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Chapter Text

The young man looked pensively at the family that had just passed the bridge with their wagon. Since the passage across the river was very narrow, this had meant that he himself had to wait until they had finished the crossing. While there was a ford downstream of the bridge, the recent downpours had caused the waters to swell considerably, and so it had not seemed opportune for him attempting to use the ford on his horse.

For a moment, it had annoyed him quite a bit not to be able to get to the other side of the river right away, for he was dead tired and wanted in fact nothing more than to return as quickly as possible to the camp where his comrades were staying. If he managed to get there soon, he had a chance to catch a few hours of sleep, which he needed desperately. However, even though the way had been cleared by now, he remained immobile on the same spot as one of the girls sitting on the wagon had caught his eye. He dithered for a moment, apparently not certain what to do.

He had already made some bad experiences regarding the people living in this area, as they had not been pleased to learn that the soldiers were pursuing their daughters. However, this was an issue he was able to understand, as he knew exactly in which way some of his comrades viewed women. They perceived all of them as fair game and due to this there had already been some unpleasant incidents. Despite the fact that the soldiers had been sent here to protect said people.

However, some of the men had apparently been in this war for too long; being away from home and their families and probably they had forgotten how to behave in a civilized manner. As a result of the atrocities of the fighting some of them were also hardened to the suffering of other people. Guy had noticed this in himself, too. However, he had not yet sunk so low that he would rape defenseless women.

He was torn from these musings when he heard someone swearing loudly, and next he became aware of a woman's voice calling for help. Instead of crossing the bridge, which he had intended to do, he straightened up in the saddle to locate the source of the shouts. He did not have to search very long until he spotted the wagon he had just let pass, which had stopped on the road due to the fact that one of its corners had sagged to the ground. Looking again it was revealed to him that one of the wheels had come off the hub, causing the vehicle to stop so abruptly that the passengers had lost their balance and tumbled onto the back of the wagon.

Without giving it a second thought, the young man walked his horse to the scene of the accident to offer his help. The older man who had been steering the wagon was the only one who had managed to hold on to his seat, but he had only been able to do so by holding on to the reins. Now he stared suspiciously at the rider.

"What do you want?" he demanded to know in a harsh voice.

Puzzled by the rude question, Guy took a closer look at him and was amazed to discover that the other man, although wearing the plain clothes of a peasant, held himself like a noble, and on the spur of the moment the young man decided that courtesy could not hurt in this situation.

"My Lord," he commenced, "let me help you."

Once again he was startled by the man's reaction, as the latter sucked in his breath instead of replying, and all at once Guy realized that the man - and his family - were apparently trying to pass through the area controlled by him and his comrades without being recognized. Obviously, he was afraid that he had been exposed, even though the young man had no clue who he might be dealing with.

"My Lord," Guy resumed, "I do not know you, nor do I intend to stop you and your family. I just wanted to offer you my help with the wagon." He was not sure if he had chosen the right words to allay the other man's suspicions, for he was not really good at that kind of stuff.

"Papa," one of the girls, having managed to get up in the meantime, intervened suddenly. Although she was cradling her left arm, she gave an impression of composure to Guy. In fact, he realized that it was she who had caught his attention when the wagon passed him, and he took the opportunity to get a better look at her lovely face, which was framed by dark-blonde and thick tresses.

"We'll need his help if we're going to have any further use of the wagon," she went on, as if she had not noticed that he had been eyeing her. There was nothing at all rural about her language - although she and the other two girls were also dressed like peasants - and this reinforced Guy's assumption that the man and his children were trying not to be recognized.

All of a sudden he was reminded of a rumor concerning the mercenaries, which for a time had fought alongside the royal soldiers. Apparently they had gotten into a quarrel with one of the local Barons, who, however, had done nothing more than protect his daughters. This incident had taken place not so long ago and made such a big splash that the mercenary company had been reassigned somewhere else. Was it perhaps possible that this man was said Baron, who was now attempting to return to his castle, in the process not wanting to be recognized by the mercenaries?

