Lady Thief

by Wend Petzler

  Confused, he tilted his head, looking confused. “But he was arrested with the others?"

  "A ruse to throw us off from the truth.” She swallowed hard. “You see, I've always known he was in love with me, but I never felt the same way. When you came to Sanctuary, everything changed."

  "What changed?"

  "I changed,” she replied, turning away from his inquiring gaze.

  Robin frowned. “Eiry, I heard a young woman named Alice was found in Peveril Castle. Was she able to provide you with any kind of information about the sheriff and his men's activities?"

  "When my father was killed, she said she saw a man with red hair do the deed. Nothing more beyond that. They used her for sport. The pain of what Alice suffered was more than she could bear and would not speak of it anymore."

  "Lucian, has Prince John made any demands of you yet?” Robin asked.

  "I was ordered to bring Eiry with me on the hunt being held at Peveril Castle in the morn. If she does not come with me, it will look suspicious and cost us valuable time in preparing our leave from England."

  Robin protested, “There is no way she can go to Peveril Castle! John and Robert will use her against you."

  Scowling, Lucian growled, “I know! There is danger no matter what we do."

  Terrified at being in Peveril Castle with Prince John and Lord Robert, Eiry knew she had no other choice but to go with Lucian. Sighing with regret, she gave them a rueful smile. “Robin, you know as well as I the risks involved when we became thieves. To find out where my men are, I must go with Lucian. I could not live with myself if I do not aid those who have depended upon me for leadership and guidance."

  Both men fell silent at her statement. Robin was the first to speak. “Well, what I am about to show you shall take your minds of the many problems we face. Well, for a brief time anyway. “Welcome to our humble lair of Foresters.” He grinned broadly at their intake of breath.

  Huts with grass roofing were built around the bases of the towering trees. Many heavily-clothed people were gathered around the small fires, warming themselves against the cold night air. Expressions of alarm were etched on their tired features when they saw the fearsome, scarred knight riding beside Robin and Eiry.

  Stunned by how many people were forced into hiding from the sheriff and his men, Lucian grew worried. Hundreds by what he witnessed. A few faces were familiar, many were strangers. “Are they all wanted by the law?"

  Robin's easy smile was replaced by a haunted expression as they gazed upon the repercussions of greed upon poor people. “In one way or another, we are all hunted."

  Robin shook off his melancholy. “Share a pint of ale with us, and we will regale you with tales of great deeds.” He handed his bow over to a young boy and accepted a gourd of ale from Friar Tuck who grinned without guilt at the way Lucian was openly staring at him.

  "Even outlaws need confession, my lord.” Friar Tuck chuckled.

  Shaking his head in bemusement, Lucian swung off his horse. He tied the reins along the makeshift rope pens for the horses. The men settled, finding a comfortable spot on logs arranged by a roaring fire, passing jugs of home brewed ale around. At first, they were suspicious of Lucian until he took a long swing of the strong brew, not even blinking at the powerful drink. Cheering, they took turns chugging down the ale.

  Eiry left Lucian in the care of Robin and his men. Following Tom, he led her in the direction of their people's encampment. “Tom, do you wish to come with us?"

  "I know it means my family would be safe, except it is in another country. We're English, and we must fight for our home, even if it is from King Richard's own brother. I know you must leave, what with the bounty on your head so high. I also know you're in love Sir Lucian. Which ain't a bad thing! I like the man. He's got a good heart, even with what he'd done in the Holy Land.” Tom placed a hand on her shoulder, grinning at her surprised expression. “You can't keep everything a secret, lass."

  A resounding cheer drew Eiry's attention as people she knew and helped, gathered around her, smiling in relief she was safe and not in the custody of the sheriff. Raising her hands for silence, she took a deep breath and paused when Lucian placed a large hand on her shoulder, showing his support.

  "It makes my heart glad to know you are all safe. As you have heard of the tragedy today, I am forced to do something I never thought I would do. I must flee. My closest friend, a man whom I thought of as a brother, has betrayed us. Louie has given a list of names to Lord Robert, who is now searching for those people as we speak. Lucian Martine, lord of Sanctuary, has decided to abandon the castle. He is offering those who are tired of fighting a fresh start and a new life in Normandy. Who will come with us?"

