The first thing he did that morning was go to see his horse. She nickered when she saw him approaching. There was the smell of straw and manure in the air. There was also the familiar scent of horse, it had a calming effect on him since he was a boy. There had been many times when he was consumed by rage and had wanted to murder someone. Namely the sheriff.

And there were other times when it wasn't rage that shook him.

Marian.

She made him feel so alive with a single look. Even though he would never admit this even to himself, there was something about her that made him want to change. He could never do that... The life he had now was the only thing keeping him alive and sane.

The memory of the strange dream was fading fast. It was a ridiculous nightmare. He would never harm Marian.

"Sir...? The stable boys voice only shook a little. He was getting better at hiding his fear. Smart boy must have realised that cowering would only fuel the fire.

"Should I prepare your horse for a ride? She needs the exercise I think..."

"Get her ready... Yes." He shook his head as his thoughts swam. "I expect that done in ten minutes for me. I will be back."

"Yes sir."

As he exited the stables and stepped into the hot sunlight something happened.

He couldn't breathe.

It didn't feel like someone was choking him. It was more like he had forgotten how to draw breath. And then when he tried to continue walking his legs seemed unable to hold his weight anymore and gave way.

The ground was so soft. He could just close his eyes and sleep. It would be so easy. There would be no more of the pain.

He let them shut and the darkness came creeping in... So welcoming.

"...Wake up! You are dying!"

It was so painful. The voice was so loud. It triggered his instinct and forced his eyes open.

A second later there was a cold blast of cold water. He gasped and choked.

All he could see was white, and then slowly something enormous and blue appeared. It took him a moment to realise what he was looking at was the sky.

"Sir... Are you alright? I think you fainted." It was the stable boy, he was holding one of the horses drinking buckets. His freckles stood out on his face, which seemed drained of colour.

Guy was lying on his back in the yard outside the stables. A small crowd had gathered at a safe distance from him, the men and women had paused their working to watch. He could swear that they looked disappointed that he was still alive.

The boy was the only one who had attempted at helping.

"I'm fine." He was surprised at how normal the tone of voice came out. He sounded bored and impatient. He sat up and got to his feet. The boy tried to help him, but he shrugged the helping hand away in feigned annoyance. His leather was dripping grimy water onto the ground.

Slowly the crowd dispersed and melded back into the shadows. Where they belonged.

"Sir do you still want to go riding? Perhaps it would be better not to right now..." The boy was worried about him? He could almost laugh at the ridicule of it.
"Its not your choice, boy." He snapped. "Go fetch her now. And be quick about it."

"Yes sir. " The boy turned to go and then stopped mid stride. "Sir you dropped something..."

Guy followed the boys eye and saw the green stone lying in the muddy water. He bent over and picked it up. It was small enough that he could close his fist around it. It lay in the palm of his black gloved hand and he struggled to think if he had collected anything like that recently. If he was correct then he hadn't seen it before.

"Go!" he barked when the stable boy lingered.

He headed to behind the house where he inspected it more closely. There was a long gold chain which the stone dangled from. He removed his glove and held it in his fist. It was hot.

"What were you thinking? Giving up... Really I thought you had more brains than this."

He knew that voice. Like a vague memory. Somewhere in the back of his mind.

He turned around and saw Fox leaning elegantly against the wall. He was wearing a long black coat with a hood which partially covered his face. "I told you there were others who would try and stop me from helping you. Awfully nice of you to just hand over your life so easily. Makes things so much more interesting." There was a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

"Who are you? What do you want?" His voice shook. He was going insane. After all these years he knew it would happen, finally he was going insane.

"To help you. We have already had this conversation... Forgotten already?"

Guy growled and stepped forwards, he had a knife at the man in a flash.

Fox raised an eyebrow at Guy. The knife was pressed against his neck hard enough that it drew blood.

Guy growled under his voice. "Forgotten it? That was nothing but a dream. Strange, but a dream nevertheless. You bleed like any man and I swear I will kill you right here and right now if you don't give me some answers."

Fox laughed. It was a clear musical sound. He didn't seem to notice when guy applied more pressure on the knife.

"Really, a dream? Then do you explain my existence right now..."

Anyway that stone I left you will protect you from the others. They won't be able to control you or kill you by getting to your mind. I thought you might need it seeing as you handled that encounter earlier so well. It'll work on anyone, even a thickskull like you."

"What?" Guy spat in confusion.

"I won't repeat it. Now get out of my sight. I hope I don't have to remind you not to kill the lady again."

"Marian?..."

"No I was talking about that mangy dog over there." Fox snapped. His eyes weren't that cool calm they usually were. He seemed genuinely annoyed. "Now get the damn well off me!"

There was a rush of air Guy felt himself slam against the wall behind him painfully. When he looked up Fox was nowhere in sight.

He went straight to Marian.

"I can't accept any more gifts Guy..." Her beautiful eyes were wide, her perfect lips parted. "Please I want you to stop this."

"I insist." They were standing outside her door. She was holding it in her hand.

"But Guy..."

"If you take it I won't ever bring more gifts unless you ask for them. The same goes for my attention towards you. I will stop altogether if you take it."

Marian blushed. That was unusual for her, if this had happened before today it would trigger a series of emotions each more confusing than the last.
She held the green stone up to the light, a small frown between her brows. "Is that mud?... Where did you get this?"

Guy turned his back on her. "It was a gift."

And then he walked away, his heart pounding in his ears.