Prologue
Prologue
"He's beautiful milady." The midwife said smiling at the newborn in her arms. "He's going to be very handsome when he grows up."
"May I hold him?" the young woman asked.
"Of course." The older woman smiled. "Say hello to your mother." She said softly to the baby as she placed him in his mother's arms.
"Welcome to the world Guy." The baby's mother said. She smiled and kissed her son's forehead. "You have nothing to fear." She whispered. "You're a good person. I know you are." She hummed a lullaby as she fed the baby. When she had finished feeding her son one of the servant girls came over to put the baby in his cradle. "No matter what happens." His mother whispered to him "I know you won't let them corrupt you. You're strong Guy. Never forget that."
The years passed and six year old Guy and one of the sons of one of the servants were playing with their toy soldiers by the fireplace in the main room of the house. Their eyes widened in awe as two real soldiers came into the house. Guy's parents looked at the solider and then at each other.
"Guy," his mother said gently "why don't you and Jacob go play outside for a while?" The two children nodded and ran out of the house continuing their game.
"What do you want with Guy?" Andrew, Guy's father asked the solider.
"He's to come with me." The solider said. "He will become one of Vasey's soldiers."
"Please," Brida said tears spilling down her cheeks "don't take him."
"I'm afraid Lady Gisborne, that you and your husband don't have a say in this matter."
"The devil I won't! You will not take my son!" The guard scoffed.
"Guy is not your son." The solider said.
"What?!" Andrew said turning to his wife. "Brida, tell me what this man is saying is not true." Andrew's hands were trembling. Brida's sobs gave him his answer.
"Whose son is he?" Andrew asked in a low threatening voice.
"I…I…I w-was sworn to secrecy; I can't tell you Andrew. I'm so sorry."
"How could you do this to me?"
"I had no choice!" Brida sobbed falling to her knees. "If you believe nothing else I say Andrew, you must believe me when I say I had no choice!"
"Take the boy." Andrew said coldly still looking at his wife.
"No!" Brida half screamed, half sobbed. "Don't let him take him. Please Andrew!" said clasping her husband's hands. The solider left and when Brida ran to the window she saw her son seated in the front of the saddle, cradled between the soldier's arms as the solider rode toward Nottingham.