Threats More Subtle Than Swords, Part 9
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Guy watched Allan go, and then his attention was drawn to the arrival of a man on horseback galloping towards the gate. He came to a stop in the courtyard and slid from the saddle, glanced around, then approached Guy. "My lord, a message from the Earl of Durham and –"
"And what?" Guy asked.
Uncertainly, the man added, "And a message from outlaws calling themselves Robin Hood."
"I'll take you to the Sheriff," Guy said, and led the messenger to the battlements. The Sheriff had finished with his hawk and was coming down the steps. He ushered them both into the great hall and called for wine, then sat down in his chair and leaned forward eagerly. "What news from the Earl?"
"My lord, he is greatly interested in the marriage proposal that you have set forth, and he is on his way. He will be arriving to-morrow."
"Excellent, excellent," the Sheriff said. A servant brought the wine, but although there were three goblets, the Sheriff only poured one for himself. Guy saw that the messenger eyed the remaining goblets with a hopeful look on his face, but the Sheriff only asked, "Anything else?"
The messenger reached into his bag and pulled out a surprisingly long, thick plait of dark blonde hair. One end of it was even darker and sticky with blood. When the Sheriff did not reach out for it, the messenger laid it on the table. "An outlaw stopped me on the way through the forest and gave me this."
"An outlaw?" the Sheriff asked. "Not one of Hood's gang, or even Hood himself?"
"Just an outlaw. He never showed me any tags," the messenger replied, sounding curiously evasive.
"Did he demand one tenth of your money?" Guy spoke up, remembering the encounters he'd overheard in the forest. Without meeting his eyes, the man replied, "He just gave me that and told me to take it to the Sheriff, said he'd understand what it was."
"He didn't take your money?" the Sheriff asked, pretending to be astonished. "That's not the Robin Hood we know and love, is it, Gisborne?"
Guy scowled. "Did he demand one tenth of any information you might have been carrying?"
The messenger squirmed visibly, and Guy pressed on. "Did you tell him that the Earl is coming here?"
"I didn't tell him anything!" the man protested, but wilted under Guy's glare. "I might have nodded when he asked me some questions – He offered me my money back from the last time, and more besides, if I told him what he wanted to know and didn't mention his name to you!"
"Guards!" the Sheriff called, and when they appeared, he ordered the man to be taken to the dungeons. Guy made up his mind to punish the man personally, too furious to feel regret at losing his fastest messenger.
When the hall was quiet again, the Sheriff finally turned to Guy. "Bring my little bastard down here, will you?"
When Guy got to Laurencia's room, Allan was standing outside the door, but he moved away so that Guy could knock. There was a pause, and then he heard a quavery voice call out, "Come in!"
He entered, and saw Laurencia standing at the window with her back to him.
"The Sheriff wants you in the great hall," he said.
"Yes," she said simply, and it was obvious she was trying to keep her voice under control.
Guy waited. At last, Laurencia wiped her cheeks with her fingers, then straightened her shoulders with an effort and turned around. She kept her head up as she walked, but her eyes remained fixed on the floor and once, Guy saw her clench her hands to fists.
In the great hall, the Sheriff greeted her with a falsely cheerful, "Ah. Little Laurie."
"My lord," she replied woodenly. Guy noticed she didn't call him father.
"Robin Hood sent you a little present," he said, indicating the table. "It seems your mother lost her head out in the forest."
Laurencia looked down at the coil of hair. Guy expected her to start crying again, but she didn't, just stared at it for a moment, then looked back at the Sheriff with the same lack of interest.
"But don't worry," the Sheriff went on. "You've still got me, dear old dad, at least for another day. I'm going to marry you off to the Earl of Durham when he gets here, which should be to-morrow."
Still, Laurencia did not react. Looking at her face, Guy remembered where he'd seen that same expression before. It had been on the face of a man he'd hit recently, who'd been so dazed by the first blow that he'd barely registered the second one, or the third. Guy wondered for a moment which blow had hit her first, what had made her cry even before he'd fetched her, so that she couldn't react to her mother's hair or news of her impending wedding. Whatever it was, it must have been bad. A tiny part of Guy whispered that he should feel pity for Laurencia, but all he could feel was relief that the Sheriff wasn't offering Marian to the Earl.
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Having no room of his own in the castle, Allan had made himself comfortable outside Laurencia's room, meaning to be there in case she woke up and needed anything in the night. Instead, he was woken by the cold, sharp feeling of a sword's blade at his neck. Startled, he opened his eyes and saw Robin Hood nose to nose with him.
