Nottingham Castle, Nottinghamshire
The gloomy corners of Nottingham Castle echoed with footsteps as Guy of Gisborne strode determinedly along the corridor towards the Sheriff's solar. The black knights had arrived, and, later that day, the Sheriff would hold a meeting with all concerned about the impending trip to Germany.
Gisborne was aware that they would be leaving Nottingham for Portsmouth at any given moment now, and he worried greatly. Hood's plan to rescue the girls, and so give Guy the chance to flee the castle and the expectations of the Sheriff and Prince John, had gone awry when the Sheriff had hidden them away in a still undisclosed destination. That they had been returned to the castle, mercifully unharmed, was a great relief, but it did not leave much time for Hood and his gang to carry out their plan before Gisborne would be forced to leave for Germany, with no way of knowing if they had been successful. Therefore, he needed to ingratiate himself with the Sheriff and find out as much information as he could to pass on to the outlaws while he had the chance.
Of course, he had considered releasing the girls himself, but the guard presence in and around the dungeons was greater than it had ever been before, and his name was not on the list of those who had access to the cells with permission. There was no way he could get to Alice without the Sheriff being made aware almost immediately, and he couldn't risk the punishment that they would both most certainly incur as a result.
Guy needed Hood, something he had never imagined having to admit to. But it was true. The atmosphere in the castle was too volatile, and Guy had far too much to lose. He would do what he could to pave the way, and then place his trust in the outlaws to get the job finished.
Reaching the solar, Gisborne paused to knock on the door. Whereas before he would have walked straight in, now, he was often on tenterhooks around the Sheriff, knowing that the man no longer trusted him. Part of Guy longed for a return to their previous solidarity, but it was merely force of habit, and no longer an option. Alice was more important to him now than power and wealth, and treason, and there would come a day when Gisborne would have to draw a line under his relationship with Vaisey. The sooner the better, if it meant that he would have Alice by his side once again.
"Come in," he heard the Sheriff call, and entered the room.
Vaisey was just stepping from the bath, and Gisborne was treated to an eyeful before the maid wrapped a linen towel around him.
Gisborne dropped his eyes immediately, feeling a shudder of distaste run through his body at the sight of the Sheriff's naked body, which he was growing familiar with. Vaisey was shameless; why he couldn't have waited until he was clothed before ordering Guy to enter was something that had always baffled Gisborne. He wondered if it was a ploy to embarrass a newcomer, and wrong-foot them from the off. It certainly gave him the upper hand as the other party was left feeling awkward and uncomfortable.
"Ah, Gisborne," Vaisey said without a scrap of shame. "What can I do for you?"
Gisborne cleared his throat, risking a glance. Fortunately, Vaisey was now robed, and Guy was able to relax. "The black knights have arrived, my lord. When are we expecting to leave for the coast?"
The Sheriff crossed to the sideboard and poured himself a goblet of wine. He grinned at Gisborne. "As soon as I am ready, Gizzy. Are you saying we aren't prepared?"
"I— ah.." For a moment, Guy floundered. No, they were not prepared, because he hadn't been informed of a leaving time. But it shouldn't take long to gather what they needed. He drew himself up, thinking quickly. If he delegated tasks to the guards, he would have time to get a message to Robin before they departed. "I'm sorry, my lord. I was unsure of our time of departure. I'll get a carriage to the courtyard immediately and gather the men."
Vaisey raised a short, thick forefinger and held it in the air. "Ah, Gisborne," he said, casually, examining the nails of his other hand. "TWO carriages." He emphasised this by raising a second finger before finally looking Guy in the eye. "We will need two carriages. One for the prisoners."
Gisborne stared at him. "The... prisoners, my lord?"
"Yes, Gisborne. The prisoners." Vaisey enunciated slowly and clearly as if speaking to an imbecile. "They will be accompanying us on our journey. A little bit of leverage, eh, Gizzy? Make sure you do your job properly."
Dread settled into the pit of Guy's stomach like a heavy weight. "But, won't they hold us up, my lord? And why bring all three of them?"
"Because, Gisborne, I don't trust Hood. I'm not having him tearing into my castle in my absence and releasing my prisoners." Vaisey looked satisfied with his explanation. He glared at Gisborne, impatiently. "Now, what are you waiting for? Get everything ready, and quickly."
Gisborne nodded, and took his leave. Pausing at the door, he turned to find Vaisey watching him, his expression inscrutable.
"What about Carter, my lord?"
