Page 136 of The Robber Knight
Reuben's spine stiffened. “Are you doubtingmy word of honor, Sir? I tell you, I am Sir Reuben von Limburg, sonof Heinrich, Duke von Limburg, Count von...”
“By the Apostles! You've really had a fewmore pints of beer than is good for you, lad.” The humor went outof the black-bearded knight's voice. “Do you know thatimpersonating a nobleman is a crime? Out with you, now, before Ihave you whipped for your impertinence!”
Reuben's hand slowly went to his belt, wherehis sword hung. “Are you issuing a challenge, Sir?”
The innkeeper had been watching the scenewith increasing apprehension. Now, as Reuben's hand landed on thepommel of his sword, he gave a little squeak and hurried to hidebehind his desk. Of all the possible outcomes of this littleepisode, he had apparently not reckoned with a sword fight in hisparlor.
“Get your hands off that sword, boy, or awhipping will be the least of your troubles!” Now, there was notrace of humor in Sir Wilhelm's voice. On the contrary, it was hardand cold.
“I will leave my hand wherever it pleases me,Sir Knight,” Reuben told him. “I do not wish for an unnecessaryconfrontation. But if you continue to doubt my word, you put myhonor into question. As a knight, I cannot let that stand. Please,Sir, retract your words.”
But Sir Wilhelm apparently thought there hadbeen enough words of any kind. Marching forward, he extended hishands to grab Reuben by the collar.
Reuben whirled and evaded him easily, duckingunder the other man's arm and coming up at his back.
“God's death!” Sir Wilhelm growled. “Staystill!”
“You dare to profane the name of God, Sir?”Reuben exclaimed. “Someone ought to teach you a lesson of how atrue knight behaves!”
“A true knight...? I will wring you by theneck until you choke, you puny little peasant brat! Come here!”
Reuben, however, had other plans. This loutneeded to be taught a lesson in chivalry. And it probably wouldn'tdo the innkeeper any harm, either, to see that a knight's word wasworth more than gold and his fists were harder than iron.
Sir Wilhelm struck out, but Reuben wasprepared. He had been taught by the best masters his father couldafford, and with his father's wealth, that meant the best in theEmpire. Sir Wilhelm's fist whistled harmlessly past his ear, tryingto hit a target that had suddenly vanished. The knight stumbledforward, and Reuben grabbed the opportunity. His fist swung around,hitting his opponent in the side and sending him flying.
“Porco Dio!”cried the innkeeper, as the knight slammed into a shelf full ofcrockery, and plates and cups started to rain down on him. “I begyou,signori, stop! My house willbe demolished, I shall be utterly ruined. Please...”
But Sir Wilhelm was past playing theprotector of the little man now. His dark eyes were burning withrage, and a precious painted cup was dangling from his ear. Hebrushed it aside with another oath, and it hit the opposite wall,smashing into a thousand tiny pieces.
“No!Signori,I beg you...”
Neither of the two paid any attention to theinnkeeper. They were circling each other, staring into each other’seyes the way only warriors can stare into each other’s eyes—men whoknow that there are more important things on earth than crockery.For example, giving your adversary a bloody nose.
This time, it was Reuben who was the first tomove. He went for Sir Wilhelm's surcoat, trying to grab it, but theolder knight sprang back in time. His fist shot out, trying topunch Reuben while he was off balance. Reuben grabbed the arm andpulled. They both went down onto the floor in a tangle of arms andlegs.
“Signori! No!No brawl in my parlor, please!”
Sir Wilhelm came up on top. He raised bothhands to deliver a stunning blow to Reuben's head—a mistake. Heshould have kept one arm free for defense. A wolfish grin on hisface, Reuben hit upwards with that blinding speed that had allowedhim to beat many of his instructors green and blue. His fist hitSir Wilhelm right under the chin, snapping the knight's head backand punching the breath out of him.
With a groan, he collapsed onto Reuben, whorolled sideways, forcing the other man underneath him. A fittingplace for such a low-minded toad! Pressing his knees into the man'ssides to prevent him from freeing himself, he delivered anotherblow, this time to the stomach. A groan erupted from SirWilhelm.
“Do you wish to apologize for your lack ofcourtly manners now?” Reuben inquired, politely.
“Never, I umpf—”
The next blow hit Sir Wilhelm in the chest,driving him back onto the floor, just as he had been about torise.
“Are you sure?” Reuben checked. “Maybe you'dlike to reconsider...”
“God's tee—” But the knight didn't get anyfurther. Reuben's hand had clamped down on his mouth.
“What did I tell you about taking the Lord'sname in vain?” Reuben said, admonishingly. “Come now, Sir Knight. Iknow that, deep down, you are a good Christian. Will you end thispointless fight and apologize for your behavior?”
“Mfrggrrrr!”
“I'm sorry? I didn't exactly catch that.”
“Rrrmm!”
