Chapter 14: "Explain yourself?"
"Sir Guy has returned, my Lord Sheriff," the young page announced.
Greed's glint danced in the eyes of Anceline Vasey and Hugh de Burgh; they rose expectantly as the knight entered the hall. "Well, Gisborne…?"
"My lord, I…" He stuttered looking at the stone floor.
The Sheriff sprang from his seat, overturning it as he leapt furiously toward him. "You've failed!" He had Gisborne by the throat. "Tell me the old hag was too strong for you!"
"I thought she was dead."
"You thought! Never, ever think, Gisborne!" Every word was accompanied by a slapping blow to Guy's chest.
"I told you not to use him," de Burgh sneered.
"Where is she?" Vasey barked.
No sooner had the words passed his lips than Hildegard's gaudy, covered litter entered the great hall, carried aloft on the shoulders of four stalwart retainers. The drapes flew open and Hildegard's ancient, malevolent face appeared – angrier, more marked by rage than her nephew had ever seen it.
"First, I want the flesh whipped from the back of every coward that was supposed to protect me!" Her retainers swallowed nervously. "Then I want the physician, and then I will deal with you!" She glared in Gisborne's direction.
"Auntie, what's happened?" The Sheriff asked sweetly, his face clouded with insincere concern.
"One small band of outlaws, woodland ruffians, and none of the incompetent soldiers in my guard or your escort could cut down a single one! And this idiot!" She spat at Gisborne, who endured it as he usually did in silent, powerless rage. "He turns over my litter…out upon the ground! When finally I woke, not two feet from your gate, he would have smothered me had I not cried out!"
"Explain yourself, Gisborne!" As usual the Sheriff was ready at a moment's notice to assume whichever allegiance would bring him the greatest gain.
"Lady Hildegard," Hugh de Burgh interrupted, "are you quite all right?"
"Of course I'm not all right, you arse!" I've broken something…my hip perhaps. Have your chambers put right for me, Anceline." She enunciated every syllable just to provoke him further.
Vasey was clearly vexed at the use of his given name; Gisborne was barely able to contain his smirking smile until the Sheriff looked over at him and said, "What are you snickering at, Crispin?" Vasey took a deep breath and turned his attention back to his aunt, "My chamber? But…" The Sheriff could see a long and vocal convalescence.
"Fine." Her voice was slightly weaker, "I will go to Kirklees…and bequeath my lands to the abbey…my new heir." The last three words were said arrogantly with her beak-like nose in the air.
"No! No! Of course you shan't! Gisborne! Have my chamber readied." Vasey shot his second a poisonous glare.
The pallet was empty, its occupant no where to be seen. Slowly Marian set the tray of broth and bread aside and stretched her hand out upon the bedding in hopes of feeling a bit of warmth still clinging to the bedclothes; they were cold to her touch. Fresh tears sprang up and would have overflowed, but the Reverend Mother made a surprise appearance, shocking Marian into composure.
"So our guest has gone." The venerable nun stated.
"Yes," Marian whispered in reply.
Gently, the kindly woman enveloped Marian in a loving embrace; her wise eyes moist. "It is hard…to say farewell."
Marian could only nod, and regard the gesture as an act of sympathy – assurance the good Mother understood her sorrow at Little John's departure. In truth, it was an expression of farewell to Marian.
>>
"Well, Anceline," de Burgh said with a smirk, imitating Aunt Hildegard's drawn out pronunciation. "I shall return to London now the old hag is resting peacefully."
"She would be resting in pieces, if not for Gisborne here!" The Sheriff flung the contents of his goblet toward his lieutenant, but it fell short, splashing down half the length of the table. "Here's the damned physician now…costing a fortune no doubt!"
"My lords," the physician greeted them with a satisfied grin.
"Get to the point, man. How is the old mass of putrescence?"
"She is not in any danger, but the recovery will be lengthy, I'm afraid."
Vasey's jaw dropped. "How lengthy?"
"Several months, at the very least…."
The Sheriff decided immediately he would not be the most miserable at Hildegard's presence. For everything he must suffer with that loathsome woman Gisborne would suffer tenfold. "Lepers..." He mumbled under his breath.
Ever the chameleon, Vasey instantly pretended Hugh de Burgh was his best friend, "You will keep this unfortunate circumstance in confidence? There is no need for Prince John to know of it, is there?" The Sheriff asked, tilting his head and grazing his fingers against his temple. He pushed a leather pouch of silver coins at de Burgh.
He bounced the bag in his hand to check the weight then paused considering his advantage. "Hmmm…for now, Vasey, but without the lands of your Aunt, His Highness will be expecting the full tax assessment from Nottinghamshire next session considering you have failed to kill the outlaws once again."
The Sheriff glared at him and his voice tightened, "But…"
"The full tax assessment," de Burgh repeated pointedly.
The Sheriff plopped down in his throne chair and nodded miserably, "As you wish."
"As Prince John wishes," Hugh de Burgh corrected. His elaborate robes swirled around him as he turned on his heel and made a hasty retreat, calling for his sergeant. The envoy would leave Nottingham at first light.