Chapter 36: Our Saracen Guest
October 5, 1192
The day of the council arrived. Robin was in place as one of Gisborne's guards, along with Allan as Gisborne's second. There were almost a dozen nobles of varying ranks and their knights in attendance. Vaisey stood and announced that the purpose of the meeting was for the nobles to sign a pact declaring their support for Prince John. Vaisey made a big show of being the first to sign. Then, one by one, each noble and knight in attendance approached the prince, swore allegiance to him, and then signed the pact, which was situated on a small table next to the prince.
Robin shifted closer to Guy and urgently whispered, "Do not sign that pact – it is treason."
Guy, in an equally hushed voice, responded, "Do you honestly believe that I have a choice?"
Robin realized the truth of the situation and remained quiet.
After all the signatures had been collected, Prince John rose to address the nobles. "We are most pleased by your support. We will never forget this most auspicious moment. We are grateful to our host and good friend, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Lord Vaisey." The prince gestured towards Vaisey, who was sitting at the prince's right hand.
"We would like to reward the man who made this assembly possible!"
Vaisey smiled and stood to receive his reward.
"Sir Guy of Gisborne!" announced the prince.
The smile on Vaisey's face vanished.
Guy, who had only been half listening to the prince, came to full attention.
"Sir Guy, you may approach us," John solemnly declared.
With an anxious glance back at Robin, Guy walked towards the prince.
"Kneel," demanded Prince John. "In recognition of your bravery and steadfastness in standing against the lawlessness of those who would steal from the noble personages whom God himself has raised up to rule, we grant you, Sir Guy of Gisborne, the title Baron of Carentune," proclaimed the prince.
Robin was stunned. His plan had been to save Gisborne from Vaisey, who might have hanged him for incompetence. He had not intended to help elevate Guy to the landed nobility!
A clearly speechless Guy rose and backed away until he was once more standing with Robin.
"Congratulations, Lord Gisborne!" Robin sarcastically whispered.
Guy gave Robin an irritated glare, but said nothing.
The meeting ended, and Vaisey announced another feast, to be held that very evening, to celebrate the signing of the pact.
As the nobles left the room, the sheriff approached Prince John, who was now standing with his back to Guy. Speaking to the prince, but looking over the prince's shoulder at Lord Gisborne, Vaisey spoke loud enough to ensure that Guy heard every word. "Sire, I just realized that you have not met our Saracen guest! She is an exotic beauty under guard here at the castle."
Guy tensed, and a murderous gleam lit his eyes as he started stalking towards Vaisey. Robin and Allan quickly grabbed him by his arms and pulled him back.
But it was too late. Vaisey's suspicions about Guy's interest in the Saracen woman were confirmed. He continued, "Sire, have you ever had the pleasure of an evening with a Saracen woman?"
Robin faced Guy and spoke to him in a firm, quiet voice. "Stop! Settle yourself! You will only make the situation worse if you continue to allow your emotions to control you!"
Prince John was clearly intrigued. "We do not believe we have ever seen a Saracen woman! Is she civilized? Would she be able to entertain us at the feast tonight? You say she's a beauty?"
"Let us ask Lord Gisborne's opinion. He is keeping her under guard in the room next to his," smirked Vaisey.
The prince laughed and gave Guy a knowing glance. He called to him, "Gisborne, bring the Saracen to the feast! We look forward to seeing this creature!"
Vaisey continued to taunt the new baron. "I must also invite another lovely guest staying at the castle! The daughter of one of the local barons! Sire, I have discovered that there is great beauty out here in the wilds of Nottinghamshire!"
Now it was Guy and Allan's turn to restrain Robin. Allan cautioned him, "Robin! Easy!"
Prince John snickered and joined Vaisey as they left the room together.
Abruptly, Guy let go of Robin and spun around, nearly running out of the room. Struggling to keep up, Robin and Allan followed him to his quarters, where Marian and Saffiya were sewing baby blankets with their new cloth.
As soon as everyone was in the room with the door latched, Marian and Saffiya rose in alarm.
"Guy!" cried Marian, "What is wrong?"
Ignoring Marian, Guy spoke to Allan. "Go to the tavern now. I need you to find a pretty, dark-haired whore. She needs to be young and reasonably clean."
"Whoa, there, Giz. What makes you think I know any of the whores here in Nottingham?" Allan blushed slightly and glanced over at Marian and Saffiya. Looking back at Guy, he shook his head and whispered, "I don't have enough coin for–"
Guy interrupted him, "We cannot let the prince see Saffiya." He began to pace nervously.
Robin then explained to Marian and Saffiya, "Vaisey told Prince John that there is a beautiful Saracen woman here in the castle. Prince John wants Saffiya to come to the feast tonight. I am afraid that Vaisey also mentioned you, Marian. You will have to attend as well."
Guy walked to a nearby chest and, grabbing a key attached to his belt, he opened it.
