Carlisle Estate
Several days later, the cooing of a turtledove greeted Lord Robert of Locksley and his 17 year old son, Robin, as they rode into the Carlisle Estate. As they approached the manor house, the father took one last moment to prepare Robin for their commerce with Lord Hayden.
"Remember, we are guests in his manor. Granted, he can be a pain to deal with, but we are here to negotiate trade between his shire and Locksley." Robert gave his son a look that the young man understood all too well. "We are not home in Locksley where your antics can go unnoticed, Robin."
Robin sighed, "I won't make a scene, Father." Robin grabbed the hilt of his sword and promised, "I won't start a fight with Hayden, if that is what you are worried about."
Robert began to wonder how many of his grey hairs were from dealing with his son as he shook his head. "I do not understand why you insist on carrying that thing around the shires. We did not run into one outlaw during our trip here, which I'm sure was to your dismay."
With a nod, Robin acknowledged his father's assessment. "Well, I'm getting tired of fending off the trees between here and home."
Suddenly, Robert and Robin found themselves surrounded by the servants of Carlisle. Two servants held their horses while they dismounted, and took them away before Robin could protest. Following his father's lead, the young nobleman merely smiled and nodded to the servant's around them.
A tall lean man with long brown hair tied tightly behind his ears joined them from inside the manor house. Based on his brilliant blue attire and very fancy matching boots, Robin guessed that this was Lord Hayden.
"Welcome Lord Robert. It has been a few years since your last visit to my home." Hayden extended his arm to Robert and shook hands before acknowledging Robin. "Don't tell me this is your son, Robin?" The lord remarked.
Robert placed his arm around his son's shoulder proudly. "Yes, Robin, this is Lord Hayden."
Robin nodded, "An honor sir."
"Well, you've grown into a fine young man. Welcome to my estate. I hope your visit is pleasant. It appears that spring has finally decided to grace us with warmer weather." Lord Hayden turned around and snapped at a young girl carrying cups. "Quickly girl! They aren't peasants begging for a hand out!"
Robin cringed as he observed how Lord Hayden nearly knocked the young girl over trying to rush her to their guest before yelling at her again.
"Careful, don't spill it!" Before the girl could courtesy to give the cups, Robin stepped forward and helped her with the water.
Robin smiled graciously, and accepted both cups, handing one to his father. "Thank you." He took several gulps of the drink. Looking back at his father, he saw a stern warning for him to keep his mouth shut. He nodded diligently.
Several feet away, Much stood helping Lucy fold the sheets that had finished drying on the line. The sound of horses had easily distracted the young man, and Lucy once again had to call out to him.
"Much, I'm over here, remember. I can't fold this sheet on my own." Lucy stood holding her end of the large white sheet waiting for Much to bring her his end.
Brought back to the moment, Much replied, "Sorry." He finished up his end of the folding and Lucy took the sheet and bundled it in the large basket beneath the line. Much should have known visitors were expected with the washing of the bed sheets, but he did not remember anyone telling him they were expecting guest at the manor. "Who are they?" He pointed to the men who had dismounted.
Lucy reached up and pulled down his arm. "Don't point. It is rude." She gestured to the large basket, and Much reached down to pick up his end of the container just as Lucy picked up hers. "Those are the nobles from Nottingham. They are here to make a new trading agreement with Lord Hayden."
Totally distracted by the new arrivals, Much strolled towards the back of the manor without paying attention to where he was heading. At the prodding of Osmond, young Phillip took the opportunity to create more mischief. Carrying two large pots of honey, Phillip walked right into the path of Much. Before Lucy could cry "Look out!" Much stumbled into Phillip, who exaggerated dropping the pots. His aim was true, and the pots hit the only large rock on the grounds, shattering them into several large pieces. Their sticky contents quickly spread over the terrain, lost.
Immediately, Lord Hayden excused himself from his guest to run over to the commotion by the manor. Much was down on the ground, trying to figure out how to undo the catastrophe.
The older woman gave Phillip a harsh glance, but the boy only stood there, trying his best to suppress his merriment over the event. Both Osmond and Lord Hayden were making their way to the broken pots. The woman wanted to pull Much away knowing that just being near the broken pottery would be damning for the young man. Finally, she stated harshly, "Much, get over here!"
