I'm sorry that it's taken so long to get this out. Unfortunately, this is
the way it's going to be from now on. Fortunately, there's not much left,
and there's a 4-day weekend coming up, so maybe I can get some work done
then. This chapter is a little, well, crappy. Not a lot happens and it
might seem random, but it's information that's important in the future.
It's not my best writing because I wrote it mostly tonight and am not
spending as much time editing because I figure some of you might hit me if
I take much longer.
CHAPTER 18
The next morning was not a joyful one for Piper. Even her eyelids, when they opened, felt stiff and sore. She was surprised that her skin was, for the most part, its normal hue. It felt like it should be deep shades of purple and blue.
'I'm too young to be feeling so old,' she thought miserably. She pulled herself sluggishly out of bed, marveling at how comfortable the bed used to seem when she was young, and at how differently it felt now.
Richard permitted all those involved with the capture of the outlaws a morning of rest. They didn't have to report until just past the noon meal. So, Piper took the opportunity to move very slowly. She dressed and washed her face before leaving her room to find something to eat.
Something to eat was going to be harder to come by than Piper expected. When she arrived at the kitchen, it was cold and silent. It was obvious that no one had yet been there. Piper rummaged around, but found absolutely nothing worth eating. Now both sore and hungry, she irritably left in search of some way of distracting herself.
She considered practicing her archery skills, but the thought of walking all the way to the field was an unpleasant one. Instead, she decided to solve the mystery of Milly and Sarah's disappearance.
So she found herself sneaking towards the Sheriff's quarters once again. She wouldn't bother him with such a superficial question. How would it seem to be approached by a guard crying over her hunger? However, she had learned over the years that the best source of information in Mark Manor was to be found in the kitchens as Milly and Sarah gossiped, and beside the Sheriff's half opened door. If there was any information to be found, it was most likely there.
The journey from the kitchen to the Sheriff's chambers seemed quieter than normal. Mark Manor was never a loud place, but there were always the quiet sounds of a living place. There were the groans of settling stone and wood and the sound of the air moving through the passageway, as if the place itself needed to breath. Today, the Manor was holding its breath. Piper felt quite unsettled by the stillness that surrounded her and was anxious to hear another living voice.
But when she arrived at the corridor outside the Sheriff's chambers, the stillness remained. His door was closed and she could feel a cold draft from under his door snaking its way along the stone floor. Her discomfort was heightened. It was true that the Sheriff wasn't always in his chambers, but he always took care of official affairs and documents just after breakfast, so he should have been there. Now the cold stillness formed itself into foggy impressions of death and abandonment. Could something have happened in the night? Why was she left behind? Why didn't she wake up? An event like that would certainly cause a lot of noise. She tried to contain her panic. He probably needed to leave early to see to Prince John. That would still leave two people in the Manor apart from her.
Although she had no wish to see or speak with either Walter or the Lady Marian, she found herself hobbling towards the guest quarters. Her muscles were beginning to loosen with the activity of walking, but they were still sore and her speedy progress was made awkward by them.
By the time she arrived at the guest quarters, doubts were spinning through her head too quickly for her to keep track of them all. The silence was now oppressively loud, drowning all rational thought from her mind. She turned the final corner, and felt her heart leap into her throat. Walter was not at his place beside Marian's door. Panic overcame her, sending her blood rushing. It created a sea-like roar in her ears. She ran to Marian's door, ready to break it down. It was a small, insignificant thing that stopped her. A thin line of golden light reached out from under the crack in the door.
Piper became enthralled by the glowing of the light. Her body and mind slowed as it pulled her awareness to other things. There was a faint smell of fire smoke that she associated with torch light and fireplaces. There were small dust particles floating and sparkling in the orange light; a telltale sign of movement inside. Then the pounding in her ears subsided and she could hear the voices inside.
"I don't care what it takes. You have to find her before John does," the Sheriff said. He sounded tired and frustrated, and there was a definite twinge of fear creeping into his voice. "Damned foolish woman. She deserves what she gets, but..." his voice failed him.
"We'll do everything we can sir." That was Richard's voice.
"I shouldn't have told her. I wanted to explain, but she wouldn't listen. Oh God, what if Scarlett..."
Piper tensed unconsciously at the name, but Richard's voice succeeded in calming her, as it was intended to calm Philip. "He'll not be harmin' another soul, sir. Bear told us yesterday. Apparently the day that he and Piper road out to Gisbourne Estate, she had another encounter with the snake."
