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The Slave's Tutor
Shy awoke the following morning under the shade of the tree. She stretched luxuriously, as if rising from a feather bed. The kinks in her spine were eased away as she arched her back with a tired yawn. Shy gave the trunk of the tree a loving pat, as if to thank it for providing her with such a pleasant place to sleep.
When she at last turned her head to face forwards she noticed she was under astute observation by a pair of guards, obviously passing by on patrol. They were younger, only sixteen or seventeen judging by their awkward stance, and wide, staring eyes. One was a freckle faced, fair-haired youth who blinked upon seeing her conscious face. Shy blinked back in silence. How long had they been standing around watching her sleep?
"Who are you?" The fair-haired boy asked, apparently not having been given notice as to her presence in the Castle.
"Better question," Shy said, rising to her feet and wiping the dirt from the skirt of her dress, "who are you and why are you spying on me?"
"Not spyin'," the other boy, a green-eyed, chestnut-haired lad with a fidgety glance said.
"Then you'd best clear off and let me pass," Shy replied.
"Not before you tell us what you been doing out here."
"My business is my own," Shy said crossly. "Don't have to tell you if I don't want to." It had only taken her a second to assess the situation. The two young guards posed no threat to her. It was evident they did not desire her harm, and were really only doing what anyone ought to do when confronted with a stranger woman found on the grounds unsupervised. They seemed pleasantly stupid enough to toy with.
Shy gave them a flashing smile as she moved out of their way. The two men drew their swords and moved to block her. The smile vanished and Shy raised her arms. "Now surely there is no reason to draw steel against a helpless woman?"
They fidgeted, "Well...ya should tell us your name an' how you came t' be out here."
"My name is Shy. I am a friend of Sir Gavin's." The word 'friend' came out with a bitter bite. She licked her lips as if to wash the taste of the word away. She crossed her arms. These two were spoiling a perfectly decent morning.
"Can Sir Gavin verify a statement like that?"
"Why, yes, as a matter of fact he can," Shy retorted with toxic sarcasm. Her tongue hissing from her mouth like the forked one of a serpent. "Why don't you go fetch him. I'll wait here."
"Oh, no, don't think so," the freckle-faced guard said. "Probably run off just as soon as we turn our backs. You're to come with us."
Such serious lads. Shy blew a strand of hair out of her eyes; no concept of a good joke, that was ever a soldiers problem. "Fine then," she consented. "But put up your swords. I'm no prisoner of war here."
The guards complied, taking her by the arm and leading her out of the gardens and back into the Castle halls. "Mind not holding my arm so tight?" Shy asked one of the lads, her gray eyes sparkling with lightening anger. "Bound to go numb if you keep gripping it like a vice." She spoke as if she wished her words could conjure all manner of weapons which she could use to cut down these two oafs.
They came to Sir Gavin's chambers and the guard knocked upon the wooden door. It was answered by the Lady Adela. She looked shocked to see Shy being handled so roughly. Shy merely grinned. "Good morning, my lady. It seems there's been a bit of a debate as to my identity. Please, confirm to these kind gentlemen that I do in fact know your husband and also, be certain to ask them to release me. My arm is going numb."
One of the guards coughed, not too pleased to have been handling such a suspicious woman, nor overly joyed at having been interrupted. "Beg pardon, Lady Adela. We found her in the garden asleep and wondered as t' her meaning. She claims t' be in Sir Gavin's charge?"
Adela nodded, "She has told you the truth. You may release her. My husband is with Lord Waleran at the moment. I will take responsibility for the woman."
The guards did as their Lady commanded. Shy brushed down her dress for the second time that morning. She gave Adela another cheeky grin, but it was quickly wiped from her face as she was grabbed and brought inside the Lady's chambers.
"Lady Shy--"
"Not a Lady," Shy grumbled.
"Shy, then, my husband claims that you assisted him during a most troublesome event. He has told me you are a sensible and intelligent woman, but all I have seen are the most dreadful displays of impropriety and wildness."
"The guards were fools. I was only having a joke."
"You are a guest here. I would expect you to understand how to conduct yourself."
"My lady," Shy sighed, her tone shifting from the biting to casual to their softer formal, "I see that you mean well in chastising me, and perhaps you believe yourself to be doing me a service, but I would ask you to leave me be and to do as I will. I am a free person and I do not take orders, even if they are kindly given."
