The young man looked pensively at the family that had just passed the bridge with their wagon. Since the passage across the river was very narrow, this had meant that he himself had to wait until they had crossed. While there was a ford downstream of the bridge, the recent downpours had caused the waters to swell considerably, and so it had not seemed opportune for him to attempt to use the ford on his horse.
For a moment, it had annoyed him quite a bit not to be able to get to the other side of the river right away, for he was dead tired and in fact wanted nothing more than to return as quickly as possible to the camp where his comrades were staying. If he managed to get there soon, he had a chance to catch a few hours of sleep, which he needed desperately. However, now that the way was cleared, he was still in the same spot as one of the girls on the wagon had caught his eye. He dithered for a moment, apparently not certain what to do.
He had already gained some bad experiences regarding the people living in this area, as they had not been pleased to discover that the soldiers were pursuing their daughters. This was something he was able to understand, however, as he knew exactly how some of his comrades viewed women. For them, they were all fair game and for this reason there had already been some unpleasant incidents. Even if the soldiers had been sent here to protect these people.
Apparently, however, some of the men had been in this war for too long; they had been away from home and their families for too long and had probably forgotten how to behave in a civilized manner. Some of them were also hardened to the suffering of other people as a result of the atrocities of the fighting. Guy had also noticed this in himself. However, he had not yet sunk so low that he would rape defenseless women.
He was torn from these musings when someone swore loudly, and then he heard a woman's voice calling for help. Instead of crossing the bridge, which he had intended to do, he straightened up in the saddle to find the source of the shouts. He did not have to search long either until he spotted the wagon he had just let pass, which, sagging to the ground at one point, had stopped on the road. Another look revealed to him that one of the wheels had come off the hub, causing the vehicle to stop so abruptly that the passengers had lost their balance and tumbled onto the back of the wagon.
Without giving it a second thought, the young man walked his horse to the scene of the accident to offer his help. The older man who had been steering the wagon was the only one who had managed to hold on to his seat, but he had only managed to do so by holding on to the reins. Now he stared suspiciously at the rider.
"What do you want?" he demanded to know in a harsh voice.
Puzzled by the rude question, Guy took a closer look at him and was amazed to discover that the other man, although wearing the plain clothes of a peasant, held himself like a nobleman, and he decided on the spur of the moment that courtesy could not hurt in this situation.
"My Lord," he commenced, "let me help you."
Once again he was startled by the man's reaction, as he sucked in his breath instead of replying, and all at once Guy realized that the man - and his family - were apparently trying to pass through the area controlled by him and his comrades without being recognized. Obviously, he was afraid that he had been exposed, even though the young man had no clue who he might be dealing with.
"My Lord," Guy resumed, "I do not know you, nor do I intend to stop you and your family. I only wanted to offer you some help with the wagon." He was not sure if he had chosen the right words to allay the other man's suspicions, for he was not really good at that kind of stuff.
"Papa," one of the girls, who had managed to get up in the meantime, intervened suddenly. Although she was cradling her left arm, she gave an impression of composure to Guy. In fact, he realized that it was she who had caught his attention when the wagon passed him, and he took the opportunity to get a better look at her lovely face, which was framed by dark-blonde and thick tresses.
"We'll need his help if we're going to have any further use of the wagon," she went on, as if she had not noticed that he had been eyeing her. There was nothing at all rural about her language - although she and the other two girls were also dressed like peasants - and this reinforced Guy's assumption that the man and his children were trying not to be recognized.
All of a sudden he was reminded of the rumor that the mercenaries, who had fought alongside the royal soldiers for a time, had gotten into a quarrel with one of the local barons, who, however, had apparently done nothing more than protect his daughters. This had taken place not so long ago and had made such a big splash that the mercenary company had been reassigned elsewhere. Was it perhaps possible that this man was said baron, who was now attempting to return to his castle and who in the process did not want to be recognized by the mercenaries?
