The clatter of the cup as it hit the table wasn't even heard by Gisburne, though Gulnar noted it and clapped. He slinked towards the knight, coming quite close. Gisburne flinched unwillingly and moved back.
"Do you fear me?" questioned Gulnar.
"No," said Gisburne, though his voice shook a little.
Gulnar slithered away from the table, but made sure to keep Gisburne within the range of his fire.
"What do you want here?" asked Gisburne, who suddenly felt terribly sober again. "Why have you come here?"
"I came in search of you, my lord."
"Me?" said Gisburne, rather tremulously. He cleared his throat and did what he could to disguise his fear. "I thought you spent your time with witches and harlots, not knights, er...or earl's sons," he proclaimed with forced bravado.
Gulnar sneered. "Earl's son? You're not an earl's son."
"What do you mean?" asked Gisburne, who had just assumed that the sorceror was as ignorant of his true identity as everyone else.
"I know exactly who and what you are," said Gulnar. "As I should. I brought you here."
"Brought me? Oh, yes, are you still pretending to have brought me back from the dead? I'm not sure who's most mad: you, Marion, that wolfshead, or me for listening to any of you!"
"It is you, Guy. Not because you are listening, but because you are not hearing any of us. I did bring you back from the dead. Marion had nothing to do with it. She thought that we were bringing back Guy of Huntingdon, but we both know differently, don't we, Gisburne?"
Gisburne felt a cold iron grip inside of him at the sound of his real name coming from Gulnar's lips. "So he was lying...This isn't a different time! You wouldn't have known my real name if it were!"
"Why should I persist in calling you by a name that isn't yours?"
"Indeed," agreed Gisburne.
"And why should I allow you to remain free when you are, and always shall be, my servant."
The iron grip tightened. "What?"
"I am your master, Guy of Gisburne. You are mine."
"I'm a free man," protested the knight. "I don't belong to anyone."
"You are nothing more than a slave now, Gisburne. You are a slave because you possess nothing here. You are only possessed. Even your own body is not yours. It belongs to another."
"That's nonsense!" gasped Gisburne. "You don't know what you're saying!"
"I know," hissed Gulnar. He glided back to Gisburne, a sharp bony finger digging into the knight's chest. Gisburne felt his breath catch in his throat and, for a moment, thought he might choke. The sorcerer glared up at Gisburne and, although the knight towered over him, Gulnar was not the one to feel dwarfed. "I know," continued Gulnar, in the same serpent's drawl. "I saw your time. I know who you really are. I know that your true body lies across an executioner's block!" The finger dug painfully deeper into Gisburne's chest. "I know that you betrayed me."
"Betrayed you?" whispered Gisburne.
"Yes. And you betrayed Fenris. You broke faith with us. You only joined us to save yourself. You never had any true allegiance to us."
Gisburne squirmed, trying to escape from the sorcerer's grip.
"I saw my death," stated Gulnar, holding tighter. "The death you helped bring upon me!" Gisburne tried to back away. "Are you repulsed by me, or the fact that I know the truth?"
"I didn't kill you!"
"Then how did you know I was dead? How were you so certain that I was dead?"
"I didn't kill you!"
"You owe your life to me because you took mine away. You took mine away when I worked with that stupid wench, Lilith, to bring yours back! Do you wish to hear about it?"
Gisburne shook his head.
"I said do you want to hear about it?" repeated Gulnar.
"I don't want to hear anything you have to say!"
Gulnar flattened his hand against the knight's chest and pushed him into the Sheriff's chair with a force that Gisburne couldn't remember experiencing with even his strongest opponents. He looked up at Gulnar with all the stunned wonder a child might possess towards a bully.
Gulnar began to tell Gisburne everything about the previous night's adventures. Gulnar told him about his pact with Marion, Guy of Huntingdon's death, and the ritual they had used to resurrect Guy of Huntingdon from the dead. But, this time, Gulnar included those details he had kept from Marion and Lilith about the slip of parchment he had pushed into Guy's mouth. This slip of parchment had contained the spell to transport Gisburne's soul to this time and into Guy of Huntingdon's body. Like Gulnar's man of clay, it had turned a dead body into a living one.
And Gulnar didn't stop there. He told Guy about Marion's plans for him to become leader of the Lords of Darkness and head servant to the demon Azael.
"But when they finish with you," said Gulnar, "your body will not be sacrificed to Azael. It will be sacrificed to Fenris."
"No!" shouted Gisburne. "You're insane! I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"You belong to me. I am your master. I control you body and soul. You will obey me."
"I won't obey you! You can't make me do anything!"
"Oh, can't I?" asked Gulnar and he gave a wicked smile.
* * * *
Chapter Seven
"Where's Marion?" asked Robin, when he entered the camp and found she wasn't there.
"She disappeared after you left for Nottingham," said Tuck. "We haven't seen her since."
Robin looked around anxiously. "Disappeared?"
"Rode off more likely," answered one of the outlaws. "Her men aren't here and the horses are gone."
"I'd better go find her," said Robin.
"But you've just ridden to Nottingham and back," cried Tuck. "You must be exhausted."
"I'm all right, but if she's really disappeared I must find her. She could be hurt or in danger."
"My lord, I'm sure she's fine."
"Come and sit by the fire," suggested Much, trying to be helpful. He filled a bowl with delicious smelling broth. Robin's stomach stirred zealously in response, but his heart remained aloof.
"My lord?" prodded Tuck.
"She's safe," said Loxley, who had woken from a light and feverish sleep. "I saw her go. She was heading back to her castle. You can leave at first light to find her."
"Sit down and eat," persisted Much, holding out the bowl of hot broth.
Robin sighed and surrendered, allowing his weariness to envelop him like a blanket. He settled between Much and Tuck and gratefully sipped his broth.
"How did things go with your brother?" asked Tuck. "Did you manage to speak with him?"
"Yes, but I could have saved a journey, as well as my breath," replied Robin, tossing a twig into the fire. "Talking to him is pointless. He won't listen to anyone."
* * * *
Even before he opened his eyes, he knew that she was standing there in front of him, studying his manacled hands, gaining satisfaction from his helplessness.
"You stupid whore," said Gisburne, lifting his head and the lids of his eyes to see her. Marion only blinked and stepped back a bit from the prisoner chained against the wall.
Gulnar came into Gisburne's line of vision and grinned grotesquely.
"Surely that is no way to speak to the woman who is to become your bride?"
"I'd sooner marry my horse!" Gisburne growled.
"Unfortunately, that cannot be arranged," snapped the sorcerer. Gulnar walked away, but Marion remained where she was, still and silent.
"What are you going to do to me?" asked Gisburne. His question was directed at Marion, but it was Gulnar who answered.
"Don't you remember? I told you all about it last night."
"But you couldn't have actually meant it."
"Couldn't I?" Gulnar started to laugh.
Gisburne looked back at Marion, who still hadn't moved or said a word.
"Who are you?" he said.
"My lord?"
"You're not Marion of Leaford. Who are you?"
"I don't understand."
"You understand. You understand perfectly. Just tell me. Who are you?"
"Enough!" cried Gulnar shrilly. He took Marion by the elbow and guided her away. "Let me take care of him, my lady," he purred.
Marion saw a startled flash in Gisburne's eyes before he managed to bow his head again to hide it. "What will you do to him?" she asked, sounding somewhat hesitant.
"Don't you trust me?"
"No. I don't trust anyone."
Gulnar gave a quiet chuckle. "Neither do I." He went up to Gisburne and lifted his head by the chin. "Look at him," he hissed. "He's terrified of us both and yet too strong-willed to obey us. We must break that will, Marion, and there is only one way to do it. You cannot break a man's will until you have first taken possession of his soul." Gulnar gazed into the eyes before him that burned with so much hatred. But there was fear as well. It intensified as Gulnar lifted his favourite weapon, the treasured skull, and put it up to Gisburne's face. Gisburne instinctively tried to snap his head away, but a bony claw forced it back. The sorcerer's eyes bore into his and Gisburne fought to break free of the hypnotic spell...
Guy was suddenly thrown into a void of darkness and free of his chains, floating lifeless towards a lighted door. It slowly opened and he felt himself being hurled through it. Then, his feet seemed to touch the ground again and he was walking down a corridor. It was dark and he did not want to pass through it, but the force that had placed him there was pushing him forward. He reached a large empty room and experienced a sense of recognition. Had he not seen this room before?
He heard a noise and turned to see a set of stairs. Blocking the stairs was a pair of hounds and a little boy who sat on the third step. He laughed as he stroked one dog and allowed the second to lick his face.
Where am I? What is this place? Guy tried to speak aloud, but the words couldn't escape from his mouth. He heard the creak of wood and whirled around again. An empty cradle rocked as if by its own volition. It was covered by dust and cobwebs. It was cracked down the middle as if it had been struck. The boy's laughter stopped abruptly.
The angered shouts of a man and woman arguing flooded into the room. The man's voice was harsh and unrelenting. It seemed to surge through the wall with the force of a battering ram.
The woman's voice came close to holding equal force. But then she was screaming and screaming as if she would never stop. Then, it was quiet, and Gisburne could only hear the woman weeping. The boy started to laugh again, but it was in a mocking fashion. The hounds growled and backed away.
What are you laughing at? Why are you laughing? He's hurting her! Can't you see that?
The boy looked up at him and smiled, a blue-black bruise marking the side of his face. Guy stared at him in horror. The eyes looking up at him were his own.
* * * *
"No!" cried the voice.
Robin gave a start. It was the first real sound of life he had heard since he had entered the castle. He moved towards the voice, remembering its note of urgency and terror. He prayed that Marion was not victim of the same predator as the voice.
Robin rushed down a dark corridor and up a set of stairs, ignoring the evil presence that seemed to pervade the air around him. With some effort, he managed to find his way to the chamber he was seeking. He gazed into it in surprise.
His eyes first fell on Marion, then Gulnar, then what appeared to be Gisburne chained and manacled to the wall. Robin's eyes darted back to Gulnar, who had begun a rendition of his usual hideous laughter. Then, in an instant, Gulnar was gone, disappearing out of an alternate door and down another staircase.