Responding to her orders, Much jumped up and scooted closer to her and their basket of sheets. Lucy could see that his hands were shaking, and she knew that he had good reason to be frightened. As Lord Hayden approached, she saw that their master's face had turned a deep shade of red.
Lord Hayden silently took in that his prized collection of honey that he had planned to serve to his noble guests had been ruined. His hands shook with rage as he pointed at Much.
"You! Did you do this?" He shouted.
Much did not know what to say. Phillip stood off to the side with his head down and Osmond standing behind him. Much did not want to point fingers again, especially back at Phillip. However, he wanted to tell the truth.
"My lord, I was helping Lucy with the basket back to the manor. I did not see Phillip carrying the pots." Much kept his eyes to the ground as he answered his master. He felt the man come closer.
"Is this your way of trying to get Phillip in trouble, by breaking the honey pots?" Lord Hayden questioned harshly.
Much stood silent for a moment before looking up with his answer. "I did not see Phillip. I was just helping..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the Lord delivered a vicious backhand, sending Much to the ground.
"That is for the loss of my honey." He stated. Looking around, the lord found his steward, "Osmond, see if you can salvage any of the honey in the pots. Have the servants wash away this mess before it attracts insects."
Osmond began ordering servants to start the tasks. Finally, he looked down at Much, "And what do you want me to do with this one." Much had finally recovered from the shock of being slapped and stood. He felt embarrassed to be once again the center of attention, especially with guests watching.
Lord Hayden followed his servant's gaze and noticed that he had the full attention of the visiting nobility from Nottingham. Regaining an ounce of humility, he shook his head. "Nothing for now. Let him finish helping Lucy with the sheets. I'll think of something appropriate later."
With the dismissal, Much immediately helped Lucy pick up the basket and headed towards the manor house. He did not want to wait around for Lord Hayden to think up a punishment for the lost honey. Thinking back on the lost milk and eggs, Much could not imagine that this punishment would be less severe. The master loved his prized possession of honey.
When they finally made it into the house, Much sat the basket down and ran to the back of the manor, to the servants' quarters. In his room, he sat on his bed and pulled his knees to his chest, afraid of what the master would order next. Lucy knocked on his door frame, grabbing his attention.
"You know you cannot hide in here. We have work to finish." Lucy pushed a stray strand of brunette hair out of her brown eyes. "He will get over the honey. Trust me."
"And what will it be next? That makes twice in two weeks that Phillip has plotted to get me in trouble with the master. I was helping you with the sheets. I was not carrying the honey. Phillip should have been more careful. Why wasn't he yelled at?" Much paused to rub his cheek.
"Much, to the others… this is a game, albeit a cruel one. You got distracted by the visiting nobles. Phillip must have seen that. You must stay alert." Lucy started to pull away from the door. "Come on, you aren't going to sit in here and sulk. We have beds to make."
Much caressed his bed, afraid of the next punishment over the loss of honey. He surely did not want to spend any more time sleeping in the barn. With a heavy sigh, he joined Lucy and headed to the guest rooms with the load of sheets.
Outside the manor, Robin followed his father as Lord Hayden paraded them around several basketsful of woven tapestry and cloth. The winter had given the shire's artisans plenty of time to craft their wares into fine works of their trade.
While he went through the motions of pretending to pay attention to the conversation between his father and Lord Hayden, his mind kept replaying the incident with the servants in the manor yard.
The young noble tried hard to remember everyone's actions as they played out in his memory. One of the servants, a bald man, had motioned the boy to walk in front of the man carrying the basket. After the pots shattered on the ground, Robin felt sure that the servant who had been blamed for the loss of the honey had been set up. It was not until Lord Hayden had addressed the servants that Robin realized the bald servant was the steward of the manor.
His words with his father nearly turned into an argument. Robin wanted to confront Lord Hayden with what he saw, but his father warned that there could be more going on here than he or Robin could fix. They were just guests in the manor, and when they were gone, things would go on as if they had never been there. They could not afford to stir the pot, so to say. His father found the pun funny, but Robin only fumed.
