Chapter 1

Gisborne looked on with a steady frown as Robert De Rainault got ever more drunk. He could not fully obey his command to sit with the man and share in his birthday feast, it was depressing. Gisborne could not fathom why he was feeling so sorry for himself. He was lucky to be turning 40. There's many a man who don't make it that far. Besides, Robin Hood was dead. Surely that alone was cause for celebration. The outlaws had gone their separate ways. The Shire was once again his and his alone and yet here he sat, the highest office in the land and he was thinking depressing thoughts and getting ever more drunk. Gisborne looked out the narrow side window. It was a lovely breezy day out. He thought of the horse he had just purchased. A fine spirited young animal. He would put it through its paces once he was through with this depressing spectacle of a birthday party.

"Do you ever think about children Gisborne?"

"Children my Lord,"

"Yes Gisborne little humans."

"In what context?"

"I would liked to have had a child, a son to pass all this on to,"

Gisborne shook his head.

"This is rather sudden is it not my Lord."

"No, I have been thinking about it for a while. I don't tell you my every waking thought Gisborne."

"Well it's easily done, there's many a woman we could persuade….."

"Oh please fight the urge to be stupid once in a while Gisborne. I don't want a screaming infant at my time of life…..no I want a boy, a very intelligent, sharp-witted boy who can carry on my legacy."

"I see, well I suppose we could hold interviews. I'm confident we can find a waif or stray who would be only too happy…"

"Mathew of Wickham."

"My Lord?"

The Sheriff turned to look directly at Gisborne.

"Mathew of Wickham, have you seen him. Son of Edward though not for much longer. He's a sharp lad Gisborne. See how he herds the small children away indoors as we pass through. He has grown up in such a place and yet he is no idiot. He even speaks well, he would not embarrass me on occasions."

"Mathew of Wickham….. but my Lord Sheriff he is a guttersnipe."

Robert De Rainault poured himself a splashed goblet of wine

"Careful Gisborne that is my son and heir you speak of. Such talk could lose you your head. I may even allow him to do the honours as a welcome gift."

The Sheriff smiled to himself as he considered it.

"Make it so Gisborne, bring him here. Compensate the family, take a side of beef and some eggs from the kitchen. I am not a monster. His family brought him thus far and I am grateful. They deserve a fitting reward."

"But my lord. Have you really considered…perhaps if you sleep on it."

The Sheriff only turned and fixed Gisborne with an icy stare. "Do you dare to question me."

"No my Lord Sheriff, I will fetch the boy." Gisborne muttered, but his face told of the serious doubts he still held.

~o~

Edward braced himself as the familiar blue uniforms came into view. People scurried about the village like disturbed worried ants as the horses approached.

"Do not be alarmed. We have brought provisions for you," Gisborne addressed them from atop his horse.

A leather bag was thrown down at their feet. James was quick to pick it up. He immediately rummaged a hand through its contents.

"That should help in the winter months don't you think." Gisborne gave them a thin smile.

"Thank you my Lord, this is most generous." James nodded.

"To what do we owe this kindness," Edward asked, his voice tinged with distrust. His eyes watching carefully as soldiers encircled the camp going into each hut.

"Can we help you my Lord, are you looking for something?"

"As it happens we ARE looking for something and I think we have just found him."

Edward spun around at the sound of his wife's scream. He broke through the crowd of villagers as a soldier came out of the hut carrying his son.

"What's he done my Lord, what's he done. Take me instead. Hang me instead."

Edward tried to prize the boy away from the soldiers but other villagers took a hold of him and dragged him back.

Edward tried desperately to get free of them.

"What's his crime. He's just a boy. Hang me instead. I beg of you."

Mathew was swiftly carried away down the ranks and handed up to one of the soldiers.

His bottom lip began to tremble as he could hear his mother desperately screaming his name.

He could feel the metal of the soldiers chain mail digging into him as the soldier held him in place.

Gisborne looked down at them with contempt. "You should all be grateful. Our Lord Sheriff has graciously decided to take the boy in and give him a proper home. He will be well treated."

Without further comment he kicked his heels into the sides of his horse and began moving off.