Part 17
"Master I do not want to worry you, but should not Marian and Djaq have returned by now it has been five days," Much said on the fifth morning.
Robin said nothing while Will offered. "Maybe they ran into someone who needed our help."
"Well," Much replied. "Perhaps…but it does not normally take that long to walk to Edwinstowe and back."
"Much, she does not need your help, or Little John's, Allan's, Will's and certainly not mine. You heard her, she can take care of herself," Robin said his tone bruised.
Much frowned, Robin and Marian's cross words and unloving farewell had upset Robin more than he first thought.
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"There is a man to see you Sir," Thornton said carefully to his master who was looking as brutal as ever, standing by the fire in the room off the hall.
"Who is it? I have not time to speak with any mere peasant."
"He says he has come from York."
Gisborne looked thoughtful then said. "Send him in."
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Marian and Djaq had not expected there to be such need in Edwinstowe. Even after they had shared out the money they found themselves sorting our issues, tending the sick, not the flux but more chronic ailments for which there was no cure, only sometimes plants could be used to lessen their discomfort. By the third day in the village they insisted they had to be on their way back and with regretful hearts the people of Edwinstowe watched them go.
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The Sheriff and Gisborne sat upon their mounts looking from a safe distance at Knighton.
"What do you think?" asked Guy.
"I think they all look bloomingly healthy and I am wondering why someone did not summon us sooner," Vasey uttered. Gisborne was about to reply when the Sheriff raised his finger in the air and continued. "I think Gisborne that they are shirking their true responsibilities. There are at least seven other lord's at Knighton right now, since I forbade anyone to leave. Seven lords who have not been hounding their own villagers to work, to slave for the taxes I request. What do you think they are doing right now Gisborne? These villagers?"
"I think…"
"Do not think…I think and I think like their masters they will be doing as little work as necessary, we must put a stop to this and lift the quarantine right away. What are you waiting for Gisborne? Off you go, reopen Knighton."
Guy sent him a dark look but did as he was bid, nothing the Sheriff or Robin Hood did or said today would take away the elation of the news he had heard from the man who had stalked Eleanor Godwin.