"Allan. How convenient. With you sleeping out here, can we assume the Sheriff's daughter is in there?" Robin asked, then twitched his sword just a little. "Get up."
Allan got to his feet, and Robin made an expansive gesture with his left arm, telling him silently to lead the way. Allan turned the handle and opened the door, and Robin poked him gently in the back. He went in, holding his hands up just in case Laurencia was awake, so that she could clearly see he was acting under duress. But she was huddled under the blankets in the bed.
The fire had burned out. Will took the candelabra from the table and went into the corridor to light it from one of the torches, then returned. Once the room was illuminated, Allan could see the soft look that Djaq gave Will, and was surprised that he didn't feel even a twinge of jealousy. Djaq went over to the bed and gently shook Laurencia's shoulder. "Wake up."
Laurencia opened her eyes, blinking at first, then jerking upright in surprise. "Who are you?"
"Don't scream," Robin said, and Much added, "This is a rescue."
Laurencia stared open-mouthed at them, taking in the circle of outlaws with their swords drawn, and Allan with his hands up. Robin said, "Get up and get dressed."
Laurencia got out of the bed, dressed only in her shift. Hope was clearly audible in her voice as she asked, "What kind of rescue? Did my mother send you to get me?"
"Your mother?" Much asked, confused. Djaq, in the meantime, had opened the chest at the foot of the bed and pulled out a dress. "Here, put this on. We must leave quickly."
Laurencia took the dress, but stood there holding it. "My mother didn't send you?"
"No. Now get dressed or I'll help you," Robin told her, but Laurencia just stood there, shoulders slumped. When it seemed she was about to let the dress slip from her hands, Robin pushed Allan away, so that he stumbled in Will's direction, then went over to where the girl stood. Will grabbed him by the shoulder and jabbed the blade of his sword into Allan's neck.
"But – but what do you want with me?" Laurencia asked, and Allan could hear her voice tremble at least once.
"We don't want a ransom, we just want to keep you from marrying the Earl of Durham," Robin said. He grabbed the dress from her hand, found the hem, and pulled it over her head. Laurencia re-discovered her ability to move, and struggled against this new kind of force, but Robin managed to get her arms into the sleeves and her head through the neckline. "Djaq, find her shoes."
"What business is it of yours who I marry?" Laurencia added, twisting free of Robin's grip. "I think you're telling me lies, just like you told me lies in the forest about my mother."
Djaq approached with the shoes, and in the exact moment that Robin was distracted, Laurencia screamed as loudly as she could and ran for the door. John caught her, clamping a hand over her mouth, but she must have bitten him, because he pulled his hand away again with a muffled curse. When Laurencia screamed again, however, John whirled her around and hit her across the face with his fist. She slumped to the floor in deafening silence, and Allan winced.
"Sorry," John said, looking apologetically at Robin, who shrugged. Much stepped around Laurencia and opened the door a crack to look out. "Someone's coming!"
To Allan, Robin said only one word. "Nightmare." Allan nodded, swallowing, and watched as the outlaws arranged Laurencia quickly in the bed, pulled the covers over her, then disappeared into the privy. When the guard knocked on the door, Allan opened it, acutely aware of Robin behind him.
"It's all right," he said. "She had a nightmare, that's all."
"I'd wake up screaming, too, if I had to marry the Earl of Durham," the guard said, laughing at his own joke as he wandered away again. Allan privately thought that Laurencia was more likely to have nightmares about her mother. As he closed the door again, feeling the tip of Robin's sword at the back of his neck, Allan turned around very slowly. The rest of the outlaws came out of the privy and resumed their kidnapping.
"Just one last thing before we go," Robin said, and stepped back. Allan hesitated in fear, wondering if the outlaws meant to kill him once and for all. He was relieved to see that Robin was only making way for John to approach with his fist raised, ready to knock him out.
xxxxx
In the evening, Guy rode to Locksley Manor to see Marian, but she was asleep when he came, and did not wake up during the time he sat by her bedside. Gunilda and the cook both told him that she was doing much better, but he had wanted to see it for himself. Disappointed, Guy rode back to the castle and settled himself in one of the guest rooms for the night.
A knock on the door the next morning woke him even before the servant girl came in to build up the fire. That early in the morning, it could only be an emergency. "Yeah," he called out, and practically jumped from the bed straight into his trousers.
Allan came in. "Guy. Robin Hood's taken Laurencia."
Normally, Guy wouldn't have cared, but Laurencia was the only thing standing between Marian and the Earl of Durham. Straightening up to his full height, he glared down at Allan. "You take me to Hood's camp. Now."
