Drawn by the sight of smoke rising over Nottingham, Marian urged Vesper on at a fast gallop toward the town. Once inside the town walls, she was alarmed when she learned whose house was burning, and even more confused when she spotted Sarah quickly leading Jess away.
Pitt Street was chaotic, filled with Nottingham townfolk trying to stop the blaze, and Gisbourne's soldiers refusing to let them do so. Mercifully, the recent heavy rain made the adjoining houses so damp, they too, weren't going up in flame.
"Sarah!" Marian cried, leaping down from the saddle. "Let me help you put out the fire!"
"We can't!" Sarah told her, glancing back over her shoulder, afraid of being recognized and caught. "Gisbourne won't allow it!"
"Gisbourne! What has Sir Guy done now?"
Realizing Sarah and Jess had been trying to flee, Marian quickly led them behind some hanging cloths which supposedly served to divide sellers' stalls, but which also provided protection from prying eyes. Marian was only too familiar these days with such convenient hiding places.
"Lady Marian," Sarah told her, trying to catch her breath, "Robin's in danger! He's..." Only after taking in a huge gulp of air, was she able to continue. "He's still inside my house!"
"Inside?" Marian felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her as well. "Tell me, quickly," she commanded, trying not to panic.
Sarah explained how Robin had brought them food, his pedlar disguise failing to hide his identity from one of Gisbourne's sharp eyed soldiers. "Then, when we realized the house caught fire, Robin made a rope from my sheets, and lowered us down the back window, all the while distracting Gisbourne and his men in the front of the house."
"He told us to run and hide," little Jess added.
"Go to Knighton," Marian advised. "You'll be safe there. I'll clear your names with Gisbourne."
Her heart was pounding as she forced her way through the throngs of people crowding Pitt Street toward Gisbourne, whom she found hiding beneath a shield across the street from Sarah's house.
No, Marian was thinking. Robin can't be inside. He must have gotten away. But then, an arrow landing between the feet of a soldier charging toward the door, proved that he hadn't.
...
Smoke was stinging Robin's eyes and burning his throat, but he was determined to stay where he was until he believed Sarah and Jess had time to make their escape. The heat reminded him of Acre, and he only had a few more arrows left, but his plan to save mother and child had worked. Now, if he could only remain clear headed, he might be able to save himself.
And then, suddenly, he realized he had to change his plan. His bowstring caught fire, and he knew he needed to get out, now.
The only way out was to jump. He knew, if he landed correctly, he might spare himself broken bones. Executing a perfect backflip, he landed right into the middle of Gisbourne's swarming army.
With pounding heart, Marian watched in disbelief, as Robin fought his way past soldier after soldier, using his bow to fend off their attacks. He wheeled and kicked and sent the armed men sprawling out of his way, until, cornered by three, he was forced to draw his sword and fight.
Marian knew Robin was quick and highly skilled and too clever to be caught by Gisbourne's clumsey soldiers. He still had a chance to escape, unless Sir Guy himself decided to enter the fight. And then, being outnumbered and lightheaded from inhaling smoke, Robin would almost certainly be captured.
But Marian was determined not to let that happen.
"Sir Guy!" she cried, approaching him as he watched Hood battling his men. "I must protest! Why isn't anyone working to put out the fire?"
Now that Hood was in the street, Gisbourne agreed to let the townspeople dose the flames, signalling his permission with a curt nod of his head. "Marian! This is no place for you," he told her, in that depreciating tone she hated.
"But what is happening?" she asked, seeking to distract Guy from Robin's plight.
Fearing his men were wearying, Gisbourne ordered her, "Go to the castle! It is dangerous for you here!"
"But why? Surely you and I can help put out the fire."
"Do as I say, woman!" Gisbourne roared, ready to to unsheath his sword and confront his enemy.
"Guy, I, oh!" Not knowing what else to do, Marian feigned dizziness, leaning against Gisbourne's solid black leather clad chest and clinging to him, as if she would faint dead away if he did not support her.
Instantly, he forgot all about Robin Hood.
Her distraction, along with the smoke billowing through the street, were all Robin needed to escape. With one final blow to Gisbourne's men, he darted away, but not before turning to glare upon the sight of Gisbourne cradling a swooning Marian in his arms.