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Part 16
The second night was spent in the open and just as cold as the first had been. They lit several small fires and huddled up together their body heat, warming the person beside them. Marian lay awake in the stillness of the night, she was tired, exhausted but sleep was denied her, she hoped they reached their destination soon, she could not keep up the pretence that everything was well with her much longer. Beside her Robin moved and in his sleep outstretched his arm to encompass her body and pull her closer to his frame. She was surprised that he was warm and took the opportunity to snuggle in further, exhaustion finally overtaking pain and fear of the unknown. They moved on in the morning coming to the edge of the Earl of Marwick's estate that afternoon.
It was quiet, but the days were short and men were no able to toil in the fields in the dark at this time of year. The reception they received as they walked passed the cottages was the exact opposite of Edwinstowe. Not one person ventured further from the doorway of their home.
"I must say," Much whispered loudly. "I do not like this; in fact I think I hate this. No I know I hate this. Tell me master why are we doing this?"
"To save Lord Markwick and his son you idiot," snapped Alan in response when Robin remained silent.
"Still. I do not like this, this feels…feels….."
"They are just wary," Robin replied. "They have been hounded by the Sheriff and now perhaps they fear you will torment them also."
Djaq giggled.
"What's so funny?" asked Much.
"You, tormenting people," she replied, chuckling to herself.
"Well….I well," Much muttered.
"Take it as a compliment," John said.
Much shrugged, shut up and smiled to himself, perhaps he would.
The manor house was bigger than both the manor of Knighton and Locksley combined and this was perhaps the reason the Sheriff of Nottingham coveted it so dearly. The lands Robin knew were on all sides of the property, making some of the cottagers in Nottingham and the remainder in Yorkshire.
"It is big," said Will unnecessarily.
"The front door is there," said Much squinting into the fading light.
"So it is, but we are going via the back," Robin informed the gang.
"We are?" replied Much disappointed.
"It is too conspicuous for seven of us to enter by the front."
They found their way round the big house and were about to rap upon the door when Marian stumbled into John.
"Whoa steady!" he said taking her by the arms and righting her as she gasped when he clutched her injury.
"Marian!" Robin's voice cut through the heavy silence which materialized after John's comment.
"I am well."
"You said that earlier and you looked pale," said Will.
"Marian." Robin repeated.
"Alright," she conceded, knowing that they were going to stand on the doorstep until she told them. "My shoulder," she sighed heavily as even in the dusk she could make out Robin look of concern and anger blended into one.
"Why did you not say?" he asked.
"I did not want to worry you."
"You are worrying me now," he peered closer and said to Much. "Torch."
"Here," said Much handing him a lit torch he lit especially.
Robin studied her face clearly, which was laced with a fine film of sweat she looked back at him directly and he said. "You have a fever."
Djaq steeped forward and felt Marian's brow. "Yes you do, and you know it."
"And yet still you did not say," Robin implored.
"You have had your mind on other things."
"Marian!" he said, his voice a groan of anguish and anger.
"Robin. Torch, let me see" said Djaq.
He held the candle so that she could peel back the layers of Marian's clothing.
"Ewww," exclaimed Much as the wound was revealed.
"It does not look good I know," Marian admitted.
"I still can not believe you did not say," Robin added. "Djaq?"
"When we are in the house, I will go to the kitchens, make a good herbal poultice, it will be fine."
"It's full of pus" muttered Much.
"Too much detail," said Alan from the sidelines, looking unwell from just the conversation.
"Shouldn't we be knocking on the door," said Will, finally breaking up the party examining Marian's shoulder.
"Indeed, let do it," Robin said with a sigh in Marian's direction.
Knocking on the door and whilst waiting for a reply, he firmly took Marian's hand in his own, for the moment at least she was going to stay right by his side, where he could keep his eye on her.