On Thursday morning the Sheriff and Guy were in the Council Quarters waiting to meet with the Scribe and Thomas Crumwell. From there they would all proceed to the blacksmith's quarters and the physician would examine Stephanus. The Sheriff would have his answer today.
"So, cousin…do you wish to tell me? I'm assuming it was last night when you summoned for the mysterious courtesan?" Guy asked tentatively.
"Yes. It was. She came to see me last night." The Sheriff said quietly.
"So, what happened?" Guy asked again.
"Nothing really happened, at least in my mind. Yet…it did." The Sheriff replied shaking his head.
Guy shook his head, bewildered. "Say that again, cousin?"
"I took her. Apparently we had a very wild time in my rooms!" The Sheriff exclaimed, still amazed that the consort could so cleverly fool him. "But I do not remember it."
"You were drunk. You did say that was your plan." Guy pointed out.
"No, Guy. It was more than that. The last thought I remember was thinking I needed to get rid of her. That it wasn't right. I remember thinking I didn't want her. I wanted Rhiannon. But I don't remember anything after that. And it's not just because of the brandy I drank! She tricked me! She bloody well drugged me!" The Sheriff spat.
"What?" Guy asked, incredulous.
"Indeed. I found the vial of her cursed poison! It explained everything! It was left in my room. It must have fallen out of the pocket of her gown! She was determined when she came to my quarters last night. She was determined that I would indeed take her!" The Sheriff hissed.
"How peculiar? Do you think she loves you?" Guy mused.
"Are you jesting? Wake up, Guy. What did I just tell you recently? What do most maidens want from me?" The Sheriff asked with his eyebrow raised.
"What does lying with you have to do with getting her hands on your wealth?" Guy asked.
"Huh! She must desire to have my child! In her twisted little mind, she thinks that's the only way I would have her – if she gave me a child! Little does she know, it might have worked on me a few years ago before I already had one!" The Sheriff exclaimed. "Hmm. Then again… I doubt it. I would have hated her for trying to control me and I swear I would've ran her through!"
"Are you very certain that you… took her?" Guy asked. "Perhaps she only wants you to believe it?"
"No. I am certain. When I awoke in the dead of night, she was lying beside me in my bed. Neither of us was dressed. I'm sure I did." The Sheriff said. "But I do know one thing, though I don't really know how: I believed I was intimate with my Lady Rhiannon."
"Doesn't sound to me like you were really unfaithful to her then." Guy said.
"I wish I could believe it, but of course I was. It turns out I didn't really want to be, but I was! Curses!" The Sheriff spat.
"You realize you love her. You truly love your lady. That's all that matters." Guy reassured.
"There's more than one of us in this party. What about her, Guy? She was willing to have me arrest her for love of that cursed prisoner whose waiting for his end in my dungeon!" The Sheriff exclaimed.
"You need to talk to her. You're driving yourself mad!" Guy said.
"I can't look at her right now. She's very astute - you know that! One look in my eyes and she will know. Even though I'd give anything to go back in time – to the part where I would've told the consort to turn around and go home while I closed the door in her face!" The Sheriff muttered as he shook his head.
"What's done is done. But you'll know what to do. You always do." Guy said.
"Oh yes, Guy. I know exactly what to do. I have two ladies I've got some unfinished business with, and you know how I loathe unfinished business?" The Sheriff said as his left eyebrow shot north.
Guy looked at him strangely. He thought his cousin was speaking in riddles.
"One of the ladies shall have my love, if she still deems me worthy. And the other – if you could call her a lady – shall find out what happens when she tries to buy my love!" The Sheriff spat. "Indeed, it's like the consort is trying to own me. She tried to control me! That bitch! She tricked me!" The Sheriff barked as he brought his fist down on the table in a moment of fury.
"What are you going to do?" Guy asked.
"What do you think, cousin?" The Sheriff eyed him knowingly.
Guy swallowed.
"What the hell choice do I have? The useless little whore has proven her cunning – twice! First she lied to Rhiannon about our first encounter. Next she drugged me so I wouldn't reject her a second time! She wants me for something and she appears to be going to great lengths to get it. She cannot be trusted!" The Sheriff seethed. He began to pace. "I cannot believe I fell into her little trap! That scheming. Little. Whore!" The Sheriff barked as he kicked the leg of the table beside him.