Now Piper's tension turned to annoyance. Why did Bear tell the guards? It was her story to tell, and it was her right to tell it. Richard continued. "He gave us no details. He did nae know them himself, but he did know that Piper took some well deserve revenge on him."
"Is she all right?"
"A minor knee injury, but nothin' serious." There was a long pause after that. Piper could hear the Sheriff pacing the stone floor. She knew who he was referring to, of course. He must have told the Lady Marian about the outlaws' capture. She didn't know who she thought more foolish; Marian, for running off to the forest to tell her outlaws, or the Sheriff for trusting her not to.
"Do what you can, but stay out of the way of John's men. I've heard tales of them, and I don't want to loose any of my guards to some misunderstanding. I will be in Nottingham most of the day, dogging the Prince's heels."
Piper made her retreat when she heard Richard and the Sheriff approaching the door. She turned around the safety of the corner just as the door opened and heavy footsteps made their way out. Fortunately, they were heading in the opposite direction, towards the front entrance of the manor.
Despite her sore muscles and her injuries, Piper's mind was buzzing with thoughts which made her restless and nervous. She tried to think of some way to distract herself from the commotion in her own unsettled mind. Prince John was there, and posed a threat to everyone. Marian was missing, the Sheriff was distraught, and the outlaws were captured, which would surely elicit some sort of retaliation from Robin Hood. Piper couldn't see how this would end well for anyone.
Eventually, she decided that target practice, while uncomfortable, would be the only remedy for her dark ruminations. She turned around and headed, cautiously, in the same direction that Richard and the Sheriff had set off in moments ago. She made certain to listen carefully for the approach of footsteps as she went. This was not a day that she wanted to meet with the Sheriff. She knew that his foul temper would war with his concern for loved ones. She didn't know if she could tolerate either his misplaced anger or his genuine, if reserved concern. She veered off of the path towards the main entrance, choosing instead to return to the kitchen and exit out the back. There was certainly less chance of her running into anyone that way.
The kitchen was still empty, but she noticed that the fire had been lit, and that a pot of water was boiling over it. Piper took note of it, and continued on her way. Just as she left the confines of the Manor though, she was alerted to the sound of two hushed voices. The kitchen entrance was located at the northwestern corner of the Manor, facing the training field. The voices, she could tell, were coming from just around the corner of the building. Curiosity and the tendency to listen when she oughtn't being two of her strongest weaknesses, Piper found herself crouched close to the masonry, her ears straining to pick up any useful information.
She was a bit surprised to discover that the voices belonged to Bear and Sarah. That would explain in part why the kitchen was so barren, but what would they be doing, talking in secret as they were?
Sarah sounded worried, but there was none of the shy stuttering that Piper was so accustom to. "When will it happen?" she asked.
"Tomorrow," Bear responded. "Poor daft fools. They certainly don't deserve to be hanged."
"There will be a rescue attempt of course."
"And more people will die. Sometimes I wonder if we're on the right side." He sounded frustrated, but more than that, he sounded tired.
"I believe in you. I don't always understand why things are this way; why people have to pretend and lie for the good of all, but I know that you do what you feel is right."
There was a weighty pause between them before Bear started again. "I don't know what will happen tomorrow, or next week, or next year. There is only one thing I am certain of, and that is how I feel about you. If the Lionheart returns and order is restored, would you consider me an suitable husband?"
There was a sharp intake of breath. "But, why? I have no money or dowry to speak of."
"What need have I for money? Every day I live with the reality that it might be my last. Living is worth more gold to me than a king could count, and living with you would be priceless."
"If the Lionheart returns, I would be honored."
Piper slipped away along the wall. She knew very well that she was listening to something that should not have been heard. The brief wave of guilt at eavesdropping on such a private moment was washed away with the many new thoughts that occupied her mind.
Why had she never noticed before? It was obvious to her now. On several occasions she had noticed how Bear tried to comfort Sarah despite her shyness. It was always subtle, but definitely there. And Sarah was always even more nervous when Bear was around. It wasn't because she was intimidated by him. It was because she was terrible at keeping secrets, and perhaps a relationship like theirs was best kept quiet. Piper could certainly understand their dilemma.