Guy decided he would have to take a risk if he wanted to convince the elder man that he was not a threat to the family. Of course, he could have just turned his horse around and departed, but that did not occur to him at all. Therefore, it did not cross his mind that his decision might have something to do with one of the girls. He was not aware that it was she whom he primarily wanted to help and, moreover, that he would like to get to know her.
"I am one of the royal soldiers, my Lord, and I am not with the mercenaries. Nor are they in the area anymore. They have been detached."
"Papa, please," the girl intervened again, whereupon the man let out a sigh. Apparently he had realized that he could not get the wagon going again on his own.
"Who are you?" he wanted to know at last.
"I am Guy of Gisburne," the rider replied.
"Sir Guy?" the girl inquired curiously.
The young man felt himself blushing, but he shook his head right away. "No, my Lady, I'm just a squire," he then admitted, although he was not sure if he had not ruined all his chances with this statement. Only to realize he had apparently been wrong about her, for she bestowed a smile upon him that made him forget for a moment that he was not alone with her.
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Sir Guy reined in his horse to take one last look at the camp that housed the men he had fought alongside in recent years. After taking another long look at it, he was able to admit to himself that there was no one to be missed there. This was also due to the fact that the only other person with whom he actually had a relationship was no longer in that place. Sir Geoffrey, whom he had followed as a squire for seven years, had set off on his journey back to England, somewhat disappointed that Guy did not want to accompany him, for that was what he had expected. But the young man had other plans.
Eventually, the knight turned away and steered his horse in the direction he intended to travel. He knew he had a long way to go, though he was also aware he was expected at his destination. He only wished that in the last few months the war had not taken him so far from the very place where he was about to embark on a new chapter of his life. But it could have been worse. He could have been injured so badly during the fighting that he would not be able to undertake his journey, or he could have even met his death. Although in the latter case he would not have experienced anything, it would not be a comfort for him, especially when he remembered Aurelie.
Thinking about the young woman, he swore once again at the distance he had to travel, for he would have liked to be with her more quickly. He had not seen her for several months. The further his unit had moved away from her father's castle, the more difficult it had been for him to visit her. He had only been able to find comfort in the fact that she would be waiting for him and that he had indeed been able to embark on a journey, which was something that many of his comrades were no longer able to do.
At the same time, he was delighted not to be forced to return to England, where nothing and no one was waiting for him. Even though Sir Geoffrey had apparently assumed that he would accompany him back to Gloucester. Nevertheless, he had given him no trouble and had not insisted that he stayed in his service after he had knighted him. Guy had not told him about Aurelie, but he had spoken of the Baron de Lieur's offer, and so he had let him go.
At last, however, the time had come and he could set off for the Baron's castle. All that now stood between him and his future life was this journey, which he knew would not be without its perils. After all, he was traveling by himself and even if he was armed and armored - and had the bearing of an experienced fighter - there would still be people who would not be deterred by this. He could only hope not to run into anyone who did not care about anything as the war had left him with nothing, or anyone who was unable to return to the life he had led before the war. For some, it seemed easier to make a living as an outlaw than to find some honest work. The fighting had destroyed many things, not only villages and towns, but people as well.
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It was already late in the evening when Guy was led into the Great Hall of the castle, but he had not wanted to interrupt his journey so close to his destination, even after realizing that he could not reach it before nightfall. He had not wanted to arrive even a day later at the very place he hoped he would soon come to think of as his home.
Despite the late hour, he not only encountered Baron Ortaire de Lieur, but also his three daughters Aurelie, Aaliz and Amiere. The most important aspect for Guy was to set eyes on the first one. He did not really care about anything else at that moment, but he was aware that he had to pull himself together so that he did not forget to show the baron the appropriate courtesy. After all, he not only wanted to enter his service, but he also wanted to seek the hand of his eldest daughter. Therefore, it was not insignificant to make a good impression on him, even if his journey had left him completely exhausted.
But before he had a chance to even open his mouth, the baron had gotten up - and he was only marginally slower than Aurelie in doing so - and in turn, he then managed to address him first.