  Silence stretched out as the villagers digested what Eiry said. A handful of women stepped forward with their children, widows whose husbands were murdered by the sheriff's men. Surprised, Eiry noted there were only a dozen people who wanted to leave England and start over in another country. Eiry felt guilt rise at leaving. The emotion must have shown on her face. A man who rode in her band stepped forward with a kind smile on his leathery face.

  "Lady Eiry, don't be thinking ye are a coward. You have lost as much as we, if not more. You have sweet Lilia to think of. What with the bounty on yer head, it will tempt even the most loyal of our men. Go and find peace. We will continue our fight, it can't go on forever. King Richard has to come home sometime."

  "Are you sure? I will stay, if you asked it. It is not in my heart to abandon my friends.” Eiry felt trapped by her loyalty to her friends and her love for Lucian and Lilia.

  Understanding smiles surrounded her as the crowd verbally supported her, knowing she could not remain and live long under Lord Robert's tyranny.

  Lucian felt pride for the people who risked everything to stand their ground against all odds. A part of him wanted to stay and fight, too, but the practical side of him knew he had a great responsibility to his own people back in Normandy. He wanted Eiry and Lilia to share his life in safety, never having to look over their shoulders in fear of being arrested or hung as an outlaw.

  Lucian addressed the crowd, “Those who wish to leave will remain here. We will come for you on the morrow. The hour is late and many preparations to attend before we leave. We must go. Dawn is not long off, and the sheriff will surely have men watching the castle."

  Robin strode up to him and clapped him on the back. “Well—he did have men planted in the forest, until we came upon them.” Robin's wolfish grin broadened, his men chuckled, having dispensed the spies.

  Lucian inclined his head in gratitude, sharing their laughter. Eiry went about saying her good-byes, trying hard to be brave in front of her people. His heart went out to her, knowing she hated to part from these brave people. With shoulders slumped, she walked back to their waiting horses. Robin walked alongside them with Little John, the look of sympathy on his handsome face made her feel even worse.

  Robin placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Come on, Eiry, this isn't the end of the world, only the beginning of a new life well away from all the death and betrayal surrounding us. You are young. Forget about revenge and place your thoughts on the future, a future with that pain in the ass.” Robin winked boldly at Lucian who scowled at the thief's odd sense of humor.

  "Thanks,” Lucian dryly responded as he helped a brightly smiling Eiry up on her horse.

  "On a more serious note, Lucian, Eiry, if you have need of me just come into Sherwood Forest. I always have my eyes and ears alert. God be with you and have a safe journey.” Robin held his hand out and Lucian shook it firmly.

  "God be with you as well. If you ever have need of anything, Robin, do not hesitate to contact me. As a friend, I will be there.” Lucian grinned broadly at the flicker of surprise in the stunned man's eyes. He swung up on his horse. Saluting Robin and Little John before urging his horse forward, he was followed by Eiry.

  She waved goodbye to her friends who were more a family than the ones living in W
ales. The outlaws were people she trusted with her life, and they had trusted theirs with her. Eiry had one more thing to do before she left England—find out who shot the arrow in her father's heart. If it was Louie, he was going to die by her hand.

  * * * *

  The screams seemed to echo forever in the cave under Peveril Castle. Lord Robert and his man, William De Brasco had sought their answers from the men and women captured in today's raid by using knife and whip. Louie wanted to cover his ears and crawl away as the people he knew were tortured over and over again when they refused to name who Lady Thief was. He was not bound. Nonetheless, he felt chained with the rest of his fellow thieves. A small part of him cried out at the despicable crime he committed against those who trusted him as a brother and friend. Or the sin he committed in the name of greed. God help him if Eiry found it out. What would she do to him?

  Eiry. What she must think of him. All he ever wanted was her love. Not as a brother, as her lover. Martine was Eiry's lover, not he. It should have been him who she turned to, not the beast of a man, not the Butcher of Acre. Why did Eiry have to go and betray him by turning to an outsider? Why could she not love him back?

