Quintessence of Life: Mysteries of the Past

by Athenais Penelope Clemence

Torn between Robin and Guy, Marian marries Guy during the siege of Nottingham by Prince John's army. Robin, Guy, and Marian must unmask the mysteries of the past and untangle the triangle of love and hatred. This is part one of the long epic (trilogy).

10. Chapter 9 Plotting Regicide

Chapter 9

Plotting Regicide

The night was restless for Guy as he failed to put his thoughts of Marian out of his mind, his brain struggling to figure out how he should handle his marital situation. The morning couldn't come soon enough for him. He lay in his bed, looking at the window and measuring the span of time by the changing colors of the sky. Some of that span he slept fitfully, but most of the night he spent in a relentless awareness of pain and worry. Guy was relieved when a servant knocked at his door and notified that the grand audience with Prince John would take place in an hour.

Vaisey, Guy, and Allan went to Prince John's royal apartments that were divided into the great hall, several chambers, and one chapel, together forming the royal household. They had to go to the second floor of the White Tower. They passed through a galleried great hall and a Norman chapel dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. Then they were lost in the labyrinth of corridors before they finally came to the heavy oak doors of the prince's apartments.

They entered the great hall was huge, with whitewashed walls, two of which were covered with delicate tapestries and two bare. The chamber was furnished with a long, delicately carved, oak table and many gorgeous golden couches in the corners of the hall. A long row of high-back wooden chairs, each with crimson upholstery, stood near the table.

There were several high shelves, each full of books in various languages, which hung on the two bare walls. Prince John had a fierce passion for reading, which was rather unusual for the period, and he even had a travelling library of books that moved with him as court moved to another palace. Several oil lamps and silver candlesticks stood on the tables in the corners of the hall, which illuminated the room once the darkness descended upon the city.

Having once visited Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine's court in Poitou, Guy knew that Prince John's court, like King Henry II's court, was not a good place for those fond of exquisite luxury, for the English didn't have a taste for fine things. A court was a hive of a frenetic activity that revolved around the ever-moving person of the king and, in the absence of the king, Prince John. Guy was happy at court was in London in the winter as in the warm seasons it was nomadic, staying at a succession of castles, palaces, manors, and hunting lodges, rarely remaining in the same place for more than a few weeks.

Prince John, Count of Mortain, known as the Lackland, sat on a massive carved throne covered with crimson velvet, beneath a crimson velvet canopy of state. Two painted stone leopards crouched at either side of the throne, and, behind their heads, a magnificent banner embroidered with the royal Angevin lions sparkled with light. At John's special request, his throne was raised up three steps, which symbolized the superiority of a monarch over his subjects. Obsessed with the idea to become King of England, John strove to show his magnificence at every available opportunity.

Prince John wore a crimson brocade doublet with a high collar jeweled on its edges, a white taffeta shirt, and crimson brocade trousers. The color of his clothes also stressed his desire for kingship. A golden diamond chain gleamed around his neck; his fingers were stud with rings. A connoisseur of jewels, John always wore many pieces of jewelry.

John could probably be called a handsome man, but he wasn't particularly attractive, unlike his brother Richard. His face was dominated by a narrow mouth and a pair of grey-blue eyes lazily looking around with boredom. He had a slender body, not muscular and powerfully built. His head was full of dark red hair, a shade darker than Richard's. He was not as tall as his brothers, and he envied Richard and his other brothers, now already deceased, since adulthood.

Vaisey smiled at the prince and bowed; Guy and Allan also bowed. Allan gazed at Prince John with a sort of appalled wonder; he had never seen any Prince before and was stunned to the core. From the corner of his eye, Guy watched Allan's bewildered face and smirked.

Allan leaned his head to Guy. "Prince John likes opulence and jewelry," he whispered.

Guy smothered a grin. "More than anybody else."

"He doesn't look like an Englishman," Allan whispered into Guy's ear.

Guy gave a nod. "The prince looks more like an inhabitant of Poitou."

"Is King Richard different?" Allan asked.

"King Richard also looks as if from Poitou, but, unlike Prince John, he is cold, stern and high-minded," he murmured.

"Yeah, it seems they are different!"

"Allan, shut your mouth."

Prince John waved his head for silence. "Welcome, my loyal subjects and friends," he began, his eyes surveying his guests. "I am pleased to see you at my court today."

The Black Knights who attended the event formally greeted the prince, deeply bowing to him, some even kneeling to him and kissing his hand. The Earl of Spenser and the Earl of Buckingham were delayed by John for a brief private chat. The Earl of Durham and the Baron of Rotherham had an especially warm welcome from the prince who embraced them and spoke words of praise before the other Black Knights. Then everyone settled in chairs at the table.

Guy noticed some new faces among the Black Knights, wondering who they were. They didn't wear their usual black attire today and were dressed in colorful court attire.

Sheriff Vaisey, the head of the Black Knights Club, was greeted by Prince John with caution instead of special warmth. The prince stood up from his throne to exchange greetings with the sheriff, but he didn't embrace Vaisey as he did before. Vaisey's smile was rather tense as he buttered up the prince with flattery; the sheriff was nervous behind his outward calmness. Guy was polite and reserved; Allan trailed behind him, lost for words and wondering how to behave and what to do.

Prince John raised his hand, a sign for silence to everyone. "My lords, today we gathered here to discuss my beloved brother Richard, who is still crusading in the Holy Land." He smirked. "When my brother will leave the land of Christ and come home? Will he be able to win the war with the famous Saladin and justify his name – the Lionheart? What do you think?"

Vaisey smiled smugly. "My liege, your brother is not here, and nobody of us, your loyal servants, anticipates his return." He sneered. "Who knows what may happen? He may be wounded by a Saracen arrow. His ship may sink. But it will be different: we will help you become King of England." He paused, for an effect, his smile growing wider. "By God's holy eyes, I see here, in this chamber, the only man who is destined to be King of England." He bowed to the prince. "This man is John Plantagenet – King John I of England."

John smiled gloriously. "Lord Vaisey, you are definitely one of my most loyal subjects."

"Long live King John!" Vaisey cried out, his mouth curving into an ugly smile.

The Black Knights applauded. "Long live King John! Long live our king!"

Prince John theatrically outstretched his arms. "My beloved subjects, my brother Richard is unworthy of the throne! He abandoned our kingdom and our people. He doesn't love England and our people, and he cares only about foreign wars. If he loved England, he wouldn't have deserted the country to be a soldier of the Cross? My brother doesn't deserve to be the King of England, Duke of Normandy, and have all the other titles he carries so proudly." He raised his chin, smiling. "We all pray God will send an arrow to pierce the lion's heart. But we can help him roar in pain, too."

John hated Richard and wished him dead. Since Richard had left for the Crusade, he dreamed of an arrow striking Richard through the heart. In his dreams, he often saw the visions of the wounded Richard lying on the desert sand and begging God for mercy, shuddering in death convulsions, blood flowing out of his large and muscular body. Actually, John had always hated all his elder brothers because they had been ahead of him in the line of succession to the throne.

"Today we are here to discuss our glorious future. The Operation Shah Mat is moving to the next phase," Vaisey proclaimed, his arms outstretched, with his palms up. "We must mobilize our strengths and bring down pitiful Richard the Lionheart. We must be ready to help Richard end the holy war and, of course, take his life." He rubbed his eyes, imitating grief. "Oh, oh, the king is dead. How sad!"

Everyone laughed merrily, except for Guy and Allan. Guy was solemn and serious, while Allan tried not to show his disgust and shock.

"Brilliant, Vaisey! Brilliant!" Prince John applauded.

"The king is dead," Vaisey proclaimed with sarcastic remorse. "Long live the king!"

"Long live the king!" everyone echoed. Guy did that automatically, Allan – out of necessity.

"The operation Shat Mat will bring us to the new era of prosperity and happiness. I am ready to give as much money as I can to my king," the Baron of Rotherham declared.

Prince John smiled. "Good, Rotherham. I value such loyalty."

The Earl of Buckingham bowed. "I will also do everything for my king. I will give everything I have – all my estates and money – to you, my king."

"You surely love me, Lord Buckingham," the prince said with a large smile.

"I do love you, milord!" Buckingham exclaimed theatrically.

Prince John pursed his lips. "Buckingham, I know that you are very loyal."

"We all think that it is time to give England a new king," Sir Jasper promulgated.

"It is time for action, my lords," the Earl of Spenser announced in a high voice.

Buckingham smiled. "The new era is at the doorstep. We are so close."

The Earl of Durham chuckled. "England needs a new king who loves his country and who speaks unaccented English." His voice was so deep that it seemed to rise from his boots.

Prince John sneered. "Oh, my dear Lord Durham! This is a great pleasure to hear your witty remark about my brother's inability to speak English well."

"King Richard must die in the Holy Land," Rotherham said directly.

"Better in the Holy Land than on the way to England or in England," the Earl of Spenser agreed.

"Whether God sends an arrow or one of our people to finish off Richard Plantagenet, Richard shall lose the kingdom and the people's love," Gerard de Camville stated. He became an adherent of Prince John in the absence of King Richard.

John smiled. "I am pleased to hear that my nobles understand the needs of the country and the nation. Unfortunately, my mother, Queen Eleanor, doesn't understand that Richard is a weak king who is unable to rule the Angevin Empire." He pursed his lips. "Well, Richard has always been my mother's favorite child. Blinded by her mad love for Richard, my mother fails to see a simple truth." His face revealed a fake sadness. "It saddens me that mother is so blind and makes such foolish mistakes."

Vaisey looked steadily at the prince. "Sire, it doesn't matter what the Queen Mother thinks. Your esteemed father, King Henry, wanted you to inherit the throne."

"You must be our king, not Richard," Sir Jasper added.

John's visage brightened, and he smiled. "I heartily thank you, my loyal subjects." Then he sighed. "I have just received a message from my mother that she refuses to give me a right to use a half of her troops stationed in Aquitaine to defend England from the Scots in the north." His thin upper lip curled in fastidious aversion. "I am her son, am I not? Why doesn't she give me an army if I need it?"

"We are working on the matter. We will find a solution," the sheriff assured the prince.

John flashed a smile. "I remind you that I need a quick result. I count on you, Lord Vaisey, and your men, who must be loyal to us like dogs. We will discuss everything in private, later."

Allan looked down, on the floor. He didn't like Prince John's speeches. He knew that Vaisey and the Black Knights had tried to kill King Richard and had many schemes to overthrow Richard. But one thing was to know and the other to see and hear. He was also disgusted with the mission to find and murder Queen Eleanor's illegitimate son. If Allan had been honored to be a part of the sheriff's inner circle, now he was appalled. His only way out was Robin, but the gang had disappeared.

At the moment, Allan decided that he would never help Vaisey murder anyone else. Allan even thought of going to Acre to inform the king about Prince John's plots. Thinking that Lardner had been killed by the sheriff, he believed that King Richard had known nothing about his brother's treason and the Black Knights. Instead, he would have to play a game and then somehow contact Robin and warn the king.

Guy cringed as Prince John referred to him and Allan as faithful dogs. Vaisey often told him that he had to be as faithful and obedient as a dog; the prince's words humiliated and infuriated him. His face expressed nothing as he yielded his irritation to an open grin.

John waved for silence, and everyone veered their gazes to the prince. Then a middle-aged, grizzled man appeared in the great hall. The guest came to John's throne and made a deep bow.

The prince smiled. "This is Lord Walter Sheridan, one of the boldest and celebrated holy warriors. He is Richard's former servant. Lord Sheridan was betrayed by Richard and sent back to England after years of loyal service. Now he is among us and wishes to bring England into a new era with a new king."