"Gavin said you had your reasons for behaving as you do," Adela said, taking a seat in her chair and gesturing for Shy to take the one opposite of her. "Would you think me impertinent in asking you to enlightening me?"
Shy stiffened, but she sat down upon the chair just the same, her hands folded in her lap. "Why would you think I would tell you anything?"
Adela smiled at Shy, and she was at once reminded of the sickly sweet grins she gave to those she secretly detested. "I am not a bored noblewoman seeking stories of tragedy or excitement to entertain my fancy. I wish to understand the woman my husband is insisting on calling his friend even though she seems to despise such a connection."
Shy eyed the Lady with a hunter's gaze and found herself being given the same stare. "No, my lady," Shy at last said, "I do not believe you are amused by me at all." The noblewoman was astute, just as she suspected.
Shy complied with Lady Adela's request and revealed to her a little of her life. Not all, but enough to satisfy her curiosity. Things that were too painful to speak of aloud she kept silent and she skirted through her memories as if she was treading on shards of glass. Adela was a keen listener. What was left unspoken was easily assumed, for Adela noted the shift in expression upon Shy's face and the small twitch of her legs when she changed the subject. Adela's hardened gaze softened as Shy concluded her little story.
"Forgive me," Adela said. "I did not know--"
Shy snorted, "Oh, I will not forgive you. I will forget you just asked me that. Not pity, please, my lady. We are both honorable and clever women. We need not resort to feminine weakness in order to deal with one another."
"You are most unusual, Shy," Adela remarked, "You were lucky to have been educated as you were by this Lady Thea."
"Hah! Luck she says, well that's something. Yes, I suppose I should be grateful for that, and I am. Lady Thea is the best person I have ever known."
Adela was astounded to hear such praise coming from the very same Lady's slave and captive. The compliment was almost compulsory, but the tone was sincere. Whatever memories Shy kept of her old mistress, she seemed to cherish in her own perverse way. It would at least, explain why she was comfortable speaking to her and not at all pleased to constantly be in the company of men. Poor thing, Adela realized Shy would not appreciate her pity or her empathy, but what must have happened to the poor girl did not really bear thinking about.
"Do you stay in the Castle all the time?" Shy asked, changing the subject, uncomfortable at being left in silence and under scrutiny.
"No. Gavin's estates are just beyond the city. I come to the Castle from time to time, but recently I have taken to staying more often than not. Ever since the threat of the imposter, I have felt safer in the Castle than in the manor-house, for all that Gavin tells me to leave," Adela smiled.
"If I had estates or lands away from a city I should never leave them," Shy said, "Don't you feel from time to time that the walls are suffocating you?"
"You are quick to judge!" Adela laughed as she rose to her feet, "You have not been in Warwick two days and already you are set upon it being akin to Hell. Come. Let me show you the grounds of your prison, my stubborn captive."
Shy smirked, "With pleasure, my lady," she curtsied with a modicum of politeness and followed Lady Adela out of her chambers.
Guy stood atop the battlements alongside Gavin as the Master-At-Arms explained some of the strategy utilized in the defense of the city and the Castle itself. "The bluff acts as it's own defense," he stated, "The height gives us the advantage. From these gates you can see anyone approaching the Castle. Makes it impossible for anyone to attack the Castle directly. Plus the lands completely flat, as you can see. No place for the rogues to hide."
"So they must attack at night?" Guy asked, "They could be waiting in the city and convene in the evening and make their way to the gates of the Castle under cover of darkness."
"And that is precisely what they do. Most of the attacks are at night, or at times when the sun is directly in the archers' eyes. The imposter's troops never were accused of being stupid," Gavin acknowledged.
"And of late?" Guy asked, "Have their been any attacks."
"No," Gavin said, his eyes narrowed and Guy was struck with the thought that this was not considered a good development. "Now, while I'd like to think that our last counter attack sent them off with their tails between their legs, I'm partial to thinking that their merely regrouping...trying to frighten us into make hasty moves."
"There's always that," Guy mused.
"You have a thought?"
"More of a poor guess than anything."
"Speak freely, my friend."
Guy turned his gaze away from the small stretch of open land and city, and back to his companion's troubled face. He leaned against the stone merlons of the battlement. "You may have a spy in the Castle."