"Guy, we weren't expecting you yet," he informed him. "I gathered from your letter that you would not be arriving here for several days."
"My Lord," the young knight replied, after having regained his breath somewhat. "I have made much better progress than I could have foreseen."
"I hope you haven't mishandled your horse," de Lieur expressed himself, frowning. But his statement immediately provoked the disagreement of his eldest daughter.
"Papa!" she exclaimed indignantly. "You ought to know Guy better than that. He would never mishandle a horse."
Guy, who himself seemed to have a few words on the tip of his tongue, was glad that he would not have to comment on the matter himself. It was true, however, that he would never have had the heart to harm his horse, even if he had longed to reach the destination of his journey as quickly as possible. He simply cared too much about these animals for that.
"Of course not, Dear," the baron conceded to his daughter, actually looking contrite. "Sir Guy would never do anything like that."
He once again gazed over at the younger man. "Come, join us at the table. Surely you are hungry. The servants will bring you some food and drink. I'm actually very pleased that you're already here, for tomorrow I'm expecting some important guests and it will be very fortunate for you to have the opportunity to acquaint yourselves with them. But for now, sit down."
Guy gladly complied with this request, but did not forget to thank his host - and future master - both for his welcome and for the opportunity to have something to eat so late in the evening. He was indeed not only exhausted, but also hungry, for he had taken few breaks on his journey. He had only ever made sure that his mount had sufficient time to recover. He had taken little care of himself, for that was the practice to which he had become accustomed in recent years. He foresaw that it would probably take him quite some time to break this habit again, even though he knew he would most likely not need it in the baron's service.
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Sieur Guy de Gisburne was seriously worried about his father-in-law, the Baron de Lieur. For several months, the elder man had not been well enough to leave the castle, and more and more of his duties had been taken over by the husband of his eldest daughter. Nevertheless, so far he had still managed to at least welcome guests to his castle. But this now also seemed to be no longer possible.
This, at least, was what Guy had gleaned from the letter Aurelie had sent him, which had led him to end his stay in Rouen much sooner than he had intended to. His wife had seemed to be very worried and the knight had been afraid that he would not find the baron alive. To his great relief, however, upon his arrival at the castle there was nothing to show that anyone had died, so perhaps it was not as dire as he had assumed.
When he got off the horse, he found that Guide, his eldest son, was already waiting for him. The ten-year-old pulled a serious face, which, however, meant nothing in his case. He was simply too much like his father, who had also been more inclined to earnestness at that age. In this respect, it did not seem to make any difference that the boy had a much more carefree childhood than Guy himself.
"Maman is staying in her solar, Papa," he informed him after they had exchanged a hug.
"Then please lead the way," the knight asked the boy, although of course he would have been able to find the way on his own. But he wished to show his son that he appreciated his efforts to stand in for him when he was not at the castle and his grandfather was evidently too ill to fulfill his obligations.
When the two of them walked through the door, Aurelie immediately put aside her embroidery, rose, and quickly stepped closer. Guy observed how pale she looked, and that her eyes were red-rimmed, and he realized the extent of the worries she was having concerning her father.
"I'm glad you were able to return so promptly, Beloved," she greeted him in a soft voice.
Guy took his spouse in his arms and placed a kiss on her cheek. Back when they were both newlyweds, it had been hard for him to show his affection to her so publicly, but with her support, she had managed to give him self-confidence. The baron's trust in him when it came to representing the elder man had also contributed to the fact that he had long since ceased to be the shy young man who had come to Lieur.
"Guide," he turned to his son, "would you please get your brothers and sisters. I'd like to say hello to them, too." He himself had grown up in a home devoid of love and at the birth of his first child had vowed never to take his own offspring for granted. He had taken it upon himself to always greet his entire family first whenever he returned from a journey, as they were the most important part of his life.
The boy nodded to him with an earnest expression and then quickly departed. His absence gave Guy the opportunity to kiss his consort properly - for they were alone for the moment - and then to inquire about her father's health.
