Page 3 of The Robber Knight's Love
As he now planned to wage war on her.
No, if it was only herself she had to thinkabout, the herald's words wouldn't have given her a moment'sconcern. But she had to think of much more.
Slowly, Ayla walked to the window and thrustit open. From the main hall of Luntberg Castle, one had a wonderfulview over the Lunt Valley: a peaceful dale, divided by a riverspanned by a single picturesque bridge. The water glittered in themorning sunlight, and even up here, high up on the Luntberg, shethought she could hear the birds singing in the trees.
Soon, the sight from up here would not be sopeaceful anymore. Soon, there would be soldiers marching up thevalley, burning and looting as they went. All because she, in amoment of anger, had put her own needs over those of herpeople.
If she agreed to marry the Margrave vonFalkenstein, however, maybe things would be different. Maybe shecould...
Ayla felt something wet on her cheek. Whenshe reached up and touched it, she realized that it was a tear.
“Milady?”
Quickly,she wiped the tears away with her sleeve and turned to seeBurchard, her father's old steward,[9]who had beenwaiting at the door during her talk with the herald and had justnow entered the hall. When he saw her expression, his own darkened,and he was in front of her with five quick steps. “Milady, youaren't honestly thinking of giving in to that blaggard?”
“But what will happen if I don't?” she said,and was angry at herself because her voice sounded like a sniffle.“The Margrave will wage war on us, and the people will have tosuffer for my selfishness.”
“Stop trying to be a martyr,” Burchardgrowled, knitting his eyebrows as only Burchard could. He had veryimpressive bushy, black eyebrows, just perfect for knitting. “Useyour head for just one minute, will you? If you think the peoplewill suffer at the hands of the Margrave von Falkenstein because ofa few weeks of feuding, how much more do you think they'll sufferfrom a few decades of his rule? Do you really want to subject yourpeople to that? Are you such a coward, little girl?”
Ayla immediately stopped crying and turnedred with anger—which was, as she later admitted to herself,probably exactly what the old steward had been aiming to achieve.It was a terrible affliction, having someone as a servant who hadknown you right from the cradle.
“I'm not a little girl,” she snapped.
“Aren't you?” Burchard raised one of hiseyebrows. When he raised his eyebrows, it was just as impressive aswhen he knit them. His wrinkled forehead and big, black beardcomplemented the effect. “At the moment, you seem to be acting likeone. On the other hand, I saw a young woman in here a couple ofminutes ago. A young woman who wasn't afraid to stand up forherself and her people to the impudent demands of a man twice herage with a reputation that would make a battle-hardened warriorblanch. Maybe she's still around.”
Ayla took a deep breath, stood straight, andnodded. “She is.”
“Good,” Burchard said. “Because wedesperately need her right now.” He went to one knee. “What areMilady's orders?”
Thoughts racing, Ayla turned to the windowagain. She could not hope to stand a chance against the Margravevon Falkenstein on equal ground. The man was an experiencedfighter, commander, and conqueror. Since her father had been takenill, the soldiers in Luntberg Castle had been without a leader. Oh,Ayla could direct them to go to this village, protect that placefrom brigands, but lead them into battle? No.
What they needed was an experienced militaryleader who was still young and strong enough to be a good fighter.Someone who could make people believe they stood a fighting chance.Unfortunately, no such person was available. So Ayla would justhave to think of something else.
She had to protect her people.
Allherpeople.
“Gather all the men who can ride,” she said,still staring out of the window, down into the valley. “They don'thave to be soldiers, they just have to know how to ride quickly.Also, gather all the wood you can find, and get me the carpenterfrom the village.”
Burchard stood up, his old eyes gleaming.“You have a plan, Milady?”
“Would I be giving you orders if Ihadn't?”
“No, Milady.”
“Well, what are you waiting for? Get towork!”
Burchard nodded and headed for the door. Hewas just about to leave the hall when he turned and asked: “Andwhat should I do with all these things and men, when I have them,Milady? Where shall I bring them?”
“You will bring them to the bridge,” Aylasaid, also heading for the door. “And as for what to do, we'll getto that once we've arrived. I'm coming with you. Tell them tosaddle Eleanor.”
*~*~**~*~*
Her horse was waiting for her when shereached the courtyard. Burchard might be annoying sometimes, but hewas also good at his job. None of her servants bothered to help herinto the saddle. They all had known her almost as long as thesteward.
Ayla took a moment to stroke Eleanor's glossybrown coat.
“How have you been, my girl?” she asked in asoft voice.
