Chapter Twelve-
He had finally done it. He had finally broken free of his master. It wasn't clear if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but he had to make his place in the world now. Much was a free man now. He would go back to Nottingham and lead a peaceful, quiet life at Bonchurch. The only thing he needed to do now was to find Eve.
As he rode north he let his mind wander to thoughts about the golden haired beauty that haunted his dreams. He could never dream of loving any other woman. The only sin this Eve had committed was stealing Much's heart. She was his angel, she was his version of Marian. Much let a sigh escape his mouth, maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
Maybe he belonged with Robin. His master depended on him, what would he do without any support? First Robin lost Marian, then Will and Djaq, then Allan, John, and finally him. His mind was screaming at him. Robin needs you. Robin needs you! Much shook off the three words and continued inside the gates of London.
The manservant almost ran over the gang's contact, Andrew of Dorset, on his way inside. "Are you one of Robin Hood's men?
Much scowled, couldn't he just be called by name? Was he always attached to Robin? "I am."
"Vaysey and Gisbourne are going to Acre, they left yesterday. The new sheriff of Nottingham, Robert Maywell, is on the same ship. He is going to see King Richard in the Holy Land. Tell Robin, protect Maywell, he is a very good friend of the king. If Vaysey got his hands on him, Richard would pay the ransom. Maywell is like a son to the king. Tell Robin!" Andrew said franticly.
As soon as the man finished, Much turned his horse in the direction of Portsmouth. He rode faster than he had ever ridden as an outlaw, servant, or Crusader. His mind started to scream at him for the second time. Robin needs you! Maywell needs you! The King needs you!
Robin stood over William Colton in Portsmouth. "I'm not afraid of you, Hood." He struggled with the rope digging into his wrists. "What are you going to do to me? Give me a lecture on your great king and tell me where I have been wrong. The great do-gooder Robin Hood would never harm anyone."
Robin glared at his captive. "That is where you are wrong." He was finally spiraling out of control. "You think you're safe. You think I won't harm you." He gave a dry laugh. "You could never be more mistaken."
William's hope fell, but he wouldn't let Robin see it. "There's no proof of my wrongdoings. The only thing you can charge me with is impersonating a priest. There is no evidence that I assisted Matis Harridan escape from Nottingham Castle." He held back a cry of pain as Robin punched him hard across the face.
"Getting the picture so far, Colton?" Robin bent over so that they were at eyelevel. "I'm not afraid to hurt you."
"A punch in the face, how cruel," he retorted. "I know why your gang left you. They feared for their lives."
Robin punched him again, only twice as hard. William grimaced. "Did you or did you not assist Matis Harridan in his escape from Nottingham Castle?"
He held the defiant shimmer in his eyes, "I did not."
"Well, Colton, I expect you will be changing your mind on that subject very soon."
"Lady Kieran!" Elias knocked on the door of her cabin. "My master would like to see you! Are you decent? May I come in?"
Laphelia smiled, finally some time with a person other than Gisbourne. He was off to see Vaysey at this time, but she needed a change. "You may." Elias entered and was flustered by her revealing red dress. "Is anything the matter? Is your master well?" She rose from her seat and walked over to him. Was it her hair? Usually she had Jessie braid it or put it back some way, today she just let it fall in waves over her shoulders.
"Oh, uh, um...he is well er- as well as can be expected." The short, slender man stepped backwards outside. "You remember which cabin?" Laphelia nodded and gave the nervous manservant a sympathetic smile. "Meet us there in five minutes, if my lady can be ready by then."
"I can." She heard the faint tapping of his quick feet down the hallway. There was a loud creak of the pair's door opening and some muffled excited words. 'Lady Kieran' waited the few minutes and strolled down the corridor. Laphelia tapped lightly on the door. "It's me."
She heard Robert's strong voice answer. "Come in, my lady. I assure you I am more composed, and clothed, than the last time we met."
"That is good." Laphelia entered the cramped room. Robert stared at her for a few awkward moments and then caught himself.
