When Gisburne woke up, he could not at first figure out what was wrong with him. It took him probably longer until he was able to realize his problem, as he was afflicted by a rather severe headache. For this reason, it was not surprising that he did not immediately grasp why he was unable to move. Some more time passed before he finally realized that he had been tied to a tree and even then he had not yet figured out that he was in the camp of Robin Hood's gang. But the moment he finally understood this, he cursed himself for getting so awfully drunk the day before.

Only to then also have to find out that he had not even managed what he had actually wanted to accomplish through his drinking. After all, he had done this with the intention of not being able to recall the previous day, but unfortunately he could not deny that he had not forgotten anything of what had happened that day. On top of that, he was also suffering from nausea and he had to realize that his decision to get drunk almost to the point of senselessness on that particular day had done nothing to alter his problem. Once again, he had not managed to get rid of this void he could feel within himself. On top of that, he had now exposed himself to ridicule in front of the outlaws.

He was in such a sorry state that he did everything in his power not to draw attention to himself. As soon as he lifted his head even a bit, he was immediately overcome by the urge to throw up. In addition, the light - even now in the early morning - made his eyes water, although it was dimmed by the foliage of the trees. And he did not even want to consider the horrible taste in his mouth. With considerable delay it occurred to him that it had turned out to be a very bad idea to have obtained the strong liquor. Especially since his hope had not been met that this stuff could achieve what Gisburne had never been able to do in the previous years. He had simply wanted to forget that day, but now he understood that this was not possible for him. However, all of a sudden he was no longer certain whether he should really have wished for it, in spite of the fact that even after three years he was still not sure what to make of the entire affair. He was only aware that he sensed a void within himself that he desperately wanted to be filled. But all his longing seemed once again not to be met.

Although he had taken every effort to remain silent, he could not prevent a low moan from escaping his throat, which was of course enough to draw the eyes of all the outlaws who at that time were in the camp. As Gisburne now mustered the strength to look around himself since he had drawn attention to himself anyway, he noticed that both Scarlet and the Saracen were nowhere to be seen. Neither, however, was Robin Hood. Only at that moment did he recall that he had not seen the man the previous day either, and he could not help but promptly wonder what this could imply. Above all, of course, he was interested in whether their absence might have something to do with him.

All at once he could hear a voice at his side. "Robin didn't return last night." His miserable state was probably responsible for his failure to recognize to whom that voice might belong. For the same reason, he was unable to turn his head far enough to look around for said person.

Instead, he focused his attention in front of him once again, whereas he now noticed that the monk was approaching him with a bowl in his hand. In an unexpectedly friendly manner, the monk told him that this would surely help him, and then held the bowl to his lips. Gisburne noticed that there was water in it and for this gesture he was really grateful, as his throat felt indeed terribly raw. However, he was careful not to show his gratitude since, after all, he was the Sheriff's steward and the monk was an outlaw.

"You really would get along better with the people if you would just say thank you," the voice at his side rang out again, the origin of which he still could not discern, but Gisburne simply decided to overhear those words.

"Where's Nasir an' Will?" John wanted to know all at once, having paid no attention to either Tuck or the captive. "They've been gone for hours, an' they should be back by now."

"I'd rather they be gone longer and then come back with Robin," Marion replied, unable to conceal that she was worried.

"Maybe it just took him longer to track down the messenger, little Flower," the monk tried to reassure her. At that moment, the three of them seemed to have forgotten that they had a listener in front of whom they had not really wanted to air their feelings.

"Nothin' happen'd to him, did it?" Much wanted to know fearfully. And then he turned to Gisburne quite unexpectedly. "Did ye do somethin' to him?"

The knight gave him a puzzled look. He could never decide what to make of Much. He was irritated by the fact that he considered the young man an idiot, while other people - especially the outlaws, of course - seemed to see something more in him. This was something Gisburne did not understand and if he could not explain things, he usually reacted violently to them. This was due to the fact that he had never learned there could be other ways. In the last few months he had started to reflect on the manner of his behavior, but that had just slipped his mind at that very moment.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he finally replied to him in a harsh voice.

