The Robber Knight's Protege

2 - Fye the Victim

"Hello, miss," Sir Gregor said with a respectful nod. He glanced around the inner courtyard of his home, where about a dozen people had gathered to ogle at the wild-haired Fye and her steed Titan, who had already attempted to bite two stable boys and a guardsman. "I'm told that you're a visitor from Luntberg?"

"Do you know what happened to Sir Reuben?"

He blinked. "Captain Linhart has already been here, and I informed him of the situation. He is on his way to inform Lady Ayla. May I ask your name, miss?"

"Fye. What did you tell Captain Linhart?"

"Miss, you shouldn't be here. We are uncertain what the future holds. Surely, you would be safer if you returned to Luntberg as soon as possible. I will spare a few of my men, who can escort you—"

"Sir, tell me what you told Captain Linhart." What did she have to do to get an answer out of this urbane idiot? Didn't he know she had a rescue mission to effect? Maybe she should have worn her armor to his keep. No. While it would have made her more intimidating, the time wasn't right for that yet.

Sir Gregor frowned. "He and his squire left here over two weeks ago. They were on their way back to Luntberg. I fear that they were captured by Lord Reynolds' men. His land borders on mine; it begins on the other side of the forest. We have always had a tentative peace with him, but I believe he may be preparing for war. I have sent messengers to him, but all of his replies have been vague. And since he has made no official declaration of a feud, I cannot take further steps."

"So why don't you storm his castle and—" Fye cut herself off and took in a deep breath. It might be perfectly acceptable to shout insults and curses at stupid suitors, idiotic peasants, and guardsmen who know her indelicate nature, but Sir Gregor was a friend of Lady Ayla's and was a good knight. Sir Reuben might be proud of the storm of curses she wanted to shout at him, but Sir Reuben had never mastered the subtleties of social interactions. "How sure are you that Lord Reynolds has him?"

"I am not sure. I can only convey my suspicions."

Fye nodded, a plan forming in her mind. This might be fun. "All right. I'll go find out. Thanks, Sir Gregor!" She hopped back onto Titan's back and raced out of the open gate.

*

2.2

Fye tied Titan to a tree off the main forest path but not too far from it. The shadows of the night would conceal him from any passersby who might be tempted to steal him—as if he would let himself be stolen. She kissed his muzzle, wishing for the millionth time that Titan could somehow become a man. He would be the perfect suitor. Fiery, big, strong, and silent. What more could a girl want?

She tousled her hair with her hands, making the course black strands even messier than usual. With a mighty tug, she tore the collar of her dress, revealing her shoulder and a bit of cleavage. With the dagger that she always wore strapped to her leg under her dress, she gave herself a few nicks on her arm, and she dabbed the blood here and there for good measure. She completed her look with a few handfuls of dirt.

After making she sure looked sufficiently abused, she made her way to the dirt road that wound its way through the forest. Once she reached it, she summoned her best fake tears, and she sprinted toward the castle in the distance. As she ran, she said a silent prayer that she wouldn't trip in the dark and break her ankle or something awful like that. A broken ankle would make it difficult to rescue Sir Reuben.

When she got within hearing distance of the castle, she let out a piercing scream. "Help! Help me, please. Help!"

As she drew closer, she heard someone calling out the order to open the gate.