Part 22

It took time to for Djaq to sneak out one night and have a whispered conversation with Robin across the water. Then plan A was put in motion.

One morning Djaq approached the Abbess, to suggest that she and Marian make benefit from taking a stroll through the streets of Minchen. The Abbess was mortified by such a suggestion, knowing that there was a man out there paid to keep watch on Marian. And in consequence of this the reply was not completely favourable. The Abbess declared that Sophia could go attended by Sister Marie but Marian must stay within the castle grounds for her protection.

Djaq sighed this was going to be harder than any of the gang first anticipated. She tried another tactic.

"Marian told me about her unfortunate fate after the child is born."

The Abbess sighed and scrutinised the girls face, everything in her eyes showed that she knew the truth.

"It seems that will be her fate," she replied cautiously.

"It does not have to be. The Sheriff of Nottingham is a cruel man."

"I have heard," The Abbess replied.

"And you think it fair that without a trial Marian should die by the noose?"

"No. I do not agree with hanging."

"Then, let me help her…help us…help me to get her out of here back to her husband where she belongs, where the child belongs, where they both belong," implored Djaq sincerely.

"And how do you expect to do that, you have known her what three days? Four?"

Djaq looked suitably chastised and confessed, "I have known her a lot longer than that. Her husband saved my life; you do know who her husband is?"

"I was told he was a well known criminal."

Djaq emitted a noise between a snort of unbelief and a wry laugh. "She told me that you had informed her she was to hang for being married to the notorious Robin Hood amongst other crimes"

"Robin Hood? The Earl of Huntingdon?" the Abbess repeated slowly, she had certainly heard of him and nothing had been bad. "I was told by Sir Guy of Gisborne that Marian was a Lady, she was disgraced by marrying a criminal and by living with him and working with him she too became corrupt herself. From what I know of her since she has been here, his words have seemed totally false and I could only surmise that he wanted to do her harm by spreading falsehoods against her so that she would in due course after the child was born be hung in Nottingham."

Djaq sighed, the added. "And the man who watches the Abbey?"

"He was sent by Sir Guy."

Djaq nodded again and replied. "He can not watch the Abbey all day and all night he must sleep and when he sleeps then I will take Marian away, you will help?"

The Abbess looked at her for a long moment and replied. "How are you to propose we accomplish this?"

"Grant me a day's leave to walk about the town. I will locate my leader and together we can form a plan."

"Very well," the Abbess nodded. "We will help you. If there is one thing I do not want to hear of, that is Marian hung in Nottingham."