Chapter Thirty-Two
Guy tightened his grip around Marian and covered kissed her with a passion that surprised even him. He was determined to drink in every sensation, if this proved to be just a dream he was going to enjoy every second of it. In fact, if it was just a dream then he prayed that he would never wake up.
When Marian giggled after several kisses and pulled away saying that that was all very nice but that they still had something things to talk out which would actually require talking rather than kissing, he wasn't sure whether to groan or cheer. He really wanted to continue his exploration, but if this were his dream then Marian certainly would not have wanted to talk.
"What do you want to talk about?" He asked, getting to his feet and pulling her up with him. He looked for any signs that she might have suffered an injury earlier, but was relieved to see that she did not appear to have any bruises.
"Your past, Vaisey's papers".
Guy's shoulder's tensed. "Ask what you will and I will answer what I can", he sat on one of the chairs and placed her on his lap, hugging her to him.
Her arms automatically wrapped around his neck. She was not going to ask him about the time in the orphanage or many of the other things which she had read there, the only one that she felt that really needed to be answered there and then was the one concerning his child, and so she asked.
He sighed and kissed her head. "I thought that he had found out about that, although I never was sure how. Just after I left University, I had a bit of a thing with this woman who worked for Vaisey. One night we got drunk – or rather, she got me drunk; she must have been sober to ask as many questions as she did. Once we were in bed she started asking me all of these questions about my past. Luckily for me, I was so sloshed that I actually told her about a recurring set of dreams that I have been having since I was a boy, where I am a knight at some point during the medieval period. You are in it as well. Well, the plot changes, sometimes I have the exactly the same dream hundreds of times, but something the ending changes, because I act differently."
Marian nodded, she had had dreams like that as well.
"Anyway, I told her about one where I have just got a commission – I won't go into how as it is a long and complicated story – as a body guard to a girl who turns out to be the daughter of the next Sheriff of Nottingham , a man who bears a remarkable likeness to Vaisey. She and I do not get along, she is snotty and thinks that I am worth nothing and I think that she is a pain in the arse. Anyway, as time progresses, I realise that she is actually rather nice, just under a lot of pressure in her marriage and from her husband and we begin to fall in love", Guy explains and is pleased to see a spark of jealousy in Marian's blue eyes, even though it was just a dream.
"Don't worry, even my imagination cannot invent a girl half as pretty as you", he kissed her forehead gently.
"Go on with your story", Marian urged him.
"Well, they have been married two years and there is still no issue and so her father tells her that she must get pregnant, preferably with a son if his plan is to succeed. She explains that her husband is a fat, old drunken sod that cannot even get an erection so there is no way that he is ever going to give her a child. To which the Sheriff simply replies that if her husband is not up to the task, she must find someone else to 'mount her'. She comes to me and we make love, and she gets pregnant. Her husband is delighted and then dies of a heart attack, the child inherits everything. I think that we are now free to be together, but she spurns me - she tells me that I mean nothing to her and that I was only good for one thing. Her father offers me a job and I go off to Nottingham with him and the first day there meet medieval you and begin to forget about his daughter. It is only several years later in the dream that I find out that the daughter did love me and that her father threatened to kill me like he did her husband if she didn't rebuff me", Guy explained.
"That is it? He made all of those notes because of a dream, that you told someone who worked for him?" Marian gasped.
"Yep, pretty much", he shrugged. "I imagine that she forgot to tell him that it was a dream, either that or she didn't know. So he thought that there was some child out there that he could use to manipulate me".
"You are sure that there couldn't be?" Marian checked.
"Yes", he promised her, "I have never had unprotected sex and the condom has never broken. If I had a child, I would know about it and I would be in its life".
"Good", Marian smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. "I know that we have many more things to discuss, but for tonight, do you think that we could just make up?"
"That sounds perfect to me", Guy said and kissed her passionately.
That night Guy snuggled up in bed, ready for a good night's sleep.
