The journey lasted over a week, and to Guy's annoyance, Eric insisted on going with him.
A part of him was glad of the company, the part that didn't want to see what his mind made for him. It was pure torture, and Guy knew that was the Sheriff's goal.
What would happen if she died? Would he continue living? It seemed it was impossible for him to do so, how could he have life while she lay dead?
And then, came his fury. It was anger at Robin Hood, anger at the sheriff, and most of all, anger at himself.
He should never have left. The pain of what she thought of him was nothing compared to the thought of her gone. Gone. He choked, She deserved life when he did not.
They sat in silence. Watching the red tongues of flame licking at the wood. The sky was dark, and the air was warm. Summer had finally come. But Guy didn't think it felt right, It was supposed to a time for celebrating. Not this hellish nightmare in which he lived.
"You must know it's likely to be trap?" Eric's rumbling voice broke the stillness, voicing the thought that had obviously plagued them both from the start.
Of course he knew, he wasn't stupid. But he was going anyway, he could never leave her alone to die.
"If you're worried about being caught, then go home, if you have one" He poked the glowing poles with a charred stick. It seemed just as likely as not for him to have someplace to go.
"I'm not afraid," Eric chuckled, but he looked a little moody. "Just thinking aloud... And besides, it isn't like me to miss an adventure. The more dangerous, the better."
Again Guy pondered over who Eric really was. Nothing fitted his description, for he seemed no soldier nor noble. Perhaps, He mused. He was both.
There was something odd about him, though, almost as if he was hiding something, and not just from the world, but from himself. It was like he was covering it up with false cheerfulness, and then sometimes, there was something in his eyes that seemed to reflect what was in Guy's. Loss.
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
It was typical of him, to see things that weren't really there. To think that because he was miserable, others must be too. He was imagining things.
"I know what you're thinking." Eric's blue eyes met his, assessing him. "You're wondering who I am, and why I'm here."
"And are you going to tell me?"
"No."
"Huh!"
"It doesn't matter, and besides you haven't told me about yourself."
Guy laughed dryly. "I would have thought you knew more about me than I do."
"I Know their side, but I can't very well trust what they say, can I? I'm curious. What do they really want you for?"
"You don't want to know." There was a short silence. "I'm wanted because I disobeyed the Sheriff's orders, several times, and then left with a pile of his money."
Eric smiled. "Good one. I Bet he was pleased about that, but why do I have feeling that you are only skimming the top of what's going on?"
"Because I am."
"Right, of course."