Part 21

The pounding at the door of the Abbey finally roused one of the nuns; she opened it to see a young woman before her. She was modestly clothed but shivered from lack of a cloak. Her complexion was darker than most folk, but she was obviously in need and so she was granted access into the Abbey.

The woman was asked her name and where she had come from and the Nun went to see the Abbess to secure the young woman shelter.

"What is her name and where is she from?" the Abbess asked.

"Her name is Sophia, she is from the Holy Land, she was brought here as a slave and managed to escape, and now seeks refuge with us."

"I will grant it, she may provide a companion for Marian and on the subject of the latter there must be some way to help her avoid the noose."

"And if we can not?"

"Then we must find a loving home for her child."

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Djaq was pleased entry to the Abbey had been so easy, of course getting herself and Marian out might not be. She was led to a room, which was not unlike a cell, but far more pleasant. It wasn't until supper that she got her first glance at Marian; she was seated at the other end of the table and did not see that she was not the only visitor there so lost in thought. It was as the nuns attended evening mass that she finally sat beside Marian on a wooden bench in a room which was for the benefit of those the Abbey took in. Marian looked up as the bench creaked and she felt the weight of another.

After a double take she uttered, "Djaq?"

"Sophia, while we are in here."

"What are you doing?"

"Getting you out, not immediately…we have to wait bide our time…wait for the signal."

"What signal?"

"From Robin…outside…the grounds we saw you walking…Robin will able to give me a signal from where we watched you."

"He has seen me?"

"We all saw you."

"You must know it is not safe," Marian told her. "Gisborne sent a man to watch the Abbey to make sure I do not escape."

"I will send a signal then; we did not see such a man, keeping watch."

"He was dressed as a freeman. The Abbess took it upon herself to tell me. I rather like to think they would like me to live."

"What do you mean live?" asked Djaq.

"I am to hang after the child is born…in Nottingham. Did you not know? Did not the Sheriff make it common knowledge that he is preparing to hang Robin Hood's wife in the spring?"

"There has been no such news it has been kept secret."

"That is worrying, he must have a bigger scheme in motion," Marian guessed.

"Maybe, but right now we have to concentrate on getting us both out of here."

"It is good you are here," Marian said finally and the two women gave each other a comforting hug.