And when Allan hesitated, no doubt still squeamish about that final bit of betrayal, Guy hit him, right on the new bruise that Allan now wore on the right side of his face. He hadn't meant to knock him out, but Allan fell to the floor and lay still. Angrily, Guy finished getting dressed, then stomped to the door to see about getting some water, and met the serving girl coming in with a jug. Reaching out, Guy took it, and as the girl knelt down to see about the fire, Guy splashed half its contents onto Allan's face.
Allan came around with a gasp and a splutter, then met Guy's glare. Sitting up and probing his cheek with his fingers, he said, "Not being funny, but if you kill me, you'll never find out where Robin's camp is."
"I won't kill you," Guy told him. "But I could make you wish you were dead."
"Right," Allan said, looking away. He got up slowly, radiating unwillingness in every movement, and lead the way to the stables.
"We ride to Locksley first," Guy told him as they mounted their horses, and didn't miss Allan's quick look of relief. No doubt the man was hoping for some kind of miracle to prevent him from having to betray the location of Hood's camp, something he'd steadfastly refused to do no matter what else he'd revealed.
When they arrived at Locksley Manor, Guy opened the door and marched in, turning directly towards the stairs, but his way up was blocked by someone coming down.
"Marian!" he exclaimed with a mixture of horror and relief. "Get back into bed or I will pick you up and put you there myself."
"I am feeling much better," Marian said. "And I really should get back to the castle."
She descended another step, and Guy did not hesitate. Meeting her halfway, he flung her over his shoulder, then carried her up the rest of the steps and back into the bedroom. Marian was shocked at first, but then began to wriggle in his grip and beat her fists against his back. "Guy, let me down!"
Happy that she wasn't strong enough on this occasion to twist away, Guy threw her to the bed, then leaned over and pinned her shoulders with his hands. "You are not better."
"Guy—" she said, then stopped. Guy pulled away just in time to miss her sudden, violent cough. It was a frighteningly long time before Marian could finally breathe normally again.
"Marian," he said. "Listen to me. You cannot go back to the castle. You must stay here and pretend to be as sick as possible."
"What?" Marian asked. "Why?"
"The Earl of Durham is on his way to Nottingham. He's expecting to find a wife here. If we can't get Laurencia back, the Sheriff will be just as happy to offer you to him."
"Guy, I don't understand. Who's Laurencia?" Marian asked.
"Laurencia is the Sheriff's daughter," Guy said.
"The Sheriff has a daughter?" Marian obviously didn't believe him.
"I think he was surprised himself when he found out," Allan said from the doorway.
"The Sheriff's offered Laurencia to the Earl of Durham," Guy explained. "But Hood's taken her, and if we don't get her back, the Sheriff will mention you to him. So I want you to stay here, and if anybody besides me comes for you, tell them –"
"Tell them what?" Marian asked.
Guy didn't want to speak the word, not while Marian was still in danger of a relapse, but he had no choice. "Tell them you're dying."
"And it's contagious," Allan added.
Seeing the look on Marian's face, Guy became afraid that she would not comply with his wishes, that she would be headstrong and stubborn, and get out of bed the minute he turned his back. "Marian, please do not fight me on this. People say that the Earl has murdered two wives already. I do not want you to be the third!"
Marian's eyes went wide, and she nodded. "All right."
Guy smiled in relief, then leaned over and laid his hand on her cheek. "We have to go. I'll come back as soon as I can."
"Be safe," Marian said. "Both of you."
Downstairs, Guy told Gunilda and the cook that Marian would be in danger if anybody except himself came to visit, especially the Sheriff's men, and they were to say that she was too ill to be moved. As he and Allan rode into the forest, Allan asked, "Shouldn't we take some more men with us?"
"I have an argument that should convince Hood," Guy replied. "I just need the chance to talk to him for a moment."
"He could kill you in one moment," Allan said quietly.
"That's why we'll take one of them hostage."
The further they went, the more uneasy Allan became, but Guy was in no mood to coddle the man. Finally, Allan said, "Let's leave the horses here. We can sneak up on them more easily if we're on foot."
They tied the horses to a tree a short distance from the road, and Allan led the way further into the forest. Guy unsheathed his sword, and after a moment, Allan did the same. They moved quickly and quietly through the brush until Allan suddenly stopped and indicated something ahead. It was Much, bending down to lift something from the forest floor. Guy took cover and scanned the area, not wishing to be taken unawares by Hood yet again, but nobody else was visible.
