Chapter 24
"Leave us," Guy ordered the guards in the dungeon as he approached the cell where Allan was still being held captive.
"Guy." Allan addressed him with some surprise and lifted himself to stand at the bars. "Where is she? Is she okay?"
"The Saracen is fine. The sheriff had her deliver a speech in front of the whole town before having her lead him and his guards to Hood's camp to find the Pact."
"A speech?"
"Declaring her allegiance to the sheriff and informing the townspeople of the crimes of Robin Hood. She showed them her face and warned them of how dangerous he's become."
"Clever." Allan acknowledged.
"Quite, but the sheriff wanted extra security measures to ensure her compliance."
"Like what?"
"A deal." Guy explained. "If she were to run off or if Hood were to rescue her, proving you to be liars, he would have both you and your whore tortured and executed." Allan was stunned into silence, fear evident on his face, though he tried to brush it away quickly.
"Not bein' funny, but if Robin tries to take her, I don't think it's gonna be a rescue." Allan lied. "He wants her dead. And after a speech like that…"
"I know," Guy said.
"And Anne has nothing to do with this." Allan insisted.
"I know that too, but he thinks if you've been sneaking in the Saracen, you used her to help confuse us so we wouldn't know."
"That isn't true," Allan insisted.
"I know, Allan." Guy said with increasing impatience. "That's why I got her safely out of town."
Allan sighed with relief at hearing this. He had come to care about Anne as a person beyond her resemblance to Djaq over the past few weeks and considered her something of a friend. He knew he would never be able to live with himself if his perversion got her killed.
"And me?" Allan asked tentatively.
"If Hood grabbed the girl and the sheriff comes back, you're a dead man." Allan tensed upon hearing this. "But if I let you out now, you'll lose any chance of a pardon or being able to keep your job even if he didn't. You will be an outlaw again. And I will have to come up with a lie to explain how you escaped."
"So what will you do?" Allan asked nervously. He was surprised to hear that Guy was considering letting him go at all.
"The choice is yours." Guy explained. "You can take the risk and stay. If all goes well, you and the girl will both be pardoned before nightfall. If it doesn't, well…" Allan sighed, silently shaking his head. "The other thing to worry about is the Saracen."
"What about her?" Allan asked.
"If Hood has her…" Guy trailed off. Allan knew that if Robin had her, she would be safe, but Guy believed it would be a death sentence for her and Allan needed him to keep believing that lie.
"She's dead." Allan finished.
"But if the sheriff still has her and he comes back and you've escaped…"
"She's dead." Allan repeated, realizing his predicament.
"You should have told me the truth from the beginning." Guy said with disappointment. "You should have let me look after you."
"What truth?" Allan asked.
"Anne told me that Robin was in the room with you. She said he pointed an arrow at you and threatened both your lives. Why did you lie to me, Allan?"
"I was afraid you wouldn't believe me. I was afraid you would have her killed." Allan said, completely thrown by this new information.
"You are lucky I still want to help you at all." Guy told him.
"I know," Allan said quietly. "I don't know what to do." I'm stuck, he thought to himself. Again. Both men stayed quiet for a moment, considering the options.
"Would Hood kill her right away?" Guy asked.
"If he could, maybe." Allan lied. "The rest of the gang would probably get in his way though."
"I remember they even had their doubts about letting him kill me." Guy recalled. "The sheriff won't hesitate. You can stay here, until we know whether Hood has her or not."
"And then what?" Allan asked. And then I die if he does, he answered his own question. At least she'll be safe.
"If the sheriff still has her, you will both be safe. If he doesn't, I can try to let you out when I come to bring you to your execution."
"What if you can't?" Allan asked quietly.
"You know the risk, Allan." Guy answered.
"Then I die." He gripped the bars to keep himself upright. The knowledge that he would likely be tortured and killed before nightfall was almost too much to bear.
"It will not be an easy death and I will likely have to be the one to do it." Guy explained. "It is not what I wish to see happen."
"I can't expect you to risk yourself to let me go." Allan shrugged, almost in acceptance of his fate.
What did I really expect would happen? That I would just work for the sheriff until I grew old and rich and retired in a nice estate with plenty of land and a noble wife with a bunch of children? I knew better. All my mistakes led me here. If it were Giz's life on the line, would I even be willing to risk my neck for his? If I were Robin, would I be willing to risk my neck to save someone who betrayed me? No one's going out of their way to save me.
"I will try. I cannot make any promises." Guy told him. "But it will be safer for the girl. Are you willing to risk yourself for her?" Allan didn't even have to hesitate in answering the question.
"Yes."