Vengeance is sweet 10
It had been weeks since the Sheriff's guards had fetched Hyld to bring her to Nottingham Caslte. Alfred of Bramby knew that he could not defy Vaysey in public; his hands were tied. The only possibility was to free her and to send her to her mother's sister, who was living near the Welsh border, far from the Sheriff's jurisdiction. Bramby himself wouldn't dare to go to Nottingham Castle himself; it would be too obvious, but he knew who would undertake this task with joy. Sir Alfred clenched his fists, choking with rage. Just this morning he had heard rumours that Hyld had fainted and that Gisborne had been in her rooms. This man was a monster and he couldn't waste another minute; he had to rescue his daughter from Gisborne's clutches.
Alan grinned. „I have a message for you that will cheer you up, Robin."
Robin sat up. Alan was right; being bored made him insufferable. He was itching to do something, but neither was a transport of taxes planned nor had he been able to play a trick on Vaysey and Gisborne.
"You know that Vaysey has taken Hyld of Bramby hostage. Her father asks you to free her and to remove her to her kinsmen at the Welsh border". Robin's face brightened; yes, this was it: He could get back to the Sheriff and could kill two birds with one stone – the peasants had told him that Gisborne would lose his head if something happened to Hyld of Bramby in plain language if she fled.
He would be there, but he had to be careful. Of course the Sheriff had taken precautions, just in case; so Robin would not be able to get to Nottingham Castle unrecognised. Too often he had ridiculed the Sheriff and made him the laughing stock of the peasants. Especially with his new supporter, Cedric of Knighton, Vaysey would try to make sure that Hyld remained at the castle.
The old maid-servant Mary fetched water and a cloth and tended to Hyld, who was lying on the bed, pale and silent. Strangely enough, Sir Guy seemed to be rather anxious about her. She'd never heard that he had shown interest in anybody - except Lady Marian of course. On the other hand she'd heard that he was liable with his head if something happened to her; probably this was reason enough to be anxious. Silently, Guy left the room. Hyld soon regained consciousness. Seeing the old maid, she blinked twice. Where was Sir Guy? I've fainted and he has fetched Mary. If only the old woman wouldn't talk so much!
It's better, I reckon. What happened to ya? No wonder that ya feelin' bad, always alone and only this gruesome Sir Guy near you. People are sayin' that Lady Marian never wanted to marry him anyway and that he blackmailed her …. He's good-looking, alright, but everybody knows…nothing for the ears of young woman…Maybe he's done poor Sir Edward in. They said it was kind of an accident, but you don't wanna mess with someone like Sir Guy and…"
"I don't want to hear any more of that gossip." Hyld replied more sharply than she normally did and the maiden fell silent, surprised. Although nobody dared to say it openly, everybody knew that Lady Hyld was a hostage; so why did she defend Sir Guy, who was guarding her by the Sheriff's order? If she had not known the young woman by now, Mary would have thought that Hyld had warm feelings for Sir Guy, but everybody in the castle knew by now that Hyld was different. Probably she was too naïve and good-hearted to recognise what kind of man Sir Guy was.
Of course Hyld knew what people were saying about Sir Guy and she'd seen his temper with her own eyes – not that she pitied de Pont. But she knew that he really had loved Lady Marian and that he probably was still in love with her. He'd even become more taciturn than before. In a manner of speaking, he was worse off than she was. He had nobody, whereas she had her family.
Sir Guy had made sure that de Pont left the castle the very next day and Hyld had been relieved. Nevertheless, she felt that she had become even more nervous than before. How long would she be held captive? The castle was gloomy and Hyld felt constricted, felt as if the walls closed in on her. Officially she was the Sheriff's guest and Vaysey knew that he had to be careful if he didn't want some of the nobles to join Bramby in a rebellion. Hyld was treated well, but she missed her family, the laughing and the conversations. Even her handiworks couldn't distract her and, irritated, she laid her embroidery on the little table nearby. Air, she needed air.
Guy saw Hyld standing in the herb garden; her restlessness was obvious. Guy knew that he would have to watch her more carefully. This incident with de Pont… If Guy had had his way, he would have killed the knight. Guy only hoped that the Sheriff would send Hyld home soon. Patience was not his virtue and he was rather volatile. By keeping Hyld at the castle for such a long time, he had proven who was in charge and maybe that was enough. Hyld was pale, too pale, but otherwise…She was a beautiful and sweet young woman. Guy smiled involuntarily.