Everyone was shocked to see that it was filled with gold and silver coins.
"How much?" snarled Guy.
Allan was mesmerized by the sight of all that money and did not answer him.
Guy seized the front of Allan's tunic, shaking him and shouting, "How much to find some woman to impersonate Saffiya!"
"Giz, it won't work. Even if the prince has never seen her, Vaisey an' yer sister have. They'll know it's not her." Guy dropped Allan back to his feet, knowing that he was right.
Robin was also distracted by the chest of coins, but for a different reason. "Gisborne! I had no idea that the position of master-at-arms was so lucrative! Have you paid all your taxes?"
Marian waved her hand to get everyone's attention. "What, exactly, is the prince expecting?"
Allan scratched his head. "Well, as far as I can tell, the prince was just asking that she come to the feast tonight an' entertain him."
"What?" gasped Saffiya, horrified by the idea. "Why would the prince think that I am a woman who entertains men? Does he not know that I am of Saracen nobility? I do not understand! Is this an English custom?"
Guy was still pacing, so Robin tried to answer her, "No, he probably does not realize that you are a noblewoman; it is not customary for English noblewomen to perform at feasts, but that is not our primary concern." Robin paused. "Our fear is that he will want to take you to his quarters after the feast."
Saffiya's eyes widened in alarm, and her words came out in a gasp, ". . . his quarters? He thinks that I am a . . ." Unable to say the word, all the color drained from her face.
Guy stopped pacing and rushed to her side, gathering her in his arms and declaring, "I gave you my pledge that I would keep you safe, and I will. Whatever is required to protect you from Prince John, I will do it. I will thrust my sword into his black heart, if he touches you!"
"Gisborne! You cannot assassinate Prince John. His death would plunge the country into civil war! Now settle yourself; we must think clearly, and for God's sake, get your hands off of my sister!" Robin growled and reached for Saffiya, intending to pull her out of Guy's embrace.
Marian, hoping to keep them focused on the problem at hand, stepped between Robin and Guy and gently separated Saffiya and Guy.
"You must take her to the forest!" exclaimed Guy, as he released Saffiya and turned towards Robin.
"Wait, Giz, how're you gonna explain that she's missin'? Just cuz yer a baron now, doesn't mean that Vaisey will overlook her escape. The prince'll be angry too," Allan calmly reminded the frantic knight.
"A baron?" Marian looked to Robin.
Robin nodded grimly. "That is correct, Prince John just bestowed the Barony of Carentune on Gisborne."
A surprised Saffiya looked up at Guy. Although he had just achieved one of his life's ambitions, he seemed oblivious to everything but the danger she faced from Prince John.
Robin rubbed his face in frustration. "We cannot substitute another woman. Vaisey and Isabella know Saffiya. Besides, with the increased security here in the castle, it would be too dangerous to try and sneak her out and take her to the forest." Robin became thoughtful. "Saffiya must come to the feast. Saffiya, you are a talented storyteller, tell one of your stories."
Guy reluctantly nodded. He had settled down enough to realize that Robin was right: Saffiya would have to attend the feast. The real issue would be how to protect her after the feast.
Saffiya began shaking her head. "Robin, I cannot do that! I cannot come to a feast and stand in front of all those people . . ." Her eyes drifted down and focused on the floor in front of Robin.
Robin place his hand gently on her shoulder. "You have told stories to the men at the camp. You can do this."
Saffiya shook her head. "I cannot. The men at the camp are known to me. They are like brothers – like family. The people at the feast will be strangers."
Marian spoke up, "I will be there. I am your sister."
"I'm yer friend, an' I'll be there too," added Allan.
"Saffiya," Guy called to her softly, "I will be there as well. I have enjoyed hearing your stories at the camp. I know you can do this."
Saffiya stepped away from Robin and extended her hands towards Guy. Braving a possible reprisal from Robin, Guy took hold of her hands.
Just as Robin moved to separate the two, Marian placed her hand on his arm and shook her head. Unlike Robin, who was determined to keep Guy away from Saffiya, Marian recognized that the two lovers shared genuine feelings for one another.
A small, wry smile graced his features as Guy continued, "You are fearless enough to climb out of a high window using strips of thin cloth for a rope. You are brave enough to leave your home and travel to a new land. You can do this."
Saffiya gazed intently into Guy's eyes and spoke quietly, "Telling a story . . . I think I can do that, if all of you are there with me in the room. But I do not understand why the prince . . ." She paused and lowered her eyes to their joined hands. In a whisper, she continued, "Why does the prince think that I am a whore?"
Marian, Allan, and Robin's voices overlapped in a chorus of denials that the prince would think such a thing.
"Saffiya," Guy spoke in a steady, calm voice. "I have known Prince John for a long time. In my service to Lord Vaisey, I have frequently observed the prince, although I do not think he has ever taken notice of me before . . . Saffiya, look at me," Guy's fingers gently lifted her chin until she met his eyes. "His mother, Queen Eleanor, is the only woman whom he treats with any respect. In John's eyes, all women exist for his pleasure. It is not a matter of him thinking that you are a whore – he thinks that you are his property. He looks at my sister that way, and he will look at Marian the same way as well. You are both in danger from his endless appetite for . . . diversions."