"Don't just stand there, you idiot!" Robin heard Gisburne shout. "Go after him...Kill him!"
Robin ignored Gisburne's advice, knowing that such a course would be useless at this point. He noticed the skull on the floor. He recognized it immediately and understood. Only recently, he too had been the victim of one of Gulnar's hypnotic spells.
Robin walked towards Gisburne and stood directly in front of him. "What did you see?" he demanded.
"Nothing!" hissed the knight, almost savagely. He jerked his hand away as Robin tried to examine the manacle.
"Relax," said Robin, deciding to let his question rest. "I'm trying to help you for once." He heard something clatter and looked at Marion, who had wordlessly dropped the key on the ground. "Marion?"
Marion turned and quickly fled from the room. Robin picked up the key, but instead of releasing the knight from his bonds, he went off in pursuit of the Baroness.
"Wolfshead!" yelled Gisburne, straining against his chains. "Wolfshead!" Robin heard Gisburne's voice echo down the stairs after him, but kept going, following Marion as she headed for the crypt. Again, the same penetrating force of evil seemed to linger around him and prevent him from moving forward. Robin battled against it fiercely, fighting back the compulsion to turn around and flee from the morbid charms Belleme Castle had to offer.
He shook the feelings of fear and apprehension away and urged himself to go on. The sound of his own footfalls rang in his ears as he came upon the eery silence of the dark crypt. Robin ventured in cautiously, observing Belleme's magical paraphernalia as he did so. Then, he saw the stone coffin that held Simon de Belleme's body. His widow was weeping beneath the huge iron pentacle nailed to the wall.
Marion heard Robin approach, but she did not lift her head until he sat beside her and touched her gently on the shoulder. "Keep away from me," she said, shrinking from Robin's hand. Tears streaked down her pale face and Robin lifted his fingers to smooth them away. "I told you to keep away! Keep away!"
"Not until you tell me what happened. What is going on here, Marion?"
"I can't!" cried Marion. "I can't tell you. You'll want to kill me...They'll kill...I'm already dead!"
Robin grabbed Marion by the shoulders and forced her to look at him. "Who? Marion, who is going to kill you?"
"Azael and the Lords of Darkness," whispered Marion, as if fearing they might hear the words. Robin's hands dropped from her shoulders.
"What do you mean? Why should they want to kill you?"
Marion shook her head and turned abruptly. "I can't...I can't tell you..." she whispered again.
"You must. I have to know." Then, in a softer tone, Robin said, "I could never hurt you, Marion."
Marion looked back at Robin for a moment and read the look of tenderness and concern in his eyes. She started to cry again. Robin put his arm around her shaking form and pulled her towards him, holding her as she wept against him.
He held Marion for a long time, thinking about how good it felt to have her in his arms again. He gingerly stroked the curly locks of her hair. Finally, the well of tears subsided. Marion pulled herself away and tried to poise herself in a more dignified position. She folded her trembling hands in the creases of her dress and, as she eyed Robin again, her back was straight and she sat up tall.
"Marion," prompted Robin.
"I know," said Marion. She pulled the tattered remains of pride and courage around her and began.
"When I married Simon de Belleme, I was just a girl, but even then I understood the strength of his evil and the power wielded by the devils he chose to worship. I tried to resist them, but they were too strong..." Her voice faltered for a moment. Then, she swallowed her fear and continued.
"When he died, I was left alone with...with them. What they demanded of me I could not refuse. I tried, but they were so powerful and I...I was so afraid...I wanted to leave from this place, to get away." Marion sounded almost wistful. Then she looked around her, and Robin thought he saw her shudder.
"Even if I could have left this place, where would I have gone? Who would have taken me in after I had been his wife?" Marion forced a smile. "Why would they have let me escape? They would have killed me...
"One day," continued Marion, after a long shaky pause, "they wanted more than I could give them. They wanted a lord to take my husband...Simon's place. But they wanted a lord who was more powerful than he had ever been. They wanted a king! They wanted someone to reign over the people, but someone who would reign over them with force and terror. They wanted to spread evil and chaos everywhere. To destroy everything in their path. They wanted slaves, not subjects. Slaves to worship them, slaves to control, slaves to be sacrificed in their honour...slaves to satisfy their hunger. Absolute power is what Azael and the Lords of Darkness wanted. They still want it...
"I couldn't find them a king, but I found them a lord who was both young and powerful. I found someone who would have power over the people and be able to gain worshippers...victims for Azael. But I didn't know if Azael would gain a victim out of him.
"I knew of only one way to make a worshipper out of such a lord. I would have to trap him the same way Simon trapped me...I would have to make him marry me..." Marion bowed her head, her cheeks burning with shame.
Robin took Marion's hand. "It's all right," he said, and Marion seemed to take comfort in the strength Robin squeezed into her hand.
"I had found my lord," Marion began again, "and all I had to do was win him over. But I didn't want to use sorcery or try to possess him. I didn't want him to suffer the way I was made to suffer...I wanted to win him fairly...to make him love me if it was possible...I might have succeeded...I could have succeeded if--"
"If Guy hadn't been killed by Owen of Clun," said Robin, who had slowly and unwillingly started to figure things out.
Marion nodded helplessly. "I know that you must hate me, but you don't understand--"
"You're right," replied Robin coldly. "I don't understand. Tell me more. How did you meet up with Gulnar. Was he a part of all this?"
"Yes, but not at first. Not until the night of the feast. The night Guy...I did not know him before then."
"What happened?"
"The hall had been crowded and I needed air and a place to think. He followed me out into the courtyard and confronted me, claiming he knew all about my plans. At first, I thought he was lying, but when he started to speak of Azael and the Lords of Darkness, and told me that he knew I was trying to marry your brother, I had to accept that he was telling me the truth.
"We made a pact. He said he would help me if I could convince your brother to allow Margaret to marry his master and spare the house of Clun when Azael and the Lords of Darkness came to power. But everything went wrong..." Marion looked down at the floor and waited for the question she knew Robin would ask. It was the same question that had been nagging in his mind since yesterday in Sherwood.
"Guy," said Robin. "He was dead. We both saw him die. How is it that he came back to life again?"
Marion hesitated, wondering whether she truly wished to answer Robin or not. He would find out soon enough from his brother. Gulnar had told Guy of Huntingdon everything. But this man, Robert, had been so kind to her. He deserved to hear the truth from her lips. "When Guy died, I was terrified. I didn't know what to do now that the lord I promised Azael was dead. Gulnar came to me again. I accused him of betraying me and again he promised to help. He said we could bring him back..."
"Back?"
"From the dead," replied Marion.
For the first time, Robin carefully scrutinized the crypt. He saw the rings painted on the floor and the guttered wax of the black candles that had toppled. Then, he could hear Gulnar's maniacal laugh as if the sorcerer himself were standing beside him. He looked back at Marion, who had followed his gaze.
"He had stolen Herne the Hunter's arrow," said Marion, as if that would explain everything. It was enough, at least, to capture Robin's attention instantly.
"The Arrow? Gulnar took the Silver Arrow?"
"You know of it?" asked Marion in surprise.
"Yes. I know it well. Where is it, Marion? Does Gulnar still have it?"
Marion nodded her head sadly.
"We must get it back."
"We?"
"Yes. Gulnar will only use it to cause harm." Robin looked back at the ring and candles, remembering what Marion was trying to tell him. "He already has caused harm with it, hasn't he?"
"I wouldn't have thought you'd call it harm," answered Marion defensively. "We used it to save your brother...or the man I thought was your brother," she added in a whisper. "Gulnar summoned Lilith, who knew the spell needed to conjure his spirit back to life."
"And what did Gulnar do?"
"Do? I don't know what he did. I don't think he did anything..." Marion froze as if she had just remembered something.
"What is it?" asked Robin, reading Marion's puzzled gaze.
"He had a bit of paper with some kind of writing...magical symbols written across it..." Marion rose from the ground and looked around the crypt. She returned shortly and knelt beside Robin, holding the parchment before his eyes. Robin studied it closely, trying to remember where he had seen it before.
"Gulnar had this in his hands," said Marion, "and when I tried to look at it, he hid it away. When your brother...when he..."
"Came back to life?" asked Robin in amusement.
"Yes. When he came back, he did the most surprising thing. He spit something out of his mouth. It was this piece of paper."
"He had this in his mouth...?" said Robin in amazement. Then he gave a start as he looked carefully at the paper again. Surely, it was the same kind of parchment Gulnar had scrawled another spell on, one that Robin was familiar with: the spell Gulnar had used to bring his demonic clay beast to life. Gulnar had rolled up the spell-bound strip of parchment and popped it into the clay being's mouth...
Had he used Guy of Huntingdon's body as a man of clay? Was the fact that Gisburne had appeared an accident, or had it been a deliberate part of Gulnar's spell?
"When Gulnar disappeared just now, where did he go?"
"I don't know...Back to his master?"
"Yes," murmured Robin. "We've got to go after him. He's got the Arrow and Clun has Margaret. We might still be able to save them both." He stood up, expecting Marion to follow suit. But, if possible, she shrank even further into the shadows of the wall. "I want to help you, Marion, but I can't unless you help me as well."
Marion stared at Robin and he saw terror cross her face again. "You can't help me!" she shouted. "No one can help me!"
"No one can help you because you won't let them," said Robin.
Marion placed her head in shaking hands. "You don't understand. They'll kill me now."
"No one's going to kill you. They have no power over you anymore. They can't hurt you unless you let them. Marion, any bond you had with them is broken."
"No," moaned Marion, "it will never be broken." She lifted her hands before her face, her eyes fixing themselves upon the monstrous wedding band that bore down on her finger.
Robin saw it too. He grasped hold of Marion's hand and wrenched the ring off. He threw it to the ground and crushed it beneath his boot. "There. Your bond is broken now. It's been broken since Belleme died. You just haven't seen it."
"No! It's not as simple as that! The ring means nothing! I would have destroyed it myself if it had!"
"Then why keep it if it meant nothing?"