Just then the door opened. The Scribe and the physician stood waiting in the doorway.
"It is time for me to examine him now." Thomas said. He was holding what looked to be a rolled up heavy rug in his arms along with his bag.
"What's that for?" The Sheriff asked, pointing to it.
"You'll see." Thomas said. "Are you ready?"
"Yes. Let's find out if your little procedure worked." The Sheriff said.
The Sheriff and Guy joined them and the four men headed to the blacksmith's quarters.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Celestria was alone in her room. She was holding the Sheriff's letter and looking at it again. She sat on the bed. Her portmanteau was there beside her and it was almost packed. She ran her fingers mindlessly along the parchment over the handwriting… his handwriting. Then she folded it and tucked it in amongst some gowns packed inside the portmanteau. She was suddenly startled by a knock on her door.
"Come in." Celestria called.
Madam Birghiva stood there peaking her head in the door. "There you are! Lord Rothwell has come to see you." Madam Birghiva announced. Then she suddenly noticed the portmanteau lying open on the bed beside the mistress. "What are you doing?" The Madam asked suspiciously.
"Uhm… my mother is unwell, Madam." Celestria lied.
"No she isn't. Why are you running? Did things not go well with the Sheriff last night then?" Madam Birghiva pressed her.
"Things went very well!" Celestria hissed as she arose from the bed. "He loved me totally and completely. He took all of me, just as I knew he would! What I'm doing I need to do… for us." Celestria said vaguely.
"Is that so?" Madam Birghiva said with her eyebrow raised.
"Yes." Celestria replied absently.
"Why? What did you do, Missy, that you feel you must run from him?" Madam Birghiva prodded.
"Nothing."
"Alright. I don't know what you're up to, but I do not like it! I'll cover you for awhile, but you had better get back here!" Madam Birghiva admonished.
"I will. You mustn't worry." Celestria said.
Madam Birghiva exhaled an audible sigh then closed the door. Celestria continued to pack. She knew she had to get away. What was it he said to her? "…if I ever find you tried to trick me, you shall die. I can't promise you anything, but I can promise you that." And Celestria knew that by now the Sheriff probably knew that she did indeed trick him. When she searched for the vial in her gown pockets while walking back last night, she couldn't find it. She knew it must've fallen out of the pocket in his rooms! She couldn't go back for it, so she hoped her mission was successful. She hoped that by the time she saw him again she would have her answer, and then he wouldn't want to kill her… yet. It had to work. It must! She completed her task and closed the portmanteau. She put on her cape and took her leave, not just from the brothel, but from Nottingham altogether.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Stephanus." Thomas Crumwell spoke first.
"Yes?"
"It is time to examine you to see how the healing has progressed." Thomas said.
"Very well. Is my master with you?" Stephanus asked as he held the door open.
"I am here, Stephanus." The Sheriff said. "My Lieutenant and my Scribe are here as well."
"Come in." Stephanus said as he motioned for the men to come inside. He looked in their direction once the door was closed. "What do you need me to do, Master Crumwell?" He asked.
"Come." Thomas said as he put his hand on his shoulder. "Take a seat on the bed facing the window."
Stephanus slowly walked over to the bed and sat on the edge of it facing the window. Thomas looked to the Sheriff.
"I need someone to hold this rug up in front of the window. It is a little heavy though." Thomas said quietly.
"Very well." The Sheriff said. He looked to Gisborne and the Scribe.
"Take it from the physician and do as he asks." The Sheriff said.
The men nodded. Thomas moved in to speak with Guy.
"Very soon I will ask you to slowly lower it and admit sunlight through the window. But I need it held there for a few minutes first." He directed.
"Alright." Guy agreed. He took the thick rug from Thomas and motioned for the Scribe to assist him in his endeavor. Then he looked back at Thomas. "Why this heavy rug? Why not a drape or – "
"I needed something heavy to completely block out the light. This works best." Thomas said quietly. Then he looked to the Sheriff.
"Grab a torch for me and bring it here, my lord." Thomas directed.