Guy decided he would have to take a risk if he wanted to convince the elder man that he was no threat to the family. Of course, he could have just turned his horse around and leave, but that did not occur to him at all. Moreover, it did not cross his mind that his decision might have something to do with one of the girls. He was not yet aware that it was she whom he primarily wanted to help and, furthermore, who he would like to get to know.

"I am one of the royal soldiers, my Lord, I am not with the mercenaries. Nor are these in the area anymore. They have been detached."

"Papa, please," the girl intervened once again, whereupon the man let out a sigh. Apparently he had realized that he could not get the wagon going on his own.

"Who are you?" he wanted to know at last.

"I am Guy of Gisburne," the rider replied.

"Sir Guy?" the girl inquired curiously.

The young man felt himself blushing, but he shook his head right away. "No, my Lady, I'm just a squire," he admitted then, although he was not sure if he had not just ruined all his chances with this statement. Only to have to realize he had apparently been wrong about her, for she bestowed a smile upon him which for a moment made him forget that he was not alone with her.

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Sir Guy reined in his horse to take one last look at the camp that housed the men he had fought alongside in recent years. After taking another long look at it, he was able to admit to himself that there was no one to be missed by him. This was also due to the fact that the only other person with whom he actually had a relationship no longer remained in that place. Sir Geoffrey, whom he had followed for seven years as a squire, had set off on his journey back to England, somewhat disappointed that Guy had not wanted to accompany him, for that was what he had expected. But the young man had different plans.

The knight turned away eventually, steering his horse in the direction he intended to go. He knew he had a long way ahead of him, though he was also aware he would be awaited at his destination. He just wished that in the last few months the war had not taken him so far from the very place where he was about to embark on a new chapter in his life. But it could have been worse. During the fighting he could have been injured so badly not to be able to undertake his journey, or he could even have met his death. Although he would not have felt anything in the latter case, that was not a comfort for him, especially when he thought about Aurelie.

Remembering the young woman, he once again cursed the distance he had to travel, for he would have loved to be with her far sooner, as he had not seen her for several months. The further his unit had moved away from her father's castle, the more difficult it had been for him to visit her. He had only been able to find comfort in the fact that she would be waiting for him and that he had indeed now been able to embark on the journey, something which many of his comrades were no longer able to accomplish.

At the same time, he was truly delighted not to be forced to return to England, where nothing and no one was waiting for him. Even though Sir Geoffrey had apparently assumed that he would accompany him back to Gloucester. Nevertheless, he had given him no trouble and had not insisted that he stayed in his service after he had knighted him. Guy had not told him about Aurelie, but he had spoken of the Baron de Lieur's offer, and therefore he had let him go.

However, the time had come at last for setting off for the Baron's castle. There remained now nothing else between him and his future life as this journey, about which he was aware it would not be without its perils. After all, he was traveling all by himself and even if he was armed and armored - and had the bearing of an experienced fighter - there would still be people who would not be deterred by this. He could only hope not to run into anyone who did not care about anything as the war had left him with nothing, or anyone who was unable to return to the life he had led prior to the war. It seemed easier for some to make a living as an outlaw than to find honest work. The fighting was responsible for destroying a lot, among that not only villages and towns, but people as well.

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It was already late in the evening when Guy was led into the Great Hall of the castle, for he had not wanted to interrupt his journey so close to his destination, even after realizing that he could not reach it before nightfall. He had not wanted to arrive even a single day later at the very place he hoped he would soon come to think of as his home.

Despite the late hour, he not only encountered Baron Ortaire de Lieur, but also his three daughters Aurelie, Aaliz and Amiere. But for Guy the most important matter was to set eyes on the first one. At that moment he did not really care about anything else, even if he was aware that he had to pull himself together so that he did not forget to show the Baron the appropriate courtesy. After all, he not only wanted to enter his service, but he also wanted to seek the hand of his eldest daughter. Therefore, it was not unimportant to make a good impression on the man, even if he was completely exhausted from his journey.

