By the next day, Jane's plum-colored bruise was turning yellow around the edges, and she was able to twist this way and that without too much discomfort. She felt improved enough to insist that she and Gunther return to their sparring regimen. He was reluctant, but had to concede that practicing their combat skills was more important now than it had ever been before.
They sparred first thing in the morning, right after sunrise, and again in the evening, just before sunset. In between, their day was a whirlwind of activity. Men arrived steadily in answer to the king's summons, and when they reached the castle, it largely fell to Jane and Gunther to greet them, explain the situation to them, assess their combat experience, if any; get them equipped, and show them where they could bed down until they marched out.
When they weren't playing "welcoming committee", there were other things to do. More sessions with the king, Sir Theodore, and Sir Ivon, who shared the results of his inquiry into the girl's arrival at the castle. He'd found three people who had witnessed a horse, bearing two riders, cantering up nearly to the castle gates.
Eleanor had been one of the riders; a hooded man, the second. He'd swung down, lifted her down, steadied her on her feet, given her a little shove toward the gate, then remounted and galloped away without so much as a word.
It certainly made sense, given Eleanor's extremely compromised state, that she's been carried most of the way on horseback. It was interesting information to come by, but not really useful in any practical sense. There was no clear description of the man, and he was long gone anyway – almost back to the forest by now, presumably.
Jane and Gunther also carved out some time for the prince and princess, to resume their lessons and practice sessions. They agreed that it was important to try and maintain at least some semblance of normalcy for their royal pupils, despite the fact that the situation was patently and undeniably… well, not normal.
It didn't go very well, though. All four of them were badly distracted, and they called it off early.
By halfway through the following day, it became apparent that more men were answering the call than they'd even hoped for. It looked as if by the time they rode out, they'd be accompanied by over a hundred men, perhaps as many as a hundred and twenty all-told. Pepper was having a devil of a time trying to keep them fed – Rake had abandoned his gardening duties and was working full-time with her. Smithy's wife pitched in as well, and even Jane found that "kitchen help" was added to her ever-growing roster of duties. Pepper never asked for her assistance outright, but the need was so apparent that she could hardly fail to see it.
But even with all the extra work they generated, the number of volunteers worked wonders on Jane and Gunther's morale. Until, that was, it didn't anymore.
"Please reconsider, sire. You know what this man is capable of. He is dangerous. I understand what you are trying to do, but I do not believe that this is the time." Gunther's voice was tinged with desperation as he spoke. "There will be other, less perilous opportunities for him to test his mettle. "
But the king was unmoved.
"Had only fifty or sixty men answered the summons, Sir Gunther, the situation would be different and we would not be having this conversation. But over a hundred men will march out. I think I can be reasonably assured of my son's safety. I know you will not allow him into the thick of combat, in any event. Wherever you make camp, there he must stay; but it is my desire that he go along. Cuthbert will rule this land someday, and God willing it will be a long and prosperous reign. It is time that he begins to really take ownership of the kingdom, its lands and people; not in any legal sense yet of course, but here – (Caradoc tapped his temple) – and here – (he tapped his heart.) This is my decree, Sir Gunther. And I will have it obeyed."
There was nothing to be done then, but the king's will. But it didn't sit easy with either Gunther or Jane. An immense new burden of responsibility had just been dropped onto their shoulders, in a situation that had been stressful enough already.
Tired as she was, it took Jane a long, long time to fall asleep that night. And even when she finally did, Gunther, beside her, was still staring bleakly at the ceiling.