The Robber Knight's Love (The Robber Knight Saga #2)(141)

The sergeant’s eyes widened. “You mean that…”

Ayla nodded, a feeling both sad and happy at the same time—but, most of all, impatient to get on. “Yes. A lot of it will probably turn out to be loot from the village. See to it that everything is returned to its rightful owner. That which has no rightful owner, I order you to distribute fairly among those who have lost the most. In this, I trust your judgment, sergeant.”

“Yes, Milady! I will not fail you, Milady!”

“See that you don't,” Reuben growled. “I, for my part, most certainly don't trust your judgment and will be around to check.”

“Reuben!” Ayla jabbed her elbow into Reuben's ribs. He merely smiled at her in return.

The sergeant seemed to be able to hold his ground, though. He paled a little but met Reuben’s eyes. Ayla saw a little of Isenbard in those steadfast eyes. “Yessir!”

“Do you know where the rest of the things are kept?” Ayla wanted to know, eager to get away from the subject of violent threats.

“Yes, Milady! Inside the camp. We didn't want to unpack or move the food so it won't get spoiled.”

“Very wise. Until later, sergeant.”

The two of them spurred their horses on and rode into the camp at a brisk pace.

“Why do you always do that?” hissed Ayla as soon as the man was out of hearing range.

“Do what?”

“Set people on edge like that.”

He grinned at her as though she'd given him a compliment. “Do I set you on edge?”

“No! But every single soldier under my leadership.”

“Well…for one thing, it's good for discipline. And for another, it's fun.”

“You shouldn't misuse your authority for your own amusement!”

Leaning over, he quickly brushed his fingers along her neck, and she felt a shiver shoot down all the way down her spine.

“Can you provide me with other kinds of amusement?” he whispered, with enough heat in his voice to make her faint and fall off her horse. But Eleanor was far too trusty a steed to let that happen.

“Don't worry.” Reuben reached over and took her hand, caressing its back with his thumb. The motion sent tingles all the way up Ayla’s arm. It was becoming hard to remember what they had been talking about. “Soldiers enjoy it when you handle them a bit roughly. I think those lads of yours are actually beginning to take a liking to me.”

She thought that this might be a bit too optimistic a view of things, but held her tongue and reluctantly pulled her hand from his oh-so-seductive grip. They had business to attend to.

After a short ride through the camp, they reached a place in the middle. Ayla saw a few holes in the earth, right in front of her.

“What's that?” she asked.

“It's where Luca's tent stood,” came Reuben's quiet reply.

Ayla sucked in a quick breath. “H-how do you know…? Of course! You were here.” He had probably seen a lot of the camp, that night he had stolen back Eleanor. It was odd, looking at these four round holes in the muddy ground now. They were all that remained of the stranger from a foreign land who had tried to take everything she knew and loved away from her. Now he was dead.

Ayla decided she didn't like it here. It didn't exactly feel like somebody walking over her grave—rather as if she were walking over somebody else’s grave.

“All right, let's get this over with.” Sliding from the saddle, she stepped towards Sir Rudolphus, who was waiting for her beside the holes in the ground. After the impressive job he had done with the castle supplies, she had put him in charge of taking stock in the enemy camp. It had been an excellent choice, Ayla could see that right away. His eyes were shining, and his Adam's apple was bobbing in excitement.

“Sir Rudolphus.” Ayla smiled and acknowledged him with a nod. Nothing had ever felt as hard as that smile.

Please let him have found what we need! Please, God!

“Tell me what you have found, Sir knight.”

Please, God! Just enough to get us through the winter!

Sir Rudolphus took a deep breath.

“Well, Milady, apart from the various utensils and paraphernalia you already found beyond the limits of this encampment, there is a great deal more to discover. First of all, of course, are the tents. They are of a surprisingly good quality, especially those of the officers. They will, I am sure, catch a good price on any market. Some I suggest we should keep. In case of emergencies such as the recent violent altercation, we could extend our housing capacities beyond the buildings of the castle and utilize the yard for this purpose.”

Reuben, who had dismounted, too, by now, leaned over and whispered into Ayla's ear, “Does he always talk like this? Maybe he needs a good bump on the head, and he'll start making sense.”

Ayla's lips twitched. Was he still trying to cheer her up? Well, whether deliberate or not, it was working. She raised an eyebrow at Reuben.

“I have no problems understanding him. Do you?”

She nodded to Sir Rudolphus. “Your suggestion seems to me to be an excellent one, Sir Rudolphus. Please continue with your report.”

And please, please get to the important things now!

“Thank you, Milady!” She was rewarded with a nervous, but heartfelt smile. “Apart from the tents, there are a lot of provisions, of course.”