He approached from one side, with Allan on the other. Much had apparently set up a trap for something bigger, but had only gotten a mouse, which he was letting run free again. Seeing his opportunity, Guy stepped forward, grabbed the outlaw, and held his sword at the man's throat. Allan came up as well, glancing in all directions in case Hood should spring out of the bushes and ruin their plan yet again.
"Run out of squirrels, Much?" Allan asked.
"I could always cook a traitor, but squirrels taste better," Much shot back. "Even mice taste better. Even rats taste better."
Allan looked hurt. Guy increased the pressure of his sword, and Much went silent, swallowing convulsively. Pushing him slightly, Guy said, "Go."
They'd only walked a few hundred yards, however, when Much stumbled awkwardly. As he went down, he put one hand out sideways, grabbing for something, and almost instantly, Guy heard a metallic clang farther away in the forest. Allan groaned. "Alarm!"
Guy pulled Much back up again, looping his left arm around the man's throat and pointing his sword so that the tip of it dug into Much's jawline, close to the vein. They didn't have to wait long for Robin and the other outlaws to approach, their bows and swords drawn.
"Give us Laurencia," Guy said when Robin was close enough to hear.
Robin shook his head. "Or what? You'll kill Much? Then we'll kill you, and you still won't get her back."
"Or the Sheriff will offer Marian to the Earl of Durham instead," Guy told him urgently, and Robin's cocky smile faded instantly. Guy went on. "The Earl is ready to give his support to the Sheriff in return for a wife, and I don't think he'll care who he marries."
There was silence in the forest as the outlaws looked at each other, and then, after an agonizingly long time, Robin lowered his bow. "John, go get Laurencia."
John put down his weapon and jogged off. Guy smirked to himself at how easily he'd been able to persuade the outlaws to give in. A few minutes later, he heard female sounds of protest and John reappeared, practically dragging a blindfolded Laurencia by the rope that bound her wrists.
"I said, where are you taking me now?" Laurencia demanded as she was pulled into the circle. Then John released her blindfold and her face brightened as she looked around. "Sir Guy! Allan!"
John let go of her, and Guy released Much. Without words, the former captives both straightened up and walked to the opposite sides of the circle. Much took up his place at Robin's side, and Laurencia came around to stand behind Guy, no doubt unconsciously using him to shield herself from the outlaws.
"We'll find another way to stop the Black Knights," Robin said.
"I'm sure you'll try," Guy sneered, and watched as the outlaws went back into the forest. When they were gone, he turned to Laurencia and she smiled up at him. She had a bruise on her cheek, and Guy wondered which outlaw had dared to hit a woman. He hoped it was Robin; it would be one more thing to punish the outlaw for.
"Give me your hands," he commanded gruffly.
"You came for me!" she exclaimed happily, extending her arms so that he could cut the rope with his sword. "Thank you!"
A bit belatedly, she smiled at Allan. "Both of you."
Allan smiled back. Guy rolled his eyes.
When they got to the horses, Laurencia was eager to climb up behind Guy and put her arms around his waist for the ride back to the castle. He imagined that it was Marian pressing her thighs to his and warming his back, and when she dismounted in the courtyard, he was actually surprised for a moment to see Laurencia there, and not Marian.
The Sheriff appeared at the top of the stairs, frowning down at them. "What's this? Breakfast in the woods? I thought I told you, Gisborne, that my little Laurie was not allowed to go into the forest again."
"Robin Hood kidnapped me!" Laurencia exclaimed. "But Sir Guy rescued me."
The Sheriff lifted his eyebrows. "Is this true, Gisborne?"
"Hood had her in the forest," Guy affirmed. "We got her back."
"All's well that ends well, right?" Allan put in brightly.
"It won't end well until she's married to the Earl," the Sheriff said, then turned his attention to Laurencia, who immediately looked down at her feet. "If the Earl weren't coming to-day, missy, I'd have you locked in the dungeons to kee you safe."
Laurencia gasped and glared up at him in hatred.
"But the stench would probably put him off you, and that's something we can't afford. Guy, tell the servants to draw her a bath and get her dressed in something a little more … alluring."
"My lord," Guy said.
"And keep an eye on her!" the Sheriff added, which made Guy's heart skip a beat in shock while Laurencia gasped again and blushed. "Not like that, you idiot. Just make sure she's safe."
"My lord," Guy said again, and motioned for Laurencia to precede him up the stairs. She gripped her skirts in both hands as though she wanted to tear the material and marched up, glaring at the Sheriff the entire time. The Sheriff glared back, but once she could no longer see him, he stuck his tongue out and made a mocking face at her. As Guy went by, he heard the man mutter, "Lepers. If only the world could get along without them."
