Chapter 8

Murder at Nottingham Castle (Part II)

This morning's events erased any doubt in my mind that the murders were targeted towards me. Someone clearly had a grudge but I could not fathom who it would be. I wanted to go out and try to figure out who it was myself, but Guy had me guarded at all times. No one dared disobeyed him. With Vaisey gone, I found I had no choice but to listen to him as well, which infuriated me. It also became clear, our Sheriff would not return from his supposed business with Prince John until the killer was caught and hanged.

I knew I could count on Guy to devote himself to finding the guilty one. I trusted his desire not to be put in the mines would be enough motivation for him. But I found from George's sentence, Guy was too quick to put people to death. I wanted to be sure. I needed to catch the murderer in the act.

In the evening the guards followed me to my bedchambers. They remained positioned right outside my door, which I ordered them to keep open. I grabbed my black cloak and a knife before blowing out the candles in my room so it was only darkness. First I waited, peering out into the opening. I threw the cloak on and slipped behind them, unnoticed, immediately hiding behind a curtain as I entered the hall. I glanced at the guards, still standing outside my room. They remained still, clearly unaware of how easy it was for me to sneak behind them.

I continued on, being sure to conceal myself close to the wall and behind curtains or statues when I could. I sneak through every bit of the castle but did not come across anything suspicious. That was until I spotted another hooded figure. He crept down the hallway close to the dungeons. I followed, wondering who it was.

As I crept behind this mysterious hooded figure, I managed to go unnoticed, that was until I stepped on a coin dropped on the ground.

He began to turn, leaving me no other option. I lunged at him, kicking my leg to his gut, knocking him to the ground. I threw myself on top of this man, pinning his body between my thighs. I held my knife to his neck and yanked off his hood, not expecting the face I saw.

"Allan A Dale," I breathed, still holding my weapon close to his flesh. "You're my killer?"

"What… killer? No, that's not me," he gasped, in attempt to squirm out from my grip.

I pressed the knife harder, almost piercing his skin and gritted, "I wouldn't move if I were you."

"Look, you've got this all wrong," he tried to explain as I felt his breaths grow heavy underneath me. "I'm not here to kill you."

"Then what are you doing sneaking around this castle?" I demanded.

"I… uh, I…" Allan stammered, clearly trying to come up with a fake reason. "I here on account of Robin Hood. It has nothing to do with you, I promise."

I shook my head. "That's not good enough. I want a confession out of you… NOW!"

I started to pierce his flesh to get him to talk but before he said anything, I felt a hard bang to the back of my head, then nothing.

xXx

My eyes slowly lifted open. At first everything was a blur but when my vision cleared, I saw Guy sitting across the table right in front of me. We were in a small room near the dungeons. Only a tiny wall candle provided light. I attempted to move my hands but found they were tied to the arms of the chair I was placed in.

"Guy," I huffed darkly. "What exactly is going on here?"

He sighed and folded his arms. "You had to disobey my orders and sneak off on your own, didn't you?"

"You're not in charge of me," I muttered. "You can't just keep me here either. Let me go!"

"I'm afraid we have a problem," Guy said, eyeing his left side.

I glanced over and saw Robin's man, who I almost caught, leaning against the wall.

With a gasp, I stammered, "You saved him! He's working for you. He's the killer."

"I'm not a killer," Allan insisted.

Guy waved him off. "Quiet." He looked back to me and continued, "Lacey, listen to me. Yes, this man of Robin Hood does work for me now, but he is not the one behind the murders."

I struggled in rage. "Why should I believe you? After all, this would be a perfect way to get rid of me. Have one of Hood's men kill me so the outlaws will be blamed and your hands would appear clean."

"Believe me, I have no desire to go work in the mines."

I raised my brow to him. "Vaisey made that threat after Brian's murder. You could have been planning long before."

Guy took in a breath and shook his head. "Listen Lacey, Allan here has been working with me and giving me information about Hood's plans, which has been very useful to me. I would not jeopardize losing that on your account."

My eyes moved between Allan and Guy. I could not believe Guy actually managed to get one Robin Hood's men to work for him. They all seemed so loyal.

I moved my bound hands. "If you're telling me the truth then why am I tied up?"

"I needed to be certain you would cooperate and listen," Guy said gruffly.