"I think that I shall kill the leper", Vaisey said in a sing song voice. He looked over at his right hand man, expecting to see terror in his eyes. The Sheriff knew that Guy was besotted with the girl, and that she was gaining a hold over him. That would make his victory that much sweeter when Guy was sent to order her death. He had no real concerns that Gisborne would not do as he wished, sometimes he put up a bit of a fight but ultimately he would side with power. After all, he would lose everything if he did not. Hell, Nottingham would burn to the ground if Guy laid a finger on him.
Guy saw red; the odious troll was threatening Marian. In that moment he forgot about everything. He forgot that his lively hood was attached to the Sheriff, that in some ways he had been like a father to him, that Nottingham and everything that he had built up would be destroyed if he protected Marian then. He could think about nothing but putting his hands around Vaisey's fat throat and squeezing the life out of him.
He advanced on the Sheriff so quickly that the latter did not even realise what was going on until he was slammed back up against the wall, his face turning red.
"Guy, think", he spluttered. Guy's grip only tightened and he turned purple.
Next a garbled cough came out, which was intended to be another plea.
As the life drained out of his mentor, Guy felt power like he had never felt before. He remembered all of the humiliations he had passed through for Vaisey, all of the times that Hood had bested him, all of the terrible things that he had been made to do … and he still did not have what he wanted.
Guy felt as if he should sink to the bed and hold his head, bemoaning his loss of the one person who had been constant in his life for the last ten years, wondering what would become of him. Possibly even concerning himself with his eminent fall from power and privilege. These were the thoughts that had kept him from killing Vaisey a thousand times before. But he felt none of these emotions. Guy's chest rose and fell as he breathed deeply. No remorse. No regret. No fear. Just power surging through him, he was free. Whatever might happen now he was free and Marian was safe.
He bounded for the secrete passage which would take him out of the castle, and passed the stables where he could pick up his horse, so that he could enter it from the north side, as if he had just been making his rounds.
It had been barely a few minutes when Guy rode towards the castle only to hear his name being called, he smirked but controlled it as he turned to face Prince John's emissary.
"Sir Guy", Sir Jasper nodded cordially. A gesture which Guy returned. Neither of them liked each other, but that would not matter for the plan that Guy had quickly concocted, all that would matter was that neither of them would want to lose the power which they had accumulated over the years.
They rode a little way in silence together, this was not the place to discuss the business of the Black Knights and there was nothing else that they had in common. It was only when they reached the stables that Sir Jasper asked, "Will you be coming with me to visit the Sheriff?"
"Certainly", Guy responded easily, "I have to make a report on Robin Hood".
"Oh, what news is there of the outlaw? Prince John grows restless of hearing news of his arrest", Sir Jasper hoped to needle the younger man. He had never liked Guy, it was not that he doubted his loyalty to the Prince, or feared his position being usurped as Guy seemed content to stay in the North. It was the fact that Guy had lost everything and yet had earned so much of it back and was treated well at court. He was not yet Sheriff, but Sir Jasper had no doubt that that was the direction in which his ambitions lay. People who had been put down, should stay down!
"Nothing", Guy replied.
"Nothing at all?" Sir Jasper, repeated incredulously.
"Absolutely nothing. We assume that he is has left the area. There has not been a single sighting nor report of robbery in over two weeks", Guy schooled his features carefully, "The Sheriff is, of course, assuming that he has finally scared Hood off but I doubt it. I think that it is far more likely that he is plotting something".
"Do you have anything more concrete to go on?" The question was posed as they walked up the corridor to the principle bedchamber.
"Just a hunch", Guy knocked on the door.
"Hmm", Sir Jasper considered this for a few minutes before also knocking the door. "How odd. Do you think that he has gone out?"
"Before luncheon?" Guy snorted, "More likely he is drunk".
"Drinks a lot, does he?"
"Like a fish", Guy shrugged and then grabbed the arm of a serving maid who was passing, "You served the drinks last night?"
"Yes, Sir Guy", her voice was little more than a whisper.
"And how much would you guess that the Sheriff drank? One jug? Two? Three? Four?" He asked, as three of his fingers dug particularly hard into the soft flesh of her arm.
"About three, I believe, Sir", she squeaked.