Lord Sheridan swept his eyes over the room. "It is true. I was betrayed by Richard Plantagenet. His attitude towards me proves that the so-called king doesn't value an unconditional loyalty of his subjects."

The Black Knights were shocked to see Lord Sheridan among them. Lord Sheridan was one of Richard's most loyal supporters and one of the best military commanders. It was a shock to know that Sheridan had been sent back to England, even though he could be considered old to be a good soldier.

John supplied, "Lord Sheridan has interesting news for us!"

Sheridan bowed to the prince and reported, "On my way from Acre to England, I spent several days in Limassol and swayed Monsieur Guy de Lusignan to our side; he agreed to be our ally against King Richard. De Lusignan will provide us with valuable information about the war and some of Richard's plans."

John smirked. "Sheridan, you are a valuable asset." His eyes darted to Vaisey. "There is something else. In Limassol, Sheridan saw a man whom you, Vaisey, swore to kill a long time ago. You lost a bird from the cage." John's eyes shot daggers at the sheriff.

Vaisey stiffened, his eyes attached to Sheridan; Guy and Allan stiffened. They thought of Robin Hood. Allan's heart started beating faster in delight.

"In Limassol, I met Robin of Locksley, known as Robin Hood. He was heading to Acre with his friends and was received by Monsieur Guy de Lusignan as a guest of honor. Robin of Locksley was again appointed the captain of the king's private guard," Sheridan informed.

Prince John grinned. "Vaisey, you failed to capture Robin Hood. Now he is again with my brother."

A smile was gone from the sheriff's face, and he slightly paled. "My liege, I humbly beg you for forgiveness and promise to rectify the situation." He forced himself to smile. "We are already working on the plan of liquidating Robin Hood's good graces in England. Soon the population won't love him."

"They must love me!" John cried out.

"So Hood still lives," Guy muttered under his breath, his brow darkening.

"Ah," Allan said, suppressing a cry of joy.

"They will love you," Vaisey said, a little scared to lose John's favor.

"Attention, attention!" Prince John shrilled. "Now we are going to the agenda of the day. Today we gathered here to discuss our next move against my brother. We also have new members of our club, mainly Norman lords." His eyes flew to the young man in blue brocade doublet. "Sir Robert de Vieuxpont, you may speak."

Robert de Vieuxpont got to his feet and bowed to John. "As you know, the nobles of Normandy, Aquitaine, Anjou, Maine, and Brittany are very concerned about the absence of Richard Plantagenet. Two months ago, many lords swore their fealty to King John as they consider him the rightful King of England and the man who can bring prosperity into our lands." A perfidious smile illuminated his face. "All these nobles proved their loyalty to our true king by signing the Pact of Caen against Richard."

Robert de Vieuxpont was employed in Normandy as a paymaster of troops and director of military works, including those on the Rouen Castle. Prince John had given de Vieuxpont establishing task to establish alliances against Richard with nobles of Normandy, Aquitaine, Anjou, Maine, and Brittany.

John grinned wryly. "Very good, Monsieur Robert! Very good! You love me!" He laughed. "And where is this document now? Tell us, tell us!" He looked as excited as a child receiving a new toy.

"The Pact of Caen was signed at the initiative of Monsieur Robert de Sablé, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, who is currently planning to kill the Lionheart," Robert de Vieuxpont declared. "De Sablé is fighting in the Holy Land, alongside with other holy warriors; he requested that the Pact of Caen be delivered to him in Acre for the organization of a new attempt on King Richard's life."

The Black Knights began applauding, happy that the conspiracy had taken such deep roots: Robert de Sablé fought alongside Richard and had great power as Grand Master of the Knights Templar.

"Richard lost Lord Walter Sheridan who joined us some time ago. He also lost Monsieur Robert de Sablé, a man coming from the most respected noble families in Anjou and his leading Angevin vassal," Prince John stated, his upper lip curling in vile delight. "My brother is unable to reward loyalty. Richard is losing his supporters in England, Normandy, Aquitaine, and Brittany."

"It is time for action!" Sir Jasper cried out.

John laughed. "I am not like my brother. I know what loyalty is and how to reward it. Help me and you will win," he said. "My lords, I am sure that you all have ambitions. Don't feel embarrassed and voice your desires, let us have it out in the open between us."

"Long live King John!" enthusiastic cries came, echoing throughout the chamber.

§§§

Guy of Gisborne watched Prince John with an impassive face, a half-smile on his lips. John had a sharp and cunning mind and was much cleverer than he had pretended. But John also was self-indulgent and greedy; John's excellent conversational skills brought him popularity of a sort, but he had never been loved by the people as much as Richard was. Guy also knew that John certainly had no qualms about committing murder if it was in his interests, and he often wondered how long they would keep their heads in case of their failure to kill King Richard or the Queen Mother's golden boy.

The sheriff leaned his head to Guy's ear. "Gisborne, it is a bonny sight, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," Guy whispered, his eyes fixed on the smiling prince.

"Gizzy, my dear boy, you should be loyal to me and you will win, together with Prince John and me. We will have everything: power and wealth beyond measure," the sheriff murmured. "My boy, you owe me your absolute loyalty after everything I did for you and your sister. Without me, you wouldn't have survived in Normandy."

Guy averted his eyes from the prince and lowered his head. "I know that I owe you, my lord." Sometimes, he thought that if the devil had ever walked on earth in the shape of a man, he would have looked like Vaisey or Prince John.

Prince John waited for the buzz of voices to die down, then spoke again, in a driving, rhythmic flow that held his listeners spellbound. "Now, now, my lords, we will talk about the next assassination attempt on Richard's life," he announced, his face alight with gladness, a large smile hovering over his lips. "Lord Vaisey has more detailed information about Sir Robert de Sablé's mission."

Vaisey lurched to his feet, sweeping his eyes over the Black Knights. "Sir Robert de Sablé is currently preparing to hire the Hashashin and make the lion give a last howl of pain."

"That would be amazing," Prince John said, laughing. "My brother must die in the Holy Land before he makes peace with Saladin. It would prove that he is not the Lionheart but the Weaklingheart!"

"Who are the Hashashin?" Allan asked Guy.

Guy grimaced. "The Hashashin are the Order of the Assassins. They are excellently trained religious warriors, fighting for power with other Muslims and with Christian invaders. They committed many political assassinations in the Holy Land."

"They can kill King Richard?" Allan inquired.

Guy gave a nod. "If they fail, then I don't know who can kill the lion."

"Ah," Allan breathed. The thought of King Richard's assassination in the Holy Land made Allan fell ill with worry, guilt, and grief. Only the news that Robin was with the king eased his mind. Robin would defend the king, he told himself.

Prince John's face darkened. "As Robin of Locksley is in the Holy Land, I have to ask you something." He sighed. "It looks like he may become a great problem for us. Will the assassins be able to outsmart the royal guard and kill my brother?"

Sheridan cleared his throat, rubbed his nose, and spoke in a firm, confident voice. "It is a right decision to hire the Hashashin. Now, when Robin of Locksley again leads the king's private guard, it is nearly impossible to kill Richard, and so regicide must be committed by highly professional assassins. The Hashashin are exactly what you need."

"My king, please let me say some important things," Vaisey interjected. He paused; the prince nodded in approval, and he went on. "Why do we need to fear Robin Hood? He is just a mere thief!" His face showed feigned shock. "From a high lord to a low criminal... from noble to nothing... from hero to zero... This is everything about Robin Hood."

Prince John laughed at the sheriff. "If Hood is nothing, then why did you fail to kill him?"

Vaisey's face darkened. "My liege, I–"

"Enough, Vaisey," John cut him off, his gaze fixing on Sheridan. "Is Hood really so deadly with a bow and a sword, Lord Sheridan?" he inquired, furrowing.

"I trained Robin of Locksley as a knight and a soldier, and I know for sure that Robin is very good with a sword and a bow," Sheridan assured the audience. "When Robin got a Saracen scimitar, a weapon better and lighter than a broadsword, his fighting skills became murderous. Robin's extraordinary fighting skills made him the legend of the Holy Land," he summarized.

"Is Hood bloodthirsty?" John whistled. "Hood's motto is that he doesn't kill."

"Robin may be very bloodthirsty. At the beginning of the Crusade, after the Battle of Messina, the guards wagered how many men Lord Locksley killed in total, and they tried to count but stopped after the first battle in the Holy Land," Lord Sheridan informed. "Locksley fought like a possessed man in Messina, in Limassol, and in every battle in the Holy Land. I bet his arrows killed more than a thousand of the heathens. In a battle, Robin could use more than a hundred arrows, and King Richard asked the guards to collect unused arrows of fallen enemies with a special purpose to keep them for Robin."

John smirked, his eyes mocking Sheridan. "Then why does Hood try to avoid killing in England?"

"I believe that Robin has grown tired of bloodshed," Sheridan explained. "By the end of his time on the Crusade, he killed out of duty – to protect the king. He didn't want to kill, but killed because he had to."

"Hood is a killer, isn't he?" Prince John wondered. "Interesting."

"Sire, I wouldn't say that Robin of Locksley is a killer. He has always been much more compassionate than other generals and soldiers," Sheridan made a slight amendment. "Robin is extremely good at killing, and if he is seized with bloodlust, his enemies should flee and beg for mercy, for he can mercilessly slaughter them. I have seen him in such a role many times in Acre."

Vaisey and Guy shared glances of understanding, remembering the bloody battles near a cave and on the Great North Road.

"Hmm," John said. "I remember very young Robin of Locksley when he came to court. He was a skinny little thing, not like my brother Richard, muscular and tall."

Sheridan smiled knowingly. "When I met Robin in Poitiers, he was fifteen. He was a young, slender boy, not very tall and strong to be a good warrior." He smiled somewhat nostalgically. "I was very impressed with his archery skills, but I doubted that he would become an outstanding swordsman."

"But you underestimated him," the prince concluded.

Lord Sheridan was a little embarrassed. "Yes, but only at first." He smiled. "Richard Plantagenet said that Robin would surpass my expectations, and he was absolutely right. By the end of the training, I saw a potential of a great warrior in Robin."

"Go on," John urged.

Sheridan smiled. "When Robin became a member of the king's private guard, before his promotion to the position of captain, I was already impressed with his agile, unpredictable, sophisticated, conniving, and beautiful sword fighting style." He chuckled. "Well, he is not a skinny boy anymore: now he is a handsome young man, muscled and strong enough. He is still of a slight build, but that doesn't make him a bad fighter at all, for he expertly uses his relatively small size to his advantage."

The prince's laugh filled the air. "Well, Hood certainly wasn't entertaining himself with the Saracen women during the Crusade. I wanted to have confirmation from someone who knows Hood and who trained him, and now I believe in what I have heard about him."

Sheridan shook his head. "It is extremely difficult to overpower Robin in a fight."

A long silence followed Sheridan's words as Prince John thought of his new supporter's words.

"I have heard a lot about Robin Hood's reputation in the Holy Land. Some of Hood's former comrades told me many stories about their brave captain," Prince John mused. He pushed his hair off his forehead. "At times, I think that it would be good to have Locksley at our side."

The Black Knights stared at Prince John in shocked awe. Vaisey's eyes were darting around nervously. Guy felt his stomach lurching; anger spiraled in his heart, only to be supplanted by hatred for Robin Hood.

Lord Sheridan shook his head. "Locksley will never switch his sides. Never ever."

