THREE
Later in the evening Sofia was visited by Guy of Gisbourne. It startled her though she wasn't completely surprised, she felt angered that he thought it appropriate to visit her at such a late hour.
'Sir Guy, what are you doing here?' she asked, brave enough not to open her door too wide, she didn't want to give him the chance to sneak in.
'It is my business to patrol the corridors of the castle My Lady' he replied smoothly.
'At this late hour? I hardly think that includes knocking on my door' she replied.
'Did you know that Prince John had a sister?' he asked.
'I did not' she replied.
'It was not widely known. She died many years ago. She was also called Sofia, a coincident don't you think' he said.
'Yes coincident indeed, funny how small the world is' she replied innocently.
'You mean to tell me you have no relation to the late Princess?' he pressed.
She sighed, 'If it is your mission to unearth some hidden plot Sir Guy then you will surely be disappointed for I have nothing to fear and nothing to hide. Perhaps you are merely disappointed that you were not chosen as Prince John's replacement. Why he chose me to replace him should anything happen to him is between himself and I. Since he is now dead and I am not talking, I hope you won't be too disappointed in not getting your answer' she said sweetly.
Sir Guy glared at her impossibly hard like he was willing the truth from her before looking away, 'forgive me My Lady my presence at your door tonight was completely uncalled for. I shall bid you goodnight' he said formally bowing before disappearing.
Sofia heaved a sigh of relief backing herself against her now closed door.
'So your name is Sofia' came a new roguish voice.
'Stalking me now Hood?' she replied flirtatiously.
'Couldn't just let you walk away after what you said. Needed a name to put to the face' he said.
'Well now you have one you can leave. Do you often come through girl's windows?' she asked.
'Not as often as I should, call it curiosity that I happened to come through your window' he replied.
'You couldn't resist the fact that I knew something you didn't' she replied.
'Well, how is it that a woman killed the feared Prince John' he said.
'So because I am a woman I cannot kill?' she enquired.
'No, because it was Prince John, you should not have been able to kill him' he replied.
'Well you know the thing about men on top' she said innocently.
'What?'
'They all fall from their horse eventually' she said.
'What does that mean?' he asked.
'There was an opportunity, I took it, and now he's dead. Now can we please talk about something else, I'd hate for my cover to be blown on the first day' she said mysteriously.
'Your cover? Are you a spy?' he asked.
'Please think logically, do you think the Sheriff or Gisbourne would let me stay here if they knew I'd killed Prince John, a clue – no. And I'm not a spy but thanks for the judgement'.
'Then why are you here?' he demanded.
'Tut Tut Robin, patience doesn't seem to be a virtue of yours now does it. Pity. Would it help if I said I was on your side?' she asked.
'Is that supposed to make me trust you?' he responded.
'In theory I suppose but I know you shall not trust me till you see me in action' she countered.
'You are such a mystery' he said.
'Is it not more fun that way?' she said with a twinkle in her eye, 'look I am on the good side, I will always fight for the good and I will never give up on the people. Why do you think I chose to come to Nottingham? It's the worst affected place in the whole of England. I needed a place to take charge of, so I came here, I have others loyal to England working on banishing the hate, the greed and the unjust from other parts of England' she added seriously.
'Why?' pressed Robin.
She sighed dramatically, 'Sometimes I wonder if you have a brain! King Richard is returning soon, to have everywhere returned to normal would be the right thing. To right every wrong is the correct thing to do. I love my country very much and I am sickened by what it has become'.
'Those are dangerous words to say in this castle' he replied seriously.
'I can take care of myself' she replied.
'I knew someone who thought that too, they're now dead' he said sorrowfully.
'I am not her!' she replied with bitter anger.
He looked startled that she had caught who he was talking about.
'You've seen me with my bow, my talent rivals yours, and it is not the only area I am proficient in. I have scars like anyone else but it does not make me fearful, it makes me braver' she said determinately.
'I did not mean any disrespect' he said.
'You did. You've known me but one day and already see me as a woman of nobility who has no place in the world of men, outlaws or justice. Am I so different from the girl who follows around your group? Would you trust her ability to save your life over my own ability?' she asked.
'Kate is fine with a sword' he responded.
'Yet she has more flaws than I. I did my research Hood, I know how many near escapes you've had because of her and how quick she is to judge you when something goes wrong. That's not what a team needs, it's not what you need' she said.
'How would you know what I need?' he snapped.
She wasn't the least bit bothered, 'I know many things' she said secretively.
He said nothing but continued to stare at her.
'Leave now Hood lest the guard catch you, I shall see you tomorrow'.
'You will?'
'I am due to visit Locksley, I'm sure you will be there. Your presence will be a welcome distraction from the bore that is Gisbourne'.
'Well if only to save you from Gisbourne, I shall see you tomorrow' he replied cheekily, dropping from her window in a quick flash.
The sun was bright in the sky the morning Sofia walked around Locksley. Everyone had come out of their houses to greet her. It was hell on earth at the start when the Sheriff and Gisbourne had been following after her, but she had managed to convince them that their presence was not needed and that they should go rest inside. They were reluctant, going on about some outlaws that frequented the village but she assured then that there were plenty of guards around should she need them. She went on to say that as standing replacement for Prince John she was more than capable of protecting herself and knew the risks of her position. They could not argue with her words or risk getting on her wrong side. They were playing a different game now, with a very different opponent.