"That's quite an accusation." Yet, Gavin did not urge Guy to discontinue his thoughts. He encouraged further explanation.
"A troop of soldiers attempting to lay siege to a Castle as heavily fortified as this one? They could only be holding a cease fire for two reasons: one, to regroup and get more supplies, or to wait for more information on their enemy. You said so yourself, you do not know all the imposter's allies. If they fight under cover of darkness you've never seen their faces. Think on it."
"You sound confident in your assumption," Gavin noted.
Guy smirked, "Like you Gavin, I was also a Master-At-Arms once, and I was up against a far more persistent and elusive enemy."
"And if the stories serve me, you were made a fool of by this enemy on multiple occasions."
Even after all the time that had passed it still rankled him to be reminded of how many times Robin Hood had managed to outsmart him. He clutched the stone behind him, forcing a half smile on his lips. "His multiple escapes only prove that I was able to catch him multiple times."
"All right, let's say I give your theory credit, and there is a spy in Warwick Castle. If I were to order you to help me flush out this spy would you be willing to lend me your obvious expert skill in hunting down rogues and outlaws?" The man was baiting him, and Guy swallowed down his pride and inability to take a harmless joke in stride.
"I would," Guy said with a nod.
"Good!" Gavin said in his cheerful manner. Guy could not understand how the man was capable of so much good nature given the circumstances, Guy's scowl deepened as Gavin grinned widened, "I will speak to Lord Waleran about giving you a squad of men to command to help oversee this project. If your guess is right, you might find yourself the hero of Warwick."
Guy could not restrain the derisive laughter which escaped him as he followed Gavin back down from the battlements. He could only imagine such heroic stories: Guy of Gisborne, the Savior of Warwick. Next thing he knew they'd start calling him Guy of Warwick—oh no that was too much, he coughed to cover up the remnant of his laughter. Somewhere in the afterlife, he wagered Robin Hood was having a grand old time with all of this.
Guy was coming to think of Robin as his own guardian, although, more of an instrument for divine punishment would be more accurate; he thought. How else should he still be alive after having suffered injuries one would think impossible? And how else should he find himself in the middle of imposters and espionage battles when all he desired was peace? Robin had once said that dying would have been relatively easy in comparison with living, and Guy could not help but still agree. Living was a punishment to be accepted and tolerated. At least he would not want for suitable occupation.
He stared down through the archways as he walked, hoping to avoid conversation with the more light-hearted Gavin. Adela and Shy were crossing the courtyard and he could see that they were having no difficulty in conversing. How on Earth had Adela managed that? She had only known Shy for less than a full day.
"They seem to be getting along, as I had hoped," Gavin said, peering through the arches as well.
Guy only grunted in response. Gavin's gaze flickered from Guy and back down to the women crossing the grounds. "Shy did seem to want for female companionship."
"She did not strike me as a woman who cared for any form of companionship," Guy snapped, tearing his gaze away and continuing to storm off down the hall.
Gavin allowed himself a private laugh over Guy's outburst. An interesting development there! He had best keep his eye on it.
As they continued their way through the halls, winding every downwards, they eventually met up with the women half way. Adela curtsied, "A good day to you, my lord husband, and you as well, Sir Guy."
Shy gave her eyes a slight roll at the formality of the greeting and did not bother with one of her own.
"My lady," Gavin said, knowing his wife's preference of acknowledgement when she was with company. "Giving our guest a tour of the Castle?" he guessed.
"Yes," Adela smiled, "we were having a most enjoyable time were we not, Shy?"
"Enlightening," Shy muttered with a smile of her own. Adela could not be sure if Shy was joking or if she was being mocked.
"But it is rather fortuitous that we have found you. I was just about to seek you out, my lord, for there is something I would speak to you about," Adela said.
"Actually, I was on my way to--"
"Never fear, my husband, I can tell you while we walk. Sir Guy will not mind staying with Shy for a bit will he?" And before Guy could object Adela answered for him, "Of course he wouldn't." Adela took her husband's arm.
Gavin sighed, seeing that there would be no changing his wife's mind, "Forgive me, Sir Guy," he said, "You see me rather caught up," he grinned. "Walk on, Adela," he said, drawing her away from the others, "Tell me what is in your thoughts."
