“I will also try to show you how we will induce Hood to enter the fortress. But I must finish my meal and see that Sir Maynard is adequately housed