But before he got the chance to open his mouth, the Baron had gotten up - and he was only marginally slower than Aurelie in doing so - and in turn, then managed to address him first.

"Guy, we weren't expecting you yet," he informed him. "I gathered from your letter that you would not be arriving here for several days."

"My Lord," the young knight replied, after having regained his breath somewhat. "I have made much better progress than I could have foreseen."

"I hope you haven't mishandled your horse," de Lieur expressed himself, while frowning at the same time. But his statement immediately provoked the disagreement of his eldest daughter.

"Papa!" she exclaimed indignantly. "You ought to know Guy better than that. He would never mishandle a horse."

Guy, who also had a few words on the tip of his tongue, was glad that he would not have to comment on the matter himself. It was true, however, that he would never have had the heart to harm his horse, even if he had longed to reach the destination of his journey as quickly as possible. He simply cared too much about these animals too act in this way.

"Of course not, Dear," the Baron conceded to his daughter, actually looking contrite. "Sir Guy would never do anything like that."

Once again he gazed over at the younger man. "Come, join us at the table. You are surely hungry. The servants will bring you some food and drink. Actually, I’m very pleased that you've already arrived, for I'm expecting some important guests tomorrow and it will be very fortunate for you to have the opportunity to acquaint yourselves with them. But for now, sit down."

Guy complied gladly with this request, but did not forget to thank his host - and future master - both for his welcome and for the opportunity to get something to eat so late in the evening. Indeed, he was not only exhausted, but also hungry, for he had taken few breaks on his journey. He had only ever made sure that his mount had sufficient time to recover. He had taken little care of himself, for that was the practice to which he had become accustomed in recent years. He foresaw that it would probably take him quite some time to again break this habit, even though he knew he would most likely have no need of something like that in the Baron's service.

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Sieur Guy de Gisburne was seriously worried about his father-in-law, the Baron de Lieur. The older man had not been well enough to leave the castle for several months by now and more and more of his duties had been taken over by his eldest daughter’s husband. Nevertheless, so far he had still managed to at least welcome guests to his castle. But now this seemed also to be no longer possible.

At least that was the impression Guy had gleaned from the letter Aurelie had sent him, which then had led him to end his stay in Rouen much sooner than he had intended to do. His wife seemed to be very worried and the knight had been afraid that he would not find the Baron alive. Upon his arrival at the castle there was nothing to show to him that anyone had died - to his great relief - so it was possible that it was not as dire as he had assumed.

When he got off the horse, he noticed that Guide, his eldest son, was already waiting for him. The ten-year-old pulled a serious face, which in his case, however, meant nothing. He was simply too much like his father, who at that age had also been more inclined to earnestness. It did not seem to make any difference in this respect, that the boy had a much more carefree childhood than Guy himself.

"Maman is staying in her solar, Papa," he informed him after they had exchanged a hug.

"Then please lead the way," the knight begged the boy, although he would have been able to find the way on his own, of course. But he wished to show his son that he appreciated his efforts to stand in for him when he was not at the castle and his grandfather was evidently too ill to fulfill his obligations.

When the two of them walked through the door, Aurelie put aside her embroidery immediately, then rising and stepping quickly closer. Guy observed how pale she looked, noticing that her eyes were red-rimmed, and he realized the extent of the worries she was having concerning her father.

"I'm glad you were able to return so promptly, Beloved," she greeted him in a soft voice.

Guy took his spouse in his arms and placed a kiss on her cheek. Back then when they were both newlyweds, it had been hard for him to show his affection to her so publicly, but with her support, he had managed to get more self-confidence. The Baron's trust in him when it came to representing the elder man had also contributed to the fact that he had long since ceased to be the shy young man who had come to Lieur.

"Guide," he turned to his son, "would you please get your brothers and sisters. I'd like to address them, too." As he had grown up in a home devoid of love, he had at the birth of his first child vowed never to take his own offspring for granted. He had taken it upon himself to always greet his entire family first whenever he returned from a journey, as they were the most important part of his life.