"Go on", he said, letting her go and sending her off with a slap to the bottom.
Sir Jasper raised an eyebrow at this, maybe this Gisborne fellow and him did have something in common after all.
"Three jugs", the inspector mumbled, "No wonder he is not yet up. Well, shall we pay him a visit anyway?"
"After you", Guy said, taking a step back and gesturing him to enter.
Once in the room, the stench of alcohol, vomit, urine and something else hung heavy in the air.
"Good God!" Sir Jasper ejaculated and pulled out his handkerchief and put it to him nose.
"You'll get used to it", Guy said, with only a touch of a sneer.
"It is always like this?" Sir Jasper gasped, though his hankie. He had known that things had been getting worse in Nottingham recently and that the Sheriff had seemed a little unhinged but he had not believed it to be anything serious, if anything, he had always believed the Sheriff's claims that his plans always failed because he was surrounded by incompetents.
He did not particularly like the Sheriff, but he had been around forever. Sir Jasper had had it drilled into him, practically since birth, that the status quo had to be maintained. Those older nobles must be respected and kept in office – as long as they were loyal to Prince John. However, if this was there state of things then maybe he would have to speak to Prince John about finding a replacement.
"Where is he?" He wondered as he searched around the room until he saw Vaisey's ample posterior jutting up in the air, his head inside his chamber pot. "Ah ha, come on", he said bracingly, putting a hand on his shoulder ready to help haul him up. Then he felt the deathly cold of his skin. "He's dead!"
"Nonsense, probably just a bit overdone", Guy said walking to his side as if he had only noticed Vaisey's location after the inspector had pointed it out.
"I think that I know a dead body when I feel one", Jasper practically spat back, as with a great deal of effort he lifted him up and onto the bed next to him. Then, after steeling himself for a moment, rolled him over.
He looked even smaller and fatter in death than he had in life, draped in his black satin robes and pyjamas, which were now so irretrievably stained that not even the servants would want them. His eyes were bulging out of his head slightly but it was difficult to tell whether his face was still purple or a deathly white, the amount of refuse that now clung to it.
"How did he die?" Guy asked, knowing that he could not seem to be jumping to conclusion that would save Nottingham, "Drowned?"
"That is what I thought at first, but look around the neck, it is badly bruised", he indicated to the abrasions which Guy had caused barely an hour before.
"No thanks, he smells bad enough from here", Guy said, crossing his arms. He had considered pretending to be disturbed by the death, but thought that that would seem very odd to Jasper who he was fairly sure had guessed how ambitious he was.
"I thought that you would get used to the smell", Sir Jasper spat back at him.
"So he was attacked. I will notify the guards. If you are to inspect him properly so that you can determine the cause of death and whether it involved foul play then the servants will have to clean him up and air out this room", Guy started and then, as if just thinking of something else added, "No, before that we must take inventory. He had recently acquired some extra wealth", Guy strode over to the largest of five chests next to the wall and flinging it open gave a fake sigh of relief, "At least that all appears to be there. Prince John will be pleased".
"Yes, yes … he kept money for the Prince in his room rather than in the treasury?" Jasper looked confused.
"Oh no, this was not collected for Prince John", Guy explained, "all of the taxes are kept under lock, key and armed guard – not that that had always stopped Hood. I don't know where this money came from or why he wanted it but he told me about it a couple of days ago. I suppose that it does not matter now, it will all go to Prince John and hopefully act as some compensation for the death of one of his most loyal servants".
"So no one else knows of this money?" Jasper checked, the beginnings of a plan forming in his mind.
"No", Guy replied, pleased that the seed had been planted. He turned back to face Jasper and announced, "I will go and get the servants".
"No", Jasper said, a little too quickly. "I mean, we should think this out first, should we not. It doesn't do to have people asking questions, you know".
"Indeed", Guy folded his arms, "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, it is obvious that he has been murdered, to us. It must have been Hood, you said that you suspected him of something and now we find the Sheriff's dead body", Jasper began.
"Very well, that is the announcement that I will make", Guy said, again heading for the door.