When she heard footfall behind her, Hyld turned around and a faint smile showed on her face. "Sir Guy!" she cried. "I've not even have time yet to thank you….I'm grateful for what you have done…" then she continued. "Please Sir Guy, you needn't follow me all the time. I give you my word that I won't flee."
Guy's smile disappeared. He understood that, despite her words, Hyld didn't set store on his company. He didn't even know why he was hurt; indicating a light bow, he turned to leave. Hyld had seen his expression and added. "I..I like talking to you, but I know that you dislike taking care of me."
This was it? "I don't dislike it, Hyld, on the contrary." Guy felt elated as he had not for a long time. "So why don't you accompany me on a ride to the former Locksley estates. I'll wait for you in the stables while you change."
A ride? Hyld's face brightened. „It won't be long," she promised and hurried away. Guy stared after her figure. She had an enthusiasm and a zest for life he had never known before, at least not since his father had died, and she actually seemed to enjoy his company. Slowly he made his way to the stables where he had his stallion and a fast mare for Hyld saddled. He would take four guards with him; Hyld would not try to flee; he had her word.
Guy knew that his situation was becoming more and more difficult. Cedric of Knighton seemed to have the Sheriff's trust now, as far as Vaysey was able to trust someone. Vaysey and Knighton often talked confidentially and Guy was rarely called in. Perhaps Vaysey wanted to oust him and this had been the only reason why he had been assigned the task to take care of Hyld. But how could he implement his plan to avenge his mother's and sister's death without remaining in the Sheriff's service? He couldn't give up; he would succeed soon, he would, he had to… He was still deep in thoughts when Hyld appeared at the stables.
How she enjoyed the ride; she breathed freely and beamed at Guy, who was riding at her side. "I want to thank you, Sir Guy. You are the only friend I have in this castle."
Guy looked at her, surprised. She thought him her friend, although he was guarding her at the Sheriff's order? A particular girl.
Hyld looked at him thoughtfully. "Sir Guy, we have known each other, since I was eleven years old, but I don't know anything about you despite certain rumours which …scare me. Why are you doing these things and why are you treating me so differently?"
Guy smiled despite himself. She was as blunt as she used to be as a little girl. Whereas most people avoided his company, she'd never been afraid of him. Why did you do it? had she asked him when she had heard that he had stabbed a labourer in the mines. Do you follow each of the Sheriff's order, no matter what it is?
She was like a conscience he had lost years ago. From experience he knew that his usual scowl wouldn't alienate her and so he answered somewhat evasively with a part of the truth. "You remind me of my little sister who would be a little older than you if she had lived….But why are you interested in this?
"You could be different," she replied simply. Guy shook his head. The young woman was living in a dream world.
This couldn't be true. Should fate be so good to him and give Gisborne in his hands? He had to feel very safe, if he had only four soldiers to accompany him. Obviously Gisborne headed to Locksley and with a little preparation they should be able to free Hyld of Bramby on their way back. The rest would be up to the Sheriff.
Guy rode back in a bad mood. The visit at Locksley had been anything but successful. Although the peasants knew that they had to accept him as their new master, their antipathy was palpable. He also wished that Hyld had not been with him. She had not told him that he had been too harsh, but he had seen the unspoken accusation in her eyes. Vaysey is right, he thought testily. She is the personified good conscience. Guy sighed, and Hyld looked at him. "You are angry at me, aren't you?" she asked.
„Not quite," Guy replied civilly. „But sometimes you don't know what you are talking about. It is quite difficult to manage an estate without being cheated."
"Sir Guy," obviously you still think me the little girl of eleven years that nearly collided with you. I know what it means to administer an estate and I also know that it is nearly impossible if you don't have people you can trust, since you cannot control everything. If you had your People's respect and trust…." She fell silent. How could she, a woman of about 17 years, give advice to a knight more than 10 years her senior? "I'm sorry, Sir Guy, I should not have spoken so bluntly; it is none of my business."
Guy knew that everyone else liked to gloat at his failures and the Sheriff, who should be on his side, had shown his glee often enough. Hyld was different wishing him good luck and success. And she was right with something else. She was not the little girl anymore, who had looked up at him at the staircase in Bramby - She was a beautiful woman now. If his life had taken another course and he had got to know a woman like her….A woman like her? At this moment he realised that he had not once thought of Marian. Her love had been an illusion and something had died within him when he had learned that she'd never loved him. Guy swallowed; For sure, Hyld wouldn't smile at him like that, if she knew what he had thought. He was only too aware of his character and he had no right to even think about a woman like her. Eventually, she would marry a knight of her age, with fortune, a good reputation and a secure future.
It was about time that the Sheriff sent her home.