"Because I am still his wife. I am Marion de--"
"You're Marion of Leaford! You were never his wife...not in your heart."
Marion glared up at Robin. "What do you know of my heart?" she demanded fiercely.
"I know it well enough to be certain that you could never be in love with a man as evil as Belleme," answered Robin.
Marion shook her head. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"Because I want to help you, Marion!"
"I don't need your help!" cried Marion, trying to stop her voice from shaking. Robin went down on his haunches, and Marion turned her head away.
"If I can't help you," said Robin quietly, "then perhaps you can help me."
"Help you? How could I possibly help you?"
"My sister has been taken by Owen of Clun. You might be able to help me save her."
"Me?" She turned her head back, seemingly stunned by such a notion.
Robin took Marion's hand. "Yes, Marion. You." He rose to his feet, pulling Marion with him.
Marion studied Robin in confusion, remaining silent for a long time. "Why...why would you trust me? Your brother hates me--"
"Don't worry about him," said Robin, tossing an indignant glance back towards the stairwell.
"But he's your brother!"
"Yes," murmured Robin without enthusiasm. "I had better go speak with him." He walked to the stairs then stopped. "Marion--?"
"Go see your brother. I'll be here when you return." Marion was standing tall and straight like a statue, but life seemed to have filled her eyes again.
* * * *
Robin practically mounted the stairs two at a time. He knew that the situation with Gisburne wasn't going to be easy, but it hardly seemed to matter when he thought of Marion being free once more. However, when Robin entered the room he still regarded the knight with stony eyes. Guy stared back at the outlaw with the same lifeless glance.
"I want out," stated Gisburne quietly.
"I know," replied Robin. "I've got the key."
"No," said Gisburne. "I want out of this place...this...this time."
Robin moved closer, surprised. "What are you saying, Gisburne?" The knight hung his head for a few moments, trying to find the words. Robin decided to be merciful. "Are you saying that you finally believe me and that you're willing to help?" There was a long pause. "Gisburne?"
"If it means getting out of this time, I'll..." Gisburne swallowed, finding it impossible to say the actual word. "I'll do whatever it takes to get out of here, Wolfshead. I don't care what." He looked up and Robin saw a distant flash of emotion behind Gisburne's eyes before the usual shields dropped down. Robin unlocked the chains, steadying the knight until Gisburne found the use of his legs again.
Gisburne paced around the room, attempting to release the pain from his cramped muscles. At least, that's what Robin thought at first.
"What must I do?" asked Gisburne, taking a quick stride past the outlaw.
"Whatever it takes to get out of this time," was Robin's answer.
"And what is that?"
"We have to resolve the problems in this time and try to set things right."
"And how do we do that?" said Gisburne, pacing past Robin once more.
"We have to try to get Loxley's band back together again."
"Yes, all right," agreed Gisburne, who wasn't really listening.
"And we must get the Silver Arrow back."
"Of course," said Gisburne, though his tone was noncommittal. More than anything, he just wanted to get out of Belleme Castle! He did another circuit of the room, which only seemed to make him more restless. Robin continued nevertheless.
"First, I think that we should start making plans to rescue Margaret."
Gisburne stopped dead. "Margaret?"
"Our sister, remember?"
Gisburne looked confused.
"She was taken by Owen of Clun on the night of the feast. I told you all about it."
"What? Oh...yes. I remember..." Margaret was a common enough name. There were probably dozens of women named Margaret. The fact that this so-called sister of his had the same name as his mother was purely a coincidence...wasn't it?
Robin thought he saw the same look pass beneath Gisburne's eyes before Gisburne quickly shoved the thought from his mind.
"So we rescue this woman," stated Guy at last.
"Margaret. And we find the Silver Arrow and try to get my friends back together again."
"And that will set things right?"
"I hope so. Yes."
"You hope? I thought you would know."
"We can't be certain about anything in this time. Hope is all we've got. We can only hope--"
"Hope?" Gisburne did not seem very pleased by this verdict. "What use has hope ever been to anyone? You either know something, or you don't."
"I know that I want out of this time, and if hope is the only thing I have, I'll go with it," said Robin earnestly. The knight gave no response. "Look, Gisburne, I don't like this anymore than you do. I hate it. Do you think I actually like the thought of working with you?"
"Working with me?" Gisburne exclaimed. "I have to work with you! I have to join sides with a wolfshead!"
"It's Robert of Huntingdon. I'm not a 'wolfshead' in this time."
"A wolfshead is a wolfshead no matter what!" Gisburne walked across the room again and regarded his enemy from its shadows. But it was Robin who had the questions.
"You don't trust me, yet you're willing to help me," said Robin. "Why?"
"I don't seem to have much of a choice."
"You always have a choice."
"Not this time." Gisburne took a step from the shadows. "You don't trust me either, Wolfshead. Admit it."
"Why? What is there to admit? We both know it's true. It's so true that I'm not sure that we can possibly be on the same side without killing each other."
"You said you needed my help," Gisburne reminded Robin smugly.
"Perhaps I was wrong."
"And travel all the way to Nottingham to ask me? I don't think so, Wolfshead. You do need my help." Gisburne almost seemed to take satisfaction in this knowledge.
"You're forgetting something, Guy. Something very important. You need my help too."
"Then we're even," admitted Gisburne grimly.
"No," replied Robin. "We'll never be that." There was a long, uneasy pause. "Are you really willing to help me?"
"No, I don't want to help you, but I already told you I don't have a choice."
"No choice that I can see, but..."
"What?"
"We have to settle some things before we do anything."
"What is there to settle?"
"A lot. First of all, you're Guy of Huntingdon now."
"No, I'm not. You can tell them who I really am. Tell them I'm Guy of Gisburne."
"I can't. Guy of Gisburne doesn't exist here."
"He does now."
"No, he doesn't. No one has ever heard of him. Everyone thinks you're Guy of Huntingdon and everyone thinks we're brothers. That means we have to get along, or at least pretend that we don't hate each other, which is going to be hard."
"Very hard," grumbled Gisburne.
"Do you think we can do it?"
Gisburne didn't answer, but since he didn't disagree either Robin continued.
"If we pretend to be brothers, I've got to stop calling you 'Gisburne' and you've got to stop calling me 'Wolfshead'. You can call me Robert, or...Robert. You can call me Robert."
"Yes, all right. I'm not an idiot. I understand that."
"Good."
"Is there anything else?"
"I don't know. Is there?"
"We have to pretend to be...We have to pretend not to hate one another and I can't call you 'Wolfshead'. What else can there be?"
"Well, you could try staying out of trouble and being good for once," suggested Robin.
Gisburne raised an eyebrow. "Good?" he snarled. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Robin sighed. "Perhaps I should have said 'good tempered'."
"What's wrong with my temper?" snapped Gisburne.
"Nothing. That's the trouble."
Gisburne opened his mouth then shut it, looking more confused than ever.
"I'll let you think about it for a bit," said Robin. "I have to get Marion." Robin had only taken one step towards the door when Gisburne's hand suddenly lashed out to grab him by the arm.
"Oh, no, you're not," stated the knight in what sounded like a warning.
"Oh really, Gisburne. And why is that?" Robin's voice carried a veiled threat of its own.
"I...I don't want anything to do with her...She's-she's mad!"
Robin narrowed his eyes shrewdly. "Don't tell me that you're actually afraid of one woman, Guy."
"I'm not afraid!"
"Good," said Robin cheerfully. "Then she comes with us." Once again, he made for the door and once again his arm was accosted by the knight's steely grip.
"Have you heard her? Have you actually listened to her? The woman's a sorceress...and a devil worshipper! She thinks she's the Baroness de Belleme."
"She is...or was. She's Marion of Sherwood now and she's coming with us whether you can accept it or not. If you can't, then you don't have to come with us. You can stay here forever."
Gisburne detected a frighteningly serious note in Robin's voice and didn't like it one bit. "How do you know you can trust her?" asked Gisburne, though some of his previous confidence had disappeared.
"How do I know I can trust you?"
"I...I don't know," answered Gisburne.
Robin shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know either, but at least you're telling the truth for once. That's something." Robin took a deep breath and extended his hand. "Let's call a truce."
"A what?" Gisburne looked alarmed.
"A truce. Peace. A promise to stop fighting. I know you've never made one, but you must have heard of it before."
"Yes, I know what a truce is!"
"Then let's form one. Just until we get out of this time, just until we're back where we belong again." Robin's hand remained extended. Gisburne stared at it a long time then, slowly and tentatively, held out his own hand. It wavered for a moment, and Robin grabbed it tightly before it had a chance to withdraw itself again. He shook it heartily and Gisburne fought to free himself from Robin's grasp. Robin grinned and thumped Gisburne's back, knowing that all of this had to be driving him to his wit's end.
"I'll get Marion and you can find us some horses," said Robin when he finally released Gisburne's hand.
"What do I look like to you? A stable boy?"
Robin put a finger to his chin and thought about it, tilting his head to one side. "Hmmm...perhaps not. I've seen much better looking stable boys than you before." Gisburne looked venemous and Robin began to retreat from the room, a hail of insults hitting his back. "Breaking our truce already?" he teased, turning at the doorway to face his new ally.
"Oh, shut up!" howled Gisburne miserably.
* * * *
Robin met Marion at the foot of the stairs. She was waiting for him just as she had promised.
"We'll be leaving soon. I sent Guy to find us some horses."
"Did you tell him I would be coming with you?"
"Yes."
"And he agreed?"
"I managed to convince him."
"But he still hates me, doesn't he?"
"Well..."
"Oh, I shouldn't be coming!"
"But you are coming and it doesn't matter what Guy thinks or says."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! If anything, this is the one thing I've been sure about for days. You have to leave here and come with us. Promise me you will, Marion." She bit her bottom lip apprehensively, but agreed. Robin took her hand again. "Can you promise me something else, Marion?" he asked.
"Yes. If I can."
"I need you to free John and Nasir. They can't be your slaves any longer."
"As you wish," said Marion willingly. But then a shadow passed across her face. "I won't need servants anymore. Soon, I won't need anything..."