"Then we will have him killed, in a due time," Prince John said resolutely.

"Sire, it is rather unlikely that we have even a minor chance to kill your brother if Robert de Sablé fails. We will be unable even to approach the king's camp because they are on a triple high alert," Lord Sheridan countered. "Robin will give us no chance to approach the king. He would do everything to save his beloved Richard." He smiled. "Locksley is a mischievous devil, as well as a bloodthirsty and extremely effective guard! There is no better man than Locksley to lead the private guard; only Robert de Beaumont, the Earl of Leicester, might be Hood's rival for this position."

John glanced quizzically at Sheridan. "Lord Sheridan, do you love me?"

Sheridan nodded to Prince John and, with a muttered word of apology, bowed. "My loyalty is with you, sire. I do love you."

"Then never say such things," John said brusquely.

"We just need an effective trap for Locksley," Spenser intervened.

"There are always ways," Buckingham said.

"We must kill Robin of Locksley," Durham said.

"It is not easy. You cannot imagine what Locksley can do," Sheridan contravened.

John's strict face changed into a wide grin. "I always have an alternative plan." His gaze shifted to the sheriff. "Lord Vaisey will be responsible for planning and organizing if Robert de Sablé fails."

Vaisey knew that Prince John wasn't pleased with his unsuccessful attempts to arrest Hood, for his failure had created a serious threat for the realization of the prince's plans in the Holy Land. He was worried that Robert de Sablé might have succeeded in killing the king and come out of the deal laurel-crowned. That was not what the sheriff wanted.

The sheriff smiled. "My king," he began, "I will do everything to serve you well." He let out a smile. "I will make up an excellent plan. My people and I will go to Acre and kill the king."

"Are you planning to take Guy of Gisborne with you?" John said with a mocking smile.

Vaisey nodded. "Yes. He is my right-hand man."

John smiled as if at an absurdity. "I remember that Gisborne failed to kill my brother in Acre."

"Robin of Locksley stopped him," Sheridan pointed out.

Looking at the sheriff and the prince, Gisborne felt his body tense; he was stiff with anger. Everything in his life was tied to Robin of Locksley. Robin had thwarted his attack, and Guy had had to escape from the king's camp. He had been was deprived of the only satisfaction– Locksley's death as the man had managed to survive the nearly fatal wound. Hood was becoming a terrible thorn in his side as the outlaws completely ruined many of the sheriff's plans in Nottingham. Prince John still remembered about Guy's failure to kill King Richard, and the sheriff would undoubtedly humiliate Guy in the light of the prince's remark.

Now Hood was again in the Holy Land. Guy was in agreement with Sheridan that if Robert de Sablé failed, their chances to kill the king would be negligible. They would have few chances to get close to the king's camp as the unexpected Saracen raid was no longer an option; only the spies of the Black Knights in the king's entourage could help them. Hood would surely keep a heavy guard around the king's camp and would invent new methods to capture assassins.

Guy blinked. "My king, I beg your pardon," he said obsequiously. "It will never happen again. I promise that I will eventually kill Hood and the king," he said in a controlled tone, trying to control an increasing feeling of anxiety and unease.

John flashed an exuberant grin. "But you failed once, Sir Guy. You may fail again."

Guy stiffened. "Milord, I won't fail you again. I–"

John raised his hand. "Enough. I know what you want to say." He stared at Vaisey. "Lord Vaisey, you and Gisborne will come to my apartment for a private conversation after lunch."

Vaisey seethed with anger, but his face revealed nothing. He gave a fulminating glare to Gisborne and then looked at Prince John, smiling sweetly. "As you command, sire."

"Save your oaths of loyalty for the day of my brother's death, the day of boundless joy," Prince John said encouragingly. He clapped his hands. "Now, my lords, enjoy meal and wine."

The Black Knights rose to their feet and bowed to Prince John, who rose from the throne and headed to the exit, motioning them to follow him.

In the great hall, the Black Knights seated themselves at the long table; Sheriff Vaisey and the Earl of Buckingham seated themselves next to Prince John. Many beautiful ladies were at the feast, but, this time, they didn't seat near John like on all other feasts, for the festivities followed the meeting of the Black Knights and the prince stayed close to his loyal men. The Black Knights flattered John and praised his choice of the menu and his taste in wine. Delicious food was served on silver platters and wine in silver goblets. The musicians played a sweet music throughout the meal.

Guy and Allan sat rather far from the sheriff, eating and drinking in silence.

Guy was secretly pleased to be away from his master for some time. Guy's face was impassive, but he was very angry and also scared in anticipation of their audience with Prince John. Before the meeting of the Black Knights, Guy had been hungry, but after John's reprimand, his spirits plummeted, and he lost his appetite. Guy found the food terrible and the wine much worse. Guy scoffed, thinking that Prince John should have consulted with his elder brother regarding choices of wine for banquets at court, for Richard was known for a great taste for wine.

Prince John and the Black Knights enjoyed the feast and were absorbed in a breezy conversation. Suddenly, John signaled Vaisey to stand up and relocate to the end of the table. Then John beckoned to himself the young brunette dressed in a stylish blue muslin gown, with an ample skirt and sleeves trimmed with white lace. The lady smiled and rose to her feet from her seat, slowly walking to the prince's table. The lady dropped into a deep curtsey and then seated herself at John's right side.

Allan scoffed. "It is very funny that the sheriff was commanded by the prince to take a seat so far from him," he broke the silence as he watched Vaisey seat down in a high-back chair near Sir Jasper of Ashton and Sir Robert de Vieuxpont.

Guy raised a goblet of wine to his lips, struggling with the desire to make a toast for the sheriff's public humiliation. "You know that the prince is not pleased with our failures. That's the result."

Allan sipped wine. "But Lord Buckingham remained at the prince's left."

Guy placed the empty goblet on the table. "Buckingham enjoys Prince John's highest favor and he has never failed to please the prince." His eyes scanned Buckingham's smiling face, and he drummed his fingers on the table. "Moreover, Buckingham is Vaisey's old and close friend. I have known him for more than fifteen years; I met the earl in Rouen years ago."

Allan looked at Vaisey and then veered his gaze to Buckingham; his expression changed into curiosity. "I didn't know about that. They must have their own secrets."

Guy sighed ruefully. "That is exactly what I fear."

Allan's eyes took in the face of the lady who chatted with the prince. "Who is this lovely lady whom the prince honored so much, Guy?"

Leaning back in his chair, Guy let his eyes linger on the prince's lover before looking at Allan. "This is Lady Suzanne de Warenne, the prince's cousin. Several years ago, she gave birth to John's child – Richard FitzRoy, Baron of Chilham." He chuckled. "She is one of Prince John's numerous mistresses."

"Ah, I know that the prince likes ladies."

"Allan, speak more quietly. We are not alone," Guy warned, looking around.

At Guy's words, the lady, who sat next to him, turned to face Guy, her eyes blazing with hatred. She was Lady Agnes of Stoke, Roger of Stoke's young cousin and only surviving relative. She knew what Guy had done and hated him with all her heart. During the feast, Guy caught Agnes's disdainful gazes on himself, which contrasted so much with rapt looks which other ladies gave him.

Guy flicked his gaze to Lady Agnes. He wondered why the lady was so unfriendly, but he feared to ask her; eventually, curiosity prevailed. "My lady, have I somehow disappointed you?"

Agnes of Stoke laughed contemptuously. "You killed my cousin, Sir Guy of Gisborne."

Guy felt as if the floor were trembling under his feet. "Who was he?" He needed to know.

"Roger of Stoke," Agnes supplied in a chilly voice. "Now I have to be at court because Prince John hasn't granted me the titles of property for my cousin's lands yet."

Allan almost choked on his wine. "Blimey," he murmured.

Guy's chief feeling was one of shock mingled with dread. "I am sorry," he said after a pause. That was all he could offer to the relative of the man whom he had murdered.

Gisborne felt almost sick at the memory of how he had found Roger of Stoke and had murdered him. Guy had stopped Roger on the way to his village from the town; he had introduced himself as Robin's friend and had asked for a minute of privacy. Roger had looked at Guy suspiciously, but he had agreed. As soon as Roger had dismounted, Guy had advanced forward and had plunged his dagger into Roger's heart. Then he had ordered shocked Allan to dig a grave in a nearby forest; they had thrown Roger's corpse there without giving Guy's victim a Christian burial.

"Nothing will ever return Roger to me," Agnes said. "I only wish to know where you buried my cousin after you had cruelly taken his life."

An uncharacteristically embarrassed Guy stammered, "I… I…"

"I am sorry," Allan murmured.

Agnes swung her gaze at Allan. "Ah, you must be Allan-a-dale who betrayed Robin Hood for coins."

Allan's eyes grew wide. "How do you know about Robin and me?" He was utterly shocked with Agnes's words, also feeling ashamed of himself at the moment.

"What a strange question!" Agnes gave Allan a look of disdain. "Roger was Robin's close friend."

Allan and Guy shared shocked glances. It seemed that Robin had informed Roger of Stoke's cousin about her brother's murder after Allan's banishment from the gang.

Guy gave Agnes a sharp look. "Robin Hood is a criminal and an outlaw. Anyone who helps him and his gang goes against the king's law and must be punished."

Agnes laughed into Guy's face. "I doubt Robin Hood will be an outlaw for a long time. I think King Richard will send a messenger from the Holy Land carrying Robin's pardon." She arched a brow. "And how can you call Robin a criminal if you are a callous beast who kills innocents in cold blood?"

After Agnes's speech, several people, sitting close to them, directed their gazes at Guy.

"Lady Agnes, you should watch your tongue," Guy said, his eyes glowing dangerously.

Agnes chuckled. "What will you do to me, Sir Guy? Will you kill me like you killed my cousin?" Her small hand touched a goblet of wine. "Should I start fearing for my life?"

An infuriated Guy gritted his teeth. "Don't be ridiculous, my lady."

"You are fond of killing those whom you don't like, and you hate everyone associated with Robin." The lady's tone was nonchalant and cold.

"Lady Agnes, it is not the best time to talk about that," Allan interposed.

Agnes ignored Allan and focused her attention on Guy. "Gisborne may kill everyone, even children." She shrugged. "After all, he left his own son to die in the forest. Only beasts can kill their own children!"

The Black Knights who watched the exchange paused and stared at Guy. Several women gasped in shock, shaking their heads in disbelief and looking as if they were about to faint. The Earl of Spenser and the Earl of Durham smiled malevolently at Guy.

Guy turned ghostly pale. Agnes had apparently met Robin Hood before Robin's departure to Acre. "You don't know everything, Lady Agnes, even though someone told you something very bad about me."

Agnes sipped wine. "And what do I have to know?"

Guy looked down at himself, his eyes taking in the sight of his black leather jacket. Although his heart was like a moonless night, he would have never murdered his own son. "I didn't leave the boy in Sherwood," he said quietly. "I paid one of my loyal men, George, and ordered to take my son Seth to Kirklees Abbey. Later George returned and reported that he had delivered the baby to the abbey." He sighed. "I didn't know that he had left the child in the forest."

Guy knew that Robin Hood had found Seth in the forest: the outlaw had thrown the news into Guy's face, enjoying his humiliation. Shocked to learn the truth about Seth's fate, Guy had found George in Locksley, forcing him to confess that he had left Seth in the forest and then had taken Guy's money for himself. Guy had murdered George in an outburst of anger. Guy only knew that Robin had sent Annie and Seth away from Nottingham; he assumed that Robin had taken care of them and they were alright.

