Thanks for your replies.
Part 18
The storm started sometime before dusk, although the day had begun cool, the heat had built up into a humid volcano waiting to explode. Explode it did, and the gang ran for cover to the cave, pulling as many of their belongings in with them, to save them being drenched.
Sitting there in the darkness Much said to the others disgust, "I hope Marian and Djaq have found shelter for I surely would not want to be out in this."
A loud crack of thunder filled the sky and trembled through to the cave. The gang sat in silence the only noise being the heavy fall of rain at the caves mouth interspersed with lighting and the rumble of the heavens above.
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Marian and Djaq wet through finally reached a solitary house tucked away from one of the villages about the forest and pounded on the door. A girl child no more then eight opened it.
"Are you from heaven?" she asked. "Because my Mother needs help and the only people who come out in thunderstorms are angels 'cos God is angry."
Djaq and Marian shared a looked, shrugged and entered; surely anything was better than standing outside in the rain.
The house as many were, consisted of a solitary room in which the family lived, the adjoining room for the animals; goats and perhaps a pig and chickens would be housed. The living room was full of unwashed bodies and while both women were used to such a stench, Marian suddenly felt more than queasy.
The room was poorly lit, a lone candle illuminating the area to show six or seven other children, all younger than the girl. A boy of perhaps four tried to rock a crying toddler in his arms and they all stared up at the visitors with wide eyes. In one corner was a pallet on the floor on which a woman laid writhing and moaning in pain. Djaq went to her side while Marian took a look in each direction, choosing to light a small fire and then see if there was anything she could do for the children.
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The crack of thunder caused the woman to jump as she faced Gisborne and the Sheriff.
"It seems," the Sheriff said lazily. "That you have been working hard for the past year, keeping your head down. Which is good"
Eve held her breath not sure where this was going as Guy walked round her almost leering down her bodice which she had the urge to pull tighter about her body but did not.
"Knighton," said Gisborne.
"Knighton Sir Guy?" she offered.
"Knighton," repeated the Sheriff. "Has a vacancy. You are going to fill that vacancy."
"I do not want to spy for you again."
"Oh no," said Vasey. "That you will not do. I trust Eli and Anya to keep an eye on you. It is you we do not trust. There is a vacancy for nursemaid."
"I am no nursemaid."
"The children are not infants. Perhaps," he shook his head trying to gauge an age for them with no idea.
Gisborne filled in for him. "They are eight and six. There was an infant she perished in the flux."
"Well perhaps.." Eve began.
"There is no perhaps Eve. You will become their new nursemaid. Unless you want to feel the noose about your neck?" Vasey said peering close into her face and she edged back a fraction but the Sheriff just laughed.