Chapter: 11: "Will he be all right?"
Marian watched as Gisborne galloped away toward Newark the following morning. As predicted, his recovery came quickly - completely - and he departed with neither an offering nor a word of thanks. His farewell was a gruff, "Sister Outlaw is it?" His sneering smile made Marian's skin crawl.
At his words, the would-be novice felt a new hardness at the core of her being - coldness as steely and piercing as the Night Watchman's sword. She realized then there would never be true forgiveness in her heart for Guy of Gisborne or anyone like him. The realization opened a fresh store of emotion, and recognition of the fact that should she spend eternity at Rufford, she would never be a part of the sisters' lives. She would not forgive; she could not forget.
Lord Fitzwalter was regaining his strength daily, and daily he encouraged and pleaded with Marian to join Robin in the forest. He knew how miserable she was at the abbey despite her protests to the contrary. A father knows his only daughter's dearest wish: Marian wanted to be with Robin of Locksley or Robin Hood, it did not matter; she loved the man - not the persona.
After he left the abbey, Milton, Sir Edward's steward was to stop at the Rufford on his way to Lincoln, informing his daughter to retrieve her treasured items from Knighton; he also carried a personal note from Edward, explaining the secret plan and his location. During the last few weeks Milton gradually dispersed the animals and farming implements throughout the villages.
"By the saints!" He told the Reverend Mother when he sought her confidence, "If I have to relinquish my lands, Vasey will find nothing more than empty buildings!" Then he immediately asked the abbess for forgiveness for swearing.
During his convalescence, Edward decided he must leave the fighting and politics to others; he accepted that he was no longer able to endure the mental and physical punishment. As much as he adored and loved his Marian, this was the only time he put her happiness before his duty to King and country; it was very difficult for him when Edward told her honestly and painfully he could no longer defend Knighton Hall.
The former sheriff sent a message to his cousin in Lincoln six weeks ago; only the Reverend Mother and her most trusted guard knew of its contents. Arrangements were made for his cousin's guard to retrieve him from the abbey and escort him to his estate in Lincoln. His steward Milton was to meet him there with all that remained of Marian's dowry; his lands would be forfeit. The thought sickened Edward; he wanted only the best for his child, but the process was going in reverse.
All he could do for Marian now was encourage her to go to Robin; he knew his Godson would protect her with his life. And, if the King returned they would be pardoned and their status returned. If not, Marian would be with the man she loved.
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"Give him a dagger!" Hildegard ordered. The old crone took great pains with this morning's appearance. Her eyes were painted, as well as her cheeks and lips. The whole effect was ghastly on one so old.
Her men-at-arms withdrew a safe distance except the one stirring a pot of bubbling oil over the fire. The bear slept, so far oblivious to the goings on. John's chain was secured to the ground only a foot or so away, the other end fastened by a metal collar about the outlaw's neck. A dagger was thrown at his feet and he bent to retrieve it. It was his and he welcomed the feel of the hilt in his hand.
"Your chain is the same length as his, so you will never be fully out of his reach," Hildegard told him, "No matter how desperate you become."
"And if I kill 'im?" Defiance was John Little's middle name.
"What?"
"I want to go free if I kill 'im." The entire camp roared with laughter at the giant's bravado.
"If you kill him, I'll free what's left of you!" Hildegard crowed, taking an advantageous spot.
There was raucous betting among the soldiers over how many limbs the outlaw would have at day's end. That he would be dead was a foregone conclusion.
"Begin!" Shouted Lady Hildegard, with sadistic delight.
Gisborne and his complement of soldiers also heard the order and reined up to watch, seeing but not being seen. In his mind he rehearsed the plan once more. Watch for Robin Hood, kill him then see the lady dies from a fall of some sort.
"Any sign of the outlaws?" Guy demanded of his scout.
"None, my lord."
"That man down there?" Sir Guy nodded toward the man chained to the bear.
"Looks like the outlaw John Little, my lord."