Saffiya nodded. Guy's words seemed to have soothed her and helped her to understand the nature of the prince's interest in her.
Robin was grateful for Guy's help in reassuring Saffiya, although he still did not like to see Gisborne touching her. Another thought entered his mind, and Robin spoke gently, for he did not want to sound cruel. "It is possible that the prince will not want to take Saffiya to his quarters."
Guy glared at Robin and harrumphed. "Of course, he will! She is beautiful! Of course, he will want her!"
Saffiya blushed with pleasure at Guy's enthusiastic defense.
Robin hesitated. "I agree that Saffiya is a beautiful woman. But he may find her limp to be unattractive. He might be concerned that she is deformed somehow and that is why she limps."
Guy's guilt over Saffiya's injury erupted into rage. He started to grab Robin, and only the quick actions of Allan, Marian, and Saffiya kept him back.
"Stop!" cried Saffiya. "Now is not the time for us to fight! Robin is not trying to insult me or accuse you! We must work together."
Guy looked down at Saffiya and took a calming breath. The others released him.
Allan spoke up. "I wouldn't want to rely on her limp to discourage him. We need a plan to protect her, if the prince decides that he wants her."
"We have to protect Marian as well," Robin reminded them. "The prince might prefer her to Saffiya."
Guy anxiously ran his hand through his long hair. "He will most likely want both of them at the same time–" He suddenly stopped speaking and paled slightly. "Merde! Did I say that out loud?"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
Allan hesitantly asked, "Do you think that's somethin' we need to worry about?"
Robin sighed. "We must be prepared for that possibility. Both women will have to attend the feast. We must have a plan for after the feast. That is when the women will face the most danger from the prince."
Guy, who was quite familiar with Prince John, began offering ideas. "If he drinks enough ale, he might become too drunk to molest either of them." He shook his head. "However, he is very experienced at consuming large quantities of ale, and I do not know how much ale he would need to drink in order to lose consciousness."
"Wait!" cried Saffiya. She hobbled over to her chest, opened it, and pulled out the pouch of medicines that she always kept with her. Returning to the others, she opened the pouch and spread its contents on a small table. The pouch had half a dozen small bottles with paper tags inscribed with strange markings of dots and curls tied to them.
"Here is a potion that would work," she announced.
Robin, Marian, Allan, and Guy crowded around for a closer look.
"What is it?" asked Guy.
"It is from the poppy, a flower. It is mostly used for patients in terrible pain. That is why I always carry some. Just a drop, maybe two, would be enough to affect him," replied Saffiya.
"How would it affect him?" asked Marian.
"He would experience a great sense of calm and joy." Saffiya laughed. "It would probably make him feel incredibly happy."
"No!" Guy exploded. "Good God, woman, what are you thinking? He would believe that you gave him such pleasure!"
Robin grimaced. "Gisborne is right. I am familiar with this potion and have seen its effects on soldiers. He might begin to crave it, and if he associates the blissful feeling with either of you–"
"Very well." Saffiya sighed and looked through her bottles again. She picked up one of the larger bottles. "This one, when combined with ale, would make him sleepy, but you would need to use the whole bottle."
"Sleepy, but not happy?" asked Guy.
"Yes," nodded Saffiya. "He will have a bad headache in the morning. It works quickly, so we would have to be careful in our timing. We would need to wait until we were certain of the prince's intentions."
It was Robin's turn to begin thinking out loud. "But who will be able to get close enough to put it into his ale? I will be dressed as a soldier, but not one of his guard. Allan is just an unknown servant."
"I can do it," replied Marian.
"No!" cried Robin. "It is too risky."
Marian's eyes flashed. "It is the only way this will work. I can do this! I just need to be sitting next to him. If Vaisey has mentioned me to him, then it is very likely I will be sitting at the main table with the prince."
Allan spoke up again. "Robin, Marian is right. If he's a man who likes women fussin' over him, then a pretty woman is the best way to get close to him."
Guy nodded. "Isabella is a concern. She will not be easily distracted from her pursuit of the prince."
Robin relented. "Marian is right. She would probably be in the best position to put the potion into his ale without detection." He paused in thought. "There is one more tactic to employ, and Marian will be able to help us with that as well. We should make sure that the prince learns that Saffiya's family has ties to King Richard. That might also discourage him from pursuing her."
After Robin finished explaining his idea to them, the men left while Marian and Saffiya prepared for the feast.
Next: The Song of Saffiya
Saffiya finds her voice and emerges from the shadows, while Marian reflects on what she has learned about Saracens, and more importantly, what she has learned about herself.
Both women realize just how profoundly they have changed in the past six months.