The Sheriff nodded and grabbed a torch from the wall behind the bed. He brought it back and stood beside Thomas.
"Stephanus, tell me, have you been able to see anything in the last day or so?" Thomas asked.
"Yes. Only since yesterday. My vision is back to where it was before the procedure." Stephanus answered.
"Hmm." Thomas murmured. "Close your eyes." He said.
Stephanus obeyed. Thomas nodded to the Sheriff and reached out to take the torch from him. The Sheriff watched intently as Thomas began the examination. Thomas held the torch positioned to the right, bringing it in slowly toward the outer corner of Stephanus' left eye.
"Open your eyes now, and cover your right eye with your hand." Thomas said.
Stephanus did as directed and Thomas began to slowly move the torch in front of his left eye.
"Yes, I can see a light." Stephanus smiled.
"Good. Now close your eyes again." Thomas directed.
Stephanus did so and Thomas switched the torch to his left hand. Then he held it up bringing it in toward Stephanus' right eye.
"Now, open your eyes and cover your left eye with your hand this time." Thomas directed.
Stephanus did and Thomas slowly moved the torch in front of his right eye.
"I think I see something." Stephanus said.
The Sheriff sighed.
"You see it? Or are you responding because you feel the heat?" Thomas asked.
"No. I see something. A faint orange glow, sir." Stephanus replied.
"Right. Close your eyes again." Thomas said. He gave the torch back to the Sheriff, then he turned around to face Guy.
"Bring it down very slowly on my signal." Thomas said quietly.
Gisborne nodded.
Thomas turned back to the blacksmith. "In a moment, I shall ask you to open your eyes again. Are you ready?"
Stephanus nodded.
Thomas held up his hand then he waved his fingers slowly to signal to Guy and the Scribe to slowly lower the rug from the window.
"Open your eyes." Thomas said.
Stephanus opened them and as he did so the rug held up in front of the window by Guy and the Scribe was slowly being lowered to admit light. Thomas waited for a reaction from Stephanus. When the rug had been lowered halfway, Stephanus spoke.
"There. I think I see something now." The blacksmith said.
"What do you see?" Thomas asked.
"I'm not sure, a faint glow I think." Stephanus replied.
"Hmm." Thomas said.
"What is it?" The Sheriff asked.
"It's not good news, I'm afraid." Thomas said.
The Sheriff sighed.
Stephanus shook his head in disbelief. "What – you're saying it was not successful?" He asked.
"Not like I had hoped." Thomas shook his head in chagrin.
"What does that mean exactly?" The Sheriff asked. He tried to conceal his impatience.
"I think maybe the condition was too advanced." Thomas said. He turned back to Stephanus. "You still have some visual capability, about the same as before. That might last a few months." Thomas said.
"And then what?" Stephanus asked.
"And then – I'm sorry Stephanus. You shall be blind." Thomas said gravely.
"No!" Stephanus cried. He looked in the direction of the Sheriff. "My lord? There must be something else? I'm willing to try whatever will work!"
The Sheriff shook his head. This was turning out to be more difficult than he thought. He couldn't imagine being told he shall never see again. To never be able to look upon his lady or his son again. He realized he would rather be dead than be blind.
"I'm sure there is, Stephanus." The Sheriff said. He turned to Thomas.
"Fifty percent success rate! Huh!" The Sheriff spat. "You make the man endure your barbaric procedure, and this is the best he can expect?" The Sheriff snapped.
Gisborne and the Scribe cast glances at one another, both astonished at the Sheriff's compassion for the blacksmith.
"This is unacceptable! You shall refer him to someone else then!" The Sheriff ordered the physician.
"I can't think of anyone who – "
"Do it!" the Sheriff barked. "How dare you be so arrogant as to presume you're the only one capable of helping him! Obviously you're not."
"My lord?" Thomas said, bewildered.
"There must be somebody with an answer! Find him and bring him to me." The Sheriff ordered.
"Very well." Thomas said. He took the rug back from Guy, grabbed his bag and took his leave.
"Thank you, my lord." Stephanus said as he looked in the direction of his master.
"I'll find someone." The Sheriff reassured. "In the meantime, you can resume your duties. You're not blind yet, and I'll have the others in the armoury assist you with the finer points that require a keen eye."