Gisborne's joy spread across his face in a vicious leer. "Keep well out of sight - Robin Hood will be here. Stay alert or hang!" At Hood's first move to rescue his fellow outlaw, the trap would spring shut.
Down in the camp, John stood poised, dagger in hand as the laughing group of soldiers approached the sleeping bear with hot oil. They flung it and leapt back as the huge, hairy mass came to life, enraged, bellowing and pulling with all its strength against the chain. Rocks were thrown, more oil, and finally in a frenzy of torture the beast turned red, angry eyes upon the only target within reach - Little John.
Never had the outlaw seen anything so massive move with such speed. He ducked and rolled quickly behind, but the creature's foreleg clamped down on John's chain and his head jerked back. There was a rushing sound and the scene around him spun as the tortured animal lashed out with a tremendous paw and threw the huge man as if he was a rag doll. Sheer determination brought Little John to his feet and, fortunately, the dagger was still in his grasp.
Robin and his band peered cautiously from cover at the opposite side of the camp. They had not seen Gisborne or his guards, but even so the lady's own escort was a formidable force. There seemed to be a great commotion, but from his angle it was impossible for Robin to tell what was happening.
"Djaq," Robin whispered, "circle behind and keep a lookout. I am going closer. Everyone else stay here." The outlaw leader crept nearer and at last could see his friend, bloodied and battling for his life trying to stay clear of the razor sharp fangs and claws.
Robin and the young Saracen rejoined their friends almost simultaneously. "They have John. We have got to get him out of there!"
"Gisborne is waiting with soldiers. This way," Djaq indicated with a tilt of her head.
"We will have to take them quickly."
With every second bringing John closer to destruction, the outlaws moved swiftly and silently. So intent were Gisborne's men on watching the grisly bear baiting, six were hit before Gisborne was even aware. But the sounds of their cries alerted the knight and he put heels to mount, pursuing his attackers nearly to the camp's edge. Allan's arrow pointed at his heart made Gisborne stop; he commanded his men to cease - the two still standing.
John heard nothing but the bellows and snorting of his bestial adversary, driven to fury over and over again by the merciless soldiers. Twice, he closed the gap between, attempting to bury his blade in the animal's throat. Both times the bear turned to deflect the weapon and tear his flesh with those great claws. John's vision was dimming; he felt lightheaded and conscious thought was replaced by the primitive instinct to survive. He roared at the creature even as he wavered on his feet.
Arrows swarmed into the mass of soldiers, every one hitting its mark. Cries of hysteria filled the air and the defenseless ran for cover. The remaining oil was overturned and became a ribbon of flame among the livestock. The horses madly broke free, adding to the confusion and the carnage. The old woman screamed and called for her escort to defend her, but all commands fell on death-deafened ears or those impaired by a desire to retreat and live.
Robin drew his scimitar and raced to John's side, positioning himself squarely between the bear and its adversary as Much and Will took hold of both chain and spike in an attempt to free their friend. Robin's sudden appearance startled the poor creature for an instant, an instant that afforded Much and Will enough time to rip John's spike from the earth and drag their friend to safety.
Sword arm down, Robin turned to join his companions, unwilling, in his haste and concern for John to put an end to the bear. He didn't reckon on the tremendous strength the animal yet possessed, nor did he know the agonizing lengths to which it had been driven. It charged again and the forest soil gave way, the anchoring spike uprooted.
"Robin!" The warning came too late. White-hot pain coursed through the leader's arm as he was blindsided by the bear and knocked to the ground. Before he could struggle to his feet, Much retrieved his sword and drove it into the creature's neck. Another few seconds would have the outlaws' looking for a new leader. There was blood and more pain than Robin was willing to acknowledge; he couldn't concern himself with his own injury. Together with his friends, he bent over John's unconscious form. There was so much blood...
"Will he be all right?" Much asked.
"I do not know," Djaq replied hurrying to bind the many wounds.