I will meet with them.

"You may let them know that I will speak with them on the morrow personally," Lady Amelia pronounced to Sir Rifkin and Welwyn.

Rifkin merely nodded his head in acquiescence, whereas Welwyn puffed himself up again like some nuisance fish. "My dear cousin, I must once again strongly object to you putting yourself in danger like this. Was it not bad enough you joining the men on the walls today but to leave the very castle that protects you."

Tired of her cousins trembling before their enemies, Amelia cut him off, "My father, your uncle, had no qualms about me risking my life for the people we have vowed to protect. If you are so frightened for my safety perhaps you would care to don armour as I have done and escort me to the parley."

That shut his little cowardly mouth, "I would dear cousin, believe me, but perhaps I would be better served in a stewardship role while you are outside."

"As you wish," Amelia said through gritted teeth, her manners faultless in spite of her surging feelings.

"Sir Rifkin if you would do me the honour of accompanying me tomorrow then, with two?" Lady Amelia looked to Rifkin for assurance. He nodded subtly. "Two of your most trusted knights."

"As you will, My Lady," Sir Rifkin bowed before departing, Welwyn following along behind him like a puppy at a bitches heels, no doubt wishing to continue to plead his story to Sir Rifkin some more.

Amelia stood and looked about for Jacinta. Amelia saw that her handmaiden had given the nobles of Castle Arrowthorn some privacy with which to converse. At seeing her lady looking for her, she hurried back over with a tray of hot stew and hard baked bread. Releasing she hadn't remembered to eat all day, Amelia was instantly famished at the thought. Amelia had Jacinta serve the food to the pair of them on their knees. Jacinta had been with Amelia for years such that she no longer felt the need for airs and graces around her. They ate in silence, both too tired from the battle to talk.

As Jacinta began to collect the dishes to return to the kitchen she asked Amelia, "shall I run a bath for you, My Lady? You must feel wretched after today."

"A bath would be just the thing please Jacinta," Amelia confirmed.

"Shall I lay out an evening gown for you too, My Lady?"

"No Jacinta. No dresses. In fact, until the siege of Castle Arrowthorn is lifted, I shall wear nothing but armour and leathers."

Amelia could see the fierce pride swell in Jacinta's eyes at her words.

"As shall I! My Lady. As shall I."

Bathed and clean, Amelia returned to her dearly departed brother's under armour. The heavy plate could wait till tomorrow. Lady Amelia admitted to herself that she was glad to be out of the plate mail though. She was surprised she could still remain up right under the weight of it. Instead of her chambers, Lady Amelia had a small cot brought to the main hall and placed near to her father. Amelia would sleep here with the rest of the castles folk. Before falling exhausted to sleep though, Amelia asked her handmaiden to lay next to her tonight. The fears of the battle, her father's wounds and what tomorrow might bring closing in on her. The two of them lay side to side, sleeping finding them holding hands the entire night.