Chapter 12
Betrayal
Robin rode silently on the large bay stallion; Much cautiously glanced over at him at short intervals. James made sure to remain between Robin and King Richard. The King meanwhile did not seem to realize that one of his most loyal guards was currently contemplating ways of removing his head from the neck it was attached to. He clucked gaily at his warhorse and continued the song he was whistling.
"So, James how did you all find the palace and its comforts tonight?" King Richard asked in raunchy good humor.
"It is a lovely palace and Queen Noor is a generous hostess Your Majesty. How was your dinner, Sir?" James asked quietly. In his mind he silently prayed 'Dear Lord, let him keep his mouth shut. Let him keep his mouth shut. Let him talk about the food or the wine. Let him talk about the musicians. He could even talk about how beautiful the other young woman was. Please, dear Lord, don't let him talk about what happened after he sent his guards into the gardens and closed the draperies behind him and Queen Noor.'
King Richard chuckled to himself. "Yes, Queen Noor is a very generous hostess indeed. Perhaps it is better if we didn't talk about that though, we are gentleman remember." Looking behind him King Richard noticed Robin's thunderous expression. Turning to Much he asked "so what is wrong with my dear Lord Locksley? He acts as though a night in the palace of Salahadin were unbearable torture."
Much looked at Robin. He had warned him not to lose his heart to the woman. He had warned him from the beginning and his master hadn't listened to him. Now he was heart broken. Much was heart broken as well – he truly had believed that one day his master and Noor would be together. "Well your Highness, some of us did not find the same level of hospitality amongst the women of the Palace."
King Richard clicked his tongue sympathetically. "Ah, your kitchen girl gave you walking papers? To bad, lad; don't worry there are plenty more kitchen girls in Jerusalem. If we're lucky by next Christmas you'll be seducing the kitchen maids in Locksley." Turning to Much, King Richard continued, "take him into Jerusalem and get him stinking drunk. It will do him wonders. That's the only cure for a lad's first broken heart; a good stinking drunk." Reaching to his belt King Richard untied a small bag of gold and tossed it to Much. "Here this should cover the night and then some."
"Of course Your Majesty. I'm sure that enough drink and the kitchen girl will only be a tender memory." Much thought to himself 'great this is just what I need. One of King Richard's most deadly soldiers with murder in his heart and drink to inhibit his mind.' The only thing to do would be to get Robin so drunk he would be unable to act on anything taking place in his heart.