by N B Dixon
***
The Gisborne estate was a hive of activity. As with the Locksley villagers, the harvest was being brought in. Men looked up as the cart passed, and women poked their heads out of their homes, only to retreat quickly.
Robin looked to neither right nor left. He was almost as well known here as he was in Locksley. The villagers were bound to have heard of his recent change in circumstances.
Guy’s steward, Ralph, came hurrying out to greet them as they entered the manor yard. “What are you doing here?”
Robin noted that the man was flustered.
“I demand to see Guy, now!”
“That’s Sir Guy to you.”
“Oh, has he been knighted? My apologies.”
Ralph drew himself up. “He is shortly to be at the great feast at Nottingham. The king is bestowing the honour as a personal favour to his son, Prince John, who speaks highly of my master.”
“Ralph, that’s enough.” A sharp female voice cut in.
Katrina came sweeping towards them. With one hand, she held up the skirts of her fine gown so as to keep it from trailing in the filth of the yard.
She smiled when she saw Robin, but her eyes were anxious. “Robin, you should not be here. It is dangerous. Guy heard about your disinheritance. He swears he will kill you if you ever show your face here.”
“It’s funny you should speak of killing.” Robin gestured at Will, who swept back the blanket covering Bryan’s corpse, displaying him for all to see.
Katrina screamed. At the sound, several people dropped whatever they were doing and came running. Ralph had blanched. He took an involuntary step back.
“He rode into Locksley village not half an hour since.” Robin watched Katrina’s face.
She was staring at Bryan’s body as though transfixed. “Who could do such a thing?” she whispered. “He was a good man. He would never have hurt a soul.”
“Bryan accused Guy. We need to talk to him.”
Katrina looked as though she might faint. This had plainly come as a shock to her. She turned to Ralph. “Take these gentlemen to your master.”
“But, My Lady—”
“Do as you’re told.” With one last frightened look at the corpse, Katrina hurried away on the supportive arm of a maid.
Ralph gestured at Will and Robin to follow him. Robin kept his hand on his sword hilt the entire way.
Guy was in the hall along with several men at arms. The table was spread with various parchment documents. From a cursory glance, they looked to Robin like lists or charts. He wished he could examine them properly.
Guy looked up and saw them. With a flourish, he swept the documents off the table and shoved them into the arms of a servant. “Put those away. You know where.” The servant hurried off.
Guy’s gaze raked Robin from the crown of his dishevelled head to his dirt-splattered boots. Robin could see him taking in the threadbare quality of his garments and the earth and bloodstains on his tunic.
“Ralph, can you please explain what these ruffians are doing in my hall?”
“The Lady Katrina said I was to bring them to you, My Lord,” Ralph mumbled, red-faced.
“You know why we’re here, you filthy murdering bastard,” Robin snarled.
“If this is about that peasant boy, I believe your father and I have already settled the business.”
It was all Robin could do not to lunge forward and grab Guy by the front of his expensive tunic. “Your cousin turned up in Locksley village today with an arrow sticking out of his chest.”
Guy’s expression barely twitched. “That is unfortunate, but I fail to see how I am responsible.”
Will let out a snort of derision. “He said it was you with his dying breath.”
“I have killed no one,” Guy said. “And I do not appreciate being accosted this way in my own hall by two peasants. Kindly leave at once or I will have you thrown out.”
This was too much for Robin. He leapt forward, and only Will’s restraining hands kept him from slamming Guy’s face into the wall.
“You may not have fired the arrow yourself,” Robin said, his voice shaking. “But you ordered it. You wanted Bryan out of the way so he couldn’t interfere with your little plan.”
“And what plan might that be? I don’t know what Bryan has been saying to you, but I think you will find it is my word against his. You can prove nothing. Moreover, the word of a peasant is hardly likely to stand up against that of the manor lord.”
“His mother is dying,” Robin said quietly. “Couldn’t you have shown just a shred of decency?”
“His mother died in her sleep last night. I imagine that is why Bryan was on his way to see you this morning.”
Robin was silent as the implication of Guy’s words sank in. So, Guy had had a hold over Bryan. He had made Bryan keep silent, threatening to have his mother murdered if he spoke out to anyone. But when his mother died, Bryan must’ve decided he had nothing left to lose. He had set out for Locksley, not knowing that Guy had probably been having his every move watched. From there, it would have been easy.
Robin drew his sword with a metallic rasp. “I should kill you here and now.”
Once again, Will stopped him. “Not here. The place is crawling with soldiers.”
Robin hesitated, then slammed the sword back into its sheath.
“Very wise,” Guy drawled. “I believe it is against the law for simple peasants to go armed. I have only to raise my voice and I could summon a dozen men at arms. They would cut you down where you stand.”
“That seems a lot of protection for one small manor,” Robin remarked. “One would think you had something to hide.”
“Let’s cut to the chase,” Will said. “What’s to stop us going to the sheriff right now with what we know?”
Guy removed a dagger from his belt and began cleaning his nails with it. “You are on my land. I believe that is called trespassing, and as I said before, there is no one to back up your wild assertions.”