Robin had never witnessed a servant struck out of anger before, and his blood had boiled over seeing the young man knocked to the ground, humiliated by his own master. With the calming hand of his father placed on his shoulder, Robin held his tongue when Lord Hayden returned. He did not want to embarrass his father, nor did he want to make matters worse for the servant.
With their inspection complete, his father and Lord Hayden finalized the trade agreement for the many different wares made by the artisans of the two shires. While the nobles worked out the agreements, the peasants of the shires would be the ones to carry out the actual trading. With the deal completed, the nobles made their way back to the manor.
Lord Hayden made sweeping gestures once inside. "Please, if there is anything you need during your stay here tonight, let any of my servants know, and it will be provided. Lucy here is in charge of your rooms." With another wave of his hand, Lord Hayden turned things over to Lucy.
"My lords, we have brought in your belongings from your horses." A couple of servants walked into the great room carrying their bags. Both fell in step behind the nobles as they followed Lucy up the stairs. Robin was pleased to see that the servant carrying his bags was the young man who had the run in with his master that morning.
After finding their rooms, Robin's father tapped on the shoulder of the servant carrying his bags, while the other immediately realized he must be carrying the young noble's belongings.
As the servant followed him into the room, he asked, "Where would you like these, my lord?"
Robin pointed to the chair beside the bed. "There will do."
After placing the bags down, the young man bowed and then asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you, my lord?"
Robin stood, thinking. His father would be most upset if he knew he planned on breaking his vow. Robin's smile went unseen as the young man continued to gaze down at the floor.
"What is your name?" Robin asked as he crossed his arms.
This question drew the attention of the servant, and he looked up. "My name, my lord?"
"Yes, your name." Robin walked over to his bags and began pulling out some of his clothes that he would be wearing to dinner that night.
The servant paused before a small smile crossed his lips. "I am called Much, my lord." He bowed, and then asked, "Is there anything else?"
Robin finished laying out his clothes on the bed before adding, "Do you like it here on the Carlisle estate?" Returning his attention to the young man, the young noble could see his questioning was making him nervous. "I know that if I were a servant on these grounds, I would rather hate it."
Much felt surprised to have someone from the outside be able to see into his heart, especially a noble. "This is my home. I have lived her all my life. It isn't so bad, really. I just… I just…" Much stumbled over his words, not sure how to explain himself to a noble.
Robin finished his state, "You just need to watch out for the head steward, Osmond, I believe is his name. I saw him prompt that boy today. You were not at fault."
Much nodded, before bowing to leave. After he left the room, Robin felt a little moment of satisfaction. He may not be able to address the problem with Lord Hayden, but at least he could warn the young man about his steward. However, from the nod and the look in Much's eyes, Robin had a feeling that he was not telling him anything new.
"Now then… what to wear to dinner?" Robin laughed. "I guess you will have to do." He said to his attire adorning the bed.
As Robin walked over to close the door, a loud clatter rang through the house. A sense of dread spread through him as he ran into the hall outside his room. At the bottom of the stairs stood Much who was helping another servant to her feet. He was frantically looking around him.
"I don't understand. I was paying attention." Much explained to the girl. She appeared livid as she glared his way. Again, Much scanned the ground, searching for something. "It felt like I tripped over something."
The lady scowled at him. "Your own two feet no less."
As more of the servants arrived, Much tried to explain himself. "I swear I did not run into Sarra on purpose. Something tripped me…" He pointed to the ground. "Something..."
Finally Osmond parted the crowd, and a hushed mummer smothered the room. Robin stood quietly on the landing, watching.
"First the honey, and now the dinner dishes? Is there anything else you would like to destroy before this day is done?" Osmond puffed out his chest and circled Much. "Is there?"
Robin eavesdropped to what was going on downstairs.
"I did not do this on purpose." Much pleaded.
Osmond replied, "You never do." When Sarra finished collecting all the dishware, he ordered the others, "Back to work, everyone." When Much tried to leave too, he grabbed him by the collar and added, "Not you."
Much stared at the floor, still convinced that something had tripped him, but could find no proof. Finding courage, he looked up at Osmond. "I swear… I was tripped. I was just returning to get new orders from Lucy. Sarra was walking with the dish tray, and I was going to walk around her."