"Ten days ago, he was all at once no longer able to get out of bed. He also stopped eating very much. Of course, I had him examined straight away, but it looks as if his life is coming to an end," she brought out, while tears suddenly spilled down her cheeks.
Once again Guy gathered his spouse in his arms. "Then I'm glad I've returned now, knowing I'll find him still alive." He had no intention to pretend to Aurelie that everything would be all right after all, for to do so would insult her intelligence. Moreover, he did not believe that either. God had apparently decided that it was time to call the baron to Himself, and God did not care whether Guy considered that this was too soon. It was irrelevant that he wanted his spouse - and her sisters - to have more time with their father, nor did he deem himself to be ready to take his place.
"What about Aaliz and Amiere?" he wished to know.
"They have arrived a few days ago accompanied by their families. They've already had time to say goodbye to Father. You're the only one who hasn't had a chance."
Before Guy was able to reply, Guide had returned with his siblings and the knight was busy greeting the rest of his children. His eight-year-old twin daughters, Mêrrienne and Madallaine, gave the impression that they had been wandering through the small grove that adjoined the castle, but he decided to ignore this, just like the soiled clothes of seven-year-old Ortaire and his brother Arnalt, who was a year younger, which proved to him that they had been hanging around the stables yet again. He had no idea where the girls' love of the forest came from, but he could very well understand the urge to be with the horses.
Eventually he turned his attention to the youngest of his children, one-year-old David, who was in the arms of his nanny, but as soon as he caught sight of his father, he stretched out his arms to him and Guy was immediately ready to receive him. He simply loved having time to spend with his children, and for that he accepted not to perform some of his duties as diligently as some other people expected him to. In his opinion, there always had to be time to show David and the rest that he loved them.
Unfortunately, he was forced to hand the boy back after a short time, which the latter did not like at all and which he made known loudly. But without Guy having to say a word, Guide led the rest away once again and the knight was left alone with Aurelie anew.
"I would like to visit your father before I welcome your sisters," he begged his consort, and she was promptly willing to show him to the sick room. Bearing in mind, that she had called him back to Lieur for this very reason. She knew, after all, the place the old baron held in her husband's heart.
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The Baron de Lieur proudly looked at his twenty-year-old son, who had been knighted that same day, something his family wished to celebrate with a lavish banquet. In order for everyone to have the opportunity to attend, the ceremony had been scheduled for Christmas, when everyone would be at the castle, not only Guide's parents and siblings, but also his aunts and uncles, his cousins, and the two young men who were betrothed to his sisters Mêrrienne and Madallaine. The recently knighted could not conceal his delight at being able to celebrate with all of them, just as his parents could not hide how proud they were of him.
"Who would have imagined all that would come from a wheel of a wagon coming loose," his consort whispered to him, just when she did not have to pay any attention to what their guests were uttering.
Guy chuckled, for he could still remember very well what had occurred twenty-six years ago. Especially since even to this day he marveled at what had evolved and how fortunate he had been to spend his life at Aurelie's side. This was nothing he had been able to envision when he had come to Normandy with Sir Geoffrey as a squire. Back then, his future had not looked particularly bright, even if he had hoped to emerge from this war as a knight. But now he was much more than that. He was a husband, a father, and - as successor to his father-in-law - Baron de Lieur.
"I didn't foresee this," he admitted. "But I thank God each and every day for what He has bestowed upon me."
"But you have earned this, Beloved," Aurelie replied. "You could have turned away from us back then, since you really were exhausted. I can still remember it vividly as I actually had thought you were about to collapse. But contrary to my fears, you persevered. You seemed so young, I didn't really believe you could handle it."
"Oh, thank you very much for this tremendous faith," he joked, although he was aware that he had indeed almost made a different decision. He could only claim to have been lucky that it had not come to that. He was not going to deny that he did indeed feel rewarded by God.