Part 10
Guy watched Allan go, and then his attention was drawn to the arrival of a man on horseback galloping towards the gate. He came to a stop in the courtyard and slid from the saddle, glanced around, then approached Guy. "My lord, a message from the Earl of Durham and –"
"And what?" Guy asked.
Uncertainly, the man added, "And a message from outlaws calling themselves Robin Hood."
"I'll take you to the Sheriff," Guy said, and led the messenger to the battlements. The Sheriff had finished with his hawk and was coming down the steps. He ushered them both into the great hall and called for wine, then sat down in his chair and leaned forward eagerly. "What news from the Earl?"
"My lord, he is greatly interested in the marriage proposal that you have set forth, and he is on his way. He will be arriving to-morrow."
"Excellent, excellent," the Sheriff said. A servant brought the wine, but although there were three goblets, the Sheriff only poured one for himself. Guy saw that the messenger eyed the remaining goblets with a hopeful look on his face, but the Sheriff only asked, "Anything else?"
The messenger reached into his bag and pulled out a surprisingly long, thick plait of dark blonde hair. One end of it was even darker and sticky with blood. When the Sheriff did not reach out for it, the messenger laid it on the table. "An outlaw stopped me on the way through the forest and gave me this."
"An outlaw?" the Sheriff asked. "Not one of Hood's gang, or even Hood himself?"
"Just an outlaw. He never showed me any tags," the messenger replied, sounding curiously evasive.
"Did he demand one tenth of your money?" Guy spoke up, remembering the encounters he'd overheard in the forest. Without meeting his eyes, the man replied, "He just gave me that and told me to take it to the Sheriff, said he'd understand what it was."
"He didn't take your money?" the Sheriff asked, pretending to be astonished. "That's not the Robin Hood we know and love, is it, Gisborne?"
Guy scowled. "Did he demand one tenth of any information you might have been carrying?"
The messenger squirmed visibly, and Guy pressed on. "Did you tell him that the Earl is coming here?"
"I didn't tell him anything!" the man protested, but wilted under Guy's glare. "I might have nodded when he asked me some questions – He offered me my money back from the last time, and more besides, if I told him what he wanted to know and didn't mention his name to you!"
"Guards!" the Sheriff called, and when they appeared, he ordered the man to be taken to the dungeons. Guy made up his mind to punish the man personally, too furious to feel regret at losing his fastest messenger.
When the hall was quiet again, the Sheriff finally turned to Guy. "Bring my little bastard down here, will you?"
When Guy got to Laurencia's room, Allan was standing outside the door, but he moved away so that Guy could knock. There was a pause, and then he heard a quavery voice call out, "Come in!"
He entered, and saw Laurencia standing at the window with her back to him.
"The Sheriff wants you in the great hall," he said.
"Yes," she said simply, and it was obvious she was trying to keep her voice under control.
Guy waited. At last, Laurencia wiped her cheeks with her fingers, then straightened her shoulders with an effort and turned around. She kept her head up as she walked, but her eyes remained fixed on the floor and once, Guy saw her clench her hands to fists.
In the great hall, the Sheriff greeted her with a falsely cheerful, "Ah. Little Laurie."
"My lord," she replied woodenly. Guy noticed she didn't call him father.
"Robin Hood sent you a little present," he said, indicating the table. "It seems your mother lost her head out in the forest."
Laurencia looked down at the coil of hair. Guy expected her to start crying again, but she didn't, just stared at it for a moment, then looked back at the Sheriff with the same lack of interest.
"But don't worry," the Sheriff went on. "You've still got me, dear old dad, at least for another day. I'm going to marry you off to the Earl of Durham when he gets here, which should be to-morrow."
Still, Laurencia did not react. Looking at her face, Guy remembered where he'd seen that same expression before. It had been on the face of a man he'd hit recently, who'd been so dazed by the first blow that he'd barely registered the second one, or the third. Guy wondered for a moment which blow had hit her first, what had made her cry even before he'd fetched her, so that she couldn't react to her mother's hair or news of her impending wedding. Whatever it was, it must have been bad. A tiny part of Guy whispered that he should feel pity for Laurencia, but all he could feel was relief that the Sheriff wasn't offering Marian to the Earl.
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Having no room of his own in the castle, Allan had made himself comfortable outside Laurencia's room, meaning to be there in case she woke up and needed anything in the night. Instead, he was woken by the cold, sharp feeling of a sword's blade at his neck. Startled, he opened his eyes and saw Robin Hood nose to nose with him.