It was growing close to noon and since Sarah was still occupied and Milly was still missing, Piper held very little hope of actually being fed before meeting with Richard. With a sinking heart and growling stomach, she headed towards the guard house. Her uneasiness was more piercing than ever. The little bits of information that she had learned only raised more questions. She had no answers, and her future seemed to be getting less certain by the hour.
CHAPTER 18
The next morning was not a joyful one for Piper. Even her eyelids, when they opened, felt stiff and sore. She was surprised that her skin was, for the most part, its normal hue. It felt like it should be deep shades of purple and blue.
'I'm too young to be feeling so old,' she thought miserably. She pulled herself sluggishly out of bed, marveling at how comfortable the bed used to seem when she was young, and at how differently it felt now.
Richard permitted all those involved with the capture of the outlaws a morning of rest. They didn't have to report until just past the noon meal. So, Piper took the opportunity to move very slowly. She dressed and washed her face before leaving her room to find something to eat.
Something to eat was going to be harder to come by than Piper expected. When she arrived at the kitchen, it was cold and silent. It was obvious that no one had yet been there. Piper rummaged around, but found absolutely nothing worth eating. Now both sore and hungry, she irritably left in search of some way of distracting herself.
She considered practicing her archery skills, but the thought of walking all the way to the field was an unpleasant one. Instead, she decided to solve the mystery of Milly and Sarah's disappearance.
So she found herself sneaking towards the Sheriff's quarters once again. She wouldn't bother him with such a superficial question. How would it seem to be approached by a guard crying over her hunger? However, she had learned over the years that the best source of information in Mark Manor was to be found in the kitchens as Milly and Sarah gossiped, and beside the Sheriff's half opened door. If there was any information to be found, it was most likely there.
The journey from the kitchen to the Sheriff's chambers seemed quieter than normal. Mark Manor was never a loud place, but there were always the quiet sounds of a living place. There were the groans of settling stone and wood and the sound of the air moving through the passageway, as if the place itself needed to breath. Today, the Manor was holding its breath. Piper felt quite unsettled by the stillness that surrounded her and was anxious to hear another living voice.
But when she arrived at the corridor outside the Sheriff's chambers, the stillness remained. His door was closed and she could feel a cold draft from under his door snaking its way along the stone floor. Her discomfort was heightened. It was true that the Sheriff wasn't always in his chambers, but he always took care of official affairs and documents just after breakfast, so he should have been there. Now the cold stillness formed itself into foggy impressions of death and abandonment. Could something have happened in the night? Why was she left behind? Why didn't she wake up? An event like that would certainly cause a lot of noise. She tried to contain her panic. He probably needed to leave early to see to Prince John. That would still leave two people in the Manor apart from her.
Although she had no wish to see or speak with either Walter or the Lady Marian, she found herself hobbling towards the guest quarters. Her muscles were beginning to loosen with the activity of walking, but they were still sore and her speedy progress was made awkward by them.
By the time she arrived at the guest quarters, doubts were spinning through her head too quickly for her to keep track of them all. The silence was now oppressively loud, drowning all rational thought from her mind. She turned the final corner, and felt her heart leap into her throat. Walter was not at his place beside Marian's door. Panic overcame her, sending her blood rushing. It created a sea-like roar in her ears. She ran to Marian's door, ready to break it down. It was a small, insignificant thing that stopped her. A thin line of golden light reached out from under the crack in the door.
Piper became enthralled by the glowing of the light. Her body and mind slowed as it pulled her awareness to other things. There was a faint smell of fire smoke that she associated with torch light and fireplaces. There were small dust particles floating and sparkling in the orange light; a telltale sign of movement inside. Then the pounding in her ears subsided and she could hear the voices inside.
"I don't care what it takes. You have to find her before John does," the Sheriff said. He sounded tired and frustrated, and there was a definite twinge of fear creeping into his voice. "Damned foolish woman. She deserves what she gets, but..." his voice failed him.
"We'll do everything we can sir." That was Richard's voice.
"I shouldn't have told her. I wanted to explain, but she wouldn't listen. Oh God, what if Scarlett..."
Piper tensed unconsciously at the name, but Richard's voice succeeded in calming her, as it was intended to calm Philip. "He'll not be harmin' another soul, sir. Bear told us yesterday. Apparently the day that he and Piper road out to Gisbourne Estate, she had another encounter with the snake."
Now Piper's tension turned to annoyance. Why did Bear tell the guards? It was her story to tell, and it was her right to tell it. Richard continued. "He gave us no details. He did nae know them himself, but he did know that Piper took some well deserve revenge on him."
