Chapter 24
Knighton Hall
Before stepping into the clearing Robin peered carefully around Knighton Hall. Marion's window was open a crack and the fields around the house were empty. Robin decided to risk it. Sprinting silently to underneath Marion's window Robin made a soft bird call to attract her attention. How exactly he would explain Noor to Marion he wasn't sure, but that wasn't important right now. What was important was getting Marion to see Noor at all.
Marion stepped to the window. "What do you want?" she hissed down. "Guy is downstairs, attempting to make peace by taking us to the castle for some sort of ceremony."
"How can Guy be here – I didn't see his horse? Is he staying with you?" Robin hissed back angrily. He was not at all pleased that Guy had decided to continue in his affections toward Marion nor that Marion was allowing it apparently.
"It's in the barn. What do you want?" Marion whisper screamed. Robin could be insufferable at times.
"Well I wanted you to go to the castle and do something for me. But is seems you'll be busy with Sir Guy."
"Robin!"
"Fine, I need you to make your way in to visit the harem girls. Once you're inside the harem ask to see Noor al Salahadin. Tell her you've heard of her stories and wanted to hear one. She'll ask if you had one in mind. Tell her you would like to hear the 'Parable of the Cruel Sultan'. She'll know what it means. As soon as you can find me and tell me what she says. Oh and find out how she ended up coming here to England." Robin whispered to her, not stopping to explain the weird task he was sending her on. "Oh and tell Noor I said hello."
Marion looked at Robin suspiciously. She wasn't sure what a harem girl was but Marion had heard stories from Crusaders who had returned home through Nottingham. More importantly Marion wondered just exactly how Robin knew one. Without a word she closed the shutters and headed down the narrow stairway to where her father and Guy were waiting.
"Are you ready, Sir Guy? I would hate to leave the Sheriff and his ceremonies waiting."
"I hope there is another reason for you to be excited Marion." Guy smiled at her, dazzled by the beauty of the woman he hoped to reconcile with. He was proud of the present he had requested for her and excited to see her face when she received it. "I've had a very unique gift brought for you from the holy lands."
"Guy you shouldn't have, I'm sure it is too much."
"Not at all Marion. Please consider it reconciliation present. Hopefully you'll think of it as an early wedding present."
With this troublesome exchange Guy then led Marion to the door and outside to where their horses were waiting. Between Guy, Robin and harem girls Marion was beginning to wonder if perhaps joined the convent had not been a better idea than she thought.