Part 15

"Is there more to Marian leaving than we are aware of?" asked Much as they watched the women leave. "I mean she did not even kiss you goodbye, two weeks ago you could not keep your hands off each other."

"Reality has set in," Alan chuckled, Robin just glared.

"I thought you were getting on well," added Will.

"We were. Something happened that day she went to pick blackberries. I can not quite put my finger on it, but I will."

"Is that a threat? Because may I say it is a good job she is out of earshot."

"A statement."

"Well I'm not being funny but they are probably safer in Edwinstowe than here with Gisborne on the loose."

"Humph," muttered Robin dryly.

------

"This is not all the money?" the Sheriff said glaring at Guy.

"I was not the one who arranged for it to be left unguarded in the corridor off the kitchens."

"That may be so, but you must find out where it went."

"I will have the staff questioned."

"Good."

-----

"You do not have to accompany me. I can easily go alone," Marian said after she and Djaq had been travelling some time in silence.

"I can not do that."

"That is what I was afraid you would say. What if I told you the truth?"

"It depends what the truth was."

They stopped walking to rest, have a drink.

"It is in your best interests to leave me for you health."

"You think you are ill, is that why you shielded away when Robin wanted to kiss you goodbye?"

"I know I am ill."

Djaq looked at her. "What symptoms do you have?"

"Nausea, I was thinking that I would know if it was the flux by this time tomorrow."

"The flux? You think you have the flux?"

"I went to Knighton. I saw Tuck, he had contact with the nursemaid who was dying."

"And now you think you have caught it?"

"Well what else could it be?"

"When did the nausea start?"

"Today, yesterday. Thinking about it I have felt ill for a while."

"And you went to Knighton yesterday?"

"Yes."

"Then it can not be the flux if you have felt ill for days can it?"

"No I suppose not. I was not thinking straight. I knew …if Robin knew I went to Knighton."

"He would be angered…but he would get over it. I think something else ails you and this trip to Edwinstowe will confirm my suspicions and maybe you will come to realise what it really is too. Come on, the more ground we cover today the less time this trip will take."