"Don't talk like that!" ordered Robin sharply. "They won't hurt you. I won't let anything hurt you."
Marion stared at Robin in surprise. "I still don't understand why you're helping me."
"Don't you?" Robin gently cupped Marion's face in his hands and kissed her. "Maybe one day you will." He slowly released her. "Come out when you're ready," he said, and Marion watched him walk away in wonder.
* * * *
"Don't tell me she isn't coming!" exclaimed Gisburne, feigning disappointment as he saw Robin approach him alone.
"I would watch your tongue, brother dear, or Marion the sorceress might concoct a spell to take it out," said Robin. He inspected the horses as Gisburne tested to see if he could keep his mouth clamped shut. "Are these the best horses you could find?" teased Robin further.
"Yes, they were the only horses I could get," explained Gisburne with surprising calmness. "They were the only horses left, you idiot!"
"Really?" asked Robin, though he had already figured that out. They continued waiting for Marion in silence. They didn't have to wait long. She soon appeared outside the castle. Gisburne grumbled a series of curses under his breath. Robin went forward to greet her, his eyes confronting John and Nasir walking directly behind her. "I thought I asked you to--"
"I did," said Marion, with a toss of her shoulders. "They say they're coming with us."
Robin walked up to John and laid a hand on his shoulder. "You're free, John. You and Nasir aren't slaves anymore. You can go where you wish."
"I have no where to go, my lord," answered John, "and neither does Nasir. Do you, Nasir?"
The Saracen shook his head.
"Nay, my lord," said John. "Our place is with our lady."
Marion smiled, touched by their kindness and loyalty. Robin was touched as well, but he still had their overall welfare in mind.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Robin. "There could be danger. And if you join us, you will be made outlaws. Sometimes, there is little difference between the life of a slave and an outlaw, John."
"Outlaws are free," stated Marion.
"No one's free, my lady, but I'd rather be an outlaw all the same," replied John, and Nasir nodded his head in agreement.
Robin smiled. "Then you are most welcome to come with us and join Robin Hood's band if you wish it."
"Aye," said John, but then he looked concerned.
"What is it?" asked Robin.
John looked at Nasir and lowered his voice. "Do you think Robin Hood will want to take two old buggers like us?" He broke into a grin, and Marion and Nasir actually laughed.
Robin clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, John. You and Nasir will be perfect."
* * * *
Chapter Eight
It was a long and somewhat strained journey to Sherwood. Though Marion did her best to hide it, Robin could still see the fear that lay behind her eyes as she rode pale and tight-lipped beside him. She managed to give the wanest of smiles at Robin's attempts at conversation, but was afraid to let her guard down for an instant, lest she fall victim to the power of Azael and the Lords of Darkness.
It had taken courage to leave Belleme Castle and venture into the realm of Herne and his son. Robin admired her for it. He kept a respectful distance from her, allowing her the space she needed to nurse the wounds of her past. He hoped that, if the time came, she would come to him for comfort or help. That is, if she could learn to trust someone again and discover a way to share her emotions freely.
Gisburne, for all the protests he made about Marion, wasn't all that different from her. He too was wary and defensive. He did not speak a word to anyone as they travelled towards Sherwood. More than once, Robin thought he felt Gisburne's distrustful glare fall upon him. But, after all, Robin reasoned, Gisburne was riding into his enemy's lair, a place where he had never received a warm welcome.
The greetings he had received had been from behind the points of swords and arrows notched in longbows. Though the outlaws' form of hospitality could never compare to the dark cold pit of a dungeon that always remained at their disposal when they were invited to stay as guests at Nottingham Castle. Robin really couldn't understand what Gisburne had to complain about. However, Gisburne apparently did.
At the first sound of a bush rustling, Gisburne halted his horse and looked carefully through the trees on either side of him. Robin marvelled at the sharpened senses Gisburne seemed to have acquired. The knight had almost heard the outlaws' approach before he had. Their party dismounted as Much and two other men met them on the road.
"We're back," said Robin cheerfully, "and we've brought two new men to join your band." Robin drew Much's attention to John and Nasir, who Much
studied with a mixture of fear and astonishment.
"I'll take you to Robin," suggested Much, and he and his two companions led the way to the camp.
* * * *
"So you've returned," said Loxley, eyeing the group who had just entered the camp.
"Yes, if you'll have us," answered Robin. "We've brought two new men to join you."
"If you'll have us," replied John, stepping forward with Nasir.
Loxley studied them critically for a few moments. His eyes perused the two swords Nasir had strapped to his back and the quarterstaff John gripped comfortably in his hand. "How well can you fight?"
John took his turn to study the outlaw and the group of men who lounged around the fire, half-dozing after the large meal they had just eaten. "I reckon we fight well enough," said John.
"Then I shall have something to look forward to." Loxley smiled, accepting them both on the spot. Then, he turned to Marion. "What will you do without your servants, my lady?"
"They are not my servants anymore. They are free to do as they wish."
"And, you, my lady? Are you free to do as you wish?"
Marion swallowed painfully, but her gaze did not waver. "Yes," she answered. She walked over to the group by the fire and sat down, looking up at Loxley defiantly. She seemed to issue him a silent challenge. Loxley was very tempted to agree to that challenge, but he wasn't willing to carry it out. He felt it wasn't right for a woman to be a member of his group, but his heartstrings had been given a forceful tug and he knew he didn't want to lose her. Marion would be staying too.
Now everyone's attention was focused on Gisburne, as if they already knew where Robin's loyalties lay. Some of the outlaws grinned and nudged each other. The knight stood aloof, looking back at them coldly. The picture of them all leering at him, mocking everything he had chosen to believe in was almost unbearable. But what Gisburne couldn't stand was the look of conquest that seemed to linger in both Loxley's and Huntingdon's laughing eyes. Gisburne turned abruptly on his heel and strode out of the camp.
"Uh, Guy..." Robin called. But Guy wasn't going to have any of it. He disappeared deeper into the forest and out of sight.
"He's still not well," said Robin.
"Yes," replied Loxley, who didn't seem very surprised. They sat down and the group's merriment slowly began to fade. They sensed seriousness in Robert of Huntingdon's quiet manner. They started to settle down, waiting patiently for their new companion to speak.
"I have something to ask of all of you," said Robin. "I need your help. Two nights ago, my sister was kidnapped at a feast held at Nottingham Castle. The man who took her is a Marcher lord named Owen of Clun. He hopes that by marrying her, he will form an alliance with my father and win more power over the king, who wants access through his lands in order to attack the Welsh. I must find a way to get into his castle and save Margaret. There is no one else who can help me but you."
"And why should that matter to us?" asked one of the outlaws brashly.
"Because of the Arrow," answered Robin and Loxley together. They exchanged a surprised glance. This was something that Loxley hadn't realized until that very instant, and they both seemed to know it.
"The Silver Arrow has been taken as well," repeated Loxley. "We must get it back before its powers are used for evil."
"Yes," said Robin. "The man who took it – Gulnar - will only use its powers to harm others. He will feed its powers to the demons he worships...No good can ever come from a man like--" Robin stopped abruptly, turning quickly to Marion, whose recent predicament he had almost forgotten. "I'm sorry, Marion. I..." But she cut off his sentence graciously.
"No, there's nothing to be sorry about," replied Marion. "And you're right. Gulnar has learned the Arrow's powers. If he was able to steal it from Herne the Hunter, he'll certainly know how to use it."
"How can we fight a man like that?" asked one of the outlaws.
"We've gone against the Sheriff and his men dozens of times," said Much, trying to sound confident.
Loxley shook his head. "That's not enough. We have to discuss this some more and begin making plans." And, for the next few hours, that was what the outlaws of Sherwood did.
* * * *
After arguing for some time about possible ways to break through Clun Castle's defences, Robin, Loxley, and the outlaws disbanded for the day, deciding to follow Tuck's lead and start fresh the next morning. This was sound advice considering the delicious aroma that had begun to waft through the camp, overpowering the hungry outlaws, whose stomachs suddenly took precedence over the plans and arguments in their heads. Even Gisburne managed to reappear in the camp, causing Robin to laugh.
"I should have known that even you would be able to find your way back here with smell of venison tempting your stomach."
"Hmmmph!" grumbled Gisburne. "Is that what that smell is?"
"Why don't you come and join us, Guy?" suggested Loxley, smiling sweetly.
"Yes, Guy," said Robin, grabbing Gisburne's arm and hauling him over to the fire. "We made a truce," Robin reminded him, pushing Gisburne down near the circle of outlaws.
Gisburne was able to hold his tongue with a great amount of will-power, but he still couldn't allow himself to get so close to his enemies. He tried to physically distance himself from the circle, which wasn't an easy task with both Robin and Loxley on either side of him.
Guy also refused to drink from the outlaws' communal cup and it seemed that there was no way they could entice him to eat venison.
"But, my lord, you must eat something," said Tuck anxiously.
"I'll not eat the King's meat," answered Gisburne stubbornly. Some of the men snickered and Loxley looked amused.
"We don't concern ourselves much with King John's losses here in Sherwood, my lord," said Loxley. "Take some meat."
"But he's the King," stated Gisburne emphatically.
"He tried to have you executed, remember?" whispered Robin.
Gisburne hesitated and his eyes narrowed. "I'll have part of that haunch there," Gisburne conceded cautiously.
"Good man," said Tuck, who was almost equally happy stuffing others with food as he was stuffing himself. Gisburne accepted his portion and was a little disheartened to discover that it actually tasted quite good. Not that he would be willing to admit it, of course.
The water was passed around the circle again and it ended up in Gisburne's hand. He was going to pass it on, but he heard Robin's voice beside his ear.
"Drink," said Robin. "You're going to have to some time."
But the cup still wavered in Guy's hand.
* * * *
After nightfall, Robin noted that it hadn't taken long for the new members of Loxley's band to adjust to life in Sherwood. It was with some satisfaction, that he watched John, Nasir, and especially Marion, settle down to sleep. Robin decided that he had better check on Gisburne as well. He found him sitting at the outer edge of the camp, propped up against an oak tree.