The boy nodded to him with an earnest expression and then departed quickly. His absence gave Guy the opportunity to kiss his consort properly - for they were alone for the moment - and then to inquire about her father's health.

"Ten days ago, he was all at once no longer able to get out of bed. He almost stopped eating as well. Of course, I had him examined straight away, but it looks as if his life is coming to an end," she brought out, while at the same time tears suddenly spilled down her cheeks.

Once again Guy gathered his spouse in his arms. "Then I'm glad I've returned now, knowing I'll find him still alive." He had no intention to pretend to Aurelie that everything would be all right after all, for to do so would insult her intelligence. Moreover, he did not believe that either. God had apparently decided that it was time to call the Baron to Himself, and God did not care whether Guy considered this to be too soon. It was irrelevant that he wanted his spouse - and her sisters - to have more time with their father, nor that he did not deem himself ready to take his place.

"What about Aaliz and Amiere?" he wished to know.

"They have arrived a few days ago accompanied by their families. They've already had time to say goodbye to Father. You're the only one who hasn't had a chance."

Before Guy was able to reply, Guide returned with his siblings and the knight was occupied greeting the rest of his children. His eight-year-old twin daughters, Mêrrienne and Madallaine, gave the impression that they had been wandering through the small grove that adjoined the castle, but he decided to ignore this, just like the soiled clothes of seven-year-old Ortaire and his brother Arnalt, who was a year younger, which proved to him that they had been hanging around the stables yet again. He had no idea where the girls' love of the forest came from, but he could very well understand the urge to be with the horses.

Eventually he turned his attention to the youngest of his children, one-year-old David, who was in the arms of his nurse, but as soon as the boy caught sight of his father, he stretched out his arms to him and Guy was ready to receive him right away. He simply loved having time to spend with his children, and for that he accepted not to be able to perform a part of his duties as diligently as some people expected him to. But in his opinion, there must always be time to show David and the rest of his children that he loved them.

Unfortunately, he was forced to hand the boy back after just a short time, which the latter did not like at all and which he made known loudly. But without Guy having to say a word, Guide led the others away once again and the knight was left alone with Aurelie for a second time.

"I would like to visit your father before I welcome your sisters," he begged his consort, and she was willing to show him to the sick room promptly. Bearing in mind, that she had called him back to Lieur for this very reason. After all she knew how close the old Baron was to her husband’s heart.

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The Baron de Lieur looked proudly upon his twenty-year-old son, who had been knighted that same day, an event his family wished to celebrate with a lavish banquet. In order for everyone to have the chance to attend, the ceremony had been scheduled for Christmas, when everyone would be at the castle anyway, not only Guide's parents and siblings, but also his aunts and uncles, his cousins, and the two young men who were betrothed to his sisters Mêrrienne and Madallaine. The recently knighted man could not hide his joy at being able to celebrate with all of them, just as his parents could not conceal how proud they were of him.

"Who could have imagined what would originate from the mishap of a wheel coming loose," his consort whispered just then to him, when for a brief moment she did not have to pay any attention to what their guests were uttering.

Guy chuckled, for he could very well remember what had occurred twenty-six years ago. Mainly due to the fact that he marveled to this day at all that had evolved from that and at how fortunate he had been to be able to spend his life at Aurelie's side. This was not something he had been able to envision at that time when he had come to Normandy with Sir Geoffrey as his squire. Back then, his future had not looked particularly bright, even if he had hoped to emerge from this war as a knight. Now he was much more than only that. He was a husband, a father, and - as successor to his father-in-law - Baron de Lieur.

"I didn't foresee anything of this," he admitted. "But each and every day I thank God for what He has bestowed upon me."

"You have surely earned this, Beloved," Aurelie replied. "Back then you could have turned away from us, since you were really exhausted. I can still remember this vividly as I actually had thought you were about to collapse. But contrary to my fears, you persevered. You seemed so young, I didn't really believe you could handle it."