“Apart from the crowd of eye witnesses who saw Bryan die,” Will snapped.
Robin shook his head. “They saw him die, but no one saw him shot.”
“Convenient, wouldn’t you agree?” Guy said. “It sounds to me that Bryan was tragically attacked and slain by outlaws, and which of us has a history of fraternising with them? No, you go to the sheriff, and—to use a common phrase—you will not have a leg to stand on.”
Robin seethed inwardly but could think of nothing to say.
Lucy had been right. He should never have come. He’d been thinking with his heart instead of his head.
“I will give you five minutes to get off my land,” Guy said. “Or it will be you who is arrested.”
***
Ralph conducted them back outside. Servants gawped at them as they passed, but a stern look from Ralph sent them scurrying about their work.
Robin walked with one hand on his sword. He half expected Guy to have his soldiers attack them. That he was up to something was obvious. The fact that Robin was no nearer to finding out what made him want to kick a wall in frustration.
“Robin, wait, please!”
Katrina hurried towards them as fast as her heavy skirts would allow.
Will swore. “What does she want?”
Robin shrugged. “Katrina, what is it?”
She flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder.
Robin gave Will a startled look over her head. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ralph slinking away, no doubt to fetch his master.
“Robin, I’m so frightened.”
Robin wished she would let go of him. “Frightened of what?”
“My brother. He’s evil, a monster. I will go mad if I stay with him a moment longer.”
Robin held her a little away from him, the better to examine her face. She was pale with dark shadows under her eyes. She clearly hadn’t been sleeping well.
“You have no reason to fear your
brother. He would never harm you.”
“Just as he would never harm his cousin, I suppose?” she said with a flash of her old spirit.
Robin looked to Will, who was watching Katrina with eyebrows raised. “You are certain Guy murdered Bryan?”
“I overheard him talking with my mother. He was frightened Bryan would betray him.”
“Why did he want Bryan dead? What is he planning?” Robin tried to release her, but she clung even tighter. Her voice was a frightened whisper.
“Guy is in league with Prince John. The prince wants the throne, and he isn’t prepared to wait for Richard to die. He has been gathering supporters in secret. He plans to murder both his brother and the king at the banquet in Nottingham, leaving his path to the throne clear.”
Robin stared at Will, aghast.
“That cannot be allowed to happen.”
“If it’s true,” Will said.
Robin’s hands tightened on Katrina’s shoulders.
“What does Guy get out of this?”
Katrina looked wildly around as if to make sure no one was within earshot. The men at arms had disappeared, and the servants were going about their tasks, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.
Robin fought the urge to shake her. He could see she was terrified out of her wits, but he needed details, and soon, before Guy had them arrested.
“Prince John has promised to reward all loyal supporters. He would allow Guy to reclaim the Locksley land.”
“So that’s his game,” Will breathed.
“I still don’t see how this affects you,” Robin said. “You are hardly a threat to him.”
“You don’t understand.” Then, in a thread of a whisper, “I am with child.”
For a moment, Robin was back with Lucy as she made her confession. Would this nightmare never end?
“Who is the father?”
“Elias, Guy’s head groom. You met him the day that little boy was injured at Locksley Mill.”
“Have you told him the happy news?” Will asked, his tone mocking.
“How can I? It would put him in danger. Guy would kill us both if he found out.” She started to sob, burying her face in Robin’s shoulder once more. “Robin, if you ever cared for me at all, please, help me.”
Robin’s anger gave way to pity. He was reminded of Lucy. “I’d like to help you, Katrina, but I can’t. Lucy is also with child. That is why my father cast me out, because I refused to leave her and marry the girl he’d chosen for me. The miller’s family are poor. They barely have enough money to feed themselves. I cannot ask them to feed one, possibly two extra mouths.”
“I would pay my way.” Katrina patted the fat purse at her belt. “And it would only be a temporary arrangement until Elias and I can work out what to do.”
Robin racked his brain for another solution, but found none. He couldn’t turn his back on Katrina, particularly after she had come to his aid when Much was hurt. He owed her something.
“You know you could take no maid with you. You will have to pull your own weight. You couldn’t take anything but the clothes on your back. Will and I must be gone from here. We can’t wait for you.”
“I am ready to leave now, and I don’t need a maid.”
“And what about the miller’s family?” Will asked in no very friendly tone. “What happens to them when Guy comes breaking down the door to get you back?”
“I have nowhere else to go,” Katrina wailed. “Please, I am desperate. I would not ask if I had any other choice.”
Robin made his decision. “Help lift her onto my horse, Will. Quick, before Guy comes.”
Will didn’t move. “This isn’t your problem. She’ll just bring more trouble down on our heads.”
“Oh, for God’s sake.” Robin looked around, but the servants were busy fussing over Bryan’s body, and neither Guy nor his steward were anywhere in sight. Robin swung Katrina up onto Bryan’s horse and mounted behind her. Will took his seat on the empty cart in glowering silence. No one challenged them.
***
Lucy came running the moment she saw Robin and hugged him fiercely.
“I was so worried you wouldn’t come back. Did Guy admit it?”
“He denied all knowledge of Bryan’s murder, but there is no doubt in my mind that he is guilty.”