"I have to apologize for my indecency the last time you saw me. I-I was unwell." As he talked, her eyes looked over his body. He was dressed nicely in dark green, cloth trousers, and a brown leather jacket. Laphelia was pleased, she liked men in leather. Robert was still lying down, but looked a little better. "My lady, my lady?"
She snapped back into reality. "Pardon?"
"I was saying for you to send my apologies to your husband." Robert eyed the plunging neckline of her dress, and her flowing brown hair. "Though, I am surprised at your choice. A pretty, young thing like you could do better.
Her mind didn't know what to do. To look offended or to smile or to tell him truth? "He is not really my husband," she blurted.
"I am glad to hear that." Robert propped himself up on his elbows. "May I ask why you, an unmarried woman, would be traveling with a man like Lord Kieran?"
She had to make up a story quickly. "Uh, he is my brother. There is a man in Jerusalem which he wants me to marry. James didn't want me to find another on the way to him." She blushed. "It's very complicated." She met his gaze slyly. "May I ask why the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire is travelling thousands of miles away from his home to a dangerous land?"
"I'm afraid my answer will be complicated as well." He took a deep breath. "This might sound false, but I am a very close friend of King Richard. He has always been like a father to me. I am going to visit him and thank him for giving me my position."
"Really?" Her voice was filled with concern. She had to keep Vaysey and Guy far away from him. "I hope you are a better sheriff than the last one." Laphelia laughed nervously.
"Oh, I have heard the horror stories about Vaysey. What a heartless, foolish man. I couldn't even imagine committing the crimes that he did against the people of Nottingham." Robert wondered about the woman who stood in front of him. How did she know Vasey? "Do you know the old sheriff personally?"
"No, no, I have just heard." She searched for the right words to say next. "The Kieran estate is near Nottinghamshire." Laphelia knew she was digging herself deeper. He would find out that there were no members of the Kieran clan near Nottingham.
"You must visit us then." Robert smiled at her. She would probably make a good wife. Pretty, kind, caring.
"If my brother allows me." She played with her sleeve. How long could she keep this lie up? Laphelia was starting to fall for this man and everything she had told him was false. She knew it could never lead anywhere, her identity would come out soon.
"I will have to insist on the matter. Well, once we are off this bloody ship, and I am in better health," he chuckled. "Elias-"
"Rachel! What are you doing here?" Vaysey walked into the room. Laphelia started to shake but stopped herself. How much had he heard?
"Father, this is Lord Robert Maywell and his manservant Elias." She took a deep breath. "We recently met, and he invited me to keep him and Elias company."
"Is something wrong, my lord sheriff?" Guy was walking down the hallway. "Laph- Rachel? You look tired, love. Why don't you come back to our cabin and lie down." He put his hands on her shoulders and led her away. On her way out, she turned her head to look at Robert, and he could see the fear in her eyes.
"Well, well, well, Laphelia has the new sheriff of Nottingham flustered like a child." Vaysey was having one of his classic discussions with Gisbourne and Laphelia. "And he says King Richard is like a father to him."
"My lord please-" She rose from the bed she was sitting on in her cabin.
"Be quiet and stay quiet, Laphelia," Guy scolded.
"Thank you, Gizzy. Now where was I...alright I remember. Since he is in love," he looked mockingly at Laphelia, "he will trust you, do anything for you." She opened her mouth to speak but thought better of it, and closed it. She knew where he was going with this and knew there was no escape. "Maywell will surely know Richard's location, yes? And that, my girl, is where you come in." He smiled wickedly at Laphelia. "Tell him you love him, and you want to marry him. Make sure he believes you, and tell him you will run away from your father and brother and go with him." Vaysey was getting very much enjoyment out of her distress. "We will follow you to the king and kill Richard. The end."
Laphelia sighed. "And if I choose not to take part in this?"
"First I will kill you. Then, I will torture Maywell and make sure he can't fight me. Finally, I will ransom him to Richard, and kill the king when he comes." Vaysey raised his eyebrows. "Sound fun, Gizzy?" Gisbourne nodded. "Do you wish to take part now, Laphelia?"
"I do."