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Later the Sheriff was alone in his office. He needed time to be away from everyone. Just for awhile. He thought of the events of the day before. The last words he spoke to Rhiannon. He thought about what she said, and the look on her face when she said the words: "I shall always love Robert… I cannot explain why." And what was it she said before? On Tuesday night when he paid a visit to her manor? He thought about it a few moments as he closed his eyes. Then it came to him and his eyes flew open. "… you shall feel like a fool when… when you know the truth." The Sheriff shook his head. This was all very puzzling indeed. He was beginning to see it now. She was subtly sending out clues to him. But why couldn't she just tell him? Another phrase of hers echoed in his mind. "… if you want to know more, ask my friend in the dungeon. Because frankly… I'm sick to death of covering for him!" However it was that his lady and the prisoner knew each other, it was clear that the idea of covering up the truth of it was the prisoner's doing.
The Sheriff stood. He needed to see this prisoner again. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. How do they find me so readily? He thought.
"Enter." The Sheriff called.
The door opened and the Scribe emerged in the doorway.
"Yes?" The Sheriff said.
"Master Luke asked me to bring the notes from the interrogation meetings, sire." The Scribe said.
"Yes. Bring them here, Scribe. This is perfect timing because I was just heading to the dungeon now, and I need you to come with me." The Sheriff said.
"Yes, my lord." The Scribe said. He walked toward his master and handed him two scrolls.
The Sheriff took them and unfurled them, quickly scanning over the documents. The second page was notes from yesterday's session with Lady Whitfield. The Scribe glanced at it from over the Sheriff's shoulder.
"The lady was rather wilful, sire." The Scribe commented.
"Hmm. Yes, I see that." The Sheriff said as he perused the document. His eyes found the notation of her last words spoken in the meeting: "You can tell your master that whatever judgement my husband receives he must administer to me… For surely he doesn't know what it is to love someone so much you'd be willing to die for them." The Sheriff saw those words written there on the parchment and it struck a note with him. He sighed and closed his eyes. Just recently after Rhiannon's unfortunate ordeal, he remembered what he said to her once when she was in a bad way – frustrated from pain and feeling weakened. She was worried she wouldn't be well enough for their wedding. He sighed. The wedding was supposed to be tomorrow. He shook his head. He heard the words he spoke to her then, loud and clear as if speaking them now: "Don't you see? You already have me, my lady. I am already your husband. I would do anything for you. I would die for you." He put his hand to his forehead and shook his head slowly. I would still do anything for you, my lady. I would still die for you.
"My lord?" The Scribe interrupted him.
"Right." The Sheriff said absently as he looked up at him. "Come. We need to pay a visit to the prisoner who kidnapped my child. I need some bloody answers!" The Sheriff spat.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On Thursday afternoon Rhiannon and her lady, Rebeccah ventured to the market in the village to pick up items to be used for the evening meal. Rhiannon didn't really want to go, but Rebeccah convinced her that an outing and some fresh air might make her feel better. She sent Rebeccah off to one of the vendors to pick up some fruit and vegetables while she wandered off on her own.
Rhiannon realized she was the most miserable she had ever been. She believed the way she felt now was worse than how she felt when she was informed Robert had 'died'. She couldn't believe she could feel worse now than when she did then, but perhaps betrayal brought a burden greater than grief. One can eventually resolve grief, but how does one move on after betrayal? Rhiannon wondered. Betrayed by her brother, then betrayed by her betrothed when her brother asked her to cover for him. In the end this was going to cost her them both.
Suddenly she noticed a flash of bright colour move past her. She looked up. Could her eyes be deceiving her? Was that…? She picked up her pace and advanced toward them.
She came up from behind until she was a foot away and tapped the person on the shoulder.
The woman turned around to face her. "Oh!" Madam Birghiva exclaimed, quite startled. "Lady Rhiannon." She nodded.
"I need to speak with you." Rhiannon said.
"It is not seemly for you to speak to me publicly. Don't you know that?" Madam Birghiva admonished in hushed tones.
"Please, Madam." Rhiannon implored her.