"Oh, thank you very much for this tremendous faith," he joked, although he was aware that he had indeed almost made a different decision. He could only claim to have been lucky that it had not come to that. He was not going to deny that he did indeed feel rewarded by God.

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Sir Guy had not made it easy for the outlaws, but in the end he had had no chance to fend them off. Once again they had managed to overpower him and this time he did not even have any soldiers with him who could have supported him in the fight, although most of the times they had proved to be useless. The knight was more furious than he had been in a long time, but if he were to be honest with himself, he would have to admit that most of his anger was directed at his own person for letting himself be taken by surprise.

Surely he had not expected to once again find himself in this kind of situation, the same as during the time of the blessing, when he had been accompanied by Bertrand de Nivelle. At that point, he had gone to Wickham for the purpose of disrupting the holiday and demonstrating to the serfs who was really in charge here. But then the entire affair had gone horribly wrong, de Nivelle had died in the process - no great loss in Gisburne’s opinion - and he had had to learn that Herne was more than a local superstition. This was not something he had wanted to believe prior to this incident.

On this day he had again barged into one of the peasants' feasts, but this time not on purpose. He had simply not paid attention to what day it had been and found himself once again in the presence of Herne. And he had also to realize once again that this so-called woodland deity possessed far more power than he wanted to admit.

Being captured by the outlaws had infuriated him, but so far he had always escaped from situations like these with his life. On the other hand, having to deal with Herne was definitely a different matter. When this had occurred for the first time, he had already given up on life not believing he could get out of the forest for good. What had befallen him back then had haunted him in his sleep for months to come. Even to this day, he shuddered when he recalled the events, despite the fact that this had already happened many years ago.

Apparently, he had again managed to draw Herne's wrath upon himself, and the knight had to wonder what this would entail for him. Losing his life in the struggle with the outlaws was not something he had aspired to, but to risk something like this was certainly better than being the focus of Herne's attention, as he had to realize once again on this very day.

He was therefore greatly surprised when the other one just made him take a look into a bowl of water. He had no idea what this would be all about.

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Robin Hood had not wanted to believe his eyes when Gisburne showed up at the feast in Wickham and started making trouble right away. But he was also amazed that the knight was on his own. For this reason, he and his friends had no problem overpowering the man. He had assumed that they would take him back to their camp as a captive - as was their wont - to decide at their leisure what to do with him, but obviously Herne had his own plans for Gisburne.

The outlaws had no inkling of what he had let the knight see, but it had caused the man's face to lose all color. Moreover, he had begun to tremble. Robin, not knowing what to make of this, had moved closer and was therefore able to overhear what the knight was uttering.

"This is a lie," the other man brought out in a low, brittle voice, but it did not come out as though he was convinced of it himself.

"I have no need to lie to you," Herne replied.

"But that can't be," the knight returned.

"Making a different decision caused another evolvement," Herne issued in a pitiless tone.

Gisburne gave the impression that he was about to break down. "Can I forget?" he inquired suddenly, and Robin was amazed to hear tears in his voice. He had never seen the knight in such a state.

Herne shook his head, but his face suddenly showed something like compassion. Then he turned his gaze to his son.

"Let him go," he told him.

Behind his back Robin heard Will inhale sharply as if to contradict Herne, but then he kept silent. The outlaw’s leader just nodded and then addressed his people.

"Give him back his weapons and his horse and let him go," he relayed the order and no one made any comment.

Gisburne had heard him as well, but it took him a moment before he turned away from Herne and even longer before he was able to take up his weapons, grab the reins of his horse, and vanish between the trees.

Only when nothing more had been heard from him for quite some time, Will voiced his opinion. "What’s that crap? ‘e'll be ‘arassin’ us again the next day."

Robin recalled the knight's desperate expression and shook his head. He did not believe his brother would pursue them again some time soon.

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"Any sign of him?" the Sheriff barked at the captain of the guard as the latter returned to the castle.

