Chapter 10

Frantically calling his name, Marian struggled to her feet. The covering of twigs, leaves and other natural debris swirled behind her as she skittered down the slope. Nearing the bottom, she jumped down, losing her balance and tumbling into the dense undergrowth at the base of the rock face. Marian fought hard to keep her wits about her as sheer panic threatened to engulf her.

"Robin! Robin!" She called desperately, but there was no response.

Marian blanched at the sight of blood on his forehead and ran toward him. Gently lifting him under the shoulders she struggled to pull him out of the ebbing river. The dark stain on his tunic drew her attention and she crouched beside him, unlacing his tunic. Carefully she pulled the saturated cloth away from the wound. Robin groaned when she laid a palm against the jagged tear; the warm blood oozing through her fingers.

"It is bad, Robin," she told him, although the young man had not regained consciousness. "I must get you dry and out of this chill."

Desperately her eyes darted across the landscape, quickly assessing her surroundings. The steep rise continued for some distance; an attempt to pull Robin up the sloping terrain was beyond Marian's strength. Not sure of his injuries, she feared moving him too far; he would have to be examined before that decision.

Glancing back to Robin, Marian's anxiety heightened. He was shivering, breathing in short shallow gasps. She shuddered pulling the cloak from her shoulders as the cold air penetrated her rough-woven dress. Ignoring her own discomfort, she tucked the woolen cloak around him, trying frantically to keep him warm. At that instant Marian was overwhelmed by the sensation she was not alone.

Turning sharply she caught a flicker of movement, but could discern only a shadowy image that emerged from solid rock, disappearing into the lingering morning fog. Marian stared after the vision momentarily paralyzed as she tried to reconcile her logical mind with her senses.

Drawn to the spot, she found no tracks – no indication anything of substance had passed there only seconds before. Continuing to scrutinize the cliff wall, she noticed a wide, black seam running vertically then narrowing near the top. Clearing away enough of the bracken and brambles to expose the section of rock, Marian found an entrance to a small cavern. The opening was small but wide enough for one person at a time. Relieved she could explain the presence of the wolf, she still could not understand why she found no paw prints, but this was not the time to consider it.

Once inside the cave Marian found there was sufficient room to easily accommodate the two of them and maybe a couple more people. In the dim light she the telltale signs of previous inhabitants was visible; a circle of stones lay on floor, and the charred wood and ash within indicated a fire once burned there. Scattered about were several shards of crude earthen pottery; against one stone wall were a few dry logs and kindling. The previous cave dwellers must have moved on before they used all the wood they gathered, or considerately left it for the next traveler, either way it was a blessing to Marian.

A painful groan brought her once again to the water's edge. Marian dampened part of her hem and wiped the blood from Robin's forehead. Stirring, the outlaw rolled to his right and tried to push up to a sitting position. The stab of white hot pain in his left shoulder ended that plan. Weak from loss of blood he sank back as Marian moved quickly behind him offering support.

"Let me help you, Robin," she pleaded. "Can you stand?"

His head reeled in a nauseous wave of disorientation. "I…I do…not…."

"Try, please," Marian urged, finding it impossible to keep her voice calm. "There's a small cave just there," she said nodding toward the spot.

With his last bit of strength, Robin allowed Marian to help him to his feet; she had difficulty draping her cloak over his shoulders. Robin's injuries forced her to bear the brunt of his weight and she struggled to navigate the rocky terrain. Near the entrance her patient collapsed, dragging Marian down, too. Untangling herself from Robin's unconscious body, she moved quickly to her feet and eased him onto his back. Most of the cloak was still under him and she used it to pull him into the cave.

Robin groaned fitfully and mumbled her name.

"I am here, Robin," Marian said reaching for his hand. "I am here."

Robin drifted back into semi-consciousness and Marian seized the opportunity to maneuver the damp cloak from beneath him and hung it from a tree root jutting out from the wall of the cave. Grabbing the brittle kindling she started a fire, thankful the small cavern would warm quickly.

Carefully unlacing his tunic, Marian peeled back the torn material, exposing the wound. She ripped a strip of cloth from her tattered clothing to form a compress and pushed it firmly against the open gash. Robin moaned pitifully, but Marian was steadfast and kept applying pressure.

Confident the bleeding had stopped she bandaged the shoulder as tightly as she could. Although relieved the immediate crisis was over, Marian's hand remained on the bandage, pressing firmly.

The moment of relief was short-lived as Robin's body trembled beneath her touch. Checking for signs of fever, Marian placed her cheek against his forehead; the fever was not yet on him.

Stroking his brow and she whispered softly, "You will be all right...you have to be." But, the words did not convince her. "I need to get you warm, Robin…."

He shivered uncontrollably; his skin felt clammy and his clothes were soaked through. Marian unlaced his leggings, slipped them off and began rubbing his legs to warm them. Noticing the scar on his left thigh, she wondered if this was another war wound he had yet to tell her about. Marian said a silent prayer.

Needing ingredients for a sleeping draught, the former sheriff's daughter knew she would have to leave him alone to find the roots she required. It was past midday, but the overcast sky looked more like dusk. In a couple hours finding the plant would be impossible; she must leave now if she hoped to get back before nightfall.

"I will be back soon…very soon." She said gently kissing his forehead and wrapping her warmed cloak around him. Still worried, Marian weighed her options and decided to go; she had to try.

The day was still dreary and gray as she stepped outside; she hugged herself and rubbed her upper arms. After taking a deep breath, she dragged some of the underbrush to camouflage the cave opening then looked around for the easiest way up the slope.

The giant elms to her left had massive roots, above and below the ground which should give her better footing. Sighing resignedly Marian started uphill, trying to ignore the soreness in every part of her body. Reaching the top she spotted the bundles they dropped earlier; in the chaos Marian forgot them. Knowing she could not take them now, she pushed them over the cliff dropping them close to the cliff face behind the wild growth of vegetation.