Lucy opened her mouth to say something else, but then her eyes fell on Katrina. “Robin, what is she doing here?”
The rest of Lucy’s family had gathered and were eyeing Katrina with undisguised suspicion.
“I’m sorry for intruding,” Katrina said as Robin helped her down from the horse, “But I had nowhere else to go.”
Harry frowned. “What do you mean, lass?”
Robin hurried to explain. “Guy is planning treason. Prince John is trying to take the crown, and Guy has thrown in his lot with him.”
“What is that to do with us?” Harry asked.
“She is in fear for her life. She has nowhere else to go.”
“Her brother’s bound to come after her. I’ve my family to think of.”
“I understand,” Katrina said. She turned away, but Robin gripped her arm. “She is with child. Please, Harry, it would be for a week or so at most. Then, with any luck, Guy will be dangling from a gallows as he deserves.”
“I would, of course, be happy to cover my expenses,” Katrina said, looking earnestly at the miller. “I do not expect charity.”
“Da,” Lucy cut in. “Lady Katrina helped save Much’s life, remember?”
Harry wavered. Finally, he sighed. “All right, lass.”
Lucy took Katrina’s arm. “Come inside. I’m sure you’ve had a trying day. A reviving mug of ale is what you need.”
Katrina gave Lucy a grateful smile.
“You know I’m doing this for you, Robin,” Harry grunted. “My family owes you. Don’t make me regret it.”
He strode away, leaving Robin alone with Will.
“I’m off home,” Will said. His expression was like thunder.
“What is wrong with you?”
Will gave him an odd look. “For a noble, sometimes you can be bloody daft.”
Robin’s temper flared. It had been close to breaking point all day. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Your soft heart will get people killed, that’s what. The wench has got you eating out of the palm of her hand, and you fell for it.”
“So you would have left her to Guy’s mercy? You saw how well that worked out for Bryan.”
“Damn right, I would have. Likely she was only doing what her brother told her to. Are Lucy and her family less important than a noble?”
Robin’s fist shot out before he’d thought what he was doing. It made contact with Will’s nose.
“Don’t doubt my ability to protect Lucy.”
He expected Will to strike back, but he just wiped a sleeve across his bloody nose, his eyes full of contempt.
“I guess it’s true what they say. You can take the lord out of the manor, but not the manor out of the lord. You might play at being a peasant, Robin, but you’ll never be one of us.” And without a backward glance, he walked away in the direction of the forge.
***
The following day saw Locksley caught up in a festive atmosphere. That evening would be the traditional feast signalling the end of the harvest. The food was always provided by the lord of the manor. In previous years, Robin had watched the celebrations from a distance, never actually taking part. He supposed he was entitled to. He had worked as hard as anyone. It was amusing to think that this year, his father’s food would also feed the son he had cast out. Shouts and laughter and snatches of music drifted to him as he made his way home from the day’s work.
Much was sitting alone and forlorn on the doorstep of the mill. Robin crouched to be on a level with him.
“What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at the feast?”
“Da said he’d take me, but he’s busy. He says I can’t walk that far on my own.”
“He’s right. So I’ll have to carry you.” Robin picked Much up. The boy weighed nothing. He was all stick limbs and a wan, small face.
A surge of protectiveness rose up in Robin, and his argument with Will came back to haunt him. Had he brought danger to Locksley by allowing Katrina to come home with him? He was certain Guy would come looking for her. In fact, he was surprised Guy hadn’t already put in an appearance. Could this have been some elaborate scheme that Guy and Katrina had concocted between them? If Robin hadn’t known how intensely Katrina disliked her brother, he would have suspected it from the start, but he didn’t see what Guy hoped to gain by sending Katrina as a spy. If she had been lying about being with child, it would become obvious quickly.
Much stared wide-eyed over Robin’s shoulder as they reached the village green. The feast was already well underway. People sat or milled about in laughing, chattering groups. Children ran about everywhere, stuffing their faces and getting underfoot. Several musicians, including Alan, were playing a lively tune, and many girls were dancing. One would dart out of the growing circle and grab a boy, pulling him into the dance. As Robin watched, one of the blacksmith’s daughters attempted to drag Will along with her. Will shook his head, saying something that Robin was too far away to make out, and the girl flounced off, looking disappointed.
Robin placed Much on a blanket by one of the cooking fires. Lord Locksley had been generous with the food he had sent down. There was meat, fruit, bread and cheese. Robin saw Much supplied with bread and slices of roast pork.
Not far away, Lucy and Katrina were chatting together. They seemed to be getting on well. Lucy had taken it upon herself to make sure that Katrina was as comfortable and happy as possible. Robin supposed it was their identical situations that had bonded them. Lucy waved and smiled at him, and he waved back as he began pushing his way through the crowd.
Father Adam, Locksley’s priest, was the object of Robin’s attention. He was easy enough to spot, tucking into his own meal with gusto, though Robin knew he would be sure to lecture all the villagers on their excesses during Mass on Sunday.
“Might I have a moment of your time, Father?”
Father Adam jumped like a startled rabbit before regaining his composure.