Page 54 of The Robber Knight
“I... I don't know. I'm afraid I don't knowvery much about warriors. But they must have been. Who, other thana knight, would dare ride into battle on a horse? Only knights areallowed to do that, aren't they?”
“Did they have crests? Banners?”
“I saw none.”
He grunted, as if this confirmed a suspicion.“Mercenary cavalry, probably.”
Ayla was aghast. “You mean the Margrave hascommon killers in his service that ride into battle armored asknights?”
Isenbard nodded grimly. “Killers, yes.Whether they be common I cannot say. I have not crossed blades withthem yet.”
From beyond the river, Ayla could hear criesand the thumping of hoofs. Quickly, she ran towards thehalf-finished barricade and peered around it.
“Back!” Roughly, Isenbard grabbed her by theshoulders and pulled her away. “Didn't you hear what I said? Youstay behind the barricade!”
But it was too late. Ayla had already seenthe riders flooding from the forest onto the meadow.
“Those are at least a hundred!” shegasped.
“About fifty, I would estimate,” Isenbardcorrected her.
“We'll be crushed—even if your men get herein time!”
“We'll see. And what do you mean if? They arealready here.”
Startled, Ayla turned. And indeed, she had been sointent on watching the riders, that she hadn't noticed the smallhost[40]that was now marching downthe path from the mountain towards them. At first Ayla thought itwould take them ages to get there, but they were almost as quick asshe had been on horseback.
“You can go,” Isenbard told the villagers whohad been helping to build the barricade. They had been standingaround, uncertain what to do, throwing fearful glances at theapproaching riders. “This is a matter for soldiers.”
The relief on their faces was evident. Theyran, evading the small force that was marching the other way,shouting encouragement to the hard-faced men in armor.
The warriors reached the bridge and looked toIsenbard.
At a silent hand gesture from the old knight,five of them took up positions blocking the narrow bridge. The restarrayed themselves in a line on the meadow behind them. Then theystood and waited.
And waited.
While the riders advanced.
“What's the matter?” Ayla hissed. “Why aren'tthey doing anything?”
“Like what?” asked Isenbard, not taking hiseyes off the approaching enemy cavalry.
“Attacking those riders, for instance!”
“The bridge is the best defensive position.Wait and see. And remember.”
The mercenary cavalry gathered speed. Theywere only a few hundred feet away now. The riders lowered theirlances to the height of a man's chest. Ayla could see their gripstighten, their spurs pressing into the sides of their stallions.The thunder of the hoofs grew louder and louder.
“And what are those men behind them doing?”she demanded. “Those on the meadow? Tell them to join the others!Never can five men hold the bridge against such an assault!”
Isenbard didn't reply.
“Uncle? Did you hear what I said?”
Isenbard raised his arm.
“Ready your bows!” he shouted, and his voicesounded even over the thundering hoofs.
