowl onhis handsome face was truly impressive.
“Got up on the wrong side of bed, did we?”she said, cheerfully.
“I didn't get up at all,” he growled.“Injured, remember?”
“It was a figure of speech.”
“Aye, I know. And a pretty stupid one toboot.”
Normally, she would have been offended. Butin her current good mood, she just shrugged it off. “Sorry if I'mannoying you. I can't help feeling happy today.”
For some reason, that seemed to upset himeven more. “Yes,” he said, his teeth clenched. “Your guest hasarrived. I heard.”
“Sir Isenbard? Yes, he's exactly who I'vebeen hoping for.”
“Oh really?” His voice was sarcasmincarnate.
“What's the matter with you?” Ayla frowned.“You don't seem to like him very much. Have you met him?”
“No, I've never met him.”
“Then what's the problem? Roll over, I haveto change your bandages.”