"Here," said Robin, dumping a blanket of fur on the knight's lap, "you'll need this."
"Thank you," muttered Gisburne, who didn't sound at all grateful. He didn't even bother to look up.
"It might not even help," stated Robin. "You'll have some trouble sleeping, I think. It's not a bed in a castle."
"I know!" snapped Gisburne. "I am a soldier. I have slept outside a castle before and in worse conditions than this!"
"Really?" asked Robin, who actually sounded interested.
"Yes, in fields of battle, near bogs and swamps, in the rain, in the cold..."
"Well, then, you should sleep well here," said Robin. "You have nothing to fear. Nothing to fear except wild boars, adders..." Gisburne presented Robin with an open sign of contempt, and Robin left him with a cheerful "Good night!"
Gisburne pulled the fur up around him and managed to forget one very important memory from his great days as a soldier: he had spent many of his nights under the shelter of a tent.
When Gisburne finally did go to sleep, it didn't last for long. However, it was long enough for him to wake up feeling cold and stiff. His bones ached and he kept feeling painful twinges in his back and neck.
He sat up and glared at the outlaws, who seemed to be in some pleasant state of dormancy. Some of them were curled up. Some of them even had smiles of contentment on their faces, as if they knew he had barely slept, that just looking at them increased his level of discomfort.
In fact, part of the reason why he couldn't sleep was because of the rumble of their snores and hazy murmurings. He had positioned himself as far away from them as he could, but he could still feel their presence, as if they were moving right beside him. His mind had plagued him with the thought that he had shared their food and had slept in the same camp as these animals who slumbered so prosperously in the dirt and mud of the forest. What might he be reduced to next? Poaching? Robbing the rich as they travelled the main road...?
Robin stirred and then woke, smiling as if he knew Gisburne's thoughts.
"You're awake," said Robin with a yawn. "You did sleep, didn't you?"
Gisburne glared at Robin indignantly. "Of course I did. I slept perfectly."
"It doesn't look like it," replied Robin, observing the knight's tousled hair, darkly circled eyes, and stiff uncomfortable manner.
"Well, I did," lied Gisburne.
"It's early. You can't have been awake long."
"Oh, I always rise early."
"Always? You mean you never sleep late?"
"Never," responded Gisburne.
"Well, I am impressed! stated Robin earnestly. "You must hunt if you like to rise so early."
"Of course," answered Gisburne, as if such a notion had to be obvious.
"You should get a good start, then," said Robin.
"What?"
"To hunt. To hunt us some venison, Guy."
"Poach?" cried Gisburne in horror.
The outlaws immediately leapt up in alarm. Then they saw it was only Guy of Huntingdon and relaxed. They had become quite used to his antics by this time.
"Good morning," said Loxley to Robin and Guy, grinning at the latter rather insolently. "You slept well, my lord?" he asked Gisburne.
"Perfectly," replied the knight.
"Hmm...doesn't look like it..."
Gisburne grumbled something under his breath, and Loxley's smile grew even wider. Despite his wound, the morning seemed bright.
"Good morning, my lady," said Loxley, noticing Marion blink her eyes open to the sun. "I hope you slept well."
"Is it morning already?"
"You didn't sleep well?" asked Gisburne, pretending to sound concerned.
"Oh, no!" answered Marion, who hadn't noticed the sarcasm in Gisburne's voice. "I slept wonderfully. I don't think I've slept that well in weeks. The forest is so beautiful and peaceful at night. And I felt as if the trees...as if they were not only sheltering me, but protecting me as well. It's as if I've always known this place, as if I have been here for years...Oh, my lord, you look terrible! You must not have slept well at all!" exclaimed Marion, who had looked over at Gisburne just in time to see him grimace at her account.
Gisburne stood up, threw his blanket at Robin, and started to march out of the camp again.
"Guy, you forgot your long bow!" called Robin. "You said you would hunt for us!"
"Hunt!" cried Loxley in panic. But, fortunately, Gisburne had forgotten.
"What did I say?" asked Marion, once Gisburne had gone.
"Nothing," said Robin. "It's just Guy. Actually, he's taking all of this much better than I thought he would. He's only stormed out of the camp three times since yesterday."
Marion raised an eyebrow. "And that's good?"
"For Guy? Yes...I think it is rather good. Now, if I had asked him to go out on watch--"
Loxley laughed. "You purposely go out of your way to antagonize him, don't you? Are you sure you two are brothers? You seem to act more like enemies than kin."
"I sometimes wonder..." muttered Robin.
Loxley quickly sensed that this was a sore subject for Robin and let it drop. He rose and gently began to prod his men to their feet. "Come on, get up," he told them. "We have a long day ahead of us."
* * * *
After breaking their morning fast, the outlaws were quickly organized into groups to sharpen their fighting skills. Robin soon discovered that their skill at archery was excellent, but their knowledge of such weapons as the sword and quarterstaff was almost deficient. Nevertheless, with the fortunate addition of John and Nasir to the group, the outlaws were soon well on their way to gaining the skills that would help them defeat their enemies.
John divided his time between teaching one group how to use a quarterstaff properly and another group how to wrestle, with Tuck's able assistance for both. Nasir, who was the most superb fighter Robin had ever met, patiently endeavoured to teach a third group about swords. Even Marion took part in the training, which had greatly amused some of the outlaws until she had deftly swatted two or three of them with her quarterstaff, causing any doubts about a woman fighting with them to quickly fade.
Gisburne returned in the midst of all this, staring at the group of outlaws in wonder. He sat down beside Robin, who was taking a well-earned rest after being badly beaten by John in a wrestling match.
Robin looked over at Loxley, who stood to the side as if he were an outsider. He was watching some of his men learn another lesson in swordplay. Being wounded, Loxley had been dismissed from most of the action. He could only observe what was being taught and not participate. Robin didn't think that was right. He took his sword and tossed it to Gisburne.
"Here. You're not doing anything. Go teach Loxley how to fight."
"Loxley?" From what Gisburne could remember, Loxley had required little teaching.
Robin sensed Gisburne's thoughts and frowned. "Things are different here."
"How different?" asked Gisburne in interest.
"He can hardly fight at all," admitted Robin.
"Loxley can't fight?" mused Gisburne.
Robin immediately disliked the eagerness in Gisburne's voice.
Gisburne rose, making no attempt to hide the smirk on his face. "You are certain about this?" he asked, checking again to make sure he had heard the news correctly.
"This isn't a contest, Gisburne!" snapped Robin. "Just teach him! And don't forget. He's wounded, so go easy with him."
The knight's grin widened and he sauntered over to Loxley with sword in hand. "Come on, Loxley, let's see what you can do."
The outlaw hesitated, but unable to refuse the challenge, he followed Gisburne to a separate corner of the camp, where Robin could just manage to see them. Loxley held his sword awkwardly in front of him.
Gisburne smiled again and suddenly lunged forward. "Defend yourself!" he cried, and Loxley just managed to block the blow. However, after two more thrusts from Gisburne, Loxley's sword was wrenched from his hand. Robin bent his head and groaned. Gisburne was supposed to be teaching Loxley how to fight, not clobbering him!
Once again Gisburne, launched an attack, knocking Albion from Loxley's hand. Loxley looked crestfallen, and Robin could tell that his wound had begun to trouble him some more. Robin promptly decided that he would end the lesson there and give Gisburne a proper hiding if he had to. But before he was on his feet, someone had already dealt with the problem.
As Gisburne prepared to strike another blow, he found that his stroke was intercepted without Loxley even raising his sword. An arm went around his neck and his weapon was twisted out of his hand. Then, the knight was hurled to the ground. Everyone stopped what they were doing and froze. Will Scarlet picked up Gisburne's sword, but made no move to attack Loxley. Gisburne glared at Will angrily, but Robin laid a hand on his shoulder and held him down.
"Leave him," said Robin. "All of you," he added, as he saw the other outlaws edging towards the two. Loxley and Scarlet didn't seem to hear or see any of this. They stood, swords in hand, staring at each other.
"Could you teach me how to do that?" asked Loxley, marvelling at Will's style.
"I can't teach you anything until you've learned how to handle a sword properly," answered Will gruffly.
"I need someone to teach me," said Loxley, looking straight in Will's direction.
Will shook his head, but the hard glint in his eyes softened a little and he started to laugh. Loxley laughed too. Without any further words, Will became a member of the group and a great friendship began.
* * * *
By the end of the day, the outlaws were tired and sore from all of the training and exercise. But they were satisfied by the new skills they had obtained and the progress they were making.
Stronger than the skills they had acquired was the bond that had developed within the group, instilled by the addition of the new members, whose warmth and kindness spread quickly through the camp. And Will, though still rather gruff, was generally accepted into the group. He even gained approval from Tuck, who saw a tender heart beyond the tough exterior.
Gisburne gained no one's admiration or approval, but was respected from a distance, which suited him just fine. This respect extended far enough to allow Gisburne a place in their continued discussion on strategies for getting into Clun Castle. This was unfortunate for the outlaws because Tuck made the mistake of asking Gisburne for his opinion on the subject. Several minutes later, Gisburne was still speaking about siege ladders and battering rams.
"My lord," said Loxley at last, "why is it that you're an earl's son and, yet, you speak like a knight?"
"Guy was trained as a knight," answered Robin, hoping to justify Gisburne's rather expansive knowledge of warfare. "Though," he added tersely, "Guy should have remembered that we are not trying to start a war but rescue Margaret and help you find the Silver Arrow."
"My lord," said Tuck to Robin, trying dutifully as ever to relieve the tensions between he and Gisburne, "I'm certain that your brother is just as concerned about your sister's welfare as you are and wishes to explore every possible means of rescue."
Right, thought Gisburne. As if I care about some woman who is stupid enough to think she's my sister! For Gisburne, even the code of knightly virtue wasn't enough to warm his heart to the task. He read a look of pity in Tuck's eyes and hated it. He hated all of this.
"Well, Robert," said Gisburne, placing an unpleasant emphasis on Robin's Christian name, "what do you suggest we do to get into the castle?"
