Chapter 8

"What?" Marian asked in utter confusion. "That's impossible, I just saw her."

"I have been tied up like an animal for the better part of the day." Djaq spat. "Because of you."

"Unless one of you untied her while I was knocked out?" Robin asked the gang.

"No." John said, the anger evident in his voice.

"Besides, master, you've been awake now far longer than a half hour. Closer to two."

"But I…" Marian trailed off. "I don't understand. I saw her."

"Marian…" Robin started.

"I saw her! Robin, I'm not lying to you. She couldn't have been here all day. There has to be some mistake."

"I'd say there's been a pretty big one." Much added. "Because she hasn't left my sight."

"Even when you are blatantly caught in a lie, you are still persisting? I must have really made you angry." Djaq laughed bitterly. "There is no need for this, Marian. If you wanted to get rid of me, you win. I intend to leave anyway as soon as I'm untied. The sooner you admit you lied, the sooner they'll untie me and I can go."

"Djaq, I was never angry with you." Marian cried. "I didn't even want to tell Robin, I had to."

"You had to lie to all my friends and turn them against me?"

"I didn't lie!" Marian shrieked.

"Well, you certainly didn't tell the truth. We know that much." Will scoffed.

"I didn't…"

"You lied." John growled furiously.

"A disgusting, despicable lie." Will added.

"Are you certain it was her that you saw today?" Robin asked.

"Robin, what's the matter? Are you so blinded by love that you're willing to look past this?" Will mocked him furiously.

"No," Robin said seriously. "I'm just trying to understand what happened."

"She lied, that's what happened. She lied, you believed her, and you attacked Djaq for no reason."

Attacked? Marian hadbeen so shocked by Djaq's presence at the camp that she hadn't even registered her obvious injuries yet.

"What happened to your face?" Marian asked fearfully. Please don't be Robin.

"Robin." Djaq answered through gritted teeth.

"You hit her?!" Marian cried.

"And worse." Will muttered.

"Djaq, I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry." Robin said and she could tell he meant it, but it didn't matter anymore.

"Stay away from me. Don't even speak to me. Untie me now." Djaq told him. Will immediately grabbed a dagger and started cutting away at the ropes. Much started doing the same for Robin.

"Robin, listen to me," Marian begged. "I am not lying and I am not insane. I saw her. I don't understand what happened, but I did."

"You know what, Marian, I think you've done quite enough for one day." Robin spat.

"Don't blame me for what you did to her!" Marian cried.

"You're right." Robin conceded. "We've both done enough." He turned his attention to Djaq. "Djaq, you don't have to leave…"

"I told you not to speak to me." She said stiffly.

"I know, I just...I wanted…"

"I already know what you're going to say. You're sorry. Now shut up. Just shut up."

"No, I...I was going to say, you don't have to leave. I will leave." She considered this for a moment, but said nothing. "This is your home and you didn't do anything wrong, I did. I should be the one to go."

"But I'm telling you, I saw her." The whole gang glared at her.

"Marian, that's enough." Robin said coldly.

"I know I was wrong, Robin. I know that. I was wrong and she couldn't have been there today, but I'm telling you I saw her and I don't understand what happened."

"Maybe you're seeing things." Much suggested.

"Why would I see that of all things?" Marian asked. Robin paused for a moment, considering what she was saying.

"And you're certain?"

"Yes!"

An idea sprung to his mind. "Then I think we should find Allan and ask him to explain what you saw."

"What do you mean?" Marian asked.

"I believe you saw what you say you did, but I don't think you saw Djaq. I think you were just meant to think you did. Did you actually see her face or did you just see her from behind?"

Marian stopped, stunned into silence for a moment. How did this not occur to me before? "From behind...both times it was from behind."

"You think Allan set me up? Why would he do that?" Djaq asked incredulously.

"To separate you from the gang?" Will offered.

"I don't believe that." Djaq said firmly. "He wouldn't."

"He hates Robin, but if he still cares for you..." Much said.

"Unless it was a plot by the sheriff to divide us or to lure Marian out as a spy." Robin thought aloud.

"That still doesn't explain how he could even find someone that looks just like Djaq from behind. Robin, this woman was a Saracen. A short haired, Saracen woman. She looked just like Djaq."

"Yet, obviously, it wasn't her. She was here. We all saw her."

"Yes, I know, but…"

"I'm right about this. I know it. We need to find Allan."