Chapter 37
Treason
That night Robin and his men returned Noor and Abdullah to the harem. Much was devastated by what appeared to be her abandoning him. He was sure that the Sheriff would not let her live, regardless of whether or not Crusaders were waiting for him. Much was sure that this would be the last time he would see Noor and that she would never leave England alive.
The next morning, Noor and Abdullah were found, not poisoned but pierced by the arrows of Robin Hood, badges left to mark his kill. The Sheriff was enraged, his life forfeit because of that thug Robin Hood!
The end of the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Guy of Gisbourne was neither particularly noble nor honorable. Neither man died in a way fitting to the story they would become a part of; yet by noon they were dead none the less.
The women of the harem keened as the arrows were removed from the body of the Princess and her son the Prince. In their grief none of them noticed that the arrows removed from their body bore no blood. The women of the harem anointed them and covered them in shrouds. They were placed in the wagon of a silent Crusader and a prayer was said for their souls by Sir Edward, returned to his position as Sheriff and still deeply in mourning not only for his daughter and for this girl and her young son before him, but for all those who had been lost during this bloody reign of terror.
The wagon slowly rolled out of the courtyard followed by a second carrying Noor's 'pets'. Allen looked behind him suspiciously. Why exactly had he and Djaq been given the task of escorting these animals to Locksley? He didn't care how much Djaq adored those monsters, nor how much he adored her, they were not getting one. That was final! He was the man in this marriage and his decision would stand!