"Well..." began Robin.
"Well," stated Loxley, "how would any of you get into the castle?" He was answered by a couple of yawns and several bored sleepy faces. "Come on now. You can't leave all of the planning to these two!" He had been tempted to add that they would get nowhere if they did! Loxley waited patiently for a few moments, but there were still no replies. "You had better start thinking of something soon," he warned, "as we're leaving for Clun Castle tomorrow at first light."
"What? Oh, come on, Robin!" protested some of his men. There were a few grumbled murmurs and groans as well, but Loxley ignored them all.
"We can't afford to wait any longer. The Arrow has been taken and, as its guardian, I have sworn to protect it. We must act quickly to find it before its power is used for evil." One or two men bowed their heads. The others nodded and muttered their assent. "We can't forget about the Lady Margaret either," stated Loxley, looking at Robin and Gisburne. "We believe in helping any woman, Saxon or Norman." He paused, taking in the group before him. "Well, come on you lot. You had better start thinking of something."
"Robin, I could get you into the castle," said Marion. Everyone turned to her in surprise.
"I know Clun's servant, Gulnar. If I asked to speak with him--"
"No," answered Loxley.
Marion looked taken aback. "Well, then, I could send him a message telling him to--"
"No," responded Loxley even more emphatically. "My lady, you can't come with us. You're staying here."
"What?" cried Marion.
"I'm sorry. You must stay here. Much will look after you."
This was complete news to Much. "But Robin--!"
"You're staying here, Much. You both are."
They both began to protest against Loxley's decision angrily, but Loxley refused to listen. Gisburne made a helpful comment about keeping women and children away during times of battle, meriting him a pair of looks that were even colder than he was comfortable with.
Robin saw tears beginning to form in Marion's eyes before she pushed her way blindly out of the camp.
Much turned furiously to Loxley. "I may not be going with you tomorrow, but come first light I'll be leaving here too...and I won't be coming back!" he announced. Then he stormed out of the camp as well.
"Get some sleep," Loxley told the rest of the group, pretending not to see the concern in their eyes. He failed to follow his own advice, remaining before the fire, deep in thought. Robin also chose to ignore Loxley's advice and slipped quietly away to find Marion. At the moment, he felt that her needs outweighed those of Much, who was better accustomed to both the ways of the forest and Robin of Loxley.
"It isn't right," said Marion, once Robin discovered her sitting by the lake. She was perched on a rock, surrounded by a chain of lilies. Robin thought she resembled a fairy the way the moonlight played within her eyes and against the glossy locks of her hair.
Robin sat down beside Marion. "He only wants to keep you out of danger. He thinks you'll be safer here."
"Well, I shan't be. I'm in as much danger here as I would be in Clun Castle. Sometimes, I think even more...You can tell him that if you like. You can tell him this as well. I know the real reason why he doesn't want me there. He doesn't want his men to think that he has to rely on a mere woman for help."
"Do you really believe that?"
"I don't know. Do you agree with him, Robert?"
"It's not my place to agree or disagree with him. He is leader, not me."
Marion shook her head and smiled. "I didn't ask you that. But if you were leader, would you make me stay?"
"No. I think that both you and Much are too important to leave behind. Without your help, we don't have as good a chance of getting into the castle or finding the Arrow."
"Or your sister," said Marion, gently squeezing Robin's shoulder. "It's a pity that you are not leader." She turned her head away and stared listlessly across the water.
"It isn't what Robin said that bothers you, is it?" asked Robin.
"I'm frightened. I don't want to be left alone here, Robert. Oh, I know that Much will be here, but it still isn't enough. I'd still feel...unprotected."
Robin sighed. He had only just begun to forget about Azael and the Lords of Darkness. "Marion, they can't hurt you again. You're free of them."
"How can I be certain of that? Robert, if you go, I...I don't know if I'll be able to bear it. I have felt safer since I left Belleme Castle..." She raised a hand before Robin could speak. "And it has been because of you. You are what makes me feel safe and...and good again. You are my protection. Without you, I feel lost. I fear that I will...that I..." She faced him, tears shining in her eyes again. "Please, help me. Don't leave me here. I really couldn't bear it. Please..."
Robin took her hand. "I'll speak with him and see if I can make him change his mind. In the morning, when he's had more time to think about it."
"Oh, thank you, Robert!" cried Marion in delight. "You have always been so kind to me, even though I didn't deserve it. Thank you." She leaned forward and kissed Robin softly on the cheek. Their eyes met for an instant, their faces remaining quite close. They both read a mutual look of desire and drew nearer, their lips meeting briefly before parting. Then, they met again and their exchange took the form of a kiss.
A twig snapped and they broke apart, staring into the night's shadows to see who it was. But the only sign of movement was the rustle of the wind through the trees, against an inky cloak of stars. They both smiled sheepishly.
"We'd better get back," said Robin.
* * * *
"Would it help to talk about it?" asked Robin. He had approached Much, who lay stretched upon the ground, watching the clouds shift across the stars. Much shook his head. "You're still angry with him, aren't you?"
Much raised himself up on one elbow. "He treats me like a child, but I'm a man now!"
"He's your brother, Much. He's trying to protect you."
"Aye, well, I wish he would protect me less and treat me more like the others."
"I know," replied Robin, trying to be sympathetic.
"My lord?"
"Call me Robert. Please."
"Robert...does your brother treat you like that?" asked Much.
Robin glanced quickly across the camp at Gisburne, who lifted his head and gazed back at him as if he had heard the question too. Robin turned away. "My brother doesn't even know I exist," he said, making a statement that was closer to the truth than Much realized. Much stared at his companion curiously. Robin decided to steer the conversation away from his fraternal relationship with Gisburne. "I'll talk to Robin in the morning, Much, and try to convince him to allow you and Marion to come."
"Really?" asked Much hopefully.
"Yes, so get some sleep, Much. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
* * * *
First light the next morning saw everyone awake except the man who had made the bold claim that he never slept late.
"So much for always rising early," murmured Robin, studying the sleeping knight in amusement. He prodded Gisburne with his foot, but Gisburne only groaned and turned over on his side.
After two rough nights, almost completely devoid of sleep, Gisburne was stubbornly adhering to a state of unconsciousness.
"Come on, wake up. We all agreed to leave at first light. Guy? Guy, wake up!"
Gisburne didn't move an inch. Robin felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Will, grinning from ear to ear.
"I'll wake him up," offered Will helpfully. Robin knew the method Will was going to employ and felt that it was kinder than any of the tactics he had been devising himself.
"All right," replied Robin, who was eager to find Loxley. He left the camp, carefully listening for the cold splash from Will's bucket and Gisburne's angry sputter as the water hit his face. He continued through the forest, chuckling to himself as he tried to picture the scene he had just missed. He was still thinking about it when he found Loxley and cheerfully hailed him.
"I need to speak with you," said Robin, approaching Loxley.
"Do you?" Loxley didn't look particularly pleased about it.
"Yes," answered Robin. "It's about Marion and Much. I think you should let them come with us."
"They're safer here."
"They don't seem to think so. Much thinks you're treating him like a child and acting unfairly. Marion...Marion can help us. She wants to help and...and she's frightened to be left here without us, even with Much to protect her."
Loxley moved towards Robin and their faces were only inches apart. Loxley's eyes were burning. "Much is my brother. He is my responsibility, not yours. And as for Lady Marion, I think we both know why she really wishes to go. She doesn't want to part from you."
"What?" Robin stepped back a few paces. "Last night by the lake...It was you!" he exclaimed, recalling the sound he and Marion had heard when they were together.
Loxley flushed. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I only wished to speak with her, to explain why I thought she shouldn't come. However, since you seem to have convinced her and everyone else that you are really leader--"
"That's not true!" protested Robin.
"Isn't it?" asked Loxley heatedly. "Then why are my men now coming to you with questions? Why are they asking you what should or should not be done? And why are you telling them? If you think you aren't their leader, then why are you ordering them about, Huntingdon?"
Robin stared at Loxley, both stunned and hurt by his comments. "I never tried to order anyone about, or take your place as leader. I was, and still am, just trying to act for the good of the group. Why should you think otherwise?"
"Maybe being an earl's son and a Norman lord with money, servants, serfs, and acres of land is not enough," said Loxley impetuously. The callousness of his remark hit a very sensitive nerve.
"You're jealous," breathed Robin. "You're jealous because you actually believe that I might be a better leader than you and because you think that Marion is in love with me."
"I can't believe it!" yelled Loxley. "You're even more arrogant than your brother: something I didn't think was possible until now! Do you really think I'm jealous of you? You may be a better leader than me, and Marion may love you, but I am not jealous!"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I don't know. I didn't want to get into any of this with you. I just wanted you to think about allowing Marion and Much to--"
"No!"
"Look, will you just listen to me? Why won't you ever listen, Loxley?"
"Because I don't trust you, Huntingdon. Ever since we met up with you and your brother, we've had nothing but trouble. The Siver Arrow has been stolen because of you. My men will no longer listen to me because of you!"
"Much and Marion are the ones who don't want to listen to you! Am I to blame for that too?"
"They have nothing to do with this!"
"No, that's where you're wrong! They have everything to do with this, and so do you! You want them to stay here because you can't stand the thought of them having anything to do with me!"
"I don't want you to have anything to do with any of us!"
"Why? Because you think I'm going to steal your group from you, or because you think I'm going to steal Marion?"
"Leave her out of this!"
"You're in love with her, Loxley! Admit it!"
"I'll admit nothing! Stop telling me what to do!"
"I'm not telling you what to do! I only want the truth!"
"The truth? You wouldn't know the truth if it sat up and bit you!"
"I'm not the one telling lies," said Robin.
Judging by the look on Loxley's face, the outlaw took this as a serious insult. Loxley raised his fist just as a shout was heard behind them.
"All right, both of you, just quit it!"
Robin and Loxley wheeled around and faced Gisburne, who stood glaring at them, his arms folded across his chest. He was soaking wet from the shoulders up. As a drop of water rolled down his nose, he reached up a hand to plaster his hair back.
