Part 28
Robin called a meeting when he finally appeared from the chamber. This time it was way past noon, and he and Marian received knowing looks from not only the gang but from the servants as well. Everyone sat in the dining area for refreshments. Marian and Robin sat close, the connection between them evident.
"I asked you to meet with me here," Robin began seriously and then continued. "To ask you to help me. When I was captive I learnt things that my captors discussed in my presence in their native tongue, not aware that I could understand what was said. I also came across a man I thought was dead."
"Vasey." Much said. He shook his head as he conjured up a vision of the 'dead' man standing in the window of the run down house a few days ago.
"Yes Vasey. How did you know?" Robin asked.
"Marian saw him first although she did not recognise him then. We all saw him, we know he lives." Djaq added.
"And we know he is plotting with Osama to kill Saladin," Will added.
Robin looked at them impressed they had learnt so much.
"It all came about as we searched for you," Much explained. "Marian found, then took a letter from a house that you were taken to, Vasey arrived realised it was gone and roared like he used to do. Djaq read the letter that is how we know he is in cahoots with Osama. How did you find out about Vasey?"
"I had the pleasure of his company for a few days before they moved me to Osama's house. He is friends with Jarrick and his full cousin Imran. Imran and Jarrick are half cousins of Osama. And Imran, Jarrick and Osama are half cousins of Saladin." He replied dryly. "But we have one thing up on him and we have to ensure that we keep this step ahead of him….otherwise…"
"What thing?" asked Little Little John baffled.
"Vasey knows of the Angel of Hope," he explained turning to look at Marian and giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "What he doesn't know is the identity of the Angel of Hope and that is what we have to keep from him."
"Oh…Yes definitely, I mean if he found out it was Marian it could result in….. Oww!" Much replied looking pointedly at Allan who had kicked his leg sharply. "What did you do that for?"
"So you did not say something you would regret." He replied.
"Oh, well you did not have to kick so hard, I think I have bruised," said Much, continuing with. "What are we going to do?"
"We have to work out when Vasey, Jarrick, Imran, Osama plan to kill Saladin. Meanwhile it would not hurt to pay a visit to Saladin to warn him of the treason within his family." Robin said.
"I suppose we could stake out the house again, the one you were taken to, the one where we saw Vasey." Will suggested.
"We stood there for days before we found Robin nothing happened." Allan protested.
"Still," mused Robin. "Will is right just because it did not happen then does not mean that there will not be any activity there now."
Allan sighed and shrugged still feeling it was a pointless exercise but knew that Robin would not be shifted from his plans.
"So," said Marian thoughtfully. "We find Saladin, warn him, save his life, deal with Vasey and his little men and return to England."
"You will not be doing anything Marian." Robin snapped slightly and then watched her bristle and knew that his choice of words were not well chosen.
"I will. I will be by your side." She replied. Then with great effort not to let the others know a flashback was beginning to form she heard her own and Robin's words echo through her head in a previous disagreement………… "I don't need to be mollycoddled"
"Good because you're not going to get it here……Not you Marian you're staying here….Because this is not the Marian I know and love."
"This is who I am now," she insisted
"I hope not."
………"Well you disobeyed me." Robin added as time jumped on a little.
"I saved your life."
"You kissed…."He said, but who he kissed she didn't know as the words replayed themselves in a scrambled muddle.
"And you tied me up."
"And you could have got us all killed."
"I'm sorry I am not used to taking orders but I can learn. I like to be part of your gang."
"And I am not used to you being in the forest, but I'll learn."
"Truce?" she asked hopefully and with a mere spark of humour.
"Yeah truce."
"We will make sure she is armed appropriately," Djaq put in helpfully, when Marian did not retaliate but looked to be thinking again about her past.
"This time," added Will. "We will keep her safe."
They all watched Robin's face change a number of times and finally he agreed. And said to Marian who was now back in the present. "Yes it might be better that you stay where I can keep an eye on you."
Djaq winked at Marian and she just smiled as she ran back over the memory she had just recalled.