The villagers seemed less afraid once the Sheriff and Gisbourne had disappeared into the house that should hold Robin of Locksley and not Guy of Gisbourne. Some children ran forward to give her flowers – which she gracefully accepted exclaiming how wonderful they smelt and how beautiful they looked – giving the children much joy.
She spoke to the villagers in hushed tones saying, in not so many obvious words, that the hard times were soon ending and soon they would live without fear. Some looked on in confusion and fear but she assured them that she would deliver a gift to them via the hands of Robin Hood, so they had better keep an eye open for him and his fellow outlaws.
If the villagers were shocked that she knew Robin Hood or allied herself with them they didn't show it. She had a way of showing where her true alliances lied but without cause for concern. The villagers had enough sense to respect their new found ally but not reveal her true nature to the Sheriff and Gisbourne, for once ousted the villagers could kiss their good fortune goodbye – so they thought.
All through her exploration of the village and people, Sofia detected the swaying of a bush as she moved, she smiled at their tactic. Though simple, not obvious to the trained eye, Hood and his men were following her every move. She hoped he had heard her mention the job she had for him, it would make things much easier.
Too soon the Sheriff and Gisbourne returned declaring that the villagers had wasted enough of her time and that they should be returning to the castle. Knowing when she was beaten for the day, Sofia put up little fight as she was escorted back to the castle. She made little conversation with the Sheriff as he apologised for her having to spend so much time around peasants but how necessary it was for her to be seen as new standing royalty.
It was a ghastly lunch that she sat through with the two men eating like animals, if she had no manners she would have refused eating at all. As it happened she had to play her part, so she dutifully sat through their barbaric behaviour and ate her meal with as much grace as a woman should. Staying on neutral territory, she bought up the subject of outlaws and let the two men moan on about the 'problem' for the rest of lunch.
Afterward she set her plan in motion.
'If I may be excused, I should like to go on a ride' she said.
'Of course My Lady, I shall accompany you' replied Gisbourne.
'Thank you but no, I do not wish to be accompanied' she replied.
Gisbourne looked put out, 'but My Lady it is not safe for you to go out riding alone, especially in the woods where the outlaws hide' he replied.
'I shall not be alone Sir Guy, I shall take with me my most trusted man, he had guarded me rightly for this long, I doubt a couple of outlaws will cause him fear' she replied.
'My Lady I simply cannot condone this' he replied outraged.
'And I cannot condone your attitude Gisbourne, remember who you are talking to. I shall go out for my ride, with my guard and you will not press this matter any further. Am I making myself clear' she said harshly and firmly.
'Perfectly' he replied angrily.
The Sheriff smiled, 'I thought I was the only one to get him to make that face' he said gleefully.
Gisbourne stormed out of the room – childish!
'Enjoy your ride My Lady' replied the Sheriff.
Sofia smiled, 'Thank you Sheriff'.
Sofia and her guard rode out of the castle and into the forest, there they met up with another of her trusted guards who was pulling a small cart filled with goodies. Sofia road to the clearing where she first met Hood, she could have gone straight to his camp but she was trying to earn his trust.
'Taking a walk on the wild side riding in the woods, don't you know outlaws live here' came Hood's voice as he walked into the clearing with his men – his bow, still drawn.
'Put that thing down before you poke my eye out' she replied.
'Oh and for future reference' she began, motioning with her hand for her guards to take off their helmets, 'These men are loyal to me and me only. If I cannot come to meet you it will be them that deliver my message, so do not harm them and do not kill them, or well…you won't live to see another day' she said sweetly.
'I like you, you have guts' said Djac, who was standing next to Will.
'I like you' Sofia replied knowingly, 'we'll be friends I think'.
'Who'd want to be your friend?' cried Kate, 'You probably have guards in that cart waiting to attack us!'
'Recruiting dumb people now Hood? One day your looks are going to run out love and then where will you be?' replied Sofia.
Djac couldn't help it, she burst out laughing.
'Anyway the cart if full of food baskets and pouches of gold coins, please distribute it among the villagers of Locksley, they know you are coming with my gifts, they're waiting for you in fact'.
'Why are you doing this?' asked Little John.
'Because we are on the same team' she replied.
'Which team is that?' asked Tuck.
'The team that wants King Richard to return, wants justice restored and wants nothing more than to kick the Sheriff and Gisbourne all the way to hell' said Sofia with an evil smile.
'So we really are on the same team' said Allan.
Sofia winked.
Robin motioned to his men to start unloading the cart, despite Sofia's attempts to get them to keep the cart, it was too big a vehicle to hide from sight. So instead they allowed her to drive it closer to the village of Locksley so they didn't have so much of a walk carrying all the items.
Once his men were a sufficient distance away, he turned to Sofia.
'What do I get out of this My Lady?' he asked with a devilish grin.
'Calling me My Lady now, what happened to my real name?' she responded.
'Sofia' he whispered.
'Hmm' she replied.
'What do I get for doing you this favour?' he asked.
She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, she drew away and he could still feel the warmth on his cheek.
'If you want more, you'll have to earn it' she whispered and with a wink she was already walking away from him.