  "Dear Louie, I hope we haven't caused you any distress by having you present during our nasty business of interrogating the prisoners. Of course, you do understand the necessity. By chance, did you ever find out the name of the Lady Thief?” Robert took a sip of the delicious chilled wine from a gold chalice incrusted with gems, his shrewd eyes watching the way the boy's face paled with each soul-wrenching scream.

  "We had a deal!” Louie spat. “I hand Sanctuary over to you, and I get my reward."

  Robert snapped back, “The deal was broken the minute Lucian Martine rode into Sanctuary and claimed it for his own.” Forcing himself to regain his composure, he soothed the situation out. “Come now, let us work out a new arrangement. Give me Lady Thief and I shall give you the tender morsel, Eiry, along with the reward of two thousand gold pieces. Can you find the bitch who humiliated me in front of my men and Prince John?"

  To have Eiry and the money? Was there a way to keep it all and not dangle at the end of a rope? Caught in the web of deceit he wove since he joined ranks with Robert, Louie grew calm in the knowledge of having a trump card up his sleeve. In a flash, he started to have his doubts. Some considered him a traitor, but his goals had been the same as Eiry's in obtaining wealth. The difference was—he kept his gold while she gave it to the poor. In his defense, he did protect Eiry from the sheriff's lust to have her whether as Lilia's maid or Lady Thief. All he ever wanted was to have plenty of gold, a castle of his own, and marry Eiry, making her his woman forever. His plans were going quite well until Martine arrived.

  Could he give Eiry up in order to save his own hide?

  "My Lord Sheriff, what are your plans with Martine?"

  Appearing thoughtful, Robert swirled the dark contents in his cup. “Prince John wishes to woo the Butcher to our cause. If his plan fails, we are to employ any means necessary to bring the bastard down and teach others the harsh penalty of siding against us. Do not fret, dear Louie. I have it on good authority Martine is up to something. My men watch Sanctuary as we speak and will bring me reports of what the man is up to. If the Butcher betrays our trust, he will no longer be a threat to your bid to have Eiry. What say you to my offer?"

  "I will accept, only if you agree not to hang Lady Thief. The rest is of no concern of mine, but she is of great importance to me."

  Frowning at the way the young outlaw phrased his request, Robert glanced at William who gave a slight nod, knowing exactly the person they were speaking about. “So our Lady Thief is close to you, is she?"

  A flush of anger spread up Louie's neck. “I led your men to Sir Thomas and Lady Rowena and helped cause the wreck of their wagon! Hell, I did the deed your spineless mercenaries refused, giving you free rein over Sanctuary. If I had not killed Thomas, you'd be brought before King Richard under serious charges of treason and misconduct of a royal official,” he snapped, furious over having to remind the sheriff of his loyalty to their cause.

  The men and women who had fought and worked side by side with Louie stared in shocked horror. In their hearts, they despaired, knowing it only a matter of time before they were hung for their crimes. Mayhap death was a kinder blessing with what they were forced to endure these last hours.

  Allen sagged back against the wall. Helpless rage rolled inside him at Louie's cowardly actions. He must find a way to escape and kill him, for Eiry's sake. The lass could not bear the weight of killing a man. She had borne so much for their cause as it was already. To kill a man who she thought of as a brother would truly make her an outlaw.

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  Chapter Fourteen

  The only sound in the dark forest came from the horses’ hooves treading upon the dead leaves layering the hard ground. Tom led the way, keeping alert despite Robin's assurance the sheriff's men were dead, their bodies hidden. Eiry knew Lucian was contemplating what he learned tonight about her. Her own thoughts turned to the upcoming hunt at Peveril castle, afraid by the request of Prince John for her to be brought along. What did the sadistic bastard want with her?

  Eiry reined her horse to a halt at the edge of the forest while Tom went first to the wall. He looked at her, questioning her actions, surprised when she reached up a gloved hand, drawing him down to meet her hungry kiss. Drowning in the hot, sweet melting of her honeyed mouth, he fully met the hypnotic swirl of her tongue along his. When she released him, Lucian stared, astonished by her boldness.

