Chapter 37: Foes In and Out
It took everything in Guy to restrain himself from throttling Destin.
That man acted as if he were everyone's superior, and everyone was his underlings. Even Hubert, who accompanied Destin everywhere and gave him 'tours of the castle'-a clandestine way of saying secret meetings between Destin and his followers in the castle-showed visible signs of annoyance at the man's haughtiness.
Guy could swear that Destin knew that Guy knew who he was and what his true motives for being in England were. Destin liked to smirk evilly at Guy whenever he talked with him, even if the conversation was just casual. It was as if Destin pretended to be cordial (however annoyingly) towards Guy in the hopes that he could attack Guy when his guard was down. Other than that and a few narcissistic comments, the son of Vaisey didn't do anything major. He was just being plain annoying.
Multiple times, Mietek had to tell Guy to not throttle Destin and even physically stop him from doing so. Though he desired to avenge Destin for what he did to Meg, Mietek agreed with Robin Hood that killing Destin would be a reckless move that would cause more harm than good. Last time, an army almost razed the town when Vaisey went missing for a day. Who knew what would happen if his son was killed?
Guy, also desirous of revenge, reluctantly conceded to Mietek's commands and promised to try and control himself.
When he could not throttle Destin, Guy endeavored to discover more of the man's evil ploys. But Destin, as if subconsciously and instinctively, always kept his plans private. He stayed in his bedchambers most of the time, claiming that his rough travels had left him feeling unwell. But everyone knew that he, Hubert, and Count Friedrich, assembled together for their clandestine meetings.
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Robin was enraged at the Count's betrayal. He has been such a good friend to the outlaws and vice versa. They had warned him that Vaisey had rigged the games at the banquet, so all of the Count's gambling money would have gone to fund the Black Knights. The Count was even kind enough to make a munificent donation as a sign of support to the outlaws' cause. He was even against the Sheriff. What happened to that friendship? Was Destin's promise of power and wealth more important than aiding the outlaws in their fight against injustice? What kind of a demon was strong enough to possess the Count, such a good man, into working for his son?
After some careful thinking, Robin decided to confront Count Friedrich and convince him to abandon the Black Knights. Robin knew fully that he was risking a lot just by confronting the man, but he believed that Friedrich, despite his betrayal, still had a modicum of goodness left in his heart. Destin couldn't have brainwashed him completely.
Robin hid behind a stone pillar which was far-yet not far away- from Destin's bedchambers. The hallway was dim, with only one torch shining faintly. Robin wore a dark grey cloak obscuring his figure. His Saracen bow was in his hand. His other hand rested on his curved blade.
Robin waited for an hour before the door to the bedchambers opened. Robin poked his head out to see Hubert leave. Then, just a short while later, Robin saw the German Count leave and was saddened by how much he changed. He no longer looked like his merry self. Instead, he looked grim and serious. Instead of wearing his garments of garish colors, he wore the black outfit of the Black Knights with the infamous falcon hemmed onto his right shoulder.
The Count looked around before he put the hood over his head, concealing his face. He closed the door and began walking in the direction where Robin stood. Once Friedrich was far away from Destin's bedchambers, Robin sprung out in front of him, covered his mouth with his hand, and dragged him into an empty room. Once he threw the Count onto the stone floor, Robin closed the door behind him, removed his hood which covered his face, and shot a deathly glare at the Count.
"You traitor!" Robin whispered. "You were our friend, but now it seems that you have sold your soul to the devil himself."
Friedrich was startled by the sudden ambush and Robin's sudden burst of anger. He scrambled to his feet and straightened out his clothing. "I swear, Robin, it isn't what it looks like," he said in his heavy German accent.
"Oh, I know what it seems to me," Robin retorted. "Enough with your excuses. I've half a mind to create an 'accident' right here, right now, and nobody would even know that it had been me who finished you off."
"Oh, so the great Robin Hood will resort to killing? Doesn't that go against his conscience?" Friedrich smirked.
"I kill only when necessary," said Robin, his blood boiling. "Killing you would do the world a favor."
"If you kill me for no reason, that's murder in cold blood. You wouldn't want to be tarnished with the title 'cold-blooded killer', now, would you?"
"I would kill you for the traitor that you are. You are working for the Black Knights, one of the most dangerous groups in England. Their aim is to assassinate King Richard and establish a toxic regime in England. How could you, Friedrich? What changed? How much money did Destin offer you?"