"Who will believe you, Gisborne?" Agnes shot back waspishly. "Nobody!"

"It is your deal, my lady," Guy said dismissively, trying to seem indifferent.

Agnes of Stoke jumped to her feet. "I will find another place for myself. A murderer always stinks from a head downwards – I cannot stay here." She cast a scornful glance at Guy and then walked away.

"Guy?" Allan asked tentatively.

"Shut up, Allan." Guy's tone deemed that it was wise not to argue.

Guy and Allan spent the rest of the banquet in silence. Guy remembered the day of Roger of Stoke's murder over and over again, not even looking at Allan. Allan was reluctant to break the silence, afraid that his master would work off his anger on him. Each of them wanted the day to be over.

§§§

After the festivities, Vaisey and Guy were summoned to the royal reception room. They both were anxious, unaware of what John would tell them. The only known topic for discussion was Queen Eleanor's illegitimate son, whom they were still trying to find so hard without success. John's rage could be terrible when his desires were impossible to be satisfied or when his authority was undermined.

Arriving at the prince's chambers, the sheriff and Guy were permitted to go inside without waiting. They entered the enormous room with whitewashed walls and luxurious decorations. The heavy Flemish tapestries embroidered with gold and silver ornaments matched the upholstery of high-backed armchairs and three footstools placed along one wall. The light was strong enough to admire gold and silver ornamentation of the high white ceiling.

Prince John lounged in a high back armchair, his legs stretched forward on the carpet. He smiled at Vaisey and Guy and took a gulp of wine from the wine cup he held in his right hand.

Vaisey bowed to John. "Sire, we are at your disposal."

Gisborne bowed. "At your service, milord," he said politely.

"I wanted to talk to you in private," Prince John said, his voice pleasant enough, although he seemed bored. "Do you have any news about my mother's illegitimate son?"

"Unfortunately, we don't," Vaisey replied apologetically, straightening from his bow. He knew that it would displease the prince, but he couldn't lie to the future sovereign of England.

Prince John raised a brow. "Why, Lord Vaisey?"

"We need more time, Sire. We would also be grateful for more information if you can provide us with," Vaisey replied neutrally.

"Hmm," the prince grumbled, pinning the sheriff with a glare. "You disappoint me, Lord Vaisey. Do you at least have the list of suspects?"

Vaisey nodded. "Yes, milord." He pursed his lips. "As you informed us about the queen's love for the boy, we have concluded that the Queen Mother was more than likely to keep her son at her court, in Poitou." He smiled. "We think that if your brother knows about the boy's existence, he is likely to favor him very much."

John took a sip of small wine. "Sometimes, my brother can be very cunning. He may keep the boy in his sight, but not necessarily always by his side and in high favor."

"We worked hard on the list of the names of the nobles and narrowed it down to several names," the sheriff continued. He stared at Gisborne. "Gisborne, tell His Highness the names."

"The bastard may be one of your brother's favorites, including Sir Robert de Beaumont, the Earl of Leicester; Sir Robert de Vere, the Earl of Oxford; Sir Roger de Lacy, Baron of Pontefract; Sir Geoffrey de Fougères; Sir William de Mowbray; and Sir Roger of Stoke," Guy said in a monotonous intonation.

"Roger of Stoke is dead. Gisborne killed the man," Vaisey intervened. "Maybe the queen's bastard is already dead and worms are eating his body."

"Yes, I killed him," Guy confirmed.

"No," came the prince's cold reply. "We are not sure that Sir Roger of Stoke was my mother's bastard. And even if he was the bastard is dead, I wanted him alive."

"At that time, my liege, we didn't know that Roger of Stoke could have been the Queen Mother's illegitimate son," Vaisey defended them. "And if he was your mother's son, then why did she say that she asked your bother, sire, to take him under his protection?"

"Good, Vaisey, good!" John's lips arched in a smile. "Sir Roger of Stoke is not the man we are looking for, unless Gisborne didn't kill him or if my mother doesn't know that Roger is already dead. Could this Roger survive or stage his death?"

"No," Guy assured the prince. "I myself killed him. My man, Allan, and I buried him."

"Well, positive news," the prince said with a laugh.

"Yes, milord." Gisborne shut his eyes, thinking of Roger's death. He was ashamed of how violently and cruelly he had murdered his victim. And what if Roger was the queen's son? Strangely, he felt almost sick of guilt at the thought that he had probably killed Queen Eleanor's son.

"All the men in the list are favored by Richard. I don't think my dear mother's illegitimate son is Sir Roger de Lacy, the Baron of Pontefract. I have liked de Lacy very much and I would be angry if you, Vaisey, cause him any harm," the prince warned.

"Understood," Vaisey croaked.

"I have no opinion of the others," the prince said after a long pause. He looked thoughtful. "I have heard that my brother favored three men on the Crusade the most; they received an unofficial status of grand favorites. Isn't Robin of Locksley also Richard's grand favorite?"

Vaisey and Guy exchanged alarmed glances.

Vaisey gave a slow nod. "Hood is called a grand favorite."

Guy shook his head. "I myself excluded Robin Hood from the list of suspects. Hood cannot be the man we are looking for. He is the son of Elizabeth of Locksley and Malcolm of Locksley. His mother died in childbirth."

A puzzled John leaned forward in his armchair. "Sir Guy, how can you be so sure that it is not Hood?" He laughed. "Did you see Lady Elizabeth of Locksley pregnant with Hood? Or maybe you helped get Hood into her belly?"

The sheriff patted Guy's arm. "Gizzy, come on! Don't be modest! Did you seduce Hood's mother? Did you kiss her in her lips? I have heard that she was a beautiful lass! Did you throw her into the hay at the stables in Locksley? Did your parents know about your small… pranks with the lady?"

"Well, well, answer Gisborne!" John took enormous pleasure in Vaisey's funny games; it was one of the reasons why he liked the sheriff's company.

"My lord, I… I…" Guy turned paler as the winter snow. "I was a small boy at that time."

Vaisey let out a laugh and jested, "How sweet, how charming it would be if you were Hood's father, Gizzy. Imagine, Gisborne, we would have had Hoodie of Gisborne, not of Locksley, then!" He playfully brushed his hand across Guy's chest. "Gizzy, is Hoodie of Gisborne your son? I know how you can charm and seduce lepers. Your charm is like a drizzling rain… It drenches you to the bone and you are slowly growing weaker, but in the end this rainy and dark charm doesn't crush you and Gizzy fails. His charm didn't help him kill Hood." He playfully cupped Guy's face. "Gizzy, even your name sounds so similar to a drizzling rain! Gizzy and drizzly! Oh, this is sweet!" He drew back from Guy.

Prince John almost gurgled with laughter. Guy reddened and paled in turn, and then he hung his head; he was shocked with the tons of humiliation the sheriff was putting him through.

"Great, Lord Vaisey! I love you! You have a brilliant sense of humor!" Prince John applauded.

Vaisey bowed. "Gizzy – dizzy – drizzly! Laugh and the world laughs together with you; weep and be alone!"

"Don't make me laugh so hard. I may take it unkindly." The prince tried to recover from laughter. "Well, we had a good laugh. Now back to the matter. I doubt that Gisborne saw the said lady heavy with child. Everything could have happened."

An inwardly seething Guy elucidated, "Sire, I remember that Lady Elizabeth was apparently with child, although I was very young. I also remember very well the day when Hood was born. The villagers were in deep mourning for Lady Elizabeth who died on the day of Hood's birth."

John measured Guy with an evaluating glance. "Oh, it has slipped from my mind! Your family, Gisborne, was dispossessed and the lands were included in the Locksley estates." He sniggered. "You and Hood are old enemies. Hood took the Gisborne lands from you, but you still failed to kill him."

"Milord, I tried–" Guy began.

Prince John heckled Guy and spoke in an incensed voice. "Gisborne, I begin to believe that Lord Vaisey may be right: sometimes you may become a hapless and incompetent, like a flag carrier who ventures into battle with no weapons. You tried so hard to capture Hood that you allowed him to disappear and return to Acre." He pointed an angry finger at Guy. "You also failed to kill my brother in Acre. Maybe a Saracen woman from one of the brothels in Acre cast her outlandish spell on you, and you were unable to fight during the attack like a knight of your rank should? You have failed me many times!"

Guy stood firm as he defended himself. "Milord, it is just an annoying coincidence that I failed!"

"And why did you fail?" John pressed on.

Guy's face was burning with embarrassment. "Hood interfered, although I wounded him and left him to bleed into the sand. I stabbed him and it seemed that it was a mortal wound, but he wasn't dead."

John feigned frustration. "You disappoint me, Sir Guy." His gaze flew to the sheriff. "Lord Vaisey, Gisborne is so soft, like a meek woman. I doubt he will be able to kill Richard."

Vaisey gave Guy a fierce glare and then flitted his gaze to John. "I will also travel to the Holy Land. I will invent the plan and make sure that the king is killed. Gisborne will just accompany me."

"Sire, if I may–" Gisborne said, biting his lip, looking down at the ground.

John interrupted Guy. "No, you may not, Sir Guy. You said enough. At least now we know that Hood is most likely not my mother's son."

Guy clenched his fists. "Yes, milord."

"Haha!" the prince thundered, laughing derisively. "Gisborne, don't be afraid of Hood! You will have a chance to settle scores with him."

"I am not afraid of this criminal," Guy defended himself.

The prince leaned back in his chair, then tapped the tips of his fingers against his wine cup. John regarded Gisborne with a scoff, and Guy realized that he was losing the prince's trust. He suddenly felt very embarrassed in front of his prince and future king.

Smiling, John reached up to his hair and ran his hand through it. "Facts give the contrary evidence, Sir Guy," he said. "Your failures to kill the king and then to capture Hood prove that you make many mistakes, although nobody can deny that you are an excellent swordsman."

"Thank you. I treasure your praise, milord," an elated Guy said in a lighter tone.

John's smile was mocking. "Sir Guy, you must prove yourself."

The sheriff chuckled in amusement. "Sire, you are correct! Since his marriage, Gisborne grew more and more lenient towards peasants and prisoners. He collects taxes and performs his duties very well, but he is soft and lazy." He gazed at Guy, an insolent sneer manifesting on his face. "Gizzy, my boy, your dear wife, your missy, is not only your blessing but also your curse!"

The prince laughed. "I know what is happening to Gisborne. He is enjoying the pleasure his wife gives him in their bed. Lust has seized not only his family jewels but also his brain!" He laughed again, louder. "Vaisey, you should keep an eye on Sir Guy as your right-hand man can become weaker if he spends too much time in a bed with our dear Lady Marian, this delicious piece of female flesh."

Vaisey's face was imbued with mockery. "Lepers, lepers, lepers!"

"My dear Vaisey, you always have a clever and witty answer, which cannot be said about Sir Guy," Prince John mocked. "Sir Guy should develop a sense of humor."

The sheriff snarled, "I bet Gizzy will never learn to take pleasure of mischief."

"I have heard Robin Hood is a mischief-maker," John put in. "Maybe he should have a lesson with our friend Hood to learn what mischief is."

"Learning is necessary for Gisborne," the sheriff said firmly. "Gizzy will continue obeying me and doing what I command. He will eventually learn."

To avoid meeting the gazes of the sheriff and the prince, Guy lowered his head and regarded the clean white borders of his fingernails. He barely managed to hide a look of disgust that threatened to cross his face. He would have made a rebuke towards Vaisey if they had been alone, but he didn't dare say anything in the prince's presence. He wanted to run away from the lecherous prince and the mocking sheriff. He felt unutterably weary and emotionally devastated, and he needed solitude.

