Part 17
"No beggars," said the manservant and shut the door in Robin's face.
He tried again and this time put his foot in the door and said. "I need to speak to the Earl, now."
"He doesn't receive unnamed guests," the manservant added.
"He'll see me, tell him I have come to help him."
The manservant shut the door in their faces again, then thought about what the man has said. He was not alone; he did not force entry even though he was accompanied by at least what appeared to be five men and one woman. And he wasn't sure but he thought he had met him before, giving them the benefit of the doubt he went to fetch his master. To be on the safe side however they returned to the door armed, with an array of menservants in the shadows to attack if necessary.
The door reopened and Alistair stood there a torch in his hand as he stared at the man before him "Is it? It can not be?" he said.
"It has been a long time," said Robin.
"Robin? Of Locksley?"
"Well I was I am not sure I am now, they call me…"
"Robin Hood," Alistair filled in for him.
"Yes," said Robin with a nod of his head.
"Walter," Alistair said to the manservant "Take Robin's men to the servant's quarters I am sure they are in dire need of feeding and a warm place to lay their heads. Meanwhile ask for some food to be sent up for us."
"Certainly Sir," he replied.
Robin nodded to the gang to precede him and then he and Marian followed.
In the great Hall Alistair indicated they should be seated.
"Marian," he said bending over her hand to kiss it. "I have not seen you for a long time."
"You have not frequented Nottingham for over a year and I am now not part of the noble circle."
"Are you well?" he asked suddenly noticing she was pale and glistening with an unhealthy glow.
"I…" Marian began.
"No she is not," Robin cut in. "She has a wound on her left shoulder which is festering."
"I will call a physician."
"NO!" the echoed together, reminders of Pitts flooding into their minds.
"But Djaq, one of my men is able to make a poultice if she can get into the kitchen."
"You said one of your men was a she?"
"She is a she, she dresses as a boy," Marian replied with a smile.
"To protect herself?"
"One reason," nodded Robin.
"Walter," Alistair said when the manservant brought the food. "See to it that Marian has a room and anything else she needs immediately."
"Come," said Walter to Marian. "We have rooms prepared."
Marian looked at Robin as if asking permission to leave in a sarcastic manner.
"Go," he said "I will find you later."