"Is she all right?"
"A minor knee injury, but nothin' serious." There was a long pause after that. Piper could hear the Sheriff pacing the stone floor. She knew who he was referring to, of course. He must have told the Lady Marian about the outlaws' capture. She didn't know who she thought more foolish; Marian, for running off to the forest to tell her outlaws, or the Sheriff for trusting her not to.
"Do what you can, but stay out of the way of John's men. I've heard tales of them, and I don't want to loose any of my guards to some misunderstanding. I will be in Nottingham most of the day, dogging the Prince's heels."
Piper made her retreat when she heard Richard and the Sheriff approaching the door. She turned around the safety of the corner just as the door opened and heavy footsteps made their way out. Fortunately, they were heading in the opposite direction, towards the front entrance of the manor.
Despite her sore muscles and her injuries, Piper's mind was buzzing with thoughts which made her restless and nervous. She tried to think of some way to distract herself from the commotion in her own unsettled mind. Prince John was there, and posed a threat to everyone. Marian was missing, the Sheriff was distraught, and the outlaws were captured, which would surely elicit some sort of retaliation from Robin Hood. Piper couldn't see how this would end well for anyone.
Eventually, she decided that target practice, while uncomfortable, would be the only remedy for her dark ruminations. She turned around and headed, cautiously, in the same direction that Richard and the Sheriff had set off in moments ago. She made certain to listen carefully for the approach of footsteps as she went. This was not a day that she wanted to meet with the Sheriff. She knew that his foul temper would war with his concern for loved ones. She didn't know if she could tolerate either his misplaced anger or his genuine, if reserved concern. She veered off of the path towards the main entrance, choosing instead to return to the kitchen and exit out the back. There was certainly less chance of her running into anyone that way.
The kitchen was still empty, but she noticed that the fire had been lit, and that a pot of water was boiling over it. Piper took note of it, and continued on her way. Just as she left the confines of the Manor though, she was alerted to the sound of two hushed voices. The kitchen entrance was located at the northwestern corner of the Manor, facing the training field. The voices, she could tell, were coming from just around the corner of the building. Curiosity and the tendency to listen when she oughtn't being two of her strongest weaknesses, Piper found herself crouched close to the masonry, her ears straining to pick up any useful information.
She was a bit surprised to discover that the voices belonged to Bear and Sarah. That would explain in part why the kitchen was so barren, but what would they be doing, talking in secret as they were?
Sarah sounded worried, but there was none of the shy stuttering that Piper was so accustom to. "When will it happen?" she asked.
"Tomorrow," Bear responded. "Poor daft fools. They certainly don't deserve to be hanged."
"There will be a rescue attempt of course."
"And more people will die. Sometimes I wonder if we're on the right side." He sounded frustrated, but more than that, he sounded tired.
"I believe in you. I don't always understand why things are this way; why people have to pretend and lie for the good of all, but I know that you do what you feel is right."
There was a weighty pause between them before Bear started again. "I don't know what will happen tomorrow, or next week, or next year. There is only one thing I am certain of, and that is how I feel about you. If the Lionheart returns and order is restored, would you consider me an suitable husband?"
There was a sharp intake of breath. "But, why? I have no money or dowry to speak of."
"What need have I for money? Every day I live with the reality that it might be my last. Living is worth more gold to me than a king could count, and living with you would be priceless."
"If the Lionheart returns, I would be honored."
Piper slipped away along the wall. She knew very well that she was listening to something that should not have been heard. The brief wave of guilt at eavesdropping on such a private moment was washed away with the many new thoughts that occupied her mind.
Why had she never noticed before? It was obvious to her now. On several occasions she had noticed how Bear tried to comfort Sarah despite her shyness. It was always subtle, but definitely there. And Sarah was always even more nervous when Bear was around. It wasn't because she was intimidated by him. It was because she was terrible at keeping secrets, and perhaps a relationship like theirs was best kept quiet. Piper could certainly understand their dilemma.
It was growing close to noon and since Sarah was still occupied and Milly was still missing, Piper held very little hope of actually being fed before meeting with Richard. With a sinking heart and growling stomach, she headed towards the guard house. Her uneasiness was more piercing than ever. The little bits of information that she had learned only raised more questions. She had no answers, and her future seemed to be getting less certain by the hour.