I then smiled, realizing I even restrained to a chair, I might still have the upper hand.

"No one knows about this, do they?" I questioned him. "Not even Vaisey?"

"No," Guy answered, "This is just between me and him."

"And now me," I pointed out with a smirk.

Guy huffed and grunted, "Fine. What's it going to cost to for your silence on this matter?"

I merely shrugged and replied, "Not much. Just half of your income."

He glared at me. "I'm not giving you that much. I'll agree to give you ten percent. Nothing more."

"Ooh, I don't think so. Forty percent then."

"Twenty."

"Thirty."

"Twenty-five," Guy offered. "And I'll agree to no longer have guards patrolling outside your chambers after the killer is caught."

I sighed and nodded. "Deal."

Guy stood up and ordered Allan, "Untie her and then get out of here, and this time be absolutely sure you go unnoticed."

He breezed out, the door slamming behind him.

Allan started to untie me and nervously muttered, "So, there really is a murderer around here?"

"There indeed is," I confirmed and looked up to him, adding, "Oh and so far the murders have all been men I've had relations with so be mindful of yourself."

With that, I patted him on the back and walked out, leaving him speechless.

xXx

Another day passed and still no sign of the murderer. Guy questioned everyone in the castle from servant to Knight but no one seemed to know anything. We believed the killer drugged the guards in the dungeons but no one knows how or claimed to witness anything suspicious.

I met with Marian and Guy in the same room as before. My head hung down low while Marian briefly thanked Guy for moving her father out of prison.

"My biggest suspect now is Robin Hood," Guy claimed. "After all, who else is so easily able to sneak about and do as they please?"

I raised my brow for a brief moment but did not say anything. If Guy was using one of Robin's men for information wouldn't that man inform him if Hood had any intention of killing people in this castle?

"I don't think so," Marian stated. "Robin Hood may be an outlaw but he's never committed murder before."

"He once tried to kill me," Guy grimaced, reminding her. "And Lacey too for that matter."

"Yeah but he ended up letting us both go," I pointed out. "If he can refrain from killing you…"

Guy folded his arms and let out a disgusted snort. "I say at the very least, he might know something or be distantly involved."

"For what purpose?" Marian questioned. "Robin Hood only steals. These murders, especially the stable boy, do not go with his usual intentions."

"He is an outlaw. That's what he does is break the law," Guy said flatly, and then rubbed his chin and considered. "It could be the Night Watchmen…"

I tilted my head. "I don't think so. The one time I ran into the Night Watchmen here, he let me pass unharmed."

"I still think we should hunt him down, just in case," he insisted.

"You've been hunting the Night Watchman for almost a year now," I said. "What makes you think you'll catch him now?" I sighed and put my hand on my head. "If we really want to catch this killer, the best way is to lure him to us."

"You mean set a trap?" Marian asked me.

I nodded. "We can find someone to act as my lover and then maybe the killer will attack him next and we can catch him."

I glanced from Guy to Marian. Her head hung down, but she did not appear to disagree. Guy, on the other hand, shook his head.

"No," he said. "If we don't do this right then all we'll have is another dead body and that will do us no good."

"Fine," I snapped. "If you don't like my idea then why don't you come up with something better?"

Guy huffed and gazed towards the ground. "I did not say we wouldn't use that idea. I am only saying we need to take a different approach."

I shot Marian a look, and turned back to him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I will act as your next affair," he said, quietly. "If we stay together, the killer might attempt to take out both of us, but we'll be ready."

I gaped at him. "What… you mean, us… you and I?"

"That way if we're together, we'll stand a better chance in catching him," Guy clarified. "Besides if one of us dies the other is doomed anyway."

I slumped back and huffed. "Well, I suppose people still might think we're betrothed anyway since Vaisey keeps talking about it. So how exactly do we go about this?"

He let out a breath and turned his gaze downward, clearly having no answer.

It was Marian who provided us with, "You'll have to be sure you're seen together. Holding hands helps while walking or sitting in a meeting, but be sure to be subtle about it. Have dinner together, alone. Perhaps start on opposite sides of the table and then one of you moves next to the other for more intimacy. Most importantly, be sure you are noticed going into the same bedchambers together."

I glanced up at Guy. He did not appear any more enthused about this whole scenario than I felt. However he exhaled and nodded.