The man shook his head. "There is no trace of him since he was seen on the northbound road a few weeks ago."

"Then the outlaws got to him," de Rainault stated succinctly. Apparently, he had already shed his anger over the disappearance of his steward.

The captain of the guard did not comment on these words, but he was not convinced by this statement. And he was pretty sure that the Sheriff did not really believe this either. But he would, of course, blame Hood and his gang, for that suited him just fine. Moreover, he did not give the impression of missing Gisburne. He was just mad that the man had removed himself from his service in this manner. But actually, he seemed pleased that he had finally gotten rid of him.

Chapter Text

Once again, Sir Guy had not made it easy for the outlaws, but in the end he had no chance to resist them successfully. Once again, they had overpowered him - but only by outnumbering him, he told himself - and he did not even have any soldiers with him who could have supported him in the fight and turned the tide.

However, the men of the Nottingham garrison had proved largely useless in previous incidents, so it was questionable whether their presence would have helped him this time. The outlaws would certainly disagree, and the knight himself... probably too.

But at that moment he was not thinking about his soldiers, he was simply angry. As angry as he had rarely been when he had fallen into the hands of Hood and his gang. And that anger also prevented him from thinking about who was to blame for his situation. If he were honest with himself - something he had stopped doing many years ago - he would have to admit that his anger was mostly directed at himself for allowing himself to be taken by surprise once again.

He had not expected to find himself in the same situation again as when he had been tricked by the other Hood during that so-called blessing. Being accompanied by Bertrand de Nivelle and his mercenaries had not helped him in the least, and the whole thing had gone horribly wrong. De Nivelle had died - no great loss in the knight's eyes, though he had once considered the man a friend - and he himself had had to learn that Herne the Hunter was more than just a local superstition. For he had once believed it to be so.

But then he had come to Wickham with the intention of disrupting their pagan festival and showing the serfs who was really in charge. Now, once again, he had interrupted one of their celebrations, but this time because he had not paid attention to what day it was. And once again he had to realize that this so-called woodland deity had more power than he would have liked. More than was good for him.

Being captured by the outlaws made him quite angry, even though he always got out of those situations alive - though not necessarily unharmed. But it was so humiliating to be overpowered and robbed by them.

But having to deal with Herne was something else entirely. When that ... man first turned his attention to him, he had already given up on life. He no longer believed that he would ever get out of that cursed forest. And what had happened to him there haunted his sleep for many months. Even today, he shuddered when he remembered it, even though it had been many years ago.

Now he had obviously attracted Herne's attention - and his anger - again, and the knight realized that his own anger had been blown away. The only question was what it would get him this time. And he realized that he would rather fight Hood and his men every day, even if it meant risking his life. That was not something to be desired, but it was still better than being the focus of Herne's attention again.

So he could not hide his astonishment when the other only forced him to look into a bowl of water.

He could never have imagined what that would mean for him.

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When Gisburne suddenly - and unexpectedly - appeared at the Wickham feast, with nothing better to do than cause trouble - although that should not have been so unexpected, as he always did - Robin Hood could not believe his eyes.

He was even more surprised to see that the knight was alone. It had not taken him long to decide whether he and his friends should teach the Norman a lesson, but they had overpowered him on the spot. Though... it had taken them some time, for even alone Gisburne was not easy to defeat. Especially as Hood had no intention of simply shooting him. Much to Will's annoyance.

Hood had assumed they would take their captive back to their camp, as they had done so many times before. There they could have decided what to do with him, but then he had to find out that his spiritual father also had an interest in the knight, and so they took him to a clearing where the remains of an ancient circle of stones lay. To the uninitiated, they were just a few overturned stones, but the Son of Herne immediately sensed that this was a place of power. And so he wondered what would happen now.

But at first glance, there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary. Herne had let the knight look into a bowl, presumably containing water. Hood had done this a few times himself and seen what Herne wanted him to see, but would it work on Gisburne?