"But wait, the Sheriff's death means that Nottingham will be burnt to the ground, I believe that we agreed upon that last time", Jasper reminded him. "I know that you had a little problem with that, but I am sure that this time you will make the right decision and take the girl with you. It just requires a little resolve and a firm hand".
"Go on", Guy monitored the man who he was sure would soon be his co-conspirator.
"Well, Locksley manor will be burnt to the ground when the army comes, and you will be low on funds to take care of your new wife. There must be enough to build Locksley thrice over in each one of those chests. Why don't we split them, half and half", Jasper suggested.
"The idea certainly has its advantages", Guy pretended to be considering the notion, "however I am not sure if I can feel right about depriving the Prince of so much in one day. He has already lost a loyal servant in Vaisey, his gateway to the north will be lost too when Nottingham burns to the ground, now to take away money that could be his."
Jasper looked a little upset but not ready to give in, he could almost taste the money now.
"Of course", Guy continued, "I would gladly keep one of the chests and let you take the other four … to the Prince", he could practically see Jasper salivating now, "could I be sure that I was doing what was right for the country and for my Prince. If that money could be used, invested in Nottingham and in the pursuit of Hood to bring him to justice for this terrible crime. However, that will be impossible as Nottingham is to perish. Such a pity, I should so have liked to be Sheriff here myself, one day".
Sir Jasper's eyes narrowed, a cruel smile twisting his lips. He had always suspected Guy of being ambitious, he had even thought that Guy might have killed the Sheriff that last time, but now he was sure.
"Quite right, Sir Guy. Your solicitude for our dear Prince does you credit. But, having looked closer at the late Sheriff I cannot help but realise that he obviously drowned by accident and as such there is no need for the Prince's army to intervene. Furthermore, I seem to remember hearing him affirm this with his last dying breath as I cradled him. He recommended himself to the King and beseeched me to intercede with the Prince on your behalf, suggesting that you should be the next Sheriff of Nottingham", Sir Jasper lied. Now that he really thought about it, Guy was not a bad chap, in fact, he was just what Nottingham needed.
It was with the understanding that Guy was the acting and soon to be official Sheriff of Nottingham, Earl of Huntington and Lord of Gisborne Manor as well as a great deal of money that the inspector made his way back to London that afternoon. In little under a week Guy would have nearly everything that he had been working towards.
Marian was in her room, sitting and looking out of the window somewhat wistfully. Whenever she was in the castle she wished that she was still in the forest with Robin, but when she was there she found that it was even harder to breath. She did briefly think about escaping to the woods, just for the day but she knew that she could not do that. She could not break her promise to Guy. Marian knew that it was partly hypocritical of her as she had lied and deceived him many times before but she felt that the promise she had made to him when he had saved her as the Night Watchman. It was the first time that he had really seen her and yet he had still decided to help her. He had shown her loyalty, she would not betray that with deceit … not this time.
Whenever possible she would think and consider the situation that she was in with regards to Guy and Robin. Before her father's death it had been a source of consistent torment to her, now she it proved to be a welcome distraction, she was even trying to concentrate on her embroidery – a sure sign that things were bad. At the moment, anything which stopped her thinking of her father, even for a few moments was a welcome distraction, not that being confined in the walls which had once belonged to him, helped much. She longed to be able to go out for a ride, but knowing what Guy had risked for her so recently she dared not ask.
It was just as she thinking about this that she heard a knock at her door. "Come in", she called, not taking her eyes off the view from her window. It was probably just the maid coming in again to bring her more food and to press her to eat some of it. Marian had tried to be nice to the poor girl, she was just complying with Guy's orders but it really was getting on her nerves.
Guy had barely got Jasper off safely, taken control of the castle and stashed his loot when he rushed to Marian's room. He was not entirely sure what he was going to say until he got there, he just knew that he had to see her.
Guy sprang up from his bed and was on his computer within seconds, a grin spreading across his features, not just because he had thought of a nice poem to send to Marian but because he had just realised the last piece of the puzzle that would put Vaisey away forever. In less than a week he would be a free man.