Gisbourne walked up to the sheriff's desk and waited for Vaysey to acknowledge his presence. After a minute had passed and the sheriff still hadn't noticed him Gisbournedecided he had waited long enough. "You sent for me, my lord?"
Vaysey finally looked up. "Ah, Gisbourne. How long has it been since our little scheme with the impostor was ruined?"
Our little scheme? I recall it was your little scheme and if you had informed me of it sooner I wouldn't have lost Marian. Of course he couldn't say that though. "About three months I suppose"
"Yes, long enough for those against us to get comfortable, drop their guard which makes this the perfect time to finally get rid of my biggest inside threat"
"Edward?"
"Of course Edward, you twit. Some time ago one of our noble friends got scared and revealed, surprise surprise, that it was dear Edward that organized the lords against us. By now he will believe he is safe. He won't be expecting it when we come arrest him in the morning."
"What will happen to him?"
"What do you think will happen? I'll slap him on the wrist and let him go? A clue: no. First I'll torture him, find out who all my enemies are so I can dispose of them too. Then I'll hang him, make an example to dissuade any other lords who might consider opposing me"
"What about Marian?"
"Don't tell me you are still hung up on her? You might want to know that my guards have seen Hood climbing out Marian's window several times. Wouldn't have thought she was that type of girl." Gisbourne's face fell.
Vaysey looked at his lieutenant disgustingly. "Oh, don't look so heartbroken. Any fool could see the girl was just using you. You'll have your revenge too. We will use her to capture Hood and then I'll hang them both"
"Is it really necessary to hang her?"
"You are pathetic. Save me from fools in love. Very well. After we've trapped Hood you can have her. Do whatever you wish with her just keep her from causing trouble."
Gisbourne smiled. With Hood out of the way and given time surely he could win Marian's heart and if not he would just use her body. "Thank you, my lord."
Marian, who had been listening outside the door, ran for home. She had to warn her father and figure a way out of this new mess.