"Fine," I gave in as well. "The sooner we catch this snake the better."

xXx

We began with dinner that evening. At first, we simply sat across the long wooden table in silence. I took a small bite of my boned chicken and sipped my goblet of wine. I glanced over at him, I noticed him staring down at his plate of food. He purposely seemed to be avoiding eye contact.

"You know, we should probably at least try to make this look convincing," I pointed out to him, taking in a gulp of my drink. "Remember what Marian said?"

Letting out a sigh, Guy wiped his mouth with his cloth and set it on the table. He then stood up, grabbing his own goblet, and strolled over to my side, and took a seat at the corner next to me.

"I suppose this is where we should start," he began, softly, gazing into my eyes. "Are you uncomfortable yet?"

I shifted awkwardly in my fine wooden chair. "Very much so. You?"

He let out a small chuckle and nodded. "Oh yes."

I made certain to keep my voice low. "So what next?"

"Well, how does this usually go with you?" he asked me. "Is there a bit of conversation before you invite them in…"

I shook my head. "It's usually just straight to my chambers. No dinner."

"I see," he muttered, looking down at his hands, which he had placed on the table.

I took in a breath before gently setting one hand out in front of him. For a moment, Guy merely stared at it until he caught onto my intentions. He reached his own hand out to mine, starting with only one finger. At first, he seemed to be under the impression my skin might burn him, but finger by finger, he took a hold of my whole hand.

"What about Annie the kitchen maid?" I asked him in a whisper. "How did it happen with her?"

He moved his eye gaze down and answered, "She would always be the one to bring me something to eat when I was alone working on the Sheriff's tax collections. At first she would simply smile at me and say 'good day, sir.' Soon after, she started asking me how I was that day. Eventually I started to see her as someone who actually seemed to care about me in this castle."

I smiled understanding. "That's how I felt about Brian at first. When I met him in the stables, it started with a simple smile. Then he would comment if I seemed sad or frustrated and ask how he could make it better…" I felt my heart drop to my stomach like a brick. "He didn't deserve what happened him. He was just an innocent boy… an eager to please, innocent boy, and I took advantage of him. Now he's gone…"

Guy held my hand up and kissed it. "If we play this right, we can avenge him."

I nodded, pushing back my warm tears. "You're right. Let's take this to the next step, shall we?"

He grinned and pulled me out of my chair. Out lips came close, but did not yet touch. Guy guided me down the hall as we continued to hold hands. This all felt so strange, but I had to try to appear natural. After all, this was the part where the killer could most easily spy on us.

I turned my body into his, and slammed myself against the wall, pulling him with me.

"What are you doing?" Guy whispered.

"Kiss me," I said. When he tilted his head, I hissed, "This is the time we have to be the most convincing. Now kiss me."

He obliged, leaning his head in, and softly pressing his lips against mine. I ran my fingers through his brunette locks and his hand held my waist. As the moments went by, I could feel our kisses heat up. He swooped his arm under me and lifted me up. We continued to kiss as he carried me into my chambers. I caught sight of the guards outside the doors. They appeared mildly surprised, but remained still, as Guy strolled passed them with me.

"Shut the door," Guy hissed at them.

The moment the doors closed, Guy set me down and I pulled away, my breaths still heavy.

"Now what?" I asked him.

He pulled off his black top and sat down on the side of the bed, taking off his boots. "I suggest we get some rest while we can."

As he tugged the blanket over and started to lie down, I asked, "You're going to sleep in here?"

"If we are going to pull this off then I cannot be seen leaving your chambers," he stated, clearly. "Its only night."

I sighed and sunk down to the bed, blowing out the candle on the table next to me. My eyes remained wide open staring up at the ceiling. I had no idea how I would manage some sleep tonight. I glanced over at Guy, who had turned to face the wall away from me, unable to tell if he was still awake.

There was a thump, sounding close by. I immediately shot up and nudged Guy's shoulder to be sure he was awake.

"Did you hear that?" I asked him in a whisper. "I think someone's out there."

Guy slid out of bed and pulled out the sword he stashed underneath and moved towards the door. I grabbed my dagger off the table beside my bed and tiptoed behind him.

When he slowly creaked the door open, I gasped finding the two guards passed out. Guy turned his head and put his finger over his mouth. I nodded and followed him out.