But then the outlaw realized that the Norman must have seen something, for his face suddenly lost all color and he began to tremble. Without really being aware of it, Hood had moved closer to the two men and could therefore hear what the knight was saying.

"That's a lie," he uttered in a low, cracked voice. But he did not give the impression of being convinced by his own words.

Herne did not seem to care what was going on in the man's mind. "I have no need to lie to you," he told him.

"But that can't be," the knight replied, his voice filled with despair.

"Right or left," was the mysterious reply. "A different choice has been made, and these are the consequences." Herne's tone was unrelenting.

Gisburne looked on the verge of collapse. Hood had never seen him like this. "Can I forget?" he asked suddenly, and Robin was astonished, for he was sure he had heard tears in his voice. What had he been shown in the water? He knew that Herne's visions could be unpleasant, but he had never felt so... overwhelmed to the point of tears.

Herne shook his head, but the question - or rather the tone in which it had been asked - had obviously touched him, for something like compassion suddenly appeared on his face. He let his gaze linger on the knight for a moment longer - who was unaware of it as he hung his head - and then turned to his son.

"Let him go," he commanded.

Robin heard Will draw in a sharp breath behind his back, as if preparing to challenge Herne. But, surprisingly, he remained silent, leaving the decision to the leader of the outlaws without arguing. Hood was relieved, but he could not let that distract him from the task at hand. With a nod, he indicated that he would comply with Herne's request and then turned to his own people.

"Give him back his weapons and his horse and let him go," he passed on the order, to which none of the others responded.

Gisburne must have heard him too, but it took him a long moment to turn away from Herne. Then he stood there for a while, seeming to stare at the outlaws, but Robin had realized immediately that he was looking right through them. His gaze was blank, and Herne's Son had no idea what he was looking at. It was certainly not Sherwood.

No one moved as they waited to see what the knight would do, and some even flinched when he finally bent down to pick up his weapons, which Nasir had left on the forest floor some time ago. Then he grabbed the reins of his horse and set off through the trees, away from this place.

On foot, which in itself was astonishing.

It was only when no sound of him could be heard for a long time that Will gave vent to his anger. "What the fuck? 'E'll be after us again first thing in the morning. Or 'arass Wickham."

But Robin remembered the despair on the knight's face and disagreed with Will. He was sure his brother would not come after them again so soon.

Still, he did not speak his thoughts aloud, confining himself to shaking his head.

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The Captain of the Guard had just taken a few steps into the Great Hall when the Sheriff barked at him from across the hall.

"Any sign of him?"

The man hurried to cover the distance to the dais where the Sheriff's chair stood as quickly as possible - without actually running - for he was well aware that de Rainault wanted an immediate answer, but did not like it when anyone but himself raised his voice. Which the Captain would have to do while he was still so far away from the Master of the Shire of Nottingham.

So he just shook his head and started to speak when he was close enough.

"There is no trace of him after he was seen on the North Road a few weeks ago," he had to tell him.

But the Sheriff did not react with one of his usual outbursts of anger. "The outlaws must have caught him," he simply stated. Had he already come to terms with the disappearance of his steward? It certainly seemed that way to the Captain.

But he refrained from commenting. He had been in the Sheriff's service long enough to know that such a thing was not advisable. Besides, he was not convinced that de Rainault was right. On the contrary, he was quite sure that the other man did not believe it either. But it was even less advisable to show his doubts as long as the Sheriff pretended to have a different opinion. Even after that, he should think carefully about what he said.

After all, he had no intention of sharing Sir Guy's fate, and he was not referring to his disappearance.

The Sheriff would insist that Hood and his gang were responsible for whatever had happened to the knight. That suited de Rainault just fine. Moreover, he did not seem to care in the least that his steward was missing and perhaps no longer among the living.

The Captain of the Guard was convinced that there had been only one reason for his anger. It was certainly due to the fact that the knight had simply disappeared without the Sheriff's permission. But actually, he was glad to be rid of him.

Without having to get his hands dirty, even if only in the form of a secretly issued order.

And the Captain was glad not to have received that order.