Page 126 of The Robber Knight
She shook her head. No.
“Let's get you to a place where you can liedown, Captain,” she said, straightening and letting go of hissupporting shoulder. “I need to have a look at that arm ofyours.”
Behind them, the castle gates slammedshut.
*~*~**~*~*
Two hours later, Ayla emerged from the keepagain, leaning against the wall to support herself. She had takencare of all the wounded as best she could, and had had a talk withthe hurriedly awakened Burchard. He had been wearing a large, paleblue nightshirt, and his mustache had bristled more than ever—ithad been quite an intimidating sight. He had accused her of beingirresponsible and rash, and a lot of other things she couldn'tremember at the moment. She had listened to everything patiently.Finally, when he had run out of breath, she had pointed out thatthey were all safe and sound within the walls of the castle.
This had set off a whole new round ofadmonishments, which she had listened to with equal patience.Finally, she had got away by telling him she was tired and hungryand needed to change. He had let her go, promising her that shehadn't heard the last of this, and Ayla had left.
But not to sleep, or to eat.
She had allowed herself to change out of herruined nightgown and cloak, and to wash briefly. It was wonderfulto be rid of the mud and blood on her skin. But then, her stepsdidn't lead her towards the kitchens or the dining hall, butoutside. Not that she wasn't really tired and hungry. She was,incredibly. Still, eating or sleeping were the last things on hermind right now.
There was something she needed to do.Andthere was something else,something she wanted to do. What shewantedwas to go to Reuben and let his strong armsenvelop her, just to forget about all her troubles for a fewprecious minutes and revel in the fact that, for now, they weresafe, and that, impossible as it seemed, he loved her.
He had said it, so it had to be true,right?
He really, truly loved her. She wanted to goto him and hear it again and again, and, oh, she thought with asmile pulling at the corners of her lips, there was probably alsosomething he would like to hear from her in return. But now was notthe time, not yet. The gates were closed, the enemy shut out, butstill, she had to do this one last thing for her people and forherself.
It was the duty of a lord or lady to know andto see.
Slowly taking a breath, she detached herselffrom the wall of the keep and climbed down the stairs into thecourtyard. Only now did she notice that people were watching her:guards on the way to their posts, villagers looking for family, allhad stopped to watch as she had stepped out of the keep. Now, asshe passed, they bowed silently. Ayla returned the greeting with anod of her head in equal silence. She didn't have the energy tospeak at the moment.
Passing through the gate of the inner wall,she strode towards the outer wall of the castle. There were nopeople here, thank the Lord. What she had to do, what she had tosee, should be seen by no other.
The guard on duty at the gate bowedrespectfully to her, and couldn't keep a look of astonishment fromflickering across his face.
“Lady Ayla. What are you doing here?” He wentred in the face. “Forgive me, Milady, I did not mean to pry. I wasjust surprised to see you here, after all you went through. Ithought you might want a good night's rest.”
“That I do want,” she said with a weak smile.“But first there's something I have to do. I have to go up on thewall.”
“On the wall? But Milady... is that wise? Itcould be dangerous.”
“I know. But I have to. To... see. Toremember.”
The soldier looked confused, but he nodded.“Yes, Milady.”
“And if any of the villagers should want togo up there, say it is impossible, that it would interfere withyour duties as soldiers and endanger the castle.”
“Yes, Milady.” The guard hesitated. “Beg yourpardon, Milady, but...”
“You are wondering why I want you to tellthat to the villagers when it isn't true?”
“Yes, Milady.”
“Think, soldier.” Ayla's voice was soft.“What can you see from the wall?”
“The valley, Milady.”
“And what is in the valley?”
“Well, the river, the bridge, the village...”The soldier fell silent and his face paled.
“Exactly.” Ayla nodded. “The village. If youwould excuse me now, soldier...”
“Of course, Milady.”
