Chapter 2
Guy flinched at the last sentences. "I'd never…" Then he stopped. He did not know who he was and what he had done. "Then, why don't you kill me at once?" he said hoarsely. He had lost a large amount of blood and now he swayed. He was dizzy, sweat running down his pale face; he shivered. Robin scrutinized him again, got up and cut the ropes that held Guy's hands, grabbing a blanket and tossing it towards Guy. "Unlike you, I don't kill unarmed and injured men. But as soon as you have recovered, I will kill you. Lay down." Guy looked at him, surprise in his face, then laid back and pulled the blanket over him, closed his eyes and was fast asleep in seconds.
When Robin turned around, he looked at a frowning Much. "Sometimes I really do not understand you, master. Last time you nearly killed him and now you were short of tucking him in and singing a lullaby for our dear Guy of Gisborne. You've even cut his ropes."
Robin joined his men who had watched everything from afar and looked at him expectantly.
What will you do with him, Robin," Allan asked.
"Oh, I will kill him, but not now. Something strange has happened: Gisborne does not remember anything, even not who he is."
"Oh come on, Robin," Allan laughed. "You wouldn't believe that. He's deceiving you and as soon as you turn around, you'll have a dagger in your back."
"I'm no fool, Allan. Maybe he doesn't know who he is, but this doesn't make him an honest man. I'll be on the watch and will not risk the security of all of you because of him. I've cut his ties because of his wounds, but as soon as he's recovered, we'll tie him up again. You'll be on guard tonight, Allan.
"You can bet your balls on it, Robin. I'll guard him tonight and if he so much as flicks an eyelid, he is mine," Allan growled.
"We have to do something else," Robin added. "By tomorrow morning, the Sheriff will be suspicious that something has happened to his right-hand-man. He will send out soldiers and eventually kill some villagers. I'll make sure that this is not going to not happen. I'll send a message to the Sheriff.
When Guy woke up, the pain in his shoulder was even worse. He tried not to groan too loudly as he sat up. He tried to move his arm - -bad, really bad. It would probably take a while until he could use his sword arm again. His temple throbbed and when he touched his head, he noticed that his hair was blood crusted and sticky. Guy frowned. A deep shoulder wound and a blow to his temple; it could have been worse. Could this be the reason why he didn't remember? He had heard of cases like that, but hadn't believed any of it until now.
He looked around and met hateful glances. More than fifteen men were gathered around a fire. They shared bread, water and milk, rather frugal a meal, but nobody bothered offering him something. Of course not; he was the enemy and if he were in their shoes, he wouldn't do it either. If only he could remember. The name Robin Hood had rung nothing in his memories, but he knew the name Robin of Locksley, Earl of Huntingdon, although Locksley was said to be missing in the Holy Land. Then why couldn't he remember anything about himself, not even events about his childhood? He rubbed his forehead and looked up when he heard someone coming near – Robin Hood. He sat down opposite of him, his gaze thoughtful and taxing. Guy returned the gaze without fear, looking him over once more. So this was his deadly enemy? He didn't look very threatening, rather a babyface than a knight, but Guy wouldn't ever underestimate him. Obviously, his men respected him.
Robin tossed him a leaf of bread. "You had enough money with you that you can pay for your food," he said.
Guy ate hastily; it had been long since he had eaten something.
"You may wash up the lake, but don't get funny ideas or they will be your last ones." Robin added.
Guy got slowly to his feet and walked towards the small lake. He removed his boots and filthy clothing and walked in. The lake was icy, but Guy didn't hesitate; his body seemed to be accustomed to these temperatures. He knew there was no way to escape; he was still too weak to swim to the opposite shore before one of Robin's men would have caught up with him.
Robin's gaze followed him, but he turned around when he heard the sound of a horse heading towards the camp. He was sure, this was no attack. It was a single horse and heading straightforward. He got up; hell, this was Marian. What was she doing here? Of course, she might have been at Nottingham Castle. The Sheriff would have told her since she was betrothed to Gisborne.
Marian jumped from the horse, heading towards Robin. "What were you thinking, Robin, claiming a chest full of silver in exchange for Guy of Gisborne? The Sheriff laughed his head off. He said that he doesn't have any use for a Master at Arms who let himself be caught twice by a bunch of thieves and that he wouldn't give a hapenny."
"You shouldn't have come Marian. Don't worry, Marian, I knew that the Sheriff wouldn't pay anything."
"You knew?" Marian interrupted. "so you're omniscient now. What if the Sheriff had wanted him back? Who would have paid for this? The peasants! Is everything a big joke for you? The great Robin Hood, feeding the people? Sometimes I'm so tired of your games. – Where have you stashed him anyway?"
"He's, uh, no, don't turn around, Marian," Robin shouted
Why shouldn't she turn around? Robin and his orders! She turned around and immediately knew why.
Guy had washed the blood out of his dark hair and also cleansed the other wounds. He stepped out of the lake, deep in his thoughts. He had to escape, had to get his hands on some weapon as soon as possible. But he didn't know in which direction. The lake didn't help, there were too many of them. When he looked up, he saw a woman standing beside Robin Hood. A woman! What was a woman doing here? Rashly, he grabbed his pants and turned around, pulling them on. Since he'd washed out his bloodstained shirt, he didn't even have something else to pull on. Hesitatingly he made his way towards Robin and the woman who was looking in another direction now. For a second, Marian had caught herself staring, then she'd blinked and hastily averted her eyes, blushing deeply. She'd never seen him without his heavy coat and other leather clothing. He was…No, she wouldn't think of it…He was… magnificent.
When he passed her, Guy looked at her for a moment. She was beautiful. Dark hair framed an expressive face and she was not too scrawny. Her cheeks were still rosy; probably, she'd got an eyeful. But he had other problems than am woman now. He greeted curtly and went on.
Marian looked at his retreating figure and suddenly nearly held her breath. The back of the tall man was blotched with old crisscrossing scars everywhere.
Marian turned to at Robin, confused. "What is this? Do you have an explanation?"
"As for the scars - no, as for his behaviour – Gisborne has lost his memory; he doesn't remember anything, not even who he is. But we've got a problem now. You shouldn't have come. As soon as he remembers, he will know that you betrayed him. I didn't intend to, but I have to kill him now."
