Page 56 of The Robber Knight's Love
She shook her head, repeating: “I haveto.”
Isenbard nodded to the soldiers who stillhadn't moved. “None of them would think any worse of you if youdidn't, and neither would the villagers.”
“I know that they wouldn't, Uncle, but... Iwould.”
The old knight nodded again. “I see. Thenperhaps, next time, you will find the courage to give the orderyourself.”
Ayla looked back at the field of death acrossthe river. A shiver ran down her spine. “Perhaps,” shewhispered.
*~*~**~*~*
One of Isenbard's men was sent into thevillage to fetch back the peasants and carpenters. Work on thebarricade still wasn't finished and Isenbard seemed to be in ahurry.
“Why, though?” Ayla asked, looking at theslain enemies. Though the sight filled her with dread, it alsofilled her with a strange, fierce kind of hope. “You were perfectlyable to handle their cavalry. Why not the foot soldiers, too?”
Isenbard looked at her with sad eyes. “Think,girl.”
Ayla stared at him. “I don't know what youmean, Uncle.”
“What did they come here for? What are theyexpecting?”
“Err... a siege, I presume.”
“And would you bring many riders to asiege?”
“I don't know. I'm no expert at tactics.”
“Can horses climb castle walls?”
“No, of course not!”
“Then let me ask you again, would you bringmany riders to a siege?”
“Err... no?”
“Exactly. And yet they hadfiftyriders—a force double the size of mine. Howlarge do you think their force of foot soldiers will be?”
There was silence. Ayla could almost tasteher fear on her tongue. Isenbard looked uneasy. He probably wouldhave put a comforting arm around her—but he’d had problems withgestures like that ever since she had grown into a young woman. Hispersonal code of chivalry and respect for the honor of the fair sexforbade him to touch just about any spot on her, apart from herfoot when helping her into a saddle.
“Come.” Isenbard nodded towards the castle.“You need to rest. And I need to report to your father.”
“But what about the bridge? Who will guardit?”
Isenbard looked back to his men. One steppedforward and bowed. “We will defend it to the last man,” the soldiersaid.
The old knight nodded, as if he had expectednothing less.
Then, to Ayla's utter surprise, the soldierturned and bowed to her. “I have never seen a lady leave her castleto be with her men in battle. I am honored to serve you, Milady.Your father must be proud of you.”
The sincerity of his voice was unmistakable.Ayla couldn't help smiling. “Thank you. Be careful. I wouldn't wantanything to happen to you—any of you.”
“We will fight with all we have. God be withyou, Milady.”
“And with you.”
Ayla and Isenbard shared one horse again ontheir way back to the castle. Halfway there, Ayla asked: “Whatabout the barricade? Don't you need to be there to make sure thevillagers do their job properly?”
“I have instructed them already. They can getby for an hour or so without me. I have to report to my liegelord.”