"Allan. How convenient. With you sleeping out here, can we assume the Sheriff's daughter is in there?" Robin asked, then twitched his sword just a little. "Get up."
Allan got to his feet, and Robin made an expansive gesture with his left arm, telling him silently to lead the way. Allan turned the handle and opened the door, and Robin poked him gently in the back. He went in, holding his hands up just in case Laurencia was awake, so that she could clearly see he was acting under duress. But she was huddled under the blankets in the bed.
The fire had burned out. Will took the candelabra from the table and went into the corridor to light it from one of the torches, then returned. Once the room was illuminated, Allan could see the soft look that Djaq gave Will, and was surprised that he didn't feel even a twinge of jealousy. Djaq went over to the bed and gently shook Laurencia's shoulder. "Wake up."
Laurencia opened her eyes, blinking at first, then jerking upright in surprise. "Who are you?"
"Don't scream," Robin said, and Much added, "This is a rescue."
Laurencia stared open-mouthed at them, taking in the circle of outlaws with their swords drawn, and Allan with his hands up. Robin said, "Get up and get dressed."
Laurencia got out of the bed, dressed only in her shift. Hope was clearly audible in her voice as she asked, "What kind of rescue? Did my mother send you to get me?"
"Your mother?" Much asked, confused. Djaq, in the meantime, had opened the chest at the foot of the bed and pulled out a dress. "Here, put this on. We must leave quickly."
Laurencia took the dress, but stood there holding it. "My mother didn't send you?"
"No. Now get dressed or I'll help you," Robin told her, but Laurencia just stood there, shoulders slumped. When it seemed she was about to let the dress slip from her hands, Robin pushed Allan away, so that he stumbled in Will's direction, then went over to where the girl stood. Will grabbed him by the shoulder and jabbed the blade of his sword into Allan's neck.
"But – but what do you want with me?" Laurencia asked, and Allan could hear her voice tremble at least once.
"We don't want a ransom, we just want to keep you from marrying the Earl of Durham," Robin said. He grabbed the dress from her hand, found the hem, and pulled it over her head. Laurencia re-discovered her ability to move, and struggled against this new kind of force, but Robin managed to get her arms into the sleeves and her head through the neckline. "Djaq, find her shoes."
"What business is it of yours who I marry?" Laurencia added, twisting free of Robin's grip. "I think you're telling me lies, just like you told me lies in the forest about my mother."
Djaq approached with the shoes, and in the exact moment that Robin was distracted, Laurencia screamed as loudly as she could and ran for the door. John caught her, clamping a hand over her mouth, but she must have bitten him, because he pulled his hand away again with a muffled curse. When Laurencia screamed again, however, John whirled her around and hit her across the face with his fist. She slumped to the floor in deafening silence, and Allan winced.
"Sorry," John said, looking apologetically at Robin, who shrugged. Much stepped around Laurencia and opened the door a crack to look out. "Someone's coming!"
To Allan, Robin said only one word. "Nightmare." Allan nodded, swallowing, and watched as the outlaws arranged Laurencia quickly in the bed, pulled the covers over her, then disappeared into the privy. When the guard knocked on the door, Allan opened it, acutely aware of Robin behind him.
"It's all right," he said. "She had a nightmare, that's all."
"I'd wake up screaming, too, if I had to marry the Earl of Durham," the guard said, laughing at his own joke as he wandered away again. Allan privately thought that Laurencia was more likely to have nightmares about her mother. As he closed the door again, feeling the tip of Robin's sword at the back of his neck, Allan turned around very slowly. The rest of the outlaws came out of the privy and resumed their kidnapping.
"Just one last thing before we go," Robin said, and stepped back. Allan hesitated in fear, wondering if the outlaws meant to kill him once and for all. He was relieved to see that Robin was only making way for John to approach with his fist raised, ready to knock him out.
xxxxx
In the evening, Guy rode to Locksley Manor to see Marian, but she was asleep when he came, and did not wake up during the time he sat by her bedside. Gunilda and the cook both told him that she was doing much better, but he had wanted to see it for himself. Disappointed, Guy rode back to the castle and settled himself in one of the guest rooms for the night.
A knock on the door the next morning woke him even before the servant girl came in to build up the fire. That early in the morning, it could only be an emergency. "Yeah," he called out, and practically jumped from the bed straight into his trousers.
Allan came in. "Guy. Robin Hood's taken Laurencia."
Normally, Guy wouldn't have cared, but Laurencia was the only thing standing between Marian and the Earl of Durham. Straightening up to his full height, he glared down at Allan. "You take me to Hood's camp. Now."