"Come with me." Madam Birghiva motioned. She took her to an area where there were various rugs hanging on display at one of the vendors. They hid in amongst them and continued their conversation.
"What can I do for you?" Madam Birghiva asked.
"I need to know. Did Mistress Celestria say anything to you of her visit with the Sheriff on Monday night?" Rhiannon asked.
"She didn't tell you?" Madam Birghiva asked with one eyebrow quirked above her amber eyes.
"No." Rhiannon lied. She had to know the truth. She suspected Celestria would be more willing to reveal the truth of it to the Madam, than in her report to her.
Madam Birghiva sighed. "Nothing happened, my lady." She said matter of factly.
Rhiannon suddenly felt faint. "What?" She asked slowly.
"From what she told me, she tried her best to seduce your betrothed, but he stopped her, and then he sent her away." Madam Birghiva said unblinking.
Rhiannon closed her eyes and sighed. She felt tears of relief forming behind the tightly closed eyelids but she bit her lip, drew in a breath, then opened them again.
"Are you absolutely certain?" Rhiannon asked.
"Oh yes." Madam Birghiva said without a moment's hesitation.
Rhiannon gasped. She felt the colour draining from her cheeks.
Madam Birghiva gently placed one of her gloved hands on Rhiannon's shoulder. "Let me give you some advice, honey." Madam Birghiva said. "If you love that man, you hang onto him. Now I see it wasn't such a wise idea to send my mistress to his chambers to test him." The Madam said shaking her head with a sigh.
"Yes, I see that now." Rhiannon muttered.
"No, my dear, you don't see. You don't even know the half of it."
"What do you mean?" Rhiannon asked.
"Your betrothed is a handsome devil, and very magnetic or so it seems. My mistress is quite taken with him. Hint – she wants to get her hooks into him. It was a mistake to send her." Madam Birghiva lamented. She was certain Celestria's infatuation with the Sheriff would be the ruin of her.
"I never thought – "
"Go to him. Hold onto him, and never let him out of your sight. I've no doubt in my mind she will try something in pursuit of him if you don't. I'm almost sure of it. At least now, you've been forewarned." Madam Birghiva warned. "Now go. You really mustn't be found talking to me."
Rhiannon nodded and made her escape. Nobody had seen them. Good.
As she walked to find Rebeccah she blinked away tears. He looked her in the eye and swore to her nothing happened, yet she chose to believe the lying words of the courtesan. Curses! She should've known! Would he ever forgive her for believing the worst of him? She kept hearing his voice… more phrases he spoke to her echoing in her mind… "Nobody will ever come between us… I shall always choose you." She didn't believe him. Was it now too late?
George, will you ever forgive me? Oh, my love, what am I to do now?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"The key, Joseph." The Sheriff said, holding his palm out in front of the jailer.
"Which one?" Joseph asked.
"The key to unlock the cell door of the skinny little ferret who kidnapped the child!" The Sheriff replied impatiently.
Joseph gave the key to his master. The Sheriff nodded to the Scribe to follow him and together they proceeded to the door of the cell.
He inserted the key and pushed in the door in what was becoming his signature fashion, where the door thudded loudly on the wall behind it to startle his prisoners announcing his entrance.
"I knew you would be back." Robert said as he fixed his blue green eyes on the Sheriff.
"How very perceptive of you." The Sheriff remarked sarcastically.
"What do you want? I've told your Knight everything."
"Really?" The Sheriff sneered as he inched in closer to him.
"Yes, really!" Robert replied unfazed.
"Yes. We got all that noted – your answers regarding holding unto a child that wasn't yours!" The Sheriff spat.
"Oh please…" Robert sighed.
"But what you still haven't answered for me, is the question about how you know my lady?" The Sheriff said pointedly with his eyebrow raised.
"I did tell you." Robert said.
"No. I don't believe you did." The Sheriff snarled. He was inches away from the prisoner with his right hand twitching as it was poised above the handle of his sword.
"Did you speak to your lady about it?" Robert asked.
"Not that it's really any of your business what my lady and I speak about – but yes, we did talk about it. And you know what's funny about that?" The Sheriff grinned. "True she admits she loves you for some ludicrous reason, but here's the thing of it – you must have really angered her because she directed me to come and speak to you! And do you know why she asked me to do that?" The Sheriff taunted as he grabbed the prisoner's collar and pulled him roughly toward him.