Vaisey waved a dismissive hand at him. "He's due to hang tomorrow. Let me know when we are ready to leave, Gisborne. There's a good boy."
Outskirts of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Robin had to admit that, for once, he had no plan. Not even half a plan, apart from to turn up in Nottingham and see where things went from there.
He must be going soft, he thought to himself, morosely, as the gang trudged along the road that lead to the town gates. But he was so worried about Marian, and Roana, and even Alice, who he wasn't as close to, but who was his sister's best friend, and who's well-being he felt responsible for. The worry seemed to be affecting his judgement, and, as a result, he was happy to let the gang take over control.
Little John had stepped up admirably, with help from Much, Will, Djaq, and even Tuck and Eve, who hadn't accompanied them to the town on this occasion. Allan was affected just as much as Robin, yet the tumult of emotion Allan was experiencing coloured his entire being and gave him a dynamism that wasn't generally evident in the outlaw's usual laidback manner. Watching him, Robin could see the makings of a potential leader, which surprised Robin a little as Allan had never struck him as the type. But times of trouble affected different people in different ways, and so did love. When the two were combined, people could achieve great things if they set their mind to it. And while Allan had appeared to ricochet from meltdown to meltdown since Roana had disappeared, it had nevertheless galvanised him into action, and finally knowing where she was seemed to have given him the focus that he needed. Even if he was a touch hot-headed in his approach.
Robin wished it was working that way for him. If he didn't get Marian back soon, he wasn't sure what he'd do. He had waited for far too long to make her his wife, and he could not bear it if that was snatched away from him again, hot on the heels of their betrothal. Yet he felt helpless in the face of the Sheriff's subterfuge.
Robin knew that Marian needed him to be on top form. So why was he finding it so difficult to concentrate?
The gang slowed as they approached the gates and turned to look at Robin, awaiting instructions.
"Master," Much came towards him. "What now?"
"Well, we get in there, don't we?" Allan said with a touch of belligerence. "Come on, lads."
"Just wait," Little John told him fiercely, before turning to Robin. "Robin? What would you like us to do?"
Robin ran a despairing hand over his hair and tried to think constructively. They needed to get to the dungeons, but there were at least four guards at the town gates alone. Robin was in no doubt that the dungeons would be swarming with guards, making it very difficult for them to get anywhere near undetected.
He looked at John. "I don't know," he said, honestly.
Allan gave an impatient huffing sound, and Robin glared at him. "We can't just go rushing in there, Allan. I know you want to find Roana, and so do I. But just slow down." He glanced at the rest of them. "I'm not thinking straight at the minute. I'm sorry. But I do feel that rushing in there unprepared will be dangerous. There are too many guards around, by the looks of things. Give me a moment to think."
The gang gathered closer, and Allan, attempting to curb his impatience, said, "Let me go in on my own, Robin. I'll get the lie of the land and come back to update you." He shrugged. "It makes sense. I know my way around the castle."
Robin shook his head. "Allan, if anything happens to you, Roana will kill me. Just wait."
"Gisborne," Djaq said, and everyone looked at her in puzzlement. "Gisborne!" she said again, gesturing behind them.
A black horse had emerged from the town gates and was galloping towards them at full-tilt, Gisborne in the saddle in a hooded cloak. As he neared them, he seemed surprised and slowed his mount slightly, steering the stallion to the left and heading across the grassy expanse to the confines of the forest. He subtly indicated that they follow him.
Beneath the leafy beech trees, Gisborne, without dismounting, turned his horse to face the outlaws, his expression grim.
"What is it, Gisborne?" Robin said, unable to completely lose the sharpness from his tone when addressing his former enemy.
Guy passed a hand across his face, wearily. "I shouldn't even be here. I'm sure the Sheriff suspects something." He looked at Robin. "The black knights have arrived. We leave for Germany within the hour, and the women will be coming with us."
"What? Why?" Robin's voice was incredulous, verging on distraught.
"The Sheriff doesn't want to leave them here and lose them when you inevitably stage a rescue, which he won't be here to stop." Gisborne glowered. "He also thinks having Alice along will remind me of how much I'll lose if I don't go ahead with his plans."
The outlaws looked to Robin, who was struggling to contain his fury.
"We need to stop them, Robin," Allan said, hotly. "Let's storm the castle now."
"Allan, no," Gisborne told him. "It's not safe. The garrison is out in force, plus there are twelve black knights, all ready for battle. You'll be killed straight away."