Prince John glanced at Vaisey in the eye. "Lord Sheriff, I have a great assassin who can kill Richard and Robin Hood. The Sheriff of York recommended him to me. The young man sold him a lot of the Byzantine fire and demonstrated outstanding fighting skills." He smiled. "The Sheriff of York reported that the man was interested in a contract to capture Robin Hood."

"Why do we need this man, milord?" Vaisey shot back, affronted. "We can do everything without him. Gisborne, our Saracen allies, and I will be enough for the mission."

"No, Lord Vaisey!" John frowned at them. "I must be sure that Richard will be killed if Robert de Sablé fails and you have to go to Acre. This assassin from York is deadly with a sword and even more deadly with a bow. The Sheriff of York swore that this young man shoots like Robin Hood and is as murderous with a sword as Hood." He sneered. "This man can be even a better swordsman than Richard and Robin Hood." He laughed merrily. "He is surely a better swordsman than you, Sir Guy."

Guy was hardly able to look at the prince and averted his gaze. He was angry, humiliated, and ashamed. And everything went wrong because of Robin of Locksley.

"Who is this assassin?" Vaisey asked, intrigued.

"I know that his name is Archer," John responded, with a twitch of his lips. "What a funny name!"

"Haha!" Vaisey thundered. "This is a comic name."

"Vaisey, if you have to travel to the Holy Land, you will take Archer and Gisborne with you," John ordered. "One of you will be able to finish off the lion. Archer will come to London soon, and Lord Sheridan will check his skills."

"As you wish, my king," the sheriff agreed sulkily, his mouth twisting.

Prince John emptied his goblet of wine and threw it into the wall. He looked at the sheriff for a moment, silent. "I will no longer tolerate failures, Vaisey. I know you can do a lot more than you have achieved by now. Think man, think! I need results! Results! Or you will suffer the consequences!"

"This time, we won't fail," Vaisey said, his mood somber, but his evil heart full of hope and plans.

"Continue searching for my mother's illegitimate son," Prince John commanded. "It is a personal matter for me. I have nothing against the royal bastard and I don't care for him, but I want to teach my dear mother a lesson." His face turned angry, but then he smiled craftily. "My own mother doesn't love me; she is against me and my ambitions to take the crown. I hate her for loving Richard and her bastard while I have always been neglected by her. I hate that Richard knows her secret and helps her hide it, while I am aware of nothing, as usual." His clenched his fists. "But I will teach her a lesson."

"We will find the queen's bastard," Vaisey assured. "We will work day and night. We will detain him and you, sire, will be able to do with him what you want."

"Vaisey, control Gisborne. He needs a right hand to lead him in life," John recommended.

Vaisey brushed his hand across Guy's shoulder, as though tenderly. "I will take care of my boy. I have always taken care of him."

Guy lowered his chin, not wishing to meet Vaisey's sneering eyes. He was silently shaking with helpless anger and indignation that Prince John had given Vaisey so much power over him.

Prince John glowered. "You cannot fail me again," he threatened. "Take what time you need, but not very much, and report to me your findings about my mother's son."

"We will work on the deal," Vaisey muttered, bowing submissively.

John eyed the sheriff and Guy somberly. "You must devise an effective plan in case you have to travel to Acre."

Vaisey regarded the prince with a crooked half-smile. "Sire, we will do everything to please you."

"Now leave." John glowered at them and then put his hands on his temples. "Our meeting gave me a few headaches."

"Sire," Vaisey and Guy said together, bowing; them they walked out of the chamber.

Prince John was alone in his chamber not for long. Soon the prince's servant announced that he had a visitor, and the woman dressed in a luxurious blue brocade gown with fur trim on the sleeves entered the chamber. She stood serenely at the doorway and sank into a deep curtsey to the prince. There was a black silk mask on her face that covered all her face, except for her mouth and her lower jaw, for she had come to the White Tower incognito, not wishing to make her visit known to anyone.

John permitted her to rise in a moment and climbed to his feet. His guest was impressive herself: classy, elegant, and stunningly beautiful. As she rose from her curtsey, her eyes locked with the prince's, and he gasped for air, his heart pounding harder, his entire body pulsing with desire. He took in the sight of her smooth, creamy skin, her long dark hair, and her steel blue eyes, like a pool of still mountain water, watching him through the slits in the mask.

"My dear, I was waiting for you," the prince said with a large smile. "Come to me! Come here!"

"As my king wishes," the woman answered as she stalked towards her lover.

John stopped next to her and took her hands in his. "I think you don't need this anymore." He brought his hand to her mask and removed it from her face. The mask fell to the floor, and he eyed her lovely face shining with a smile. His entire body was tense with lust, and powerful desire coursed through his loins. "I prefer to see a lady's face if I fancy her, and I like you very much."

She leaned forward to John, her beautiful face lit with delight and gladness, as if she were truly happy to see him. Candlelight brought out the soft glow of her skin, highlighting the graceful curve of her cheekbones. "I am very happy to see my king. I wanted and needed to be with you so much," she said, smiling at him from under her long dark eyelashes, but it was a fake smile.

The lady let out a deep sigh of grief, frustration, and tiredness; so many feelings were mingled in just one seemingly meaningless sigh. The blinding truth struck her heart – she wanted to be out of the prince's presence with every part of her tormented and anguished heart that somersaulted at the very thought of being 'a royal mistress', for it wasn't the path her mother would have wanted her to follow. She didn't want to be with him in the same room, in the same palace, and, of course, not in his bed, but she had no other choice if she wished to have a different life. Some good people, like Robin of Locksley, could be good without obstruction because God just loved them, but it was not her case.

She smiled at Prince John. She was relieved that he couldn't gauge her real thoughts and he could see nothing suspicious behind her courtly, honeyed smile, although there was the steel light in her eyes, which her lover usually took as a sign of her gayety and cheerfulness she was supposed to feel in his company. She loathed the man in front of her because he was a royal wastrel, who squandered his life in shallow, careless ways but who, however, was a prince by birth and, thus, a man of privileged and exclusive life. That was all about him, and she understood that very well, but she couldn't let her guard down, letting her true feelings slip from behind the façade of gladness, or she would lose everything. Everything that had happened between her and the prince in the past months was beyond her comprehension, but she was going to use her chance and play her game with the prince and the world.

Prince John was all the woman needed to change her life – the highest social standing in the Angevin Empire and in England, the great power and authority he possessed and exercised in King Richard's absence, and the intelligent, cunning, and ambitious head that would eventually lead to his accession to the throne of England. In the high society, noblewomen were rightless and voiceless, and they didn't have favorable marital rights unless they belonged to the English royal family, which wasn't her case as there was no Plantagenet blood in her veins. Women were and probably would never be truly and fully equal, legally or in perception, to men, but she still wanted to make advances in a political area, gain better social standing, and have power, and John was the only man who could make her dreams come true. At least the prince wasn't ugly and was an experienced lover, who was much more caring for her pleasure during their intimacies than her husband had ever been.

John laughed smugly. "All women crave to be with me. No one has ever complained that I am a bad lover," he said with confidence. "All my mistresses are beauties, like you."

"You are quite right, sire. You have a most discerning eye for beauty," she flattered him. "You also have a shrewd and keen mind. You are sagacious, intelligent, and wise." She smiled. "All those who love you are impressed by this talented mind of yours so much!"

John didn't smile. His face was set in firm lines too old for his youthful years. "Before you came, I had two annoying visitors – Vaisey and Gisborne." He sighed. "I hope that they won't fail me again."

The woman smiled, this time with real gladness. The conversation about Vaisey and Gisborne was a much more practical and simultaneously diverting topic than the empty wasteland of time she had had while exchanging pleasantries with the prince. She wanted to learn more about the two men whom she hated wholeheartedly, but she couldn't reveal her extreme anxiety to her new lover. She could become a member of the Black Knights Club only if her moves were well thought out and cautious, as well as executed remorselessly and ruthlessly, and with surprising confidence, even if she often found it hard to muster the courage to continue weaving her intrigues. A clever and intelligent woman, she knew that danger was stalking her from all sides and every wrong move could be her downfall and even death.

She swiftly emerged from her thoughts, and looked at John, flashing a flamboyant smile. "Your subjects should love and please you instead of disappointing you, my king. What did they do?"

Prince John pulled his gaze from his mistress and stared into the orange glow leaped out from the hearth. Then he turned his head to look at his mistress. When his eyes met hers, the firestorm of desire burned inside him, and thoughts about everything else perished from his mind. He was walking a thin line of control here, for he wanted to take her here and now – he craved her more than ever. He exhaled sharply, the sound loud in the silent chamber.

"It is not a time for business," an already aroused John affirmed. As quickly as a hurricane can change its path, he caught her about her waist and lifted her up, just like in a dance. She laughed at him and lifted her hands in the air, too, as if she were trying to touch the sky. "I have some more pleasant thoughts on my mind." He put her on her feet and scooped her into his arms. "I will tell you everything you want later."

The woman laughed, a sound of pure, innocent joy. She loved his playful nature, even though she despised his philandering ways of life. Maybe not everything was as bad in her unexpected alliance with the prince, she thought. "As you wish, sire. I am yours," she whispered.

John grasped his lover's waist and planted a quick kiss on her lips. Then he easily carried her to the table, and slammed her onto it. He pulled her skirts out of his way, and he reached out with his hand to trace the curves of her legs and caress her thighs. She parted her legs for him, one of her hands already unlacing his trousers. They joined together with the force of a thunderstorm as he thrust into her with a violent movement of his hips, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

His eyes glowed as he stared into her eyes, moving inside her faster. She grasped his hair, feeling him place his lips on her neck, where the pulse was fluttering wildly. Although the experience was new for her and she was taken aback by the prince's actions, she was able to relax in his arms and enjoyed their encounter, savoring the moments of pleasure her skillful lover was giving her. In the aftermath, the lovers sat on the table for a long moment in the same position – the woman's legs straddling the prince's hips as they were getting their breathing under control, their limbs still entwined.

John was charmed by the intimacy of the moment, wishing to stay like this forever, but, eventually, he sighed. "I am sorry that it happened so quickly," he said apologetically. "I didn't want to hurt you."

The lady was pleasantly surprised with his words, for he seemed to care for her or he pitied her, but she preferred the first option. "Oh, my king," she breathed. "It was amazing."

The prince had never been careful with his lovers, but her case was exceptional as he was well aware of her husband's reputation. Although he was mad with passion when they were together, he always tried to be gentle with her, but he was delighted to find a passionate spirit in her. "You don't need to worry about your husband. You are not going back to him."

She blinked her eyes in amazement. "What?" Her voice was a mere whisper.

He chuckled. "I wanted you only for myself! That's why I appealed to Archbishop of Canterbury who permitted your separation from your husband. You don't have to live with him anymore, and I am intending to give you several estates where I can visit you." A shadow of disappointment passed over his face. "So far I don't want to make our relationship public, but, this time, will come very soon."

She blinked again, her mind struggling to grasp the meaning of his announcement. She ran her trembling fingers through the red strands of his hair. "Is that real?" The whole world turned dazzling white around her, and she felt something she hadn't known for so long – relief and contentment.

John smiled at the childish expression of disbelief on her face. "Yes. The official separation agreement between you and your husband will be signed next week. I will supervise the event and ensure that all legal procedures are done properly." He cupped her face and glanced into her eyes, his breath washing her face. "I wish that I could have spared you the pain of being with this man before. I don't like when great women like you are mistreated."