Osmond moved his face within an inch of Much, and smiled. "Do you want an assignment to make up for spilling the dishes?"
Much blinked nervously at Osmond. "What kind of assignment?"
Osmond frowned, "Do you or don't you? If the master finds out that you have succeeded in yet another disruption of the manor, he may find it necessary to put you out." The head steward smiled at the thought. "And I don't mean just putting you in the barn."
Much stammered, "He can't." Terrified, he looked around the manor. "This is my home. I wouldn't… I…" Much could not find the words. He was too upset to speak.
Osmond studied the young servant before continuing, "Then you prove yourself tonight, at dinner for the Nottingham nobles. Prove to Lord Hayden that you can perform such an important task, and maybe he won't put you out for destroying his honey."
Much felt his stomach roll into a knot. "Dinner?" He had never served a formal dinner even when his mother was head stewardess.
"All you need do is serve the wine and make sure the goblets stay full." Osmond replied.
Much felt like he had no choice. "I'll do it."
Osmond smiled. "Good. You will have to wash and dress for the dinner. I will have Lucy prepare your clothes." Osmond gave Much a pat on the back before leaving the servant to stand in the great room alone.
Robin peeked down the stairs again to see Much just as he exited the manor. He had an ominous feeling about what had just transpired. The events were just not adding up. Suddenly, Robin heard a noise in the empty room below. He could not believe his eyes when a boy crawled out of the cabinet near the foot of the staircase carrying a hooked stick.
"Hey! Stop!" Robin cried.
Looking up at the noble, the boy knew he had been caught but ran away. Robin started to pursue the culprit, but a firm hand grabbed his shoulder. He started to shove the hand aside, except a stern voice held him in his place.
"Robin... no!" His father stated adamantly.
"But father, that boy tripped Much. He was telling the truth. It wasn't his fault that he knocked Sarra down with all the dishes." Robin searched the room below and his shoulders fell. "Phillip is long gone."
A snicker filled his father's throat. "Now you are learning all of the servants' names."
With a roll of his eyes, Robin accepted the chiding. "This just feels wrong, father. I swear to you that Osmond is the one behind all of this. I saw him send the boy right into Much's path this morning, and just now, the same boy created another accident with Much in the center of it. I just don't understand why."
Robert sighed. "Son, the dynamics in the affairs of men are never easy. It appears that the other servants have learned that they can create a scapegoat out of this young man, and it has gotten out of control."
Robin shook his head. "But the steward is supposed to prevent that from happening. It is his job to keep order in the house." Robin could not understand why the steward was orchestrating such an elaborate sabotage of Much.
With a nod, his father seemed to remember something. "That is it."
Robin looked at his father, "What?"
Robert walked into Robin's room with his son close behind and closed the door. "The last time I was here, the head of the servants was a woman. Her name was Rose." Robert closed his eyes, "And if I remember correctly, she had a son. He was about your age."
Filling in the gaps, Robin added, "You think that Much is her son?"
"Politics is at work in this manor with the servants just as it is with the nobles across all of England. Never forget that we are all men of the same blood and bone."
Robin asked, "Then what do we do?"
With a sad laugh, his father added, "What can we do? If you expose the young boy, you would have to expose the steward, Osmond. He has the most clout with Lord Hayden, and Much is all that is left of how things use to be run around here."
Without realizing his actions, Robin balled his fist. "This is not fair. Can you say something to Lord Hayden?"
Again, Robert laughed and cocked his head. "You for one should know that Lord Hayden does not value his servants. I think these events have been at work for a long time. We cannot undo the damage that has already been done."
"Then buy Much's bondage and bring him home of with us." Robin could not think of a better solution for the young man. Surely working for their estate would be better than staying here.
"Robin, the politics of nobility is very delicate. I cannot just approach another noble and offer to take one of his servants. That would imply that he cannot handle the affairs in his household." As Robert spoke, he could see the veins popping up in his son's neck, which was never a good sign. "Listen, I will think about it, but we have two servants at home who are expecting little ones. Our crops were lean last year. If we have another bad year, things will be tight. I don't think Thornton would appreciate us bring home another mouth to feed."