"He wants to know if the Sheriff has planned somethin' to get his hands on Robin," the bearded giant harangued him, having also approached in the meantime. "I ask myself the same."

Gisburne frowned involuntarily without realizing this, for as far as he knew, there were no special plans regarding Robin Hood at this time. But surely this was not something he should tell the outlaws?

"You've also been annoyed that de Rainault has ignored you for some time now," he heard from the side. Without giving it a second thought, he nodded, for this was entirely true. For weeks now, the Sheriff had not taken him into his confidence, so why should he feel obliged to remain silent. Besides, he could not reveal anything anyway, since he knew nothing.

"I'm not aware of anything," he admitted finally, though rather reluctantly.

The outlaw had obviously not expected to receive an answer, and especially not one like this, which Gisburne could easily gather from his facial expression.

"Let's wait until ..." the monk inserted, perhaps to prevent John from attacking the knight, but just at that moment Scarlet and the Saracen returned to the camp. Right then and there, Marion leapt up in expectation, only to discover that the two of them were not accompanied by anyone. Instantly, a very miserable expression came over her face.

"Where is he?" she demanded to know from her friends.

"That's what we should ask this bastard." Scarlet stormed furiously towards the captive, already holding his dagger in his hand so that he could immediately thrust its tip into Gisburne's neck with such force that he began to bleed.

"Will, what have you found?" asked Marion one more time. She had turned quite pale.

"No Robin," the Saracen replied instead. "There was a fight."

"A trap, Nasir?"

The man nodded.

"That's yer plan? To trap Robin on the one day 'e's alone?" Scarlet pressed the dagger into Gisburne's neck a little more firmly, so that the knight had to pull himself together not to react to the resultant pain. But then he surprised himself by answering Scarlet, for that was certainly not what he had intended.

"I wasn't involved in any plan. And the Sheriff has no idea that this day is different because he has no interest in that kind of stuff."

The point of Scarlet's dagger was still digging painfully into Gisburne's neck, but the knight would never admit to the outlaws how that made him feel.

"Ye can tell a lot of things. I don't believe a word ye're sayin'," the other one exclaimed.

"Then why are you even asking me?" the knight wanted to know in turn, realizing that he was even somewhat amused at that moment. This man simply did not know what he wanted.

"Let him be, Will," Marion intervened suddenly. "He already told us a moment ago that he doesn't know anything."

"It doesn't mean anythin'. 'e's lyin' to us, ain't 'e?" Scarlet had obviously no intention of letting go of Gisburne.

"That's quite possible, but if you cut his throat it won't do us any good either, Will." The monk tried to bring some calm into the whole affair.

"What's the difference? 'e won't tell us anythin'!"

"Do you believe the Sheriff would have let him out of the castle that day if he had planned to use him for this trap?" Surprisingly, it was the Saracen who made this argument. The knight had to admit to himself that the infidel was quite right. De Rainault would never have let him go if he had been supposed to help him capture Hood.

"Tell them about the new man!" Gisburne would have liked to look around for the speaker at that very moment, but of course he was not in a position to do so. But although he was still not aware of who had spoken these words, he decided without further ado to follow this advice, having, after all, nothing to lose.

"The Sheriff has taken a new man into service with whom he has been conferring lately about his plans," he heard himself remarking for this reason.

"What kind of man? Where does he come from?" the monk followed up.

Gisburne just managed to suppress a sigh. He suddenly wondered why he had started talking about it in the first place. Now he probably had no choice but to continue talking, even if he had no idea where this would lead.

"I don't know where he came from. I had never heard of him previously. But the Sheriff seems to trust him, for de Rainault hasn't broached any plans with me since he's been around. At least none concerning Hood."