"Thank you," she whispered, deeply touched. "Thank you," she reiterated. He wasn't a man whom she could love, but their liaison was so beneficial and even pleasurable.

She kissed Prince John, and he kissed her back, his lips moving from her mouth down her neck and then reaching her ear and then back to her lips. Kissing her lover, she thought that John was like a cunning, wild tiger that needed to be approached gingerly and be dealt with cautiously because it could rip her heart out if she dared betray him or move in the opposite direction. It took a touch of genius and a lot of courage to understand the prince's intricately woven plots and then to offer her sound advice to him, but she welcomed this challenge because upside potential was unlimited.

§§§

Vaisey and Guy left Prince John's chamber and slowly walked to their apartments. The prince's words were ringing in their ears, adding to the existing anxiety and worries, which had already taken their roots in them. As they were alone in the corridor, the sheriff gripped Guy's forearm and stopped him.

Vaisey gave Guy a sinister look. "Gisborne, you are a spineless idiot! Prince John was angry that you failed to kill Hood and the king. You made the prince angry."

An ashamed and angry Guy dropped his stare and turned away. "It is not my fault, my lord."

"Gisborne, Gisborne! You are such an idiot that I can lose my favor because of your failures!" the sheriff cried out in indignation. He was silent for a moment, regarding Guy. He gripped Guy's arm and turned him to face himself. "Nothing to say, Gizzy?" His voice was throaty with laughter. "Make sure that you become yourself again. Otherwise, I will replace you with this Archer."

Guy made a sarcastic sound through pursed lips. "Archer," he drawled, tasting the name. "You even don't know him."

"Then concentrate and help me plan and organize regicide, Gisborne! Your laziness and weakness will no longer be tolerated!" Vaisey cried out irritably. "I have a feeling that de Sablé will fail. And we must devise a plan to beat Hood and the king's guards and kill both the king and Hood." He sounded enthusiastic.

Guy looked at him sidelong. "Of course, milord."

Vaisey scoffed. "Gisborne, I think you need a distraction. Why can't you follow the custom of court and take a lover?" It was difficult to say whether he sounded serious or mocking. "You may sleep with many beautiful lepers here unless you have changed your preferences and now like power more."

"You have everything I need, my lord."

The sheriff croaked with a laugh. "Being a married man doesn't mean that you must be devoted to only one woman, all the more your annoying leper wife." He grinned at his henchman waspishly. "My dear boy, are you choosing physical continence? Or are you planning to live in celibacy? When we lived in Normandy, you bedded many servant girls and peasant lasses. You also went to brothels, from time to time… if I permitted you that. The girls liked your… dark charm and your strong arms."

Guy disliked when the sheriff talked to him about his old love adventures even more than about his marriage. He lowered his eyes, embarrassment flooding him. "It is in the past."

Guy had had love affairs with many women; he was an experienced lover and knew how to please a woman in a bed. Unlike knights of his age, he hadn't tasted a lot of sin in his early youth as he had struggled for every penny after his banishment from Locksley; but it didn't mean that he had lived in celibacy and had no lovers at all. After Guy had started working for Vaisey, he had many opportunities to enjoy carnal pleasures with young girls, some of whom had been maidens.

"But, of course, that's the last activity which would interest you, my boy." He scowled. "This leper has wrapped you around her finger, damn her."

Guy's eyes flashed as he fingered his blade. "My lord, you do Marian and me injustice. We are–"

The sheriff cut off his henchman's speech. "I am the sheriff, and my word is just and true, Gisborne. I want my old Gisborne back."

"Yes, my lord," Guy said automatically.

The sheriff smiled and stepped aside. "By all means, Gizzy, be like the other Black Knights! Look at the Earl of Buckingham who is simultaneously keeping several mistresses. You should find a mistress, get a servant girl in your chambers, or go to the finest brothel in London." He scoffed. "Lord Sheridan told the prince that Robin Red Breast had changed many bedmates in just several days while he had been on Cyprus. Hood had entertained himself on a grand scale."

Guy's eyes nailed his master for several terrifying seconds, and then a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He was pleased that Hood didn't live in celibacy after his departure, and now he could blacken Hood's image in Marian's eyes. "I will think about that, but not today."

Vaisey cast him a sly look. "Will you ever think about that, Guy? Some men may be quite used to amusing themselves, but you are not one of them. And it is a pity."

The sheriff patted Guy's shoulder, this time tenderly and lovingly. His short and chubby fingers slid down Guy's jaw line, while his thumb brushed in a gentle stroke just above the corner of Guy's mouth. Then the old man took a step back, still staring at Guy.

Guy cringed at the sheriff's actions. He often didn't know whether the sheriff treated him like a son or like a potential lover. Guy was aware that, from time to time, Vaisey slept with both men and women, and at times Vaisey's deep affection for him frightened him.

"My lord, I… I…" Guy didn't know what to say.

"It is alright, my boy." Vaisey's mouth quirked up in a condescending smile. "We are staying at court for two more days, and tomorrow we will start planning regicide."

They resumed walking down the tower stairs as they spoke about the regicide attempt. Strangely, Guy didn't feel enthusiastic at the thought of killing King Richard; he had been more willing to kill the king two years ago than now. He discovered that he was reluctant to go to the Holy Land and again attempt regicide, especially now, when they had so many chances – too many chances – to fail. The very idea of making a new attack on the Crusaders' camp, masquerading as a Saracen, was revolting.

The sheriff left Guy on the stairs and headed to find the Earl of Spenser and the Earl of Buckingham. Guy sighed with relief when he returned to his bedchamber. He wondered why Vaisey was so close to Buckingham and whether they were plotting something he wasn't aware of; he had a feeling that there was something he didn't know about the activities of the Black Knights.

He went to the table with a decanter of wine and poured out a full goblet. Almost idly he took a goblet into his hands and in the dim light of the candle examined it; then he stared into inside, imagining that red liquid was Robin Hood's blood. He drained the whole goblet and then poured another one. He put a decanter to his lips and started making huge gulps. Then he licked his lips and dropped himself into a chair, his long legs sprawling out; he was hugging a half-empty decanter of wine.

Guy stared into the emptiness, and his mind traveled to the past, to the happy time of his childhood when his parents had been alive and every day had been bright and happy. His parents had been so happy on the day of Isabella's birth! Then the images of the fire at the Gisborne Manor emerged in his mind. Finally, he envisioned Marian and Robin Hood locked in a tight embrace, passionately kissing.

His mind drifted back to the old times – to the moment when he had seen Marian for the first time. Once Lady Ghislaine of Gisborne had been absent for several hours, and he had been worried about her. He had left the Gisborne Manor and had gone to Locksley, where he had inquired about his mother's whereabouts. He had been told that she had gone to Locksley Manor with Sir Malcolm of Locksley, the Earl of Huntingdon, and the children – Isabella and Robin. Guy had been displeased with the revelation, for he hadn't liked Malcolm and Robin even before the fire.

Determined to find his mother, Guy had headed to Locksley Manor. Bowing to the young raven-haired nobleman, Thornton had allowed him to enter the manor. As Guy had stepped into the parlor, he had been astonished to hear his mother's voice ordering the servants to occupy the children while she had been busy, conversing with Malcolm. He had heard his mother's laugh, but then Ghislaine's voice had faded away, and Guy had heard the crack of the closing door.

All at once, Guy had heard a hubbub of cheerful voices, murmurs of excitement and happiness, and in moment three children had appeared from the living room, running across the parlor one after another; Robin had been chasing after two girls – Guy's own sister Isabella and the dark-haired little girl whom he had never seen before. The children had been so absorbed in their game that they hadn't noticed Guy in the parlor. As the laughing children had climbed the stairs, Thornton had rushed after them, scolding them for being so noisy. Guy had laughed at them, but he hadn't liked that two young girls had been besotted by Robin.

Truth be told, Guy had never liked young Robin of Locksley because the boy had been Malcolm's son and because of Robin's mischievous ways; he had thought that a young nobleman, all the more the only heir of the Earl of Huntingdon, one of the premier earls of the realm, had to be a responsible and serious young man, not a troublemaker and a mischief-maker like Robin. He had believed that if Robin hadn't been responsible in childhood, then the future Earl of Huntingdon would never be able to administer the earldom and all the other estates owned by his father.

Guy had found Ghislaine and Malcolm in the same study room: his mother and Malcolm had been sitting in the high-back armchairs near the hearth, smiling at each other and involved in the lively discussion about ancient Greek literature. At that time, Sir Roger of Gisborne had been already presumed dead, and Ghislaine had heavily relied on Malcolm's advice and support in Locksley and Nottingham, where everyone had considered her - a Norman noblewoman - a foreigner. At that time, Guy hadn't known that they had already been lovers.

On the same evening, out of mere curiosity, Guy had asked Ghislaine about the dark-haired lovely girl whom he had met at Locksley Manor. Ghislaine had informed him that the small girl had been Lady Marian of Knighton, the only daughter of Sir Edward of Knighton and Robin's betrothed. At that time, Edward hadn't been appointed the sheriff of Nottingham yet; he had lived a lonely life at Knighton Hall together with his small daughter; the aging lord had preferred a calm and uneventful life since the death of his beloved wife Kate in childbirth. Ghislaine had mentioned that Marian had often spent time in Locksley and had enjoyed playing games with Robin. Ghislaine had also told Guy that Sir Edward was Malcolm's old and beloved friend and that he had often come to Locksley to visit his friend, despite his only desire to grieve the loss of his wife in proud solitude.

Later Guy had often watched Marian and Robin running wildly in Locksley and towards Sherwood; he had seen the two young children playing merry and noisy games with the children of the villagers. Several times, he had witnessed Robin practicing with a bow near Locksley Manor. Marian had stood near Robin, watching, in adoration, every arrow hitting its mark with deadly accuracy. Marian had been younger than Robin and Isabella, but she had seemed absolutely charmed by Robin. Guy had disliked Robin even more for engaging the small angel into his wild games. He had also envied Robin that girls and many other children had been charmed by Robin's mischievous nature.

The fact that Robin and Marian had been betrothed since Marian's birth had swiftly slipped from Guy's mind, but the image of small and happy Marian had been engraved into Guy's memory. Over years, Guy didn't forget Marian, and the image of her lovely face framed with long dark hair and featuring the shining blue eyes, her slender body demoniacal in its vitality and yet instinct with gentleness.

Guy of Gisborne also remembered Sir Edward of Knighton when he had been younger. Guy had seen Edward several times at Locksley Manor, but he hadn't remembered very well the somber man whom he had often seen sitting with Malcolm of Locksley near the fireplace, quietly talking about their deceased wives and their children. When Guy had met Edward in Locksley, he hadn't paid much attention to the man before his mother had informed him about Edward's personal tragedy.

Guy had been amazed that Edward had been inconsolable in his grief and had needed nobody but his daughter, who had been the only creature that had tied him to earth. Ghislaine had loved Roger, Guy had known that for sure, and they had been happy together before his father had gone to fight in the distant foreign lands. And yet, Ghislaine hadn't been as desperate and grief-stricken as Edward.

When Guy had come back to Nottingham, Guy had expected to find Robin in one of his estates, most likely in Locksley where Malcolm of Locksley had preferred to live. Yet, he had discovered that Robin had gone to the Crusades and had left everyone behind, including his beautiful former fiancée – Lady Marian of Knighton. Having remembered Marian since childhood, Guy had craved to meet the lovely and beautiful girl.

