Page 66 of The Robber Knight's Love
She gave a small, shaky laugh. “Well, no,apart from the whole being besieged bit, I'm perfectly fine, thankyou very much.”
Isenbard studied her for a moment and thenshrugged, apparently deciding to categorize her expression in thewide and mysterious category “strange things women do for somereason.”
“The enemy has taken up position on the otherside of the river, out of the range of our bows, and begun to builda camp,” he reported. “They do not seem to plan another attackuntil their base is established.”
“Take me down there, will you?”
The old knight shifted uncomfortably. “Girl,you have been up most of the night. You need to rest.”
Ayla squared her shoulders. “Take me downthere,SirIsenbard. I wish to seeour enemy.”
The knight bowed, recognizing the tone ofcommand. “Yes, Milady.”
*~*~**~*~*
Reubenlay on his bed staring up at the ceiling. If a week ago somebodyhad told him it could be a pleasant experience to have ice-coldcloths wrapped around one's calves, he would have shown thatsomebody the indecent finger.[43]Now he was alreadywondering how long it was going to take for these damn things toheat up and be replaced. Couldn't his fever manage to be a bithigher?
Ayla had been very careful to touch him aslittle as possible. It had almost been funny to watch her carefullyroll up the legs of his trousers and attempt to wind the cool clotharound his calves without lifting them, as if his skin werepoisonous. But it had only almost been funny, not quite, becausethe whole time he had been wondering why she didn't want to touchhim.
Was she disgusted by the idea? Did she findhim repellant?
He might have been certain of that if hehadn't seen her blush whenever their eyes met. Perhaps it was justher shyness. Although he had to admit, chuckling as he thought ofit, she hadn't been very shy with her retorts. Quite thecontrary.
There was one possibility left.
Maybe, just maybe, she was being shy becauseshe felt attracted to him. And why not? Back in his days at thecourt, women had flocked around him like flies around a pot ofextra-delicious honey. It was only natural. One of the few firmprinciples Reuben had left was that he was the strongest andbest-looking man in the world, and he hadn't yet met anybody whodared disagree with him.
Surely, she wouldn't be the first.
Of course, he had never met a girl with eyesthat blue, hair that golden, and a temper that easily inflammable.He had also never met a girl who was crazy enough to ride aroundwith a rusty horseshoe and an old leather doll in her saddlebags.She was different.
And that was why he wanted her.
Would she be the first to reject him? No,Reuben calmed himself. His charms had never proven ineffectivebefore. Not once. Why should they now?
Of course, there was that little matter ofher having sworn to see him hanged. But he could overlook that fornow.
From outside, he heard the shouts of men andthe clatter of armor. His jaw tightened. The siege, no doubt. Nowthere was a thing he didnotplanto overlook.
His right hand traveled down to his waist,wishing a sword hung there.
*~*~**~*~*
Ayla sat on her horse, overlooking the enemycamp, trying not to let her fear take over.
So many, shethought desperately as her eyes traveled over the endless lines oftents.
Swallowing, she asked: “How many?”
Isenbard's face—unsurprisingly—showed noemotion. “At least six hundred. More are still arriving.”
“Six hundred,” she mouthed, aghast. “That hasus outnumbered at least... at least...” She bit her lip. She hadbeen an exemplary student at the convent her father had sent her toin almost every subject—arithmetic being the reason for the“almost.”
“At least ten to one,” Isenbard said.
“Mary Mother of God,” Ayla breathed. “How arewe to stand against such numbers?”
“With courage,” was the old knight's simplereply. Ayla would have preferred he’d said something like “withbetter weapons” or “with a lot of reinforcements.” But sheappreciated the unswerving loyalty of the stoic, stone-faced oldwarrior so much that she didn't make a corresponding remark.
