Illusionen 2

Illusions 2

Marian flinched, tears welling up in her eyes, but she didn't say anything. It would be futile anyway; so she didn't move, only prayed that it would be over quickly. She was glad though that he would not use the poisoned dagger he wore in his sleeve. She would have perished like an animal. Tied up, she had no chance whatsoever against a man like Guy of Gisborne. It would end here and now; she closed her eyes.

Guy looked down at the young woman, who was sitting on the ground in front of him, trembling and with her eyes closed. The Marian of his dreams had laughed at him, the real one waited for her death she knew she could not avoid. Guy's hand clutched the dagger, but he hesitated and his fingers began to tremble. There was not sound and eventually Marian opened her eyes. She looked at Guy, who was still standing there with the dagger in his hand and at least put it away in his boot again. She saw the mixture of pain and hatred in his face and didn't dare to move or say a word. One wrong word and he might change his mind! Guy grasped the chain Marian was shackled with and pulled her up, hard. "Don't think that you will get off unscathed," he said hoarsely. "His eyes narrowed. "Of course you may take your chance with the Sheriff, if you like."

Marian knew that she had a snowball's chance in hell of surviving, if she stayed here with Vaysey, and shook her head. For a reason she didn't know, Guy had decided not to follow the Sheriff any longer. So far, Vaysey's plan had been to take Marian to the Holy Land, but this plan also included Guy and Alan, and without Gisborne the Sheriff would probably think her dispensable. Well, she had had no illusions whatsoever that Vaysey would kill her eventually anyway, but going with Gisborne might give her a chance to escape. "Don't.even.think of it!" Guy snapped, who knew perfectly well where her thoughts were heading to. "You've fooled me long enough!"

He clicked his tongue and his stallion raised its head and came to him, snorting softly. Guy saddled his horse and fastened Marian's chain closely at the cantle, so that she had no chance to overthrow him. He knew she would try if she could. Then he fetched the halter and opened the door carefully. Everything remained silent and as soon as they were out of ear-shot, Guy loosened the chain, lifted Marian to the saddle and mounted his stallion. Soon they had left the inn behind them.

Guy swore under his breath. He had no idea what he'd do with her. He had acted upon impulse; he had wanted to see her suffer, wanted her to pay for what she had done to him, but in reality she was a burden and only hindered his escape. And he had to get away; Vaysey wouldn't be too pleased to lose his lieutenant and two bags of gold.

It was dark and he couldn't ride as fast as he had liked; they would to have to take a break some time soon. His stallion was strong, but it had to carry two people. Meanwhile it had begun to rain and Guy knew Vaysey would not be able to follow them. The rain would cover the tracks. It was time to look for shelter, a cave or a ledge. Even if another inn had been close-by, Guy would not have dared to spend the night there. A knight, clad in black leather and a young woman in chains - He might as well send a letter with directions to Vaysey. The rain was pouring down and Marian was soaked through; water was running down Guy's collar when, suddenly, he saw a dilapidated hut appear in the darkness. There was no smoke from the chimney or a dog snarling as they came near; nobody was to be seen. Obviously, the hut was uninhabited; the door was open and the roof covered only by a few bunches of straw. Guy dismounted, lifted Marian from the horse and pushed her into the hut. Marian shuddered; it was a full moon, but the hut had only one little window and she couldn't see her hand in front of her face. Her whole body was shivering from the cold; before, she had sat on the warm horse, Guy sitting behind her. Now the chill crept everywhere.

After only a few seconds Guy's eyes adjusted to the semidarkness. On the floor, there was a puddle of water, but one corner seemed to be dry. It was better than nothing. Guy's eyes searched the room and found what he had been looking for: some old iron rings in the wall, rusted but still firm enough that he could fasten Marian's chain. She would be able to move but not able to free herself. Then he turned around and pulled his dripping coat off which had protected him against the rain. Still, he had not spoken a word and had not looked at her as if she didn't exist.

She bit her lips. "Guy, please, I…."

Guy whirled around. „Shut.Up! I don't want to hear any more lies," he shouted. He looked in her face and she saw the hatred in his eyes. Even when he had set her father's house on fire, he had not looked at her like he did now…rage, disappointment…yes, but now….She was afraid; what would he do with her. Suddenly she was aware of her wet dress showing every detail of her feminine body and swallowed.

Guy knew exactly where her thoughts were heading and only looked at her disdainfully. "No need to be afraid. I wouldn't even touch you with a barge pole now," he hissed. "The noble lady …How far would you have gone to get the information you wanted? You're no better than a tavern whore, who is selling herself for a piece of bread and a little wine, only the whore knows she is starving otherwise. And they Sheriff you detest so much…you've used me as he did, but you think yourself superior.

It must be wonderful to always be on the right side, where everything is so simple."