And when Allan hesitated, no doubt still squeamish about that final bit of betrayal, Guy hit him, right on the new bruise that Allan now wore on the right side of his face. He hadn't meant to knock him out, but Allan fell to the floor and lay still. Angrily, Guy finished getting dressed, then stomped to the door to see about getting some water, and met the serving girl coming in with a jug. Reaching out, Guy took it, and as the girl knelt down to see about the fire, Guy splashed half its contents onto Allan's face.
Allan came around with a gasp and a splutter, then met Guy's glare. Sitting up and probing his cheek with his fingers, he said, "Not being funny, but if you kill me, you'll never find out where Robin's camp is."
"I won't kill you," Guy told him. "But I could make you wish you were dead."
"Right," Allan said, looking away. He got up slowly, radiating unwillingness in every movement, and lead the way to the stables.
"We ride to Locksley first," Guy told him as they mounted their horses, and didn't miss Allan's quick look of relief. No doubt the man was hoping for some kind of miracle to prevent him from having to betray the location of Hood's camp, something he'd steadfastly refused to do no matter what else he'd revealed.
When they arrived at Locksley Manor, Guy opened the door and marched in, turning directly towards the stairs, but his way up was blocked by someone coming down.
"Marian!" he exclaimed with a mixture of horror and relief. "Get back into bed or I will pick you up and put you there myself."
"I am feeling much better," Marian said. "And I really should get back to the castle."
She descended another step, and Guy did not hesitate. Meeting her halfway, he flung her over his shoulder, then carried her up the rest of the steps and back into the bedroom. Marian was shocked at first, but then began to wriggle in his grip and beat her fists against his back. "Guy, let me down!"
Happy that she wasn't strong enough on this occasion to twist away, Guy threw her to the bed, then leaned over and pinned her shoulders with his hands. "You are not better."
"Guy—" she said, then stopped. Guy pulled away just in time to miss her sudden, violent cough. It was a frighteningly long time before Marian could finally breathe normally again.
"Marian," he said. "Listen to me. You cannot go back to the castle. You must stay here and pretend to be as sick as possible."
"What?" Marian asked. "Why?"
"The Earl of Durham is on his way to Nottingham. He's expecting to find a wife here. If we can't get Laurencia back, the Sheriff will be just as happy to offer you to him."
"Guy, I don't understand. Who's Laurencia?" Marian asked.
"Laurencia is the Sheriff's daughter," Guy said.
"The Sheriff has a daughter?" Marian obviously didn't believe him.
"I think he was surprised himself when he found out," Allan said from the doorway.
"The Sheriff's offered Laurencia to the Earl of Durham," Guy explained. "But Hood's taken her, and if we don't get her back, the Sheriff will mention you to him. So I want you to stay here, and if anybody besides me comes for you, tell them –"
"Tell them what?" Marian asked.
Guy didn't want to speak the word, not while Marian was still in danger of a relapse, but he had no choice. "Tell them you're dying."
"And it's contagious," Allan added.
Seeing the look on Marian's face, Guy became afraid that she would not comply with his wishes, that she would be headstrong and stubborn, and get out of bed the minute he turned his back. "Marian, please do not fight me on this. People say that the Earl has murdered two wives already. I do not want you to be the third!"
Marian's eyes went wide, and she nodded. "All right."
Guy smiled in relief, then leaned over and laid his hand on her cheek. "We have to go. I'll come back as soon as I can."
"Be safe," Marian said. "Both of you."
Downstairs, Guy told Gunilda and the cook that Marian would be in danger if anybody except himself came to visit, especially the Sheriff's men, and they were to say that she was too ill to be moved. As he and Allan rode into the forest, Allan asked, "Shouldn't we take some more men with us?"
"I have an argument that should convince Hood," Guy replied. "I just need the chance to talk to him for a moment."
"He could kill you in one moment," Allan said quietly.
"That's why we'll take one of them hostage."
The further they went, the more uneasy Allan became, but Guy was in no mood to coddle the man. Finally, Allan said, "Let's leave the horses here. We can sneak up on them more easily if we're on foot."
They tied the horses to a tree a short distance from the road, and Allan led the way further into the forest. Guy unsheathed his sword, and after a moment, Allan did the same. They moved quickly and quietly through the brush until Allan suddenly stopped and indicated something ahead. It was Much, bending down to lift something from the forest floor. Guy took cover and scanned the area, not wishing to be taken unawares by Hood yet again, but nobody else was visible.