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Sir Guy had not made it easy for the outlaws, but in the end he had had no chance to fend them off. Once again they had managed to overpower him and this time he did not even have any soldiers with him who could have supported him in the fight, although they had often proved to be useless. The knight was more furious than he had been in a long time, but if he were to be honest with himself, he would have to admit that most of his anger was directed at himself for letting himself be taken by surprise.
But he had not expected to find himself once again in this kind of situation, as he had at the time of the blessing, when he had been accompanied by Bertrand de Nivelle. At that point, he had deliberately gone to Wickham to disrupt the holiday and demonstrate to the serfs who was really in charge here. The entire affair had then gone horribly wrong, de Nivelle had died in the process - no great loss in his opinion - and he himself had had to learn that Herne was more than a local superstition. This was something he had not wanted to believe prior to this.
And now he had barged into one of the peasants' feasts again, but this time not on purpose. He had simply not paid attention to what day it was and now he found himself again in the presence of Herne. And again, he had to realize that this so-called woodland deity possessed far more power than he himself could have liked.
Being captured by the outlaws infuriated him, but so far he had always escaped from these situations with his life. But having to deal with Herne was definitely something else. The first time, he had already given up on life not believing he could get out of the forest for good. And what had befallen him back there had haunted him in his sleep for months to come. Even to this day, he shuddered when he recalled it, despite the fact that it had already been many years ago.
Apparently, he had once again managed to draw Herne's wrath upon himself, and the knight wondered what this would entail for him. Losing his life in the struggle with the outlaws was not something he aspired to, but to risk this was certainly better than being the focus of Herne's attention, as he had to realize yet again on this day.
Therefore, he was greatly surprised when the other one just made him take a look into a bowl of water. He had no idea what this was all about.
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Robin Hood had not wanted to believe his eyes when Gisburne showed up at the feast in Wickham and started making trouble right away. But he was also amazed that the knight was on his own. For this reason, he and his friends had no problem overpowering the man. He had assumed that they would take him back to their camp as a captive - as they usually did - to decide at their leisure what to do with him, but Herne had his own plans for Gisburne.
The outlaws had no inkling of what he had let the knight see, but it had caused the man's face to lose all color and he had begun to tremble. Robin, not knowing what to make of this, moved closer and was therefore able to overhear what the knight was uttering.
"This is a lie," the other man brought out in a low, brittle voice, but it did not come out as though he himself was convinced of it.
"I have no need to lie to you," Herne replied.
"But that can't be," the knight returned.
"When another decision was made, this evolved out of that," Herne issued in a pitiless tone.
Gisburne gave the impression that he was about to break down. "Can I forget?" he suddenly inquired, and Robin was amazed to hear tears in his voice. He had never seen the knight in such a state.
Herne shook his head, but his face suddenly showed something like compassion. Then he turned his gaze to his son.
"Let him go," he told him.
Robin heard Will take a breath behind his back as if to contradict Herne, but then he kept silent. The leader of the outlaws only nodded and then addressed his people.
"Give him back his weapons and horse and let him go," he relayed the order and no one made any comment.
Gisburne had heard him as well, but it was a moment before he turned away from Herne and even longer before he was able to take up his weapons, grab the reins of his horse, and vanish between the trees.
And only when nothing more could be heard of him for quite some time, Will voiced his opinion. "What's that crap? He'll be harassing us again the next day."
Robin recalled the knight's desperate expression and shook his head. He did not believe his brother would pursue them again so soon.
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"Any sign of him?" the sheriff barked at the captain of the guard as the latter returned to the castle.
The man shook his head. "There is no trace of him since he was seen on the northbound road a few weeks ago."
"Then the outlaws got him," de Rainault stated succinctly. Apparently, he had already shed his anger over the disappearance of his steward.
The captain of the guard did not comment on these words, but he was not convinced by this statement. And he was pretty sure that the sheriff did not really believe it either. But of course, he would blame Hood and his gang, for that suited him just fine. Furthermore, he did not give the impression of missing Gisburne. He was just mad that the man had removed himself from his service in this manner. But actually, he seemed pleased that he had finally gotten rid of him.