Robin seemed to relax. "Trust me. I would make it work if we brought him home. Father, I just know that they are planning something tonight at dinner. I have a bad feeling about it."
"Just promise me that whatever happens, you don't make a scene with Lord Hayden. I will take care of this." With a final clasp of his son's shoulder, the nobleman kissed his son's forehead before his departure to his room.
Robin, unable to sit idle, ran down the stairs and out of the manor house. He did not know whether he was looking for the young boy to question or for Much to talk to. Finally, he noticed an old man pulling weeds in a garden. Looking around, he hoped the man could help.
"Pardon," Robin interrupted.
Looking up from the garden, the old man was startled to see one of the visiting nobles. Jumping to his feet and wiping the dirt off his hands, he stated, "Yes my lord, how may I be of service?"
Robin scanned the manor yard. "I wanted to talk to Much. He ran out of the house a few minutes ago, and I can't find him."
The gardener looked around, "Well, Much has a tendency to disappear whenever things get a little rough around here, my lord."
"I don't blame him." Robin added, searching the grounds. "If I had to deal with your master and Osmond, I would be hiding too."
A smile crossed the old man's lips. "I can tell you where he is my lord, but I must ask, ever how inappropriate it is for me to say this to you, that you do not tell anyone. It is Much's only safe haven around here."
Robin searched the old man's eyes and could see that this servant held compassion for Much. "I only want to help him. I swear on the King's life to keep his secret."
Impressed, the servant stood a little closer to Robin. "A few of us buried his mother on top of the hill behind the manor house. She made the request to me because she did not want her grave vandalized by anyone. Well, a particular someone, actually. Not even the master knows where she is buried. Much goes up there when he needs to talk to her. From what I've heard, he has had an especially rough day."
Robin stated, "At the top of the hill."
When the old man nodded, Robin patted him on the back, and said, "Thank you."
After wandering around the grounds and making sure that any curious eyes had long been lost, Robin made his way to the forest and then up the hill behind the manor. At first, he thought that he might have difficulty finding Much, but the sounds of soft sobs led him to the grave, and to Much.
Ducking down behind a briar bush, Robin felt guilty spying on a man who thought he was alone. The young noble knew what it was like to have moments that you only wanted to share with nature and God. Robin thought that he would just announce himself and tell Much about the boy, but the servant was definitely having a tough time with the events that transpired this day.
When he heard him talking to his mother's grave, Robin knew it was not the appropriate time to interrupt.
Much knelt at the foot of the grave marker, trying to regain some of his composure. "I miss you." He stated, and suppressed another sob. "You don't know how much." As he spoke, he laid two daisies across her grave. "Jarrod still keeps your garden as beautiful as the day…" Much stopped and shook his head. "You always warned me about Osmond. You never liked him, even when I did not see why. I do now. I understand why you thought he was always trying to make things look bad for you." Much rubbed his hands on his legs, "I am afraid Lord Hayden is going to put me out, Mother. At first, I thought that he would just make me sleep in the barn again, which I must say is not pleasant at all, but if he forces me to leave the manor. I can't… I can't…" Much stopped yet again, as another bout of sobs rocked him.
Robin ground his teeth and sat back against a tree, not believing what he was hearing. No man should be made to hurt like this, no matter his station in life. While Thornton could be a stern steward, he was always fair. If anything like this happened on his estate, he hoped that he could see the truth for what it was.
Finally, the crying subsided, and he heard Much's voice cheer up a bit. "For better or worse, Osmond is having me serve wine at dinner tonight. We have two nobles visiting from Nottingham. I think you would like them, especially the son. He actually asked me my name earlier." Robin turned as he heard the young man rise to his feet, and saw him rub his eyes. "Even he could see Osmond for the man he truly is. I don't understand why Lord Hayden is so blind, but then again, you always warned me about him too."
As Much headed back down the hill, Robin slipped from his hiding place. With care, he maneuvered around the briar bushes and faced the ground to find a lovely white stone marking the head of the grave. Robin read the etched words out loud: "Rose, Head Stewardess of Carlisle, Beloved Mother." With a new sense of urgency, he trotted down the hill to the manor house. There was nothing he could do before the dinner, but he knew that he would not let Osmond win at whatever game he and the others were playing.