Annie was worried. More than worried. She was sick with worry.
She hadn't seen nor heard from her lover, Guy of Gisbourne, in weeks! Rumor around the castle was that he was dangerously ill, under quarantine in his big house in Locksley Village, with only his physician Dr. Pitts allowed to see him.
Annie had seen Dr. Pitts herself, several weeks before. Guy had sent him to examine her, and he had, mostly by questioning her about her body. He had pronounced her "with child," as Annie knew he would. But she hadn't been able to see Guy to tell him!
Her belly now boasted a small swell, which she kept hidden under her loose gown. But she wouldn't be able to hide her condition much longer! She was frightened, all alone, and she needed Guy!
What if he should die from his contagion? Why, he would die without ever knowing about their baby! And what would happen to her, and to their child? He needed to get well, so she could tell him and he could marry her, as he had promised!
He would marry her, if only he would recover! He was a good man. Annie stubbornly clung to her insistance, reminding herself he was a good man, as she pushed away images insisting he was anything but. She had sometimes come upon him in the dungeons, surprised to witness him enjoying the brutal pain he inflicted upon others. And worse than that, she had actually seen him kill a man, plunging his sword through his body with cool detachment and a hint of pleasure and undeniable satisfaction. But no! He was a good man.
In spite of her anxiety and fear, Annie kept working, but the carrots she chopped today were washed by her falling tears.
...
"There it is, Gisbourne! The Port of Acre! I never expected to be back here so soon."
The Earl of Spencer stood on the deck of a ship, pointing out the approaching city of Acre, the largest city in the Holy Land, to Sir Guy of Gisbourne. Both men wore disguises, their bodies and heads clothed in local attire, their faces stained darker with walnut juice.
"See that tall tower?" Spencer asked. "That's called 'The Tower of Flies.' Want to know why?"
"No. We're here on a mission. I expect you to attend to it."
"We'll be successful...never fear. But first, what do you say we enjoy ourselves? Once we land, I can lead you to some of the most indecent pleasure hovels you've ever imagined."
"Lead me to the King...that will suit...And to Locksley."
"Locksley? Why do you want him? He won't join our side. I'd wager my life on it."
Gisbourne only sneered in reply.
Killing the King was his mission, by order of the Sheriff and Prince John. Killing Robert of Locksley, Earl of Huntington, was Gisbourne's own private mission, conceived and planned by himself. With Huntington dead, having no heirs, his lands and properties would pass to the Crown. With King Richard dead, the "Crown " would effectively be Prince...no, make that "King" John. And who better to receive "payment" for making John king than the man responsible?
Gisbourne would soon have it all...Locksley, Bonchurch, a lordship, an earldom...and the woman who went along with all of it...Marian.
...
Rachel held tightly to Robin's arm as they walked through the marketplace, his servant Much following behind, carrying her basket while he grumbled.
Robin was so wonderful, paying for whatever she needed. He was so handsome, and charming and kind! He said the most clever things! And he was a perfect gentleman, always treating her with courtesy and respect, well...mostly.
She knew her father and brothers would disagree...not just because Robin was a Christian, but because his compliments to her always resulted in kisses. Her family would be shocked if they had an inkling of just how successful his compliments were! She was a bit shocked herself. But how could she resist him? She didn't want to resist him! Her family must never, never find out!
She gazed into his twinkling blue eyes now, wishing he would make a move, and tried to listen as he told her about the cease fire.
"Robin, it's wonderful peace negotiations are going well. But...if there is peace, does that mean you will be going home?"
Much interrupted them. "Yes, Master...when can we go home?"
Like Much, Robin wished it could be now. Both men had been homesick ever since they had set foot in the Holy Land. He answered Rachel as honestly as he could.
"Not for some time. We'll need to stay and see the transition through first."
Rachel breathed a relieved sigh and squeezed his arm tighter. It was wonderful just to look at him, but she wanted to dart behind a stall so they could lose themselves in kisses. For some reason, he didn't seem interested in looking for a place where they could hide today. Oh, well, it was wonderful just being with him.
...
Gisbourne and Spencer, still in disguise, tried to blend in with the Saracens in the Acre marketplace. Gisbourne's commanding height garnered many stares, however, and he threatened Spencer to hurry up and find Locksley for him before their true identities were uncovered.
"There he is!" Spencer whispered. "That's him! Ha! See him there, with that Jew? Damn, I can't believe he'd be so low as to bed a Christ killer!"
"Where?" Gisbourne asked, curiously excited to view the man whose lands, titles, and properties he coveted.
"See the soldier with the pretty girl in the yellow turban? With that other soldier following behind? That's him! Warning: anybody wearing a yellow turban around here is a Christ killer. Stay away from them...they're lower than dogs."
Gisbourne peered at Locksley, memorizing every detail of his face and form, so he would be sure to recognize him when the time came to kill him. He sneered in disgust. "He looks easily disposed of."
"Don't let his size fool you. Granted, he's not as large as you, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in courage, skill, strength, and...scrappiness."
" 'Scrappiness' never killed anyone," Gisbourne mocked.
"I warn you, Gisbourne, don't underestimate Locksley. He'll give you a battle you can't imagine, I promise you."
Gisbourne only sneered. Just wait until tonight. Gisbourne couldn't wait to spill Locksley's blood. He hadn't even met the man yet, and already he hated him as he had never hated anyone before.