Part 14
"There is something funny going on," Allan declared as he and Djaq waited for the signal that Robin and the others were exiting the castle.
"I have a bad feeling too," she replied with a shake of her head and a look at the opposing walls of the fortification.
Robin wasted no time in getting to Vasey's quarters and found the Sheriff amid paperwork. He looked up not surprised to see Robin Hood and one of his side kicks.
"She's not here," he said bending down to his work.
"She?" asked Much.
"Marian. That is who you have come for isn't it?"
Robin glared at him trying to form a new plan in his head based on the information Vasey was telling him, if what he said was indeed true.
"She is not here?" repeated Much.
"That's what I said. Oh she was here, but she isn't now. You can check the dungeons if you don't believe me but don't expect to find your way out again."
"Where is she?" Robin finally asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil thundering through his heart, soul and mind.
"Gisborne took her away, take it up with him?"
"Come Master we will get no more information from here," Much said.
"If you have hurt her……" Robin began.
"You'll do what?" laughed the Sheriff.
"I will kill you," he replied his voice even and cold, turning on his heel and leaving.
Vasey took a deep breath before yelling to his guards to at least try and attempt to catch Robin and his men before they were outside the city walls and went back to his work.
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Catching their breath in the forest John asked. "What now?"
"Locksley," Robin replied, moving on.
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Locksley was dead, still as if all the life had been drained from it. Robin not in the mood to be civil or cautious knocked on the front door with Much asking if that was a wise move, if he was honest he did not care what was wise and what was not.
Thornton answered and looked sympathetically at him. "They have gone."
"They?" asked John.
"Gisborne, ten of his men and Marian. Lady Eleanor is here," he added, thinking the last part might cheer Robin somewhat as his former master walked across the threshold to see his cousin and his men followed.
"Oh Robin!" said Eleanor running to greet him with an embrace he barely tolerated bar for niceties.
"Where did he take her?" he demanded.
"Sit and I do not know, he was not forthcoming, in fact had it not been for Marian he would have hit me."
"Did he hurt her? And are you alright?" Robin asked.
"I am fine, I knew who he was when I married him and no I did not see him hurt her."
"That is something," added Much.
"I do not know where he is taking her except that he will be gone a few days but hopes to return before Christmas. I will keep on alert for anything that might lead you to her I promise but now I do not know a thing."
Robin sighed and ran his hands across his face almost in defeat, or realisation that they were not going to catch up with Gisborne and Marian today and finding her was going to take longer than he wanted to think about or dwell upon.
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It was dark when the reached their destination, they had travelled for two days. Marian was escorted inside the walls of the building not paying much attention, too tired to care. Gisborne left with his men, hoping never having to return for her again and if he did it would be with the intention for her to hang in Nottingham.