“I have orders.” The knight cleared his throat and blushed. “I gave my word—”

“Your word,” interrupted the woman, “won’t be worth a row of buttons if this young man arrives at Stolz with even a single bruise. Do you know the Lord of Stolz, Sir Jan Biberstein? For I do. And I warn you: he can be hot-headed.”

“What can I do,” roared Liebenthal pugnaciously, “when he defies me and tries to flee?”

The woman waved a hand. She was wearing rings with gemstones in gold settings, the total value of which was too high to permit a rapid valuation. Servants and soldiers approached, followed by bowmen led by a fat corporal in a brass-studded brigandine with a broad short sword at his side.

“I happen to be making for Stolz now,” said the woman. Addressing her words more to Reynevan than to Liebenthal. “My party will guarantee you safety on the road,” she added freely—casually, even—“and the appropriate execution of Sir Ulrik’s orders. I, for my part, promise you a reward, a generous reward, which Jan Biberstein will not refuse when I praise you before him. What do you say to that, m’Lord Liebenthal?”

Liebenthal had no choice but to bow again.

“I, myself, shall guarantee the good treatment of the prisoner,” added the woman, still looking at Reynevan. “Meanwhile, you, Reinmar of Bielawa, will repay me with pleasant conversation on the route. I await an answer.”

Reynevan straightened up. And bowed. “I’m honoured.”

“Naturally you are.” The woman gave a studied smile. “So let us be off. Give me your arm, young man.”

She held out a hand and the gesture revealed from under the dormouse cuff a close-fitting sleeve of green velvet cloth of a vivid, gorgeous, intense shade. He took her hand. The touch made him tremble.

“You know me, Madam,” he said. “You know who I am. You have a considerable advantage over me.”

“You don’t even know how considerable.” She smiled rapaciously. “And you may call me…”

She hesitated and glanced at her sleeve.

“… the Green Lady. Why do you look so? Because only you, knights errant, are allowed to appear incognito, under romantic sobriquets? I’m the Green Lady to you and that’s that. The thing is not in the colour of the robe. I boldly compare myself to that Green Knight. Men have been ready to put their heads on the block for a single glance from me. Perhaps you doubt it?”

“I wouldn’t dare. Should such an opportunity arise, I won’t hesitate, either.”

“An opportunity, you say? Who knows? We shall see. For the time being, assist me into the saddle.”