The castle of Sir Edward Fitzroy lay on the other side of the forest.  It was a handsome, well-cared-for building, very different from Irongron's scruffy little stronghold.  The grey stone battlements of the castle towered high above the tree tops.  Three of the castle's four walls were protected by a broad semi-circular moat while the fourth backed on to the forest.

But for all its impressive appearance, Sir Edward's castle was no more than a hollow shell.  A castle of this size needed a large garrison to defend it - and Sir Edward had only a few old men and boys at his command.

Tall and frail, still wasted by the fever he had brought back from the Holy Land, Sir Edward sat in his private chamber, patiently waiting for his wife to run out of words.

It was a considerable wait.  The Lady Eleanor was a woman of spirit, and she had never lacked the ability to express her feelings.  Her subject this morning, as on many others, was the robber Irongron.  'How long, Edward?' she demanded.  'How long will you tolerate this upstart, this robbing usurper as our neighbour?  He robs, he pillages, he murders...  He flouts your authority every day - the authority which comes from the King!

Sir Edward sighed.  'Unfortunately the King who gave me my authority has deprived me of the troops I need to maintain it.'

'Irongron's band is small.  We still have Hal the archer, and a few men-at-arms.'

'Too few to stand against Irongron and his cut-throats.  But never fear, my lady, I shall act against Irongron.  I have done so this very day.'

'How so, my lord?'

Sir Edward rose painfully and went to the window, staring out over the endless vista of waving treetops.  'I have sent Eric, my squire, with a letter to old Lord Salisbury.  Like myself Salisbury has but a handful of men.  Yet if our men are combined, they may yet make a force that will crush this Irongron.'

Lady Eleanor doubted that they would do any such thing.  Moreover Lord Salisbury had troubles of his own, and was unlikely to concern himself with the problems of his neighbour.  She looked at Sir Edward's hopeful face, and decided to keep her doubts to herself.  'You will excuse me, my lord?  I have much to do.'

As she made her way down to the castle kitchen, Lady Eleanor's mind was filled with concern for her husband.  He was a simple man, brave and honourable, but he had sacrificed his health in the service of his King.  Now, in his weakened state, he lacked the ruthlessness needed to deal with such rogues as Irongron.