Page 34 of The Robber Knight's Love
She was a Luntberg. She was her father'sdaughter, and she was not going to give up.
“Indeed, I have,” she said, turning sidewaysto face the waiting people. “Burchard!”
The steward abruptly stood straighter,hearing the unusually commanding tone of her voice. „Yes,Milady!”
“Organize the best castle guards into awatch. They are to guard this bridge at all times. Always, at leastsix men are to be present: one stationed on the eastern side andone on the western side, each equipped with a torch during thenight.”
“And what of the remaining four, Milady?”
Ayla smiled. “Three are to be spread on theeastern bank as lookouts, one is to stay with a horse on thewestern bank. None of them are to have torches, and they are tokeep themselves concealed at all times, so when the enemyapproaches, Falkenstein's men won't be able to kill them from afarwith bows and arrows. It will be the job of the three men on theeastern bank to defend the bridge until the rider has had time tofetch reinforcements.”
Burchard bowed, a proud gleam in his eyes.“Yes, Milady.”
“Oh, and one more thing.” A hard glintentered Ayla's eyes. “If, by any chance, a knight in red armorshould pass this way, seize him, clap him in irons, and bring himto me.”
“Yes, Milady!”
“You.” Ayla pointed to a peasant, who took astep backwards.
“Me, Milady?”
“Yes, you. I want you to gather all thewagons and handbarrows you can find, and some trustworthy men, andbring everything edible from the village into the castle.”
Surprise and anger flitted across the man'sface, before he could suppress the emotions. One could see his jawworking, as he knelt, and said: “As you wish, Milady.”
He rose and began to turn, but Ayla said:“Stop.”
The man turned back, looking even moreresentful. Ayla could feel the stares of the other villagers onher. They didn't seem much happier about her order.
“Do you understand why I am giving you thisorder?” she asked in a soft voice.
“I think I do, Milady.”
She shook her head. “No, I don't think so.What's your name? Wait, I think I recognize you. Aren't youBerthar? Your sister is married to one of the castle guards.”
“Yes, Milady. I come to visit hersometimes.”
“So, Berthar. Why did I give you thatorder?”
The man looked down, avoiding her eyes. “Icouldn't say, Milady.”
A smile tucked at the corners of Ayla's lips.This was a clever man. He knew how to use words. “You mean youliterallycannot say—because you'reafraid of offending your mistress. Don't be afraid, Berthar. I'mnot having all the food brought to the castle because I plan toleave you stranded out here alone, at the mercy of themercenaries.”
The man's head snapped up with evidentsurprise. “You're not? But I thought...” And then, realizing whathe had said, he clamped his mouth shut quickly and looked downagain. “Beg your pardon, Milady.”
“There's nothing you need to apologize for.”She took a step closer. “Berthar, look at me.”
He did as she had commanded. There wasuncertainty and fear in his round, stubbly face.
“I'm going to do my utmost to keep you allsafe,” Ayla said, trying to infuse the words with every ounce ofearnestness in her heart. “I'm going to fight for you, your homes,and your families. But I'm not the warrior my father was. I'myoung, inexperienced, and far less powerful than the Margrave vonFalkenstein. There may come a time when we cannot hold out here anylonger and must retreat into the castle.”
Berthar nodded. “I understand, Milady.”
“Do you?” She raised an eyebrow. “I saidwe.”
Berthar was quick. His eyes flew open inastonishment.
A few moments later, she heard gasps ofsurprise all around her, as the others understood.