"That man is not just any ordinary man. He is a god!" Friedrich exclaimed. "A great man! A powerful man! He promised me riches and renown if I but serve him."
"He's not a god!" Robin corrected him, his voice filled with hurt. "Don't raise him to a divine level, for he is nothing but a fallible man. And just not a fallible man: an evil man. He will never reward you with the wealth you claim he promised to give you."
"Ah…I believe I must correct you on that. You see, he has given me lands in Germany which no one, not even the King there, could give. I own some castles, a handful of villages. The people there under my rule provide me with wealth from their taxes. But Destin said that that amount of money is nothing compared to what he will give me if I but serve him."
"What is he telling you to do now?"
"It's such an insignificant matter for me, but, for the master, it's so significant. You see, he has given the order for us to look for a woman who ran away with his child. She seduced him into her bed, which left her with his child. Lord Destin, being a man of honor, offered to marry the woman, but the woman refused. She fled. We have searched throughout Europe, leaving no stone unturned, but we could not find her. I never understood why searching for this woman and the child was so important until Lord Destin explained to me that he was creating a legacy. His children represent the immortality of the Vaisey bloodline."
"Children?"
"Rumors have spread through the grapevine that Destin has sired more than one child."
That statement baffled Robin. He dropped his bow and unsheathed his sword. Before Friedrich could react and pull out his own sword, Robin had him against the wall with his curved blade at the Count's throat.
"Leave quietly and without trouble," Robin growled, his mind filled with wrath and murderous thoughts, "and I will let you live, on the condition that you do not show your face in England ever again. Me killing you is the second option."
"So I have to pick my poison, huh?"
"Leaving this country alive isn't a poison. Consider it an act of mercy."
Friedrich chuckled. "Mercy? Oh, Hood, you're so hilarious. Consider it an act of mercy that I am letting you live…at least, for the moment."
"What?"
Friedrich quickly grabbed something out of his pocket and blew it into Robin's face. It was a white powder with a potent smell. Robin coughed so hard that he released Friedrich and dropped his weapon. He couldn't see anything, only a blurry outline of the Count walking to the door. Robin was about to reach for his weapon before his world blackened.
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"I don't like where this is going," Jasper whispered to Guy as Destin, Friedrich, and Hubert entered the Great Hall.
Destin stood on the balcony, looking down on the men below, before he stretched out his arms and cried out with a loud voice:
"So, this is the hospitality I receive!"
"Whatever do you mean, my lord?" Jasper said, smiling placidly, though he somehow knew that Destin saw through the façade.
Destin gestured for Hubert and Friedrich to do something. They left and returned a while later, each holding a gagged and bound man. Hubert threw Mietek down the stairs, rolling down like snow during an avalanche. Allan quickly ran to his aid once he reached the foot of the stairs. He was barely conscious, and blood trickled from his forehead. Allan took off the gag, cut the rope, and helped Mietek up.
Friedrich did the same thing to Robin, who quickly tumbled down the stairs, but it was Guy who ran to Robin's aid once he reached the bottom of the steps. He was in the same condition as Mietek. Guy removed Robin's gag, cut his restraints, and helped him to his feet. The outlaw was in deep pain, but he had enough nerve to shoot Guy a baffled look. What was his archenemy doing, helping the outlaw who always undermined him?
"I know, Sheriff," Destin proclaimed, smiling wickedly. "Oh, I know."
"Know what?" Jasper said, trying to feign ignorance.
"Oh, enough pretending. Take off your mask inside of which hides the reality. You know exactly what is going on."
"I'm afraid I am a bit confused as to what is going on at the moment."
Destin raised his voice, as if to make his words clear and coherent. "The presence of Lord Dunajski and Robin Hood in your castle tell me that they are up to no good. And if they are up to no good, then that means that you, Sir Guy, and his henchman are also up to no good. Mieczysław and Hood hate me, that much is certain. It is also certain that they want to kill me. And I know that they planned on killing me here, which makes me suspect that you and Sir Guy have been aiding and abetting them all along."
"I can assure you, Lord Destin, that that is not the case."
"ENOUGH!" Destin bellowed, storming down the stairs, his men following him. Destin's cape flower as he walked down. He continued in a softer yet harsher voice. "I also know that the presence of Lord Dunajski answers the question as to where Lady Dunajski is. Tell me: where in England is she hiding?"