"Nothing at all," Adela whispered to her husband as soon as they were further down the hall, "I have a bit of an experiment I should very much like to test. I'll walk with you to whatever previous appointment you had and then I shall double back to my chambers."
"Meddlesome, woman," Gavin retorted, "If this ends in disaster I'll blame you for the distress you've caused those two."
"I'm not meddling!" Adela defended herself, "I'm observing...actively."
This gentle bickering went on and while Guy could not hear exactly what was being said as they walked away, he could discern the closeness of the couple and the confidence of the matter judging at how Adela seemed to tug on her husband's arm so that she might be closer still to his side. Gavin had a stance which betrayed a slight annoyance, but revealed his pleasure at being with his wife all the same. The jealous strike which cut across Guy was unexpected. The man had no concept of the gift he had, he had no right to show annoyance at his wife's desire to be with him.
"Staring at the Lady Adela, Guy?" Shy chided, "For shame, are we not all such good friends here? Whatever are you thinking?"
Guy turned his gaze to her. "Keep your damned thoughts to yourself."
"What is wrong with everyone today?" Shy huffed, falling into step alongside the man, "I was only having a joke!"
"Wasn't funny was it?"
"Maybe you don't have as refined a sense of humor as I do," Shy retorted. "Either way," Shy said as she pushed open the door which led out into the garden, "Adela is quite pretty, it really can't be helped; your staring."
The glare Guy gave her would have frozen over fire. The look was quickly replaced with a smirk. "You know, I'm beginning to like it here," he said with a casual sigh, and idea beginning to form."Gavin has given me a temporary position among the soldiers. Perhaps I might seek to make the position permanent."
"You wouldn't dare!" Shy said, practically shrieking, "We had a deal!"
"Ah, what's the matter, Shy? Can't take a joke?"
Shy blustered about for an appropriate comeback, but she fell short. Guy noticed she was clenching and unclenching her fists. "You want to punch me don't you?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"You do, you want to hit me. All right then, have at it." Guy stopped and stood back from her, giving her ample room to attempt a strike.
"No," Shy said, and then added, "too afraid I'll hurt you."
Guy chuckled, "Or too much of a coward used to taking her beatings in silence."
"You bastard." Shy turned on her heel and swung a punch directly at Guy's face. Guy caught her small fist in his hand and swung her forwards, over his back. Shy landed on the gravel with a heavy thud. She blinked upwards as Guy leaned over her. "What's the matter?" he sneered, "I would have thought you used to being on your back."
Shy kicked him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him momentarily. Storms gathered in her eyes as she hauled herself upright and sought to lash out at him again. Recovering from the lucky blow, Guy blocked her two successive punches and threw her, once again, onto the ground. "Your stance is too wide," he remarked, prodding her in the side lightly with the tip of his boot. "And your punches...no control at all."
"Why are you doing this?" Shy hissed hellfire at him.
"Because, I was under the impression you desired a way to defend yourself," Guy said, "You think you will be gifted with those skills through God's grace?"
"What..."
"You need training," he said slowly, emphasizing each word as if she were no smarter than a toddling child.
"And that was your way of asking if I would accept your tutelage?" Shy said, gasping a bit as she took his hand as he helped her up. She dusted down her dress and brushed some of the gravel off of her reddened skin. The anger seemed far from cooled in her eyes.
Guy only shrugged. A slow smile spread across Shy's features, burning to a fine wicked point in her storm cloud eyes. "All right, I accept."
Guy smirked, but it was soon wiped from his face as Shy slapped him. "That was for calling me a coward." She turned and walked away from him.
Guy placed a hand over his cheek. "Meet me here tomorrow after the call for Vespers." he said. Shy did not turn around, merely waved a hand to show that she had heard him.
Guy walked away, rubbing his cheek. Not a bad hit. She certainly hadn't cried out after being thrown to the ground twice as he had expected her to do. Teaching a woman how to fight was dangerous, an offense to God's Law and Man's law, and yet it would surely be a worse crime to let such a vulnerable woman be left to the mercy of those men? Marian would condone such a thing, Guy thought. And that was the only law he need concern himself with.
A/N: If you caught my Guy of Warwick joke good on you. :) I have lots of stuff planned for the summer, maybe even a new fic or two? Anything is possible! God I love free time!