Part 16

The following morning held a slight chill to the air a sure sign that summer would end soon and the change of season would take place.

"It is only the beginning of September," moaned Alan.

"I agree I do not want to start living in the cave yet," Much said.

"It is slightly cooler now than it was a month ago," replied Robin shaking his head at them. "First you complain it is too hot to work now you whine it is too cold for sleeping outside."

"I was just making conversation. What got you?" Alan said.

"Nothing," Robin told him, his expression contradicting his reply.

"What is the plan for today?" asked John.

"Today," said Robin "We are going to Knighton."

Knighton was active they noted as they crept closer to the house but remained within the haven of the undergrowth. The children were both outside making more noise than seemed right as Anya was scowling at them and their father shouting which appeared to make the whole situation worse. Tuck made an appearance and whispered something in Eli's ear, both men then retreated back to the house.

When they returned Eli spoke to the people gathered outside, who were the same as Marian saw the day before. Nobles, who had been visiting when the illness struck, yet unable to leave and go home to their own families who by now would be worrying over their loved ones health. The gang listened as Eli told of Sarah the nursemaid's death, that he hoped there would be no more cases and in fact there hadn't been since the nursemaid fell ill several days previously. However as the congregation were aware not all quarantined inside Knighton had fallen sick and there was still time for illness to overcome them too. For the time being it looked as if Knighton was forbidden ground.

"Master surely we can leave now," Much implored wanting to be away from sickness as soon as possible.

"No I need to speak with Tuck."

"Master surely is that wise?"

"Whether it is wise or not I am going to do so."

"And what can be gained?" Much continued. "The flux, you will pass it on to the rest of us."

"Shut up!" said Alan.

"I was just saying…"

"Say no more," John added.

Robin gave a low whistle to catch Tuck's attention, he returned with a signal of his own and they all sat down to wait for him to appear.

Tuck rounded the far tree before he sat with them; it was noticeable that all but Robin moved away as far as they could without seeming too rude.

"I am surprised to see you after speaking with Marian the day before yesterday," Tuck said as he greeted them.

Robin's eyebrows shot up as he replied. "You saw Marian the day before yesterday? Where?"

"Here,"

Robin took a deep breath as Will said. "That explains a lot."

"You did not know? I have put my foot in it," Tuck declared.

"Yes and no. It is good you told me. Will is right it explains a lot of things."

"You heard the announcement?"

"Of Sarah?" asked Robin.

"Yes. No one else has been ill for several days. I think we will know within the week whether the quarantine can be lifted and things get back to normal."

"Eli is he still thinking of moving to London?"

"I do not know, there has been no more talk on the matter. I feel he will not go his ties with Gisborne are too strong for him to risk anything."

"Then," said Robin slowly. "We will just have to wait and see."

------

"I do not think you have the flux," Djaq told Marian as the latter bent into the bushes for the third time that morning on their second day of travelling. "You do not have a fever, cramps, watery or bloody diarrhoea."

Marian sat back against the tree and Djaq handed her the water bottle where she took a swig and swirled the water about before spitting it out in a most unladylike manner.

"No but I am tired," she admitted.

"That does not mean you have it, you know that."

"What is it then?"

"I think you might have to wait and see, if it is what I suspect it might be…"

"What?" Marian said getting up quickly and regretting it.

"Let me put it this way, you will not be going on foolish errands to Edwinstowe for a while. Do you think we can continue? It will take us a week each way at this speed," she said, not giving Marian chance to answer as she pulled her to her feet.

Edwinstowe greeted the women with open arms, the monetary gift also and invited them both to stay the night, Marian a room at the Inn and Djaq at the home of the cooper. What should have been a two day trip each way at the most had become four just getting there. Marian lay on her bed, wishing the smell of dinner didn't make her feel even sicker, she turned over on her side, her biggest regret since leaving Robin was not to say goodbye properly. She felt alone and wished he was by her side, but it wasn't to be she had got herself into this mission and now she and Djaq had to walk back, she just hoped that she would begin to feel better. It surely wasn't the flux for if it was the other symptoms would have materialised and she would either have begun to recover or died. She shut her eyes promising herself a short nap before supper, the next she knew however, it was morning.