Chapter 4

The Sheriff's hospitality seemed endless as that night a meal was laid on for the guest. The noise in the great hall was rising as the men relaxed and everyone began to enjoy themselves.

Filling his plate Guy found a free seat amongst Sir Edgar's knights, all of whom were eager to tell him tales of their exploits from the crusades. Guy listened to them as they recounted their daring deeds and tales of their master, it seemed that the knights where eager for an audience and Gisborne didn't mind their chatter, it was unusual to have such activity in the castle but some how Guy couldn't help but feel that this was how life in Nottingham should be.

'He doesn't look it but the old man's a fighter' the knight to Guy's left said reverently as he spoke about his lord, 'The Monaghan estate isn't big but the name Monaghan carries weight at court-'

'And on the battle field, It's just a shame that the our lord isn't as skilled in other aspects of life' The knight to Guy's left added as he and the other knight laughed, both looking towards their master who hadn't heard a word of what had been said, a voice from behind them made both knights startle as Lady Ward approached the table

'Good evening Sir Guy' Lady Ward said and Guy noticed that after their surprise the other knights struggled to hide their grins as the old widow made room for herself besides him, a beaming smile on her face.

'I trust that your room is satisfactory, my lady' Guy asked

'Very much so, sir, but I'm sure if I do have any needs you will be more then willing to help fulfil them' Lady Ward grinned even more and Guy heard several knights choke on their ale, while others quickly turned to look at their master who was seated a few places away and didn't look at all amused.

'I-I supposed Lady D'bernard must be tired after her travels' Gisborn asked hurriedly as he search for a topic that was more conversational, Eleanor was missing from the hall, her seat stood vacant next to her father as the sheriff laughed and joked with the neighbouring Lords and Ladies.

'Eleanor tired? Heavens no' Lady Ward laughed 'you'll not find my lady eating till she's sure the wounded men are settled for the night'

'Yet she insists that we feast without her' Sir Edgar added at Guys look 'She has always made sure that others are looked after before herself-'

'Many a night she hasn't eaten or slept because she's been by the bedside of injured man' Lady Ward continued

'She was always the same, even before she followed Thomas to the crusades. My estate and the D'bernard's lay within a few miles of each other' Edgar offered in the way of an explanation

'The physician gave up on Thomas weeks before he died. But Eleanor didn't, she never left his side once'

'Many a good man was lost at Acre' Edger said solemnly more to himself then anyone else. Guy didn't speak, He had heard of what had happened after his 'visit' to Acre. The peace talks had dissolved, as was planned, and as Guy and his men hurried back to England the crusaders were thrown into a bloody battle with the Saracens.

'Now is not the time to think of such things' Lady Ward said drawing them all from their thoughts 'We are all alive and life is for living, is it not Sir Guy?' She entwined her arm around Gisborne's and squeezed, her podgy face red and smiling as Sir Edgar once more glared down at Gisborne as though he was a naughty boy caught with his hand in the bread crock.

Guy quickly made his excuses and left, he needed to make sure the castle guards were turned out, and now seemed just a good a time as any.

The noise from the great hall reached Eleanor's ears as she traversed the corridors of the castle, the few servants that were not tending the guests bowed low and moved against the corridor walls to allow her free passage. It hadn't taken her father long to infuse them all with the knowledge that she was the highest ranked noble in the castle and that she should be treated how her title dictated. This meant that there wasn't much for Eleanor to do, but she was determined to not sit idle when there were people that needed help.

Knocking once Eleanor pushed open the oaken door that led to the chamber belonging to Yves Warburton. The room was dark and only the rasping breathing of the young knight disturbed the deathly silence of the room.

'He hardly draws breath' a weak and tearful voice breathed in greeting, it belonged to Yves's mother, who had not left her son's side since the moment she had joined Eleanor's party.

'This should sooth him, and help him to breathe more easily' Eleanor said as she pressed a goblet of warm liquid into the mother's hand 'The rest we must trust to god'

The mother nodded as Eleanor helped to pull the barely conscious Yves into a seated position as together they urged the young man to drink. For an hour Eleanor sat with the mother, offering comfort as best she could, but soon Eleanor could feel herself growing and so she bid the mother and son goodnight.

The noise from the hall could not be heard in this part of the castle; Eleanor had specifically asked her father to house the Warburton's far from the main rooms so that Yves would not be disturbed but the clamour of daily life and so it was in silence that Eleanor made her way towards her chambers, carrying the now empty metal goblet.

This time Eleanor met no one as she walked through the castle until she reached a stone spiral staircase, she nodded to the man as they past on the stairs but barely had the mans feet reached the step behind her when she felt a hand grab at her arm and another cover her mouth as she was pulled backwards into a small recess for a loophole, the goblet slipped from Eleanor's hands and clattered down the stairs as she reached for the hand around her mouth.

'Hush my Lady' the man's voice said and Eleanor froze, she knew the owner of that voice and as his hold on her relaxed Eleanor turned to see that she had guessed right.

'Sir Locksley?' Eleanor said as Robin pulled back his hood and nodded. Robin of Locksley had been one of Thomas' men; he had joined the crusades under the D'bernard banner and had fought along side Thomas as one of the kings guards.

'I'm sorry for the manner of getting your attention my Lady, but I'm not welcome in Nottingham as I once was' Robin said quickly 'I don't have much time, but I've risked coming here tonight because I need to speak to your husband-'

'I'm afraid you'll find that very difficult-'

'Difficult or not my Lady I must speak with him'

'Robin that's impossible-'

'Impossible tonight yes, but tomorrow, before the castle wakes have him meet me at the large oak tree that stands in the forest clearing. Any local man can show him the way, my Lady please, The Sheriff and his henchmen are crushing this county what I have to say can stop them-' a noise from the bottom of the steps halted Robin as he strained his ears to listen 'Please tell your husband to meet me' and before Eleanor could speak he was gone, hurrying back up the stairs that Eleanor had descended.

Eleanor was infuriated; Robin had always been hot headed but why hadn't he listened to her, couldn't he see that she was dressed in mourning cloth? If he had allowed her to speak instead of thrusting upon her his own will then he would have discovered that Thomas as dead.

'My Lady D'bernard, are you well?' a deep voice asked as Eleanor was pulled from her thoughts, standing before her was Gisborne, the metal goblet in his hands his face etched with concern.

'I am well, thank you' Eleanor said as she reached for the goblet

'I was seeing that the castle was secure for the night, I heard a noise' Guy nodded to the goblet as he handed it over 'Would you like me to escort you to your chamber?'

'Thank you but there's no need; I became startled that's all. Perhaps the castle isn't as secure as you think it is' Eleanor knew that Gisborne understood her meaning; his eyes moved quickly up the stairs, he bowed and like Robin in a second he was gone.