  Smiling, unabashed by her impulsive actions, Eiry merely shrugged her shoulders. “This might be the last time I kiss you without an audience.” Her eyes misted when she looked at the small castle rising amongst the dark fields. “Lucian, promise me, if something should go wrong today, you will take Lilia far away from here. I don't want her to see me hang.” She couldn't help the single teardrop fall, captured by a lean, calloused finger. Eiry met Lucian's savage, black gaze piercing her with a fierce glare of raw defiance.

  "I promise we will go to Normandy—together! I will never leave you if something should go amiss.” Lucian grabbed her shoulders, drawing her upward to meet his angry kiss, furious she dared think such a thing. Releasing Eiry, he sat back in his saddle. “Come, we have plans to make."

  * * * *

  Swallowing hard, Eiry realized her life was in his hands. One error and she was a dead woman or worse, raped by Prince John and Lord Robert—a slave to their bestial lust. They rode through the orchards and dismounted by the door when a fully-armored Derrick exited.

  "Welcome back. Did your visit go well?"

  "Aye, better than I expected.” Lucian rubbed his neck wearily, concerned by the pinched lines around Eiry's full lips. He knew the expression of a person resigned to their doomed fate, having seen the same on the faces of the prisoners at Acre. But she would not endure the outcome of what their enemy was concocting. He would not allow it.

  "How went the night? All quiet?” Lucian directed his question to a concerned Derrick who also seen the defeated look Eiry wore.

  "Yea, except the people are nervous. I have twenty peasants who wish to leave with us. The others want to join with another band of thieves led by a man called Robin Hood.” Derrick was puzzled by the look of surprise on their faces. “What?"

  A tired laugh escaped her. Eiry smiled up at Tom. “I guess Robin will have a few more to employ in his merry band of Foresters, won't he?"

  Chuckling, Tom agreed. “Aye, he will. I think the mon is capable of handling additions to his ever growing family. I will go and gather the ones who wish to join with Robin, and start sneaking them away since the sheriff's men are no longer with the living. My lord, my lady.” Tom took the reins of their horses, leading them to the stables, his words startling Derrick who was in the act of bolting the door behind them.

  "What does Tom mean?” Derrick asked, frowning at them.

  "Robert's men wer
e hidden in the forest watching our every move. No longer do we need worry until Robert figures out his men aren't coming back to Peveril Castle.” Lucian wearily extended his hand to Eiry, warmed she accepted. “I am too tired to climb up a castle wall. Let us use the front door, shall we?"

  Eiry chuckled. “Yea, my lord, I understand if old ages hinders you."

  He looked askance at her, seeing the laughter in her eyes. “Saucy wench! I am but conserving my energy for our next escapade."

  Laughing at him, she leaned her head against his arm as they walked together, enjoying the quiet of the darkest hour before dawn.

  In the courtyard, eight warhorses stood saddled and ready, the knights pulled on their gauntlets when they saw Lucian had returned.

  At Lucian's questioning look, Derrick shrugged his armored shoulders. “I knew you'd be sending me for ships, so I took the liberty of being ready. Lucian, you will be heartened to know all of our men are coming. They will not fight for the English King anymore.” Sighing, he made his farewells. “Time is not on our side, and I'd best be leaving. It will take me a day's hard ride to London, shorter if we are pursued. Will you be safe at Peveril Castle?"

  "Worry not. I have plenty of protection with the bulk of our men at Sanctuary. If all possible, try to obtain at least two more ships. Make sure they are not cogs. We will need the oars to dock and leave without worrying about the tide. Do you wish to bring more men along with you?"

  "Worry not about us, worry for those who get in our way. I do not know about you, Lucian, but I'm well ready to go home! God keep you both safe.” He and Lucian embraced. Derrick stepped back to smile down at Eiry. “Young lady, I want you to keep out of trouble! At least until we can get you into another country.” Laughing heartily at Eiry's blush, Derrick swung up on his warhorse, placing the steel helm on his head. Saluting to Lucian, he urged his horse forward.