Page 87 of The Robber Knight's Love
“Well, I'm very relieved,” Ayla said. Shepointed at the other doll. “And who is Lady Agnes' companion? Idon't believe I have seen him before.”
“No, you haven't. That's the knight who hascome to rescue Lady Agnes from the evil man who wants to steal hercastle.” The girl pointed towards a pile of dirt in the middle ofthe yard. “It's over there.”
“I can see why she wouldn't want to lose sucha magnificent fortress.” Ayla had to work hard to keep the smileoff her face.
“By the way, have you brought your knights upto scratch yet?” the girl inquired.
Ayla knelt down beside her. For some reason,thinking of Isenbard just now did not make her want to cry indesperation. How could it be that she couldn't talk to Burchardabout the bleak prospects facing them, couldn't even think about itherself, but she could talk about them to this imp of a girl?
“Not quite,” she admitted. “My only realknight has just been knocked out.”
“Silly of him,” Fye commented. “He shouldhave been quicker.”
“Yes, he should. But he's a stubborn old ox.Never knew when it was time to retreat instead of attack.”
“Oh, he's old, is he?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” Fye frowned. “Couldn't you get anyyoung ones?”
“They're in rather short supply.”
“Rubbish. You see, Lady Agnes had no problemgetting Sir Reuben here.” Fye held up her self-made knightdoll.
Ayla nearly choked. “Sirwho?”
“Sir Reuben. I named him after that manthat's lying in that room up in the castle, the one you brought ina couple of days back. He looks like a real knight, strong andhandsome.”
Ayla didn't really know what to say to that,so she didn't say anything. She had enough difficulty with keepingher face from catching fire.
“Why are you blushing?” Fye inquired,obviously interested in the strange adult reaction.
“Um... it's nothing, really. But I have todisappoint you. Reuben is no knight. He's just a merchant.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“That's odd.”
“Why should that be odd?”
“He was yelling for people to bring him asword and a horse earlier,” Fye said, frowning. “I heard him,shouting from up there, yelling for people to bring him a sword andhorse.” And she pointed up to Reuben's window.
“Yes, of course he was.” Ayla shook her head,bemused. The things children dreamed up when they played... Sheleaned closer to inspect the tattered Sir Reuben in Fye's hand,made out of strips of cloth and rusted metal. “He probably reallyneeds them to defend Lady Agnes.”
“Yes, he does.” Fye nodded. “And do you knowwhy he wants to defend her so badly?”
Ayla leaned even closer and whisperedconspiratorially: “No, I don't. How did she ever manage to get suchan ardent defender?”
Fye whispered, as if sharing a great secret:“He's inlovewith her.”
“Oh.” Ayla blushed again and inwardly slappedherself.Where did she pick stuff like thatup?she asked herself.She can't beolder than four years!
“It's not surprising, really,” Fye said witha shrug. “She's very beautiful.” She eyed Ayla's slim figure andluscious blond hair speculatively. “You're not so bad yourself. Youshould be able to get some knight to fall for you, even if he won'tbe near as good as Sir Reuben.”
“Oh really?” Ayla rose, trying desperately tothink of a diplomatic answer. “Err... that's very generous of you.Well, I'd better go now. I have... things to do. A siege to get ridof, you know.”