When he now stated it in this way, it suddenly struck him that it had not bothered him unduly at all. It was true that he was annoyed that the Sheriff preferred the other one to him, just as he had done with Ralph at that time. But if he was honest, he had enough to do with the various outlaws who squatted in the forest, though he was quite successful in their pursuit at that. He found this a rather pleasant change from his unsuccessful attempts to catch Hood and his gang.

All at once he had to chuckle in spite of his present situation, since he found himself again as a captive in their camp. However, without any question, he had to blame himself for this, since he had had to go to the hill yesterday. On the other hand, it was evident to him that he could not have acted in a different manner.

"What's so funny?" Scarlet seemed even more upset than before, if that was possible.

At that moment, Gisburne was unable to hold back, he simply had to laugh, which in retrospect turned out to be quite painful, for Scarlet was still holding the dagger to his throat. Probably he was not sober yet, if he behaved so idiotically, the knight mused to himself.

"Didn't help me much to stay away from you lot," he tried to explain his reaction nonetheless, only to immediately ask himself for what reason he was trying to do that now. Why did he bother with them at all?

"Maybe you want to leave the woods again still breathing?"

Gisburne snorted. He could have come up with this idea on his own. But he was still plagued by a headache and therefore it was still quite difficult for him to think.

"Don't think that man's still with us!" Scarlet had obviously had enough of holding the dagger to the captive's neck. Maybe it was just that his arm had grown tired, but no matter what the reason, he put his weapon away.

"Oh, yes, he is," the knight contradicted him. Scarlet simply had no sense of humor.

Immediately, the outlaw reacted with anger but refrained from saying anything.

Instead, the monk let himself be heard. "The way you acted here yesterday, you should definitely keep a low profile. I wonder what the Sheriff would think of what you uttered."

Gisburne frowned. Had the other one just threatened him?

"The Sheriff won't be interested in what I let slip when I was drunk," the knight tried to defuse the situation, although he was pretty sure the Sheriff would not be very pleased should he learn what his steward had blurted out about Loxley.

Now it was up to the outlaws to snort in amusement.

"Why don't you offer them a deal?"

At first it only crossed Gisburne's mind that he had nothing to offer to the outlaws, but suddenly he got an idea. But would they go for it? And how much more did he have to give away? But did it even matter in his situation? Last night, he had already told them everything that was on his mind. In any case, more than he had wanted to admit to himself in recent years. More than the Sheriff was ever allowed to learn, as he realized at that moment. Therefore, he would probably not get out of the entire affair so easily. Once again, he had managed to trip himself up, even though he was so fed up with this. However, he perceived it as even worse what he had to endure under the Sheriff. Maybe he was able to make up some ground in that regard?

"I'd rather the Sheriff didn't find out what I've let on ..." he began, only to then wait to see what the outlaws would have to say.

Scarlet snorted in amusement once again, but the rest of them were definitely looking at him with interest.

"What would we get out of it?" Marion wanted to know.

Gisburne closed his eyes for a moment. He was aware that he would not be able to undo what he was about to do. If the Sheriff ever found out about it, he might well consider it treason. But the knight was sure that the outlaws would not betray him, after all they wanted their precious leader back.

"I could look around Nottingham. I mean, I could check to see if the Sheriff has come back with a prisoner," he therefore went on.

"Are you just offering to spy for us?" inquired Marion, puzzled.

"I'll do it if I can be sure the Sheriff won't find out about what I did yesterday. It's none of his business, and he won't be able to understand it."

"But how are we supposed to get the information you have?" the monk wanted to know.

"The easiest thing would be for someone to come to Nottingham." But before any of the outlaws could protest, the knight was already speaking on. "However, I spend almost every day in the forest, so it should not be difficult for one of you to meet with me."

"Do we want to get into this?" Scarlet demanded of the group. "This's just so much bullshit."

"That still wasn't good enough to convince them!"