He approached from one side, with Allan on the other. Much had apparently set up a trap for something bigger, but had only gotten a mouse, which he was letting run free again. Seeing his opportunity, Guy stepped forward, grabbed the outlaw, and held his sword at the man's throat. Allan came up as well, glancing in all directions in case Hood should spring out of the bushes and ruin their plan yet again.
"Run out of squirrels, Much?" Allan asked.
"I could always cook a traitor, but squirrels taste better," Much shot back. "Even mice taste better. Even rats taste better."
Allan looked hurt. Guy increased the pressure of his sword, and Much went silent, swallowing convulsively. Pushing him slightly, Guy said, "Go."
They'd only walked a few hundred yards, however, when Much stumbled awkwardly. As he went down, he put one hand out sideways, grabbing for something, and almost instantly, Guy heard a metallic clang farther away in the forest. Allan groaned. "Alarm!"
Guy pulled Much back up again, looping his left arm around the man's throat and pointing his sword so that the tip of it dug into Much's jawline, close to the vein. They didn't have to wait long for Robin and the other outlaws to approach, their bows and swords drawn.
"Give us Laurencia," Guy said when Robin was close enough to hear.
Robin shook his head. "Or what? You'll kill Much? Then we'll kill you, and you still won't get her back."
"Or the Sheriff will offer Marian to the Earl of Durham instead," Guy told him urgently, and Robin's cocky smile faded instantly. Guy went on. "The Earl is ready to give his support to the Sheriff in return for a wife, and I don't think he'll care who he marries."
There was silence in the forest as the outlaws looked at each other, and then, after an agonizingly long time, Robin lowered his bow. "John, go get Laurencia."
John put down his weapon and jogged off. Guy smirked to himself at how easily he'd been able to persuade the outlaws to give in. A few minutes later, he heard female sounds of protest and John reappeared, practically dragging a blindfolded Laurencia by the rope that bound her wrists.
"I said, where are you taking me now?" Laurencia demanded as she was pulled into the circle. Then John released her blindfold and her face brightened as she looked around. "Sir Guy! Allan!"
John let go of her, and Guy released Much. Without words, the former captives both straightened up and walked to the opposite sides of the circle. Much took up his place at Robin's side, and Laurencia came around to stand behind Guy, no doubt unconsciously using him to shield herself from the outlaws.
"We'll find another way to stop the Black Knights," Robin said.
"I'm sure you'll try," Guy sneered, and watched as the outlaws went back into the forest. When they were gone, he turned to Laurencia and she smiled up at him. She had a bruise on her cheek, and Guy wondered which outlaw had dared to hit a woman. He hoped it was Robin; it would be one more thing to punish the outlaw for.
"Give me your hands," he commanded gruffly.
"You came for me!" she exclaimed happily, extending her arms so that he could cut the rope with his sword. "Thank you!"
A bit belatedly, she smiled at Allan. "Both of you."
Allan smiled back. Guy rolled his eyes.
When they got to the horses, Laurencia was eager to climb up behind Guy and put her arms around his waist for the ride back to the castle. He imagined that it was Marian pressing her thighs to his and warming his back, and when she dismounted in the courtyard, he was actually surprised for a moment to see Laurencia there, and not Marian.
The Sheriff appeared at the top of the stairs, frowning down at them. "What's this? Breakfast in the woods? I thought I told you, Gisborne, that my little Laurie was not allowed to go into the forest again."
"Robin Hood kidnapped me!" Laurencia exclaimed. "But Sir Guy rescued me."
The Sheriff lifted his eyebrows. "Is this true, Gisborne?"
"Hood had her in the forest," Guy affirmed. "We got her back."
"All's well that ends well, right?" Allan put in brightly.
"It won't end well until she's married to the Earl," the Sheriff said, then turned his attention to Laurencia, who immediately looked down at her feet. "If the Earl weren't coming to-day, missy, I'd have you locked in the dungeons to kee you safe."
Laurencia gasped and glared up at him in hatred.
"But the stench would probably put him off you, and that's something we can't afford. Guy, tell the servants to draw her a bath and get her dressed in something a little more … alluring."
"My lord," Guy said.
"And keep an eye on her!" the Sheriff added, which made Guy's heart skip a beat in shock while Laurencia gasped again and blushed. "Not like that, you idiot. Just make sure she's safe."
"My lord," Guy said again, and motioned for Laurencia to precede him up the stairs. She gripped her skirts in both hands as though she wanted to tear the material and marched up, glaring at the Sheriff the entire time. The Sheriff glared back, but once she could no longer see him, he stuck his tongue out and made a mocking face at her. As Guy went by, he heard the man mutter, "Lepers. If only the world could get along without them."
Part 10