Guy had met Marian at the Council of Nobles. He had been stunned by Marian's beauty: she had been tall, with an elegant, well-curved figure. Blue-eyed, dark-haired, with soft white skin so delicate in texture and appearance, she had been almost ethereal in Guy's eyes. He had been somewhat shocked to realize that the little pretty girl had grown into the incredible beauty. He had been gradually falling in love with her and finally had married her, causing Robin a great heartbreak; he had been pleased that he had taken everything from his mortal enemy.

Now Guy wasn't sure that he had conquered Marian's heart, at least not yet. Robin had told him when they had fought in the woods months ago: "You don't know Marian, Gisborne." The naughty, shameless outlaw had called him a fool and had said that Marian's heart hadn't belonged to either of them. Now Guy understood what his enemy had meant: he, Hood, had been Marian's first lover, perhaps laughing at Guy. He felt himself like a complete idiot for not even suspecting that there was something more that jealousy that Hood had enciphered in his message. If he had thought harder, he wouldn't have failed to find the connection between Hood's half confession and Marian.

Before he married Marian, Guy had heard that the villagers had whispered about the great love Marian of Knighton had felt for Robin of Locksley. Everyone had been sure that she had waited for Robin's return from the Crusade to marry him and become the Lady of Locksley and the Countess of Huntingdon. Listening to those rumors, he had learned that Marian had rejected many suitors after Robin's departure, which had made him wonder whether the rumors had been true.

Guy gave a howl of pain like a wounded animal. He was not himself. He was confused. He was at the crossroads. Guy didn't know how to behave towards Marian after his return from London.

Nevertheless, Marian was the only woman whom he thought he loved. He doubted that he would be able to forget her, at least not now and definitely not easily. And she was his wife. Yet, somehow Guy instinctively felt that his relationship with Marian could end tragically if something between them wouldn't change soon. He didn't know why he had that feeling, but he couldn't get rid of the thought that something tragic would eventually ruin his relationship with Marian.

Guy felt his entire body trembling, and his hands were shaking so badly that he risked dropping the decanter from his arms. What should he do? Should he forgive Marian? Should he punish her? Should he kill Robin Hood for dishonoring her? Guy suppressed a scream of fear and rage, his eyes blazing with hatred for Hood.

Guy didn't hear Allan enter the chamber after knocking twice.

"Guarding a decanter of wine?" Allan mocked.

Guy raised his eyes and grimaced. "What do you want, Allan?"

"I thought you need a company."

"I need no one. Get out, Allan."

Allan shook his head. "I don't think you can be alone today, Guy."

"You know nothing," Guy snarled.

Guy continued drinking hard. Allan noticed, but said nothing. Allan only sighed. He had no right to lecture Guy - his master. Besides, it would have been counter-productive because Guy would simply fly into rage and would beat him.

"There is too much in your belly, Guy," Allan pointed at Guy's stomach.

Guy gulped more wine. "I am not drunk. Not enough."

"Of course, you are sober, mate," Allan replied with labored patience. He saw a gleam of drunkenness in the Guy's steel blue eyes. "Maybe you should drink some water instead of wine or go outside to breathe some fresh air." He laughed. "The cold sobers you up."

Guy glanced at Allan. "What do you know about Seth? Where is he?"

"Robin sent Annie and the boy out of Nottingham. I think that Seth is alright." Allan didn't say that Marian, not Robin, had helped Annie and Seth. This confession would have proved Marian's association with the outlaws, and he wasn't going to betray her and make her life a living hell.

"Marian and Robin Hood…" Guy stumbled with words; the pain of Marian's betrayal knifed through the core of him. "What happened between them?"

Allan's heart began to pound with fear; he didn't know what Guy had known and wasn't going to tell him that Marian and Robin had been engaged before she married Guy. "Hey, mate, I know nothing. Robin likes Marian, and they were betrothed before he left for the Holy Land. I think nothing else."

Guy scowled ferociously throughout Allan's speech. Looking like a man who was probably going to die in a fatal battle, Guy threw a decanter of wine into the wall, and its contents spilled on the floor. Then he leaped to his feet, his body ruddy with anger, his hands trembling in growing weakness.

Guy stood towering over Allan's smaller frame. He grabbed Allan's shoulders and forced his companion to stand up. "Hood and Marian were lovers! Do you know something about their affair?" He gnashed his teeth, his eyes locked with Allan's eyes, his gaze wild and glassy.

Allan was shocked, but his face didn't betray his true emotions. He raised his voice and forced his will to dominate that of the man in black leather. "I know nothing, Guy," he murmured.

Guy lifted his hand to strike Allan, but then lowered it. "Enough lies. Tell me the truth."

"Come on, Guy. Do you really think Robin would have told me something about his private life?"

The raven-haired knight scoffed. "Hood is a braggart."

"Yes, he is," Allan said firmly. "Robin always keeps his emotions to himself. He loves glory and is very mischievous by nature, but he is not the one who boasts with love conquests."

Guy wore a look of mild amazement. "Keeps his emotions to himself? Are you kidding me, Allan?"

"No, I am not. Robin is outspoken and always needs the company of his friends. He craves to have the people's love and blossoms in it," Allan supplied. "Yet, he is very reserved and secretive."

"You managed to understand him so well, didn't you?" Guy smirked maliciously.

Allan shrugged. "No, I didn't. Robin is not as simple as you may think of him."

"He has always been a bloody hypocrite," Guy growled.

"Mate, Robin is not a hypocrite. I mean that he guards his emotions, and you never know what is happening in his head. I often didn't know what he would do in the next moment."

"So you didn't know about Marian and Hood, did you?"

Allan was scared, but his face didn't betray his true emotions. "Guy, I don't know a lot about Robin's private life." He shrugged. "I heard from Much that Robin had been with many women in the Holy Land." He rubbed his cheek. "Well, Robin likes girls and they like him. I know nothing else."

Guy released Allan and stepped backwards, his head inclined. "A wise answer, Allan, but I don't believe you," he said. "Now I feel that I am quite drunk, and I can get to bed."

"A very good decision, mate! Give me your hand," Allan said calmly, but he was scared.

After a moment's hesitation, Guy extended his hand to Allan who took it and helped him walk to the bed. Allan didn't undress Guy completely, putting off only his leather jacket and boots. As Guy lay back on the bed, Allan covered his master with a blanket, lingering his gaze at Guy's face that was tired and hollow. Guy didn't sleep well at least last night, Allan thought, understanding that the conflict with Marian was the reason for the man's frustration.

Guy's words about the nature of the relationship between Marian and Robin shocked Allan; he did a good thing that he hadn't told Guy about Marian's betrothal to Robin. Allan sighed heavily and headed to the door, hoping that drunken Guy would quickly succumb to the world of gray shadows.

§§§

After the mind-blowing unveiling of her secrets, Marian feared that their marriage had been destroyed. Her heart was tearing apart at the thought that he could have turned against her. At the same time, she was genuinely relieved that he had finally learned the truth. She didn't have to lie to him about herself and Robin any longer. Yet, she feared that Guy would ask her about her feelings for Robin, for she couldn't tell him the truth – that she still missed and dreamt of her former betrothed.

Marian was trying to analyze her feelings for Robin. She missed Robin: she missed his company, the mischievous sparkle in his blue eyes and his cheeky grin, and, to her shame, even a feeling of his strong arms wrapped around her waist. Yet, Robin's disappearance somehow cooled off her feelings for him, and her longing was largely replaced by hot anger. If Robin had again chosen England and the king over her and the people, she would have been greatly disappointed in him, and she didn't want to have such feelings for him.

She regretted that she had deeply hurt Robin by marrying Guy, but she didn't want to believe that Robin had departed to the Holy Land due to the severe heartbreak caused by her betrayal. Robin Hood had to care for his people in Locksley in the first place, even after the end of their betrothal and romance. Marian wondered who Robin was – the king's man or the people's savior, for it seemed that Robin preferred the king over everyone and everything else. What was Robin thinking when he had left the villagers unprotected from the sheriff? Did he leave thinking that Marian would take care of the villagers as the Nightwatchman or as Lady of Locksley? Those thoughts infuriated Marian.

Guy had hurt Marian and her father in the past. He had lied to her about the king's return, and he had also tried to kill the king. But Guy didn't leave her and was at her side, in contrast to Robin. She saw a human side in Guy, and she was sure that she could help him to develop that side. He just needed to be free from Vaisey's clutches. Guy was a sinner and a liar, but she was a liar too: she had manipulated his feelings to spy on him and help Robin, and her behavior was immoral, she admitted to herself. She couldn't judge Guy when she herself had lived with double standards of honor for so long.

In her loneliness, Marian remembered Guy more often than Robin. She wanted Guy to return to Locksley from London. She wanted to him share a bed with her. She wanted him to take away her pain and heartache with his tenderness and passion. Under the cover of the night, she remembered Guy's handsome face, his glossy black hair, and his steel blue eyes, full of passion for her. She wanted Guy to look at her with adoration. The last thing she wanted was to feel Guy's hatred.

Marian had an insane thought that she could simultaneously love two men – Robin and Guy, if it was possible. She was torn between the present and the past, between Robin and Guy. She felt guilty of deceiving Guy; she missed his smile and his touch; she was hurt by their recent quarrel. Still, Guy was there for her, even despite the revelations, while Robin had left her. Robin was out of the picture, and it was her own choice, the right one on the back of Robin's departure to the Holy Land. With his extreme, almost maniacal loyalty to the king, Robin took himself out of the picture and pushed her to choose Guy over him; his heartbreak was not only her fault.

To distract herself from her conflict with Guy, hopefully of a temporary nature, Marian threw herself into the daily management of the Locksley estate. Together with Thornton, Marian checked all the books with a list of expenditures for repair of houses and cultivation of lands. Guy told her that she could do everything in Locksley she wanted, but she also had no right to check tax payments.

Unlike Robin, Guy remained in Locksley, with the people and close to Marian. He was the sheriff's man, but he had begun to change. He no longer was as cruel as he had been before. Guy collected taxes for the sheriff and dealt with indebted peasants, but he didn't arrest them for delays of payments and didn't chop off their hands. Marian encouraged him to give the peasants an easy punishment, not expecting that he would listen to her pleas, but he did listen to her. At times, Marian paid taxes from their own money to help the people, but Guy didn't know about that.

She no longer could work as the Nightwatchman, but she could still do much good for the poor within the system. She had always preferred to work alone and in shadows, unlike Robin who did everything public, with unimaginable theatrics and constant show-off. Like a sensible pastor who had a long-term good of his people at heart, Marian was better at playing the long-term game, and being Lady of Locksley Manor let her achieve her goals.

Marian's marriage to Guy wasn't popular among the villagers, many of whom believed that she should have chosen Robin. Despite Gisborne's generosity and kindness towards the people, the popularity of their former generous master was enormous and unfading, and Guy was always compared to Robin. The majority of the villagers still considered Guy a bloodthirsty monster and didn't believe that he had changed, ascribing the recent changes of their treatment only to Marian's actions. Whatever Guy and Marian would do, the people of Locksley would always love Robin more and consider him their true and only master. The people passionately wanted Robin to be reinstated as a nobleman.

After Robin's departure to the Holy Land years ago, the Locksley estates had still prospered for about two years, before Gisborne was appointed temporary overlord of Robin's lands. Then everything had gone wrong when Sir Edward of Knighton had been deposed and Vaisey had taken his former office. In the next years, the villagers had suffered and had starved. Few people had managed to escape Guy's harsh punishments without scars and injuries of some sort; many people didn't have hands but had open sores and mutilated bodies.

