Part 4
"Something is wrong," Much whispered to Robin the next day as they viewed Knighton through the tress and bushes.
"It is too quiet," he agreed.
"I know it is hot again, but usually there are more folk about, it's deserted."
"Something's happened."
"But what?" Much asked while Robin shrugged. "Let wait and see if Tuck shows himself."
They settled themselves down for what portrayed itself to be a long wait.
"You should not be here," Thornton said to Will.
"I am not alone," he replied with a gaze at the forest.
"They should not be here either. Is Marian with you?"
"Yes."
"My advice is to make sure Robin keeps her as far away from here as he is able."
"Why what's happened?" asked Will, looking about him as he and Thornton stood in the doorway on the manor, noticing it was rather quiet.
"The 'master' is not a happy man. He knows."
"Knows what?"
About Robin and Marian at Edwinstowe in April."
"And?"
"And he will not let it rest. He has already started to enforce taxes of his own on his own community."
"What do you mean?" Will asked, so Thornton explained.
Tuck eventually materialised and once outside the house took in deep lungfuls of breath. Robin gave a low whistle and after looking around Tuck headed to speak with him.
"You would be wise to keep away," he said keeping his distance.
"Why?" asked Much alarmed.
"There is disease."
"Here in Knighton?" Much asked.
"Yesterday Eli's brother turned up. He looked pale. During the night he was taken ill. I have seen such symptoms before."
"What is it?" asked Robin.
"The flux."
"The flux?" repeated Much in alarm, And shared a worried glance with the other two men.
"It will have to run its course," said Robin grimly. "I have not heard of any other outbreaks of the disease in the area."
"Nor has anyone else I have spoken to," Tuck said with a shake of his head.
"The flux," muttered Much as they walked in the direction of Nottingham.
"Do not worry," said Robin.
"Do not worry!" replied Much with emphasis on the 'worry'. "The flux is….is….when one person has it, it spreads and no one knows how. It s dangerous."
"For children, the elderly and infirm. People like you, me usually recover."
"Still it is not a pleasant disease and I for one do not want it. It was bad enough the last time I encountered it, you did not think it was so good when we suffered from it in the Holy Land, do you think we can get it twice?"
Robin shook his head. "When you start to get the symptoms, then worry."
"Then it will be too late, I will have to hope my life will be spared."
"Come on."
"Come on," Much muttered under his breath, one thing was for sure he didn't want to catch the flux or nurse anyone else who was careless enough to catch it either.
After a silent pause Robin said. "Perhaps you need a woman."
"What?" Much replied.
"I know you feel….."
"Feel what, what do I feel?"
"Put out…that you and I do not…You know since we returned from the Holy Land you have been a free man."
"That may be so, but you will always be my master and I do not need 'any' woman, only 'one' will do."
"Really? Who?"
Much looked at him, daring Robin to tease him on the subject finally giving in and declaring, "Eve."
"Eve? Who worked for the Sheriff?"
"Yes."
"Interesting choice."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing!" Robin replied.
"I do not know where she is now," he told Robin sadly.
"Perhaps we should make it our business to find out."
"You would do that for me?"
"I want you to be happy."
Much smiled. "It would be wonderful to be happy like you are happy. I am glad you are happy. I do not have to chide you to move things along with Marian now. I am happy that…"
"Stop! I get it you are happy. Are you happy that it has shifted our friendship?"
"Yes because you are back with the woman you love, now I just have to find Eve, you really think we can find her?"
Robin shrugged and said, "I do not know, but we can try."