"No. I can't imagine." Robert replied.
"Because… and I give you a direct quote: she says she is sick to death of covering for you!" The Sheriff exclaimed as he glared at his prisoner. "And why do you suppose that is?" The Sheriff demanded.
"I don't know." Robert shrugged.
"Well, I know. You have forced her to lie for you! Why? How do you know my Lady Rhiannon?" The Sheriff shouted.
"Your... lady…" Robert muttered.
"Yes. My lady. She will be my wife! Tell me!" The Sheriff barked.
"We grew up together in the village we're from in the north." Robert said. "Childhood friends, nothing more."
"Huh!" The Sheriff retorted. "You are obviously much older than my Lady Rhiannon. Why don't you try again?" The Sheriff demanded, his jaw set in anger.
"It's true. I've known her since childhood." Robert said. He shook his head. "Seriously, what the hell does this have to do with the reason I am chained in your dungeon?"
"I ask the damned questions!" The Sheriff barked. "You answer to me, not the other way around." He swiftly pulled his gauntlet from his right hand with his teeth and used it to swat Robert on his head. "You have brought nothing but trouble since the moment you arrived to me!"
Robert sighed. "Am I charged with kidnapping, or knowing Rhiannon?"
"What the hell – are you deaf? You speak to me when you're directed to!" The Sheriff shouted. Suddenly he remembered the Scribe sitting in the lone chair in the cell. He turned to him.
"Are you getting all of this down? Not that I'm learning anything new." The Sheriff huffed.
"Yes, my lord." The Scribe answered.
The Sheriff turned back to his prisoner. He glared at him a moment. Then he let go of him. He began to pace.
"You're hiding something. There's something else you're guilty of, and she knows what it is. That is why you asked her to cover for you, isn't it?" The Sheriff demanded as he whirled around to face him.
Robert swallowed dryly. "No." He lied.
The Sheriff withdrew the sword from the sheath and quickly charged toward him. He grabbed him by the collar with his left hand and held the blade of the sword close to Robert's neck. It was close enough that it drew a little blood, but not enough to harm the man… yet.
"You lying, worthless piece of rubbish!" The Sheriff spat. "Your time is drawing to a close, in case you've forgotten that minor detail. You had better come up with something a little more believable and original than that before I'm through with you. In the meantime… I have ways of making you talk." The Sheriff grinned malevolently.
Robert swallowed. Was it really worth all of this to not just admit he once followed Robin of Locksley? No – Rhiannon said the Sheriff had the names of the fugitives. It wouldn't take the Sheriff long to make the connection to Rhiannon. Robert couldn't risk putting her life in danger too.
"Joseph!" The Sheriff bellowed after he let go of the prisoner and shoved him back against the wall he was chained to.
His jailer arrived there in moments.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Torture him." The Sheriff said as he pointed to Robert with his sword. He put the sword in its sheath and looked upon the prisoner again.
"You just think on that until I come back." The Sheriff seethed.
He nodded to the Scribe and they took their leave.
Robert sighed. He wasn't sure how to proceed. He was loathed to admit it, but it appeared that the Sheriff was definitely passionate about Robert's sister. But would all that change when the Sheriff found out that Robert and Rhiannon were siblings? Especially when the Sheriff found out that Robert was one in the band of outlaws associated with Locksley?
The Sheriff and the Scribe went their separate ways. As the Sheriff walked the long corridors he barely paid attention to his surroundings. It was obvious that Rhiannon and the prisoner knew each other well, especially for Rhiannon to characterize the man as… hmm. What did she say? Opinionated, obstinate, and insufferable. Curses! Ever since the prisoner and his little lady showed up, his life had taken a turn. Before that, everything seemed be going seamlessly and aimed in the right direction. The only thing that was now resolved, was that his son was home.
His son.
He needed to see him again. Perhaps that might bring him some comfort. Luckily he saw the page as he headed to his quarters and summoned for him.
"Yes, sir?" The paged asked.
"Have the stable master saddle my horse. I need to ride to Nettlestone." The Sheriff said.