The Robber Knight's Love (The Robber Knight Saga #2)(101)

“Then they're going to be disappointed,” she mumbled, feeling the moisture in her eyes.

“That's what I thought a day ago, Milady. But…I'm not so sure anymore.”

Hans let go of her hand and moved back. Quickly, Ayla wiped the moisture from her eyes. The strange moment, the understanding between them, had passed.

She stood up.

“Guards!” she called.

The two hurriedly opened the door. But when they saw that Hans was still kneeling on the floor in a meek position, they slowed down.

“Take him away,” Ayla commanded.

The guards did as she had ordered. Ayla remained behind, sitting slumped in her father's chair, a million thoughts whirling through her mind. The punishment for Hans, the fate of the castle, the trust of her people…she felt as though any moment she would collapse under the weight of responsibility.

There was a knock at the door.

“Yes?” Ayla called.

A servant entered and bowed reverently.

“Lady Ayla? There is a woman outside the keep who wishes to see you.”

“Who is she, and what does she want?”

“She's one of the guard's wives, I believe, Milady. She says her husband has vanished from his bed in the night and not returned, and now she is greatly concerned.”

Ayla closed her eyes. Oh no. She had dreaded this.

“Milady?” the servant asked hesitantly. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, yes.” Ayla forced her eyes open and sat straight. Now was no time to show weakness. The woman deserved the truth. “I will see her. Let her in.”

“As you wish, Milady.”





Love and Disemboweling

Reuben knocked at the door. Normally, his approach would have been to kick the door open or maybe burn it down, but since he was supposed to be an honorable knight and an exemplary leader now, and since Ayla probably wouldn't have liked it much if he burned down any part of her castle, he took a less direct approach.

“Come in, Madalena,” he heard Ayla's voice from inside. Frowning slightly, he opened the door a crack and pushed his head through.

“I think you might be confusing me with a woman,” he said, grinning up at her. “Which is slightly disturbing, considering some of the things I have in mind for you and me.”

“Reuben!” She looked very relieved to see him, that is, until the meaning of his sentence hit home. “Reuben! I…you…”

“Yes?” he asked as innocently as he could manage, which wasn't very much.

“Nothing.”

Inwardly Reuben sighed. This was going to be hard work.

“Were you expecting somebody else, Milady? I can come back later.”

“No, no.” Quickly, she shook her head. “That is, I am expecting somebody else, but I'd be glad if you stayed, if you can manage it. I…don't relish the meeting that is ahead of me right now, and I'd be glad for your support.”

“My support?” Immediately, Reuben was on the alert, his right hand pulling free his sword. He strode towards Ayla and grabbed one of her hands with his left. “Who is it you have to meet? An emissary of the enemy? Is it one of their warriors? Is it…”

“No, nothing like that. It's a middle-aged woman called Madalena.”

Bewildered, Reuben tried to read her face and could see pain and sorrow there.

“Err…and has she any special sword-fighting skills?” Slowly, he drew his blade and took his position beside her.

“None.”

“Is she a dangerous assassin?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Then why would you need my support?”

“I need your moral support, you loggerhead! Put that big meat-cleaver away, will you? You'll scare her to death!”

“Oh.” Frowning, Reuben lowered his blade. “I see. I’ll do my best about that moral support thing. But, just in case you haven't noticed, I must warn you: I'm not very moral.”

“I'm fully aware of that,” Ayla said, and her voice might just have contained a tiny amount of sarcasm. “Still,” she continued, now utterly sincere, “I need you here. Please stay.”

Reuben found himself made speechless by the earnestness of her plea. Satan’s hairy ass! Where were those snarky comebacks when you needed them?

Sliding the sword back into its sheath, he took up a position to the right of and slightly behind her chair. Still, he didn't release the grip on his sword hilt completely. He was far too experienced a fighter to think he could relax his guard just because the person that would enter the room was a woman.

The doors opened, and the servant stepped in, a smaller figure in his shadow.

“Madalena, wife of Hans the guard,” the servant announced with a bow. Reuben's eyes widened before he could get his face under control. So that was it! That was why Ayla was dreading this encounter! This was the wife of that Judas who had wanted to sell them all to the Margrave! And Ayla, in her usual unnecessarily emotional manner, was fretting over whether or not to torture the female to death.

The grip on the hilt of his sword tightened. Most likely, the witch was part of her husband's plot. If so, she would lose her head faster than you could say 'decapitation'!

“Thank you.” Ayla nodded to the servant. “Close the door on your way out and wait outside. If any more people arrive, please do not let them in. Madalena and I need to have a private talk.”