Page 77 of The Robber Knight's Love
On the eastern bank, the last columns of menwere marching into the camp. The assembled host looked even moreimpressive than it had a few hours earlier. She shuddered to thinkof what it would look like arrayed ready for attack.
“What do you think, Isenbard?” she asked.“Will they attack tonight?”
“I doubt it,” the old knight said. “They havea long day's march behind them, and mercenaries like their sleep asmuch as the next man.”
“And will they tomorrow?”
“That is what they have come for.”
He hadn't said it, not outright. But theawful truth settled in and fear gripped Ayla's heart with claws ofice and iron.
This was it. Tonight they would sleep inpeace for the last time.
Tomorrow, there would be war.
*~*~**~*~*
Reuben jerked awake abruptly. The light ofthe morning streamed in through the window, but it was notbeautiful to him. It was just red. Like blood.
The words, formerly incomprehensible, muddledby fever, were now clear in his mind, which for the first time indays was working right again.
That fly-bitten bastard! He had threatened tokill Ayla!
In the distance, from the other side of theriver, came the sound of horns calling men to arms.
Red Dawn
Her father's hand closed tightly around hers as heheard the horns call men to arms. He looked at her imploringly.“Stay here with me, will you?” Count Thomas asked.
Ayla shook her head, sadly. “I can't. I haveto go downstairs and prepare. You know that. I'm the only one withany decent training in healing around here. I have to take care ofthe wounded.”
Taking a deep, rattling breath, the Countnodded his ancient white head. “Yes, I know. Still, I'd rather youstay here with me. But I know you have to go. Just promiseme...”
“What?”
“Promise me that you won't go out there,outside the castle. Let the wounded be brought to you, into thecastle. And for God's sake, don't go anywhere near the battle.”
Ayla hesitated.
The grip of her father's wrinkled fingersaround her own small hand tightened even more, and he said, in acommanding tone he almost never used anymore: “Ayla! It is far toodangerous for you to set foot outside the castle. Promise me!”
Slowly, she nodded. “I promise.”
The Count relaxed back into his pillows.“Good.”
They heard the horn sound again. “Now go. Iknow you need to.”
Ayla jumped up and rushed to the door.
Outside, Isenbard waited for her. “What didyou tell him?” he asked her, eying the oak door behind her.
“A lie he needed to hear,” was her onlyreply. “Follow me, Sir Isenbard. We have work to do.”
Ayla rode on a horse of her own this time, asthe two of them left the castle and approached the bridge. Everystep of the way hurt her heart. She felt as though she werebetraying her faithful mare by riding another horse. But this wasno time to be sentimental. It was quicker this way, and SirIsenbard's horse might need all its strength in the approachingfight.
To Ayla's surprise, a few tents had beenerected on their side of the bridge, on a small meadow. Sheinquired what these might be.
“Our tents,” the knight replied, urging hishorse forward to keep up with her.