Why had he not realized earlier that for some time now the other one had been at his side every day, passed through the knight's mind, but then he was instantly distracted from paying attention to the dispute between the former mercenary and the rest of the outlaws.

Finally, Marion put an end to the whole affair. "What have we got to lose, Will?" she wanted to know from the red-haired man and Gisburne could only agree with her in this respect. However, he kept his mouth shut, as he did not believe that it would do any good if he commented on it now as well.

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"He's not in the castle!" The voice rang out from one of the chambers behind Gisburne's back.

"How do you know?" the knight retorted, while he was busy searching the rooms on the upper floor of the keep. However, since these had been standing empty for quite some time, they were accordingly rather dusty. Therefore, he had to sneeze violently a few times, but this would not stop him from carrying on, of course. If the outlaws were of the opinion that he would not keep his word, he was not interested. He was well aware, however, that it had not been so long ago that they would have been right. But since then he had changed in some ways.

"Now did you actually ask me that?" The other one sounded amused.

"I still can't refrain from searching the castle. I have to be absolutely sure when I tell his people he's not here." When had he started arguing with the other man?

"That's probably better, indeed," his partner concurred. "You can't blame them for being suspicious, though. For the longest time, you've given them no reason to trust you."

As uncomfortable as Gisburne was with the whole situation - and as odd as it seemed to him that he was uncomfortable with it - he could not deny that the other man was right. However, it was not part of his duties to gain the trust of the outlaws. His duty was to catch them, and he had never been reluctant to do so. It took him a long time to realize that he was damaging himself, for he had never had any doubts about the Sheriff's orders.

"Let me keep searching at my own pace. The castle is huge and I don't have forever. Besides, I have to be careful that neither de Rainault nor fitz Edgar catch me at this. I wouldn't know how to explain to them what I'm doing here."

"I'll warn you if they get too close. You know you can count on me."

Gisburne nodded. He was absolutely convinced that the other one would not double-cross him, and he was also glad to have him by his side. He had had to cope on his own for far too long.

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Gisburne had settled down at the side of the road beneath a tree and seemed to be talking to his horse. At least, he hoped that everyone who passed him would gain that impression. But he did so only with the assurance of his companion that he had another listener besides Fury. He did not even consider that the other one might not have told him the truth. In the course of the weeks that his companion had been at his side, he had gotten out of the habit of asking himself this question.

"I've searched the length and breadth of the castle, but I haven't found anything. I have noticed, however, that the Sheriff and this Walter fitz Edgar have been disappearing for a few hours every day, always taking the Great North Road. They routinely leave the escort of soldiers in the same place, to which they later return. No one can tell where they have been in the meantime or what they have been doing. And the Sheriff still hasn't filled me in, so all I can say is that he strikes me as very pleased since Hood's disappearance. The same is true of fitz Edgar. I therefore assume that they have indeed gotten their hands on him. But they must be hiding him somewhere in the forest. I've started to carefully sound the soldiers out and in the meantime I am of the opinion that I can find the place where the two of them vanish into the forest. I've decided to take a look around there right away."

He could only hope that his hidden listener had been paying attention, for he had no desire to repeat it all over again.

"You certainly won't miss once I've found the spot. From that point on, some help wouldn't be too bad, since I probably won't be able to do anything there on my own."

Since he had stated everything he had wanted to say, he got up once again, seized the reins of his stallion, and then mounted it. He had a lot of work planned for today, but he could not take too much time if he did not want to make de Rainault suspicious. He could not rely on the Sheriff continuing to pay as little attention to him as he did at the moment. The man could be as moody and fickle as a woman. And as jealous, too. In all the years he had been in the Sheriff's service, Gisburne had always had the impression that the man had no intention of sharing him with anyone, except perhaps with his brother. Sometimes the knight had even been unable to shake the feeling that this went beyond the actual service, but fortunately nothing had ever transpired in that direction. Gisburne was not sure if he could have opposed this when he had been younger. All he could say was that he would not put up with such things anymore now.