"Look at the pair of you!" said Gisburne. "You had might as well draw swords now and be done with it! You're not even going to make it to Clun Castle, let alone find a way into it! You fools have allowed that stupid woman to get the better of you! Oh, but she's not so stupid, is she? She has complete control over you and everything else in this camp!"
"Shut up, Gisburne! This doesn't concern you!" snapped Robin, his tongue accidentally slipping. Fortunately, Loxley didn't notice, but Gisburne did. However, he was content, for the moment, to slide back into his element.
"You're right," answered Gisburne sharply. "It doesn't. It doesn't matter to me what any of you do. I couldn't care less that, because of you, Marion and that half-wit, Much, are plotting to leave for Clun Castle without you."
"What?" cried Loxley and Robin in unison.
"Oh, yes. While you two idiots stood here babbling about Marion, they started making plans to leave for Clun Castle!"
"I must speak with them," stated Loxley.
Gisburne rolled his eyes. "Oh, well, there's a thought! Although neither one of you has any command over me, I know that those men aren't going to follow either one of you if you keep acting like this. You can't expect them to. There can only be one leader and, unfortunately, that leader has to be one of you. I suggest you pick now before those cutthroats mutiny! As for me, I'm through with you! I've had enough!" Gisburne spun around and promptly marched away from them.
"Your brother may not be a well man, but if you wait long enough, he sometimes says something that actually makes sense," said Loxley in wonder. The sides of Robin's mouth began to twitch, and they both broke into laughter. "He's certainly made us look like fools, hasn't he?"
"Only me," said Robin. "I'm the one who started all of this. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to tell you what to do."
"No, you were only doing what you thought was best for the group." Loxley smiled and patted Robin on the back. "I've misjudged you."
"I think we misjudged each other. Should we talk to Much and Marion?"
"Yes, and then we'll all head to Clun Castle...together."
"All of us?"
"All of us. Marion and both of our brothers."
Robin grimaced. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm afraid so. I'll talk to Marion and Much. Can you handle Guy?"
"I'll do what I can." Robin began to walk away then turned to face Loxley again. "I think we both know who is leader here. I trust you to do whatever is right."
"We may both know who is leader here," said Loxley, once Robin had left, "but is it the leader who is best?"
* * * *
"If you think you're going to make me stay this time, Wolfshead, you're very much mistaken," said Gisburne, untying his horse.
"Where will you go?"
"I don't know." Nor do I care, thought Gisburne.
"You should be coming with us."
"Why? So I can listen to you and Loxley squabble over that woman from here to Clun Castle?"
"Loxley and I aren't fighting anymore. We've reached an agreement."
"Oh, have you? You mean a truce like the one between you and me?" asked Guy cynically.
"There's a difference. Unlike you, Loxley doesn't break his promises."
"I made a pact with an outlaw. How much promise can be found in that?"
"Oh, so because I'm an outlaw, you have every right to break an agreement between us!"
"We're enemies! We should never have made a truce in the first place!"
"Then why were you willing to agree to it, Gisburne?"
"I told you. I wanted out of this...place."
"And you don't want out of it now?"
Gisburne passed a hand across his face. "You're going into this blind. You don't have a plan or anything."
"We have come up with enough ideas among ourselves to make one."
"When? You're leaving for Clun Castle now!"
Robin grinned. "It's a long journey to Clun Castle."
"Yes, but will it be long enough?"
"Well, if you came along, it would certainly seem that way," said Robin. Gisburne scowled. "Some of our best plans have been thought up at the last moment."
"A successful plan is a well thought plan," stated Gisburne.
"Not always. One way or another, we'll get into that castle. You'll see."
"And when we do?"
"You'll learn what it means to have a real adventure."
* * * *
Chapter Nine
"You're causing quite an uproar, my dear. You're all that the King, your father, and half the nobles of England have been able to talk about for days."
A pair of angry blue eyes gazed up at the Marcher lord, blinking back tears as they did so. Owen of Clun waited for his prisoner to give some response, but she simply bowed her head and tightened the clasp of the hands in her lap.
Clun did his best to hide his disappointment over Margaret's lack of interest in his news, which was something he didn't do well. He grabbed Margaret by the chin and forced her to look up at him. Margaret was still terrified of him, but her hatred made her fear seem insignificant in comparison.
Margaret had quickly learned that lack of emotion over anything Clun did or said was her most effective weapon against him. She made her best effort to look back at him with passive lifeless eyes. There were few things that vexed Clun more than a dispirited woman. Clun tore his hand away, raising it above his head as if to strike her. Margaret flinched momentarily, but did not cower. Clun laughed.
"Perhaps there's hope for you after all." Clun sat down on the bed beside Margaret. She tried to shrink away, but Clun's arm locked around her shoulders. "Wouldn't you like to hear news of your father?"
Margaret still would not answer.
"He's a brave man, your father. The man I sent to Newark says he challenged the King himself on your behalf. You see, the King is still on my side and he freely blesses a marriage between us. But your father seems to feel that it is a bad match and is strongly against it. He has threatened to send soldiers here himself, though King John has ordered him not to. Your father is speaking of treason itself." Clun looked into Margeret's eyes, searching for some sign of excitement or alarm, but she still gave none.
"Your father may be brave, Margaret, but he is also very foolish. If he thinks he can attack this castle, he is very much mistaken. Besides, I doubt if his constitution could bear it. He's an old man. His daughter has been taken from him and both his sons are gone. Oh, yes, it's true," Clun said as Margaret's body suddenly stiffened. She provided Clun with her complete attention now.
"Your younger brother, Robert, has gone missing," continued Clun. "He's disappeared without a trace. No one seems to know where he went. Unless, perhaps, he joined your other brother. We both know where he went, your poor poor brother, Guy."
Margaret bit her lip fiercely, holding her grief in check. Her knuckles tightened so that they were white against the skin.
"No one is going to rescue you," boasted Clun. "You shall be my wife and bear my sons, the future heirs of the house of Clun. Think of the power we will share. Think of the power you shall yield as Lady Margaret of Clun and the title I shall inherit as the next Earl of Huntingdon, one of the most powerful men in England. Just think of it!"
Margaret did think of it, slowly shaking her head as she did so. "I pity you, Owen," she said at last.
"Pity me?" demanded Clun. "Why?"
"By forcing me to be your wife, you may have many of the things you desire, but you shall never have a woman who truly loves, or even admires you. Every day that passes will make me hate you more. I'll die before I ever love you, Owen."
Clun pulled away from Margaret, but then took her wrist tightly in his hand. "If you think you can escape from me that way either, you are also mistaken," he told her angrily. "I won't give you the chance to kill yourself."
Margaret looked back at Clun, her pale eyelids fluttering for an instant.
"I don't need to. You already have."
* * * *
"Well, are we ready to be massacred?" asked Gisburne, feigning cheerfulness. Robin ignored his derisive comment and focused his energy on studying the sturdy stone walls of Clun Castle instead. Despite Gisburne's attitude towards the situation, Robin felt that the group had done very well so far. The journey had not taken as long as he had feared it might and tensions had been few. Loxley had spoken with Much and Marion. They had finally persuaded him to allow them to accompany the rest of the outlaws to the castle.
The first obstacle the outlaws had come across had been dealt with successfully. They had discreetly silenced the men on the hillside who had been responsible for lighting the castle's signal fire in case of attack. However, although the outlaws had gained this small victory, they were still debating a method to sneak into the castle, hence Gisburne's apparent apprehension about their quest.
Marion believed that by asking for Gulnar, she and her former servants, John and Nasir, could easily gain access into the castle. But that still left the rest of them. Gulnar might be suspicious if he saw anyone else but Marion's most trusted servants trying to escort her. Yet, Marion, John and Nasir couldn't possibly find the Arrow and rescue Margaret alone.
Robin sat down on the grass beside Loxley and rested his chin on his hand, trying, like the others, to think of a suitable plan. He stared gloomily at the castle, as if waiting for it to reveal the secrets of its defences. Robin remembered when he and his friends had crept into Clun Castle to rescue Marion from Owen's grasp. They had disguised themselves as merchants and managed to pass successfully through the gates. From there, everything had been quite simple. The whole castle had been occupied with the Feast of Arrianrhod, Owen's marriage ceremony, and the blood games.
Escaping from the castle had been a more difficult task, requiring them to take Owen of Clun as their hostage. Robin grimaced as he was reminded of Clun's fate: killed under the spikes of his own portcullis as it hurtled down at him.
Gazing down at the same portcullis, Robin could still picture Clun and almost hear the agonized scream of his death. His death...
Suddenly, Robin had a flash of inspiration. He turned to the others as his mind worked wildly to devise a plan. "I've got it. I know how to get into the castle," he said, looking directly at Gisburne. "And I know how we're going to get both the Arrow and Margaret back."
* * * *
The guards at the gate exchanged puzzled glances at the sight of the wounded man.
"He's not well," chorused Robin, Loxley and Scarlet. Gisburne would have cringed visibly if he wasn't playing the part of the wounded man. Instead, he groaned on cue as Loxley elbowed him in the side.
"We were attacked on the road and these two men were good enough to help us," said Robin, starting to spin out his tale. "My companion was badly wounded. He must be attended to by a physician immediately.
"Physician?" asked one of the guards, as if it were a foreign word. The other one reached through the grille of the portcullis and lifted Gisburne's head to study his condition.
"Ugh! He looks terrible!"
Robin suppressed a laugh, knowing that Gisburne wasn't that good an actor. He hid the grin that was tugging at the sides of his mouth and tried to display some semblance of seriousness. "We must see your master at once. We carry an urgent message from the King."
This bit of news caught the guards's attention, though they still remained wary. With a war looming in Wales and threats from Llwelyn for siding with England, they had been ordered to remain extra cautious. Robin read the doubt behind their eyes and hardened his tactics.
"If my friend dies, the King will have your heads! This man is His Majesty's most trusted servant and favourite messenger. If the King ever heard of this outrage you are committing--"
The portcullis began to rise and Robin prudently desisted. They passed through the gates and followed the guards through the courtyard.
