Page 92 of The Robber Knight's Love
“Trust you?”She snorted derisively. “Yes, of course! Do I look thatstupid?”
*~*~**~*~*
“...greater emphasis on the foot soldiersthan on the knights,” Ayla said. “You will have to defend abarricade, not charge the enemy on an open field, which is the onlyplace where knights can bring the mounted charge with lances, theirmost powerful weapon, to bear. Isenbard's incapacitation, tragicthough it is, might not be the catastrophe it appears to you now.One knight more or less does not win or lose you a siege. With theright leadership, a few lances of good foot soldiers can hold thatbridge of ours against an army.”
The captain of the guard, Burchard, SirRudolfus, and Sir Waldar sat around the lord's table in the greathall, staring at her, their mouths hanging open. This lookedparticularly unattractive in Sir Waldar's case, who still had ahalf-eaten piece of mutton stuck between his teeth.
“Well... err...” The captain of the guardscratched his head, then bowed to her. It was not an empty gesture.“That was really convincing, Milady. Thank you. And how should weposition ourselves?”
“How many lances do you have?”
“Six, Milady.”
“How many men in each?”
“Three lances of ten men in the castle guard,Milady. Sir Isenbard brought one lance of twenty with him, and SirWaldar and Sir Rudolfus each one lance of five.”
Ayla frowned. “We must organize a constantwatch of about the same number of soldiers. You know the men best,Captain. You have fought beside them. Do you think it would be bestto divide them up into more regular units or leave them as theyare, with their familiar comrades?”
The captain shuffled uncomfortably. “Eitherway, these men will die to protect you, Milady.”
The frown disappeared from Ayla's face andwas replaced by a smile. “I'm touched by your words, Captain. I amsure they come from the heart. Yet I do not wish these men to diein defense of me. I wish them to fight in defense of their home andlive through it.”
“Yes, Milady.”
“Also, you did not answer my question,Captain. When I ask a question, I expect to be answered.”
“Yes, Milady. I... think the men would preferto stay as they are. They know the men in their own lances, knowthey can trust them to protect their backs.”
“I see. Then the lances will remain as theyare. Please see to it that one lance of castle guards, supplementedby the other lances so as to bring up the total number of men to atleast twenty, is always guarding the barricade.”
“Yes, Milady.”
“Also ensure that the soldiers from thedifferent lances are quartered next to each other and mingle whenthey are not on guard duty. I want them to get to know and trusteach other. We cannot afford strife amongst ourselves if we wish towin this struggle. If there are any problems with discipline ormorale, I wish to be informed immediately, do you understand?”
“I do, Milady. It shall be done as youwish.”
“You are dismissed, Captain.”
The soldier bowed and left the room, a springin his step.
Next, Ayla turned to Sir Rudolfus and SirWaldar. To Sir Rudolfus she entrusted the inventory of their stocksof food and everything that could be handy in a siege, remindinghim that the pen was mightier than the sword. He almost fell overhis feet thanking her. To Sir Waldar she entrusted the leadershipof the castle guard while their captain was in charge of thebarricade's defense, reminding him that the sword was mightier thanthe wine bottle. He snorted with laughter and marched out of theroom, his belly wobbling.
When they were alone, Ayla's eyes strayed toBurchard.
His mouth was still hanging open.
“Where,” he asked, and she couldn't decidewhether he sounded angry or curious or impressed or all at the sametime, “did all that just come from?”
Ayla gave him her most dazzling smile. “I amsimply an inspiring military leader with a natural talent forstrategy.”
His bushy eyebrows drew together. “Are younow? Since when, exactly?”
“Oh, just shut up.”
Cupid'sArrows
Over the next few days, an atmosphere of tensesilence began to descend over Luntberg Castle. The enemy didn'tattack. The only sign of their presence was the continued sound ofaxes from the forest. Now and then, a tree fell. Every piece ofdead wood that hit the ground stoked the fires of Ayla's anxiety.What was the enemy up to? This quiet wasn't natural. There wassomething coming, she was sure of that.