Marian didn't forget what Guy had told her about Robin. She wondered how Robin could have destroyed Guy's life if they had never known each other before. Guy had implied that he had known Robin in childhood. Determined to find out the truth, Marian began questioning the villagers in Locksley, but they shook their heads and replied that they knew nothing. Apparently, something had happened between Guy and Robin years ago, but nobody in Locksley wanted to remember about that.

She asked Thornton about Guy and Robin's past, but he muttered under his breath that he knew nothing. Marian didn't fail to notice how ghostly pale Thornton became at her question, and she surmised that the man knew something he didn't want to tell her. If Thornton was so unwilling to speak, there were others who would. Almost everyone adored Robin but there were some people who didn't like him, and they could be more willing to tell her the truth, Marian mused.

Marian shivered in the cool, damp air and pulled her winter mantle more tightly about her body to ward off the chill. Although it had snowed last night, the ground underfoot was slippery and wet, and Marian walked slowly and carefully, measuring every step. She decided to talk to Rebecca of Locksley. The woman didn't like Robin Hood and even disliked him in childhood. Rebecca had lived in Locksley for many years and wasn't very young at the time when Robin had been a child, so she should remember the events of old days, Marian thought.

Marian found Rebecca on the front steps of her cottage. "Good afternoon," she began.

Rebecca bowed in respect. "Lady Marian, what a surprise to see you here!"

"I hope I am not intruding," Marian said politely.

"You can never disturb me, Lady Marian! It is an honor to talk to you and Sir Guy."

"I am glad to hear this."

"How can I serve you today, my lady?"

"I want to talk to you," Marian said, sighing deeply.

"Should we go to the manor?"

Marian shrugged indifferently. "We may go there, but it will be better if we don't." She didn't want the servants to overhear her conversation. "It is very cold tonight. We cannot talk here."

"The cold wind froze the whole village."

"Rebecca, let's go to your cottage."

Rebecca looked at her oddly. "As you wish, my lady. Kate is not at home and she won't disturb us."

Marian was relieved that Kate hadn't been there, for she didn't like the blonde girl, considering her annoying, foolish and infuriating. "Let's go."

Rebecca opened the door, letting Marian go ahead. Marian went forward nervously into the small, gloomy corridor and then entered the little room. There was the musty smell of building that was never aired, but Marian didn't care. Rebecca invited Marian to seat in a chair near the hearth, and then she sank onto a wooden bench in the corner.

"I have a question to you," Marian replied flatly. "But you must promise me that you will never tell anyone about our conversation, of course, if you can help me."

Baffled, Rebecca slightly inclined her head. "Not a word will be spoken from this mouth."

Marian gave her a hard, long glare. "Swear on your life."

Rebecca kissed her fingers and crossed herself. "I swear on the eternal damnation of my soul."

"Very well." Marian sighed, gathering her composure before asking the question that troubled her for so long. "Did Guy and Robin Hood know each other in childhood?"

Rebecca's features paled. Her eyes were incredulous, her brows furrowing, her mouth lengthening into a thin line. "If I may ask, why do you need to talk about that?"

"It is not your business," Marian retorted angrily. "Tell me everything, or I will leave."

"If you wish, I will tell you what I remember," Rebecca conceded.

"Do me a favor, please."

"Master Guy and Robin Hood have known each other for many years, since childhood," Rebecca informed; her lips quirked in a nasty smile. "Master Guy was a decent and well-behaved young lad, quiet and reserved. There were no noble children of Sir Guy's age, and he was so lonely. Unlike Master Guy, Hood was an outspoken, arrogant, and spoiled brat, Sir Malcolm of Locksley's golden child."

"Guy was born here?"

"Master Guy was born in Gisborne that used to be a small village near Locksley, but later it became a part of the Locksley estates. His parents were Sir Roger of Gisborne and Lady Ghislaine of Gisborne. Master Guy and Robin Hood lived here for many years, but they were not very close."

Marian raised a brow. "A part of the Locksley estates?"

"It is a long story, Lady Marian. Sir Roger of Gisborne fought in the Holy Land for years. He was absent for so long that everyone believed he had been killed there. Then he appeared in Locksley, unexpectedly. Unfortunately, soon everyone learned that he had contracted leprosy while he was away, and he was banished from the village and officially declared dead."

"And what happened next?"

Rebecca smiled, her heart beating faster as she prepared to open the truth to Marian: she wanted to use her chance and tell what she thought of Robin Hood. "After his banishment, Sir Roger once came back to Locksley, but Hood noticed him and notified the whole village about that. Then Sir Malcolm ran to Gisborne Manor to remove Sir Roger from there." She crossed herself. "Sir Guy accidentally started the fire that consumed his parents and Sir Malcolm. Then the local bailiff banished Sir Guy and Lady Isabella from Locksley after he had accused your husband of murdering his parents and Sir Malcolm. Then the Gisborne lands were included into the Locksley estates."

Marian attentively listened to Rebecca's tale. Cold seeped into her bones and her lips grew numb as Rebecca described the details of Guy's unhappy childhood and the official story of Guy's banishment from Nottinghamshire. Every vestige of color drained from Marian's face. She knew that Robin's father had died in the fire, but she had never known how exactly it had happened. Never, even in her wildest dreams, had she imagined that Guy had killed Robin's father and his own parents.

"Sir Guy and Lady Isabella were thrown out of the village," the woman finished her tale.

At first, a shocked Marian just stared at Rebecca as if she couldn't understand the words. Morose thoughts were crowding her head, skittering through her brain one after another, and she felt as if she were living through a terrible nightmare. Rebecca's voice asking her whether she was alright interrupted her musings and made her recollect her attention. "Good God!" she cried out, breaking the tense silence. Her voice was shocked, breathless. "This is horrible! I had no idea that it happened!"

"That did really happen, my lady."

"What is Isabella?" Marian asked.

Rebecca was puzzled that Guy hadn't told his wife about his sister. "Lady Isabella is Sir Guy's younger sister." She smiled. "She was a clever and contemplative girl, and her mind was early and richly developed in the pure atmosphere of piety at Gisborne Manor. But she never enjoyed the luxury of being loved by the people just because her mother was a Norman woman and wasn't accepted in Nottingham. She became a noisy and flighty girl only when she was in Hood's company." She shrugged. "I wonder what happened to the poor lady. Perhaps, she starved to death or died of sickness."

Marian drew in a shaky breath. "So the parents of Guy and Robin died on the same day?" she asked again, still finding it hard to believe the other woman's words.

Marian's voice was so hoarse that Rebecca glanced at her with surprise and alarm. "Yes, Lady Marian. Even their bodies were not found among the remnants of the destroyed Gisborne Manor."

"And Robin became the Lord of Locksley and the Earl of Huntingdon," Marian said.

"Hood said nothing and allowed the people to banish Master Guy and Lady Isabella, my lady. He took what was offered to him in good faith by the people, forgetting about the young man and girl who were forced to flee without a coin in their pockets."

Marian's face was crossed by a momentary frown. "What?"

"Robin of Locksley didn't take Sir Guy and his sister to Locksley," Rebecca summed up. "He didn't want to take care of them."

Marian shook her head. "No! No! This is impossible! I don't believe you."

"It is true, my lady. This is what I remember."

Blinking hard, Marian tossed her head as if to shake away unwelcome thoughts. "I think you don't know everything," she whispered.

"Yes, perhaps, but…"

"Say what you want, Rebecca."

"But I don't like Robin Hood. He plays a hero but he is such a vain show-off," Rebecca said trenchantly. "I loathed Hood on the day he appeared in Locksley, proudly stood in front of Sir Guy, and chased him away from the estate, with a smug grin on his face. It would have been better if he had never come back from the Holy Land and Sir Guy had remained out lord."

Unable to bear the sight of Rebecca's arrogance and disdain towards Robin, Marian let out a growl of rage. "I won't allow you to speak about Robin in this manner in my presence," she snapped irritably, her voice gruffly. "You are impertinent and tactless. Have you forgotten that Robin was your landlord? Do I have to remind you that it is your responsibility to respect your lord?"

"He is not my lord," the potter protested.

"One day Robin may be pardoned and restored as the Lord of Locksley, and you have the duty to obey and respect him as his serf," Marian said, her tone sodden with contempt for the wretched creature sitting beside her. "Don't apologize, for it won't be sincere."

"I am sorry, Lady Marian."

"I must go," Marian said from tremulous lips, struggling with herself to keep her voice steady.

"Have a good evening." Rebecca gritted her teeth and looked away.

The dark-haired lady sprang to her feet. "Rebecca, never say a word about our conversation," she said in a menacing voice. "Never ever!"

Marian stormed out of the cottage and slammed the massive front door behind her, leaving Rebecca alone. The older woman was scared and confused; she repented that she had been so frank. Better to try and put Marian's visit out of her mind, Rebecca found the solution.

Marian returned to Locksley Manor and shut herself in the study. She didn't wish to talk to anyone. She didn't want to see anyone. She had no reason to doubt Rebecca's words, but now she wasn't sure that she would have wanted to know the truth if she had had a chance to reverse the track of time back. She needed time to think of the old conflict between Robin and Guy which horrified her so much. Now she especially wanted the old days to come back, so Guy and Robin could have been friends since childhood and wouldn't have hated each other so fiercely.

---

I hope you truly enjoyed this chapter and the plot.

I hope that you liked this chapter and my portrayal of Prince John, which I tried to make similar to his portrayal on the show. My Prince John is funny and theatrical, power hungry and cruel, cunning and hypocritical. John's portrayal is also very consistent with real history. Maybe you figured out the identity of the prince's unknown mistress who will play a very important role in this story/novel.

Guy was humiliated by the sheriff, and he was barely able to tolerate such despicable treatment – but he does that to earn power. I hope that you like the portrayal of Guy/Vaisey relationship in this story/novel, and I personally think that I achieved a good resemblance between what the show's writers wanted the audience to think of Guy's attitude towards Vaisey and Vaisey's towards Guy. The tale of how Guy met Vaisey in Normandy would be given in chapter 11, and it will be quite interesting.

In this chapter, there was some information given about the Queen Mother's illegitimate son, her golden boy. Did you manage to guess who the man is? He plays quite an important role in this story.

How do you like my portrayal of the sheriff? The sheriff is one of my favorite characters on the show, and I am immensely enjoying writing about him and about his relationship with Guy.

The sophisticated conspiracies against King Richard are unfolding, and Robin will have to investigate them. As you see, Prince John is talking about the two regicide attempts on King Richard's life: the first being organized by the Hashashin and the other by Sheriff Vaisey if the first one is unsuccessful. Robin has a lot of work to do to save his king. The Black Knights Club expands its activities and now includes the nobles of Normandy, Brittany, and Aquitaine who signed the so-called Pact of Caen.

Robert de Sablé, Grand Master of the Knights templar, is a real historical personality, but we don't know for sure whether he had ever wished to betray King Richard. De Sablé's treason is a fictional event. The information about the Hashashin given in this chapter is historically correct.

Chapters 10 and 11 are about Guy and Robin's past when you will have a deep insight into the dark mysteries of the past. There are many secrets that were buried many years ago, and these mysteries resulted in the murderous hatred between Robin and Guy, as well as Guy's pre-destined and unavoidable banishment and exile in Normandy. Everything is very complicated.

Reviews are always appreciated, including constructive criticism.

If you find any typos and/or mistakes here, please let me know about them in a private message.

Thank you for reading this chapter. Have a lovely weekend.

Yours faithfully, Penelope Clemence