"We've not the faintest idea," Jasper said in his best calm voice.
Unsatisfied with the reply, Destin turned to Mietek. "Why are you here, Lord Dunajski? And tell me honestly."
"I told you before: business matters," Mietek replied, touching his forehead, from which blood trickled down. His hand was stained with blood.
Destin smirked. "I have difficulty believing that."
"Well, believe it, for what I am saying is the truth." Mietek groaned, as the pain on his forehead intensified.
"You would be so unintelligent as to tell your enemy the truth, instead of a lie? Now, I know that you are a liar. Where is she?"
"Somewhere in this world."
"I will not settle for such a pathetic answer. Where is she?"
"I don't know. And even if I knew, I would not tell you."
"Don't you care for your baby sister?" Destin said the last two words in a mocking tone.
"Of course I care for her. You don't think I haven't been searching for her? Well, I have, and all of my efforts were fruitless. It saddens me to admit, but I cannot continue my quest in searching for Gosia. I can only pray and hope that she and her child are all right."
"So you're giving up on Gosia that easily? Hah! I thought you and your sister had a special twin bond. You strike me as the brother who would never give up on his sister."
"Alas, I am a weak man, Destin. After many months of searching, I decided to give up. The flaws of human nature!"
"But she must be here. Why else would you be here?"
"Is it so difficult to believe that I am here on business matters?"
"Yes."
"Well, I am, and I intend on leaving soon."
Mietek prayed that Destin would believe his lies. Luckily, Destin looked convinced at Mietek's words. Yet, he eyed him warily.
"I sent Hubert to listen in on your conversation with the other men a week back. But all he could hear was your plans on assassinating me, not anything about the whereabouts of Gosia."
"I'm sorry, master, but either they kept her out the conversations or I arrived late at the door," Hubert spoke up. "Most likely the latter." Which was true, for Hubert wasn't there when the men began mentioning Meg. He arrived when Jasper said that they should make Destin suffer.
Mietek was relieved that Destin did not know where Meg was. Walls certainly had ears.
Ignoring Hubert, Destin continued to speak to Mietek: "You have always been a sly and shady man, Lord Dunajski. You always have these tricks up your sleeves. But I am a hawk. I shall be watching you intently."
"And I shall be sure to ready my bow and keep my eyes peeled when the opportunity arises for me to shoot you as you soar through the skies and cook you for dinner. You are, as you say, a hawk." Mietek grinned.
Destin grinned back, but he could not come up with a better comeback to Mietek's and win the verbal sparring.
Mietek's grin broadened, pleased and proud that he had the last word.
Exasperated, Destin turned to Jasper. "My men and I will be granted safe passage out of this castle. If you'll permit it, I will forget about the whole business with you aiding and abetting Robin Hood. If there is trouble steered towards me in any way, shape, or form, especially if it is caused by Mietek, I swear on my father's grave that I will cause all hell to break loose."
"Of course," Jasper acquiesced almost immediately as Destin finished uttering his threat. Both Guy and Mietek shot him a look of opposition, but Jasper responded to them with a look that told them to go along with it and not make a stink out of it.
"La-dee-dah-dee-dah. There is nothing else left for me here. But will I return one of these days? A clue? Yes. So you better prepare yourself for that day, my Lord Sheriff."
"I must have a date of your arrival, so we can better prepare ourselves for it," said Jasper, laughing nervously. "I do not like unexpected guests. Surely we can schedule in advance the time of your next arrival?"
"I'll think about it."
Jasper nodded. "Where will you go now?"
"A brief visit to the capital, and then I will leave this country."
At that, Destin turned around and ascended the stairs, his men following him. Guy's face contorted with disgust. He was about to go after Destin, were it not for Jasper, who stopped him and warned him of the consequences if Destin were to be killed.
However, right before Destin left, he spun around and threw a dagger at Mietek.
Author's note: Happy Easter to you all! Alleluia! I have returned! You've no idea how difficult it had been for me, because I decided to give up fanfiction for Lent and, surprisingly, I was faithful to my resolution. I still have my SAT's to take in May, so there won't be a lot of updates. After May, however, I will try to publish more chapters. I thank my readers and fans for their suggestions and patience!
And, please, for the sake of humanity, remind me next time to not give up fanfiction for Lent!