"Favourite messenger!" grumbled Gisburne, as Robin fell back into step with Loxley and Scarlet.
"Shut up," hissed Loxley. "You're supposed to be mortally wounded."
"Oh, yes, that load of berries you smashed into my tunic was deadly!" replied Gisburne.
"Shut up!" whispered three fervent voices. The guards turned around.
"He's delirious," said Robin quickly. "If we could take him to a quiet chamber where we might tend to him ourselves..." They were soon guided to one. It was small and quite dark, with only the tiniest of windows to conduct any light. It was just the room Robin had been looking for. He flashed a polite smile at the guards. "Thank you. This will suit us very well."
* * * *
"You? What are you doing here?" drawled Gulnar, glaring up at Marion from the floor. Marion had stepped into Gulnar's chamber of spells, discovering easy access into the castle after dropping Gulnar's name and speaking a few menacing incantations. It also hadn't hurt to have John and Nasir forming a strong wall of support behind her. She now gazed at Gulnar, observing the circle of runes and stone pebbles.
"You mean you weren't expecting me?" asked Marion, discerning that what lay on the floor was one of the magical devices Gulnar used to aid his powers of sight.
"Oh, I was expecting you, Marion," said Gulnar. "I just didn't know if you would have the audacity to appear."
"Audacity?" replied Marion in amusement.
Gulnar's eyes narrowed to slits. "You tried to betray me."
"Me? You ran off, not me!"
"You joined sides with Herne's son."
"What?" cried Marion, proclaiming her innocence. She turned to John and Nasir, who silently urged her on. "Do you really think I would be foolish enough to work with that wolfshead, Gulnar?" She drew a huge sigh as the sorcerer still regarded her suspiciously.
"Let me explain..." began Marion.
* * * *
"Is this really necessary?" asked Gisburne, coughing as Robin rubbed chalk dust on his face.
"If we plan to fool Owen of Clun, it is," answered Robin.
"Someone's coming," said Loxley, hearing the sound of approaching footsteps in the corridor.
"Do you know your part?" asked Robin.
"Yes, yes," said Gisburne impatiently.
Robin handed Gisburne his sword and joined Loxley and Will in the excellent shadow provided by the dank little chamber. However, it was hardly necessary for them to disappear. When Owen of Clun entered the room, he only had eyes for the figure by the window.
Gisburne certainly could be dramatic at times. He had to give him that, Robin decided, watching as Gisburne turned ever so slowly from the window to face Clun. Clun did not recognize Gisburne's face at first, but, when he did, the look of terror he held was fantastic.
"You-you...you're dead!" gasped Clun.
Gisburne simply stared back at the Marcher lord and said nothing. Clun's reaction had startled him a little at first. Gisburne wondered if he had blanched that much himself when he had come across the men of this time who were supposed to be dead. He hoped he hadn't, yet, at the same time, he still felt a thrill pass through him. He saw the kind of power he exerted over Clun by just looking at him, the power he had to terrify the Marcher lord.
Gisburne raised his sword, swinging it around casually for a bit, then tossing it from hand to hand.
Clun continued to gape at Gisburne, then, seeing a possible interval to escape, started to back out of the room slowly.
"Stay where you are, Clun!" barked Gisburne, and the Marcher lord froze in panic.
"What-what do you want from me?" whispered Owen.
"I want what was taken from me," answered Gisburne, carefully placing the coldest edge to his voice. Owen began to tremble, fearing that Gisburne meant to kill him because Grendel had taken his life. Gisburne must have read his expression, for he smiled twistedly. "Get the girl," he commanded.
"The girl?" asked Clun.
"You know. Margaret, my...my sister," said Gisburne, somehow managing to work his mouth around the word. Clun hesitated and Gisburne raised his sword again, moving a step closer. Clun drew back in fright. "Bring her to me, Clun. Now." Gisburne's tone leaving no room for doubt.
"It...it shall be done...I swear it!" exclaimed Clun, before fleeing from the room.
Gisburne glanced at his audience. "Well?"
"Good work," admitted Robin, and Loxley and Will gave their praise begrudgingly. Gisburne gloated, making no attempt at modesty. It was almost a pity that none of his other performances ever ended so successfully.
"Can you handle this alone?" Robin dared to ask.
"Of course," replied Guy haughtily.
"All right, then. After Clun delivers Margaret to you, get her out of this castle and take her to safety. Take her back to Huntingdon."
"Huntingdon?"
"Yes. I'll meet you there once we've found the Arrow."
Gisburne shook his head. "No, you'll meet me outside of this castle. Do you really think I'm stupid enough to leave here without you?"
Robin studied his new ally, knowing that this was an issue of trust, not loyalty. Gisburne didn't trust him to keep his word and help him return to their proper time.
"Your concern should be for Margaret," stated Robin. Then he sighed and relented. "We'll meet outside the castle once you've gotten Margaret to safety."
"Fine," said Gisburne, though the thought of safeguarding this woman didn't really appeal to him. "You'd better go. Clun will be coming back soon."
"Come on," Robin told Loxley and Will, "we'd better. Give my best to Margaret."
The knight scowled, then coughed as more of the chalk dust started to tickle his throat.
"I think we should follow Clun," said Robin, once they were outside the door. "Ghost or no ghost, I don't trust him to keep his word. I don't think he would give up Margaret or an alliance with my father that easily."
"You don't think he'll give her to your brother."
"Oh, he'll bring her to him. It's a question of whether he'll let Guy leave the castle with her alive."
"But he thinks your brother's a ghost, doesn't he?" said Will. "And he's not going to kill your sister."
"He thinks Guy is a ghost for now, but even he can't be fooled for long. Guy isn't that good an actor."
"You don't trust Guy to play his part?" asked Loxley.
"I don't trust Clun and his men to remain a faithful audience. That's why I have to make certain that Clun keeps his promise: so that Guy can finish his performance."
"All right," agreed Loxley. "You and Scarlet must see to it that he gets your sister out of the castle."
"What about you, Loxley?" said Will. "Aren't you with us?"
"I must find the Arrow. I am its guardian. It is my duty to protect it. I can't allow Marion and the others to risk their lives for it. I must find it and return it to Herne myself."
* * * *
"So, you're telling me that Robert of Huntingdon and Robin Hood and his men are heading towards this castle?" asked Gulnar.
"Yes," replied Marion. "You must go to your master and warn him at once that Robert of Huntingdon has brought a thousand men from his father's castle!"
"And why should I believe you?" said Gulnar. "How do I know that you haven't joined sides with young Huntingdon and that this isn't a trick?"
"Oh, I have joined sides with him," answered Marion. "At least, that's what he thinks. He doesn't know that I've really come here to warn you."
"Why warn me? Why betray Huntingdon?"
"Why? Well," said Marion, taking a moment or two to consider Gulnar's question, "one reason for not siding with him is because I know your master will defeat him."
"I thought he had a thousand men," Gulnar reminded her.
"Who will be crushed by Lord Owen now that you know of his plan. Your master would reward you well, Gulnar, if you saved him and his castle from destruction."
"Why are you telling me this? What do you hope to gain?" asked Gulnar.
"Power."
"You think you can gain this by siding with me?"
"I know I can," stated Marion. "We just have to find Guy of Huntingdon and we can continue with our plans as if nothing happened."
"Isn't Guy of Huntingdon with his brother?"
"They had a quarrel. They act like enemies around each other. We could easily draw Guy out. If we both worked together, we could help each other."
"You mean, I could help you. What would Azael do to you if you failed him?"
Marion shut her eyes and tried to control the trembling of her hands. "I...I do not know...I fear him so..." She looked at Gulnar imploringly. "I could not...I can't describe what Azael and the Lords of Darkness might do to me," she whispered. "I fear they will destroy me."
Gulnar grinned, finding Marion's terror amusing.
"I must speak to my master," said Gulnar. "Wait for me here." The sorcerer headed for the door, casting another look at Marion and snickering.
Marion waited until Gulnar was well out of earshot then turned to John and Nasir. "Search for the Arrow!" she cried.
* * * *
"Where is she?" shouted Owen of Clun, confronting Gulnar wildly as the sorcerer entered Margaret's chamber.
The sorcerer observed his master's bloodless face, wide eyes and trembling form with some trepidation. However, he kept his voice level and calm. "My lord, you ordered the women to prepare her for the blood games this afternoon."
"I must find them," said Clun earnestly.
"Why, master?" asked Gulnar, speaking in a smooth gentle tone. "What is wrong?"
"Everything!" exclaimed Clun. "By Thor's thunder, everything, Gulnar!" He pulled a wine flask from his belt and, with trembling fingers, took a drink.
"My lord, I cannot help you unless you tell me what has happened," said Gulnar. "What is it that has frightened you so?"
Clun dropped the flask and faced Gulnar with a growl. "I am not afraid of anything!" he yelled. "God's teeth, Gulnar! You are the man with the gift of sight! You should have seen this! You should have warned me of this!"
"My lord?" inquired Gulnar politely.
"Guy of Huntingdon! I have just seen his spirit in this castle!"
"What?" shouted Gulnar, his eyeballs almost diving out of their sockets.
"It's true, Gulnar. I spoke with him myself." Clun watched the sorcerer frown in heavy contemplation. Gulnar, unlike his master, knew that it was quite possible for Gisburne to be in the castle. In fact, he had been expecting him to end up at the castle sooner or later. But he had not expected him to arrive at the castle at the same time as Marion, or Herne's son, who had to be close to them now. Gulnar had suspected that Marion's story had been false. Now, he knew it was so. His enemies were not waiting in the valley to attack them. They were already inside the castle...His master was in danger. He had to act quickly.
"My lord, you must order your men to search this castle at once," said Gulnar. "Our enemies are close to us. They have tried to trick us both, but we are too clever for them. We will hunt them down and they shall be vanquished! Make haste, master. Do the deed before it is too late!" cried Gulnar when he saw that his lord was still rooted to the same spot.
"What about Guy of Huntingdon?" asked Owen fearfully.
"You need not concern yourself, my lord. I know ways of dealing with spirits and this spirit I mean to destroy."