Robin thought quickly, then looked at Guy. "Are you sailing from Portsmouth?"
Gisborne nodded, and glanced in the direction of the castle, restlessly. "Yes. The Sheriff has arranged a ship to take us over tomorrow. There will be myself, the black knights, the prisoners and at least six guards, as well as the Sheriff and Bridlington." He looked meaningfully at Allan. "You won't have a hope of ambushing them. It's far too dangerous."
"Then what do you suggest, Gisborne?" Robin said, darkly.
"Follow us," Gisborne replied, simply. "We'll be stopping overnight in Oxford. Look for a weak spot. I know you're good at that." He nodded to them all. "I must go. Good luck."
He turned his horse's head and began to trot towards the pathway that lead out of the greenwood.
"Gisborne, what happened to Carter?" Robin called after him, and Guy looked back over his shoulder.
"He's in the dungeons. The Sheriff has ordered him to hang tomorrow."
Nottingham Castle, Nottinghamshire
"Wakey, wakey, rise and shine," the jailer yelled with satisfaction, rapping on the latticed doorway to the cell.
Startled from her slumber, Roana stared at him from the mattress, bleary-eyed, before struggling to her feet.
"What do you want?" Marian snapped, groggily, as she sat up and drew her knees up to her chest, winding her arms around them. "And why's it so bloody cold?"
"Not a morning person, are yer?" The jailer leered through the holes in the door before turning his back and walking away. "Get up and get yerselves ready. Yer going on a journey."
"What?" Marian and Alice leapt to their feet and joined Roana at the door.
"A journey? Where to?" Marian shouted after the jailer, who only laughed jeeringly in response. She turned back to the others. "Where are they taking us now?"
There was the sound of movement in the next cell and Carter appeared from out of the gloom, stopping by the bars that separated the cells. "I overheard the guards talking last night. The Sheriff plans to travel to Germany to kill the king. He must be moving you elsewhere while he's gone."
"Oh, no," Roana groaned, wrapping her arms around her torso. She was tired and cold and hungry, and she wasn't sure how much more she could take of being confined in such inappropriate clothing. The coarse wool of the gown wasn't too bad, but the lack of underclothing or footwear did nothing to ward off the chill of the damp dungeons. She was feeling depressed and missed Allan more than she had ever imagined she would. Knowing that he was on the other side of the castle walls, pining for her at the same time as she pined for him, made her longing for him even greater, and the feel of his arms tight around her, keeping her safe. Her heart ached.
Sensing her sadness, Alice moved to stand beside Roana, placing her arm around her friend's shoulders and holding her close. She understood Roana's pain only too well, for she felt it too, for Guy. But they had to stay strong, and they could do that by sticking together.
Marian looked at Carter askance. She still wasn't sure what to make of him after his behaviour at Locksley Manor, even though Carter had explained everything. She wasn't as easily won over as Robin. "Why should we believe you?"
Carter laughed. "Why would I lie? Look, Lady Marian, whether you like it or not, I'm on your side." He held his hands out to indicate his surroundings. "Why do you think I'm stuck in here? I want to save the king as much as Robin does, and the Sheriff suspects that."
"I believe him," Roana said, dully. "There's no point in arguing, anyway."
Marian shrugged and continued to glare at Carter until they were interrupted by the jailer and a phalanx of guards, approaching their cell.
"Time to go, ladies," the jailer sing-singed, unlocking the door with a flourish and pushing it wide open to allow the guards to enter.
Burne was first in and he approached Alice and Roana, holding out a rope. "I need to shackle you," he said, apologetically.
"Where are you taking us?" Marian said, fiercely, as another guard took her arm. She tried to shake him off before pushing him into the jailer, who fell against the door with an angry yelp. There was a muffled jangle as his key ring was knocked from his belt and fell against Marian's leg before dropping to the floor.
"Stupid bitch," the jailer spat, and slapped her across the face.
"Eh, eh, eh. Enough of that, man," Burne shouted, keeping his eyes carefully averted from the fallen keys as he roughly shoved Roana and Alice forwards, moving closer to Marian so he could bind her wrists with the rope.
The second guard pushed the jailer out of the way as he grabbed Marian's wrists and pulled her out of the cell, and, in the ensuing chaos, the keys were overlooked.
Passing them while shouting to the jailer to lead the way out of the dungeons, Burne kept his eyes fixed resolutely ahead as he surreptitiously kicked at the key ring out of his way so it skidded over the floor into Carter's cell.