The hall was dimly lit with wall candles. Most had burned out by this time of night.

Suddenly I was pushed aside, my body slamming into the wall. A hooded figure slammed a candlestick on the back of Guy's head, knocking him to the ground before slipping into the shadows.

"Guy!" I rushed to his side in attempt to wake him. "Come on, you have to get up. I need you now."

I heard footsteps behind me. Still holding my knife in one hand, I grabbed Guy's sword with the other. But I was not fast enough. When a turned, the hooded figure's foot kick right into my head, causing me to fly back.

"Time to die, Ward."

The voice oddly sounded like a raspy feminine tone.

"Who are you?" I gritted, stumbling up to my feet, ready to attack.

He or she did not answer, but instead lunged at me. This time I was ready. I slammed my foot into their gut. I pinned myself on top, holding my dagger to this killer's neck.

"Let's find out just who's really behind this," I said, sliding down the hood.

I gasped, befuddled by the face in front of me.

"The cook?" I breathed, tilting my head, being sure to keep my weapon in place. "But why…"

I felt a strong hand grab my upper arm. Guy had yanked me up to my feet.

"Guards!" he bellowed down the hall. "Arrest this treacherous woman!"

Men came marching down. Two of them grabbed the arms of our cook, pulling them behind her.

"You shouldn't serve her!" she screeched, spitting in my direction. "That girl's nothing but a whore. George was my husband!"

"Husband?" I widened my eyes to her. "You slaughtered him!"

"Because you ruined him!" she stammered back. "He was moving up here and he was supposed to bring me up with him. But instead, leaves me in the same position to associate himself with a whore like you! You've made him lower than dirt!"

I started to shake my head, feeling my veins boil. Before I knew what I was doing, I took the dagger with both hands and plunged it right in her heart.

"Lacey!" Guy stepped forward in attempt to stop me but was not quick enough.

The cook's bloodshot eyes widened as her lifeless corpse slowly dropped to the ground, making a thud.

"That's for Brian," I gritted in a hushed tone.

Guy merely put his hand on his head and looked at the guards, standing around us, and nodded towards the cook's body. "Get rid of that now. Also, please inform the Sheriff when he gets back that we'll need a new cook."

xXx

The next morning I sat with Marian out on a blanket in the garden. Seeing as we no longer had a cook in the castle, the two of us dine on breads and fruits.

"I can't believe this whole time, it's been the cook," Marian commented, taking a bite of her bread.

I sighed, watching the bees busing around the flowers. "She always did make me uncomfortable."

"It explains why we kept finding the guards passed out," Marian remarked. "She must have known the perfect recipe to put them to sleep."

I nodded, popping a grape in my mouth, feeling relieved this whole ordeal was over.

"That bastard," I muttered under my breath, thinking of George. "He never mentioned anything to me about having a wife."

"Would it have made a difference to you if he had mentioned her?" she asked me.

I huffed, turning my gaze to the tree tops that brushed with the breeze. "I don't know if it would have then, but now…"

My voice trailed off as I spotted Vaisey marching over towards us.

"I see the Sheriff's back in town," Marian mumbled, darkly.

I knew this made her unhappy. After all, it meant her father would have to go back to the dungeons.

"Ah, Lacey," he greeted with open arms. "Glad to see you still breathing. I knew you and Gisborne could handle this mess."

I barely managed a smile, while Marian completely dodged his gaze.

"Well, perhaps in your future affairs you should be certain there is no… other woman before going forward," Vaisey said, letting out a chuckle. "After all, woman can be lepers."

"Mmm," I merely nodded, not wanting to discuss this topic any further.

Vaisey then knelt beside me and patted my cheek. "On other news, a little bird told me you and Gisborne were seen going into your chambers. It seems I've made a match of you two after all." He stood up and enthusiastically clapped his hands together. "This is splendid! I'll inform Prince John and arrange for you to be wedded by the end of the season."

It took a moment for his words to soak in. I then shot Marian a horrified look before whirling around.

"Wait, Vaisey…"

But he had already strolled off.

"Damn it," I muttered, sinking down on my back, tilting my head towards Marian. "What can I do now? Punch him at the wedding and run off like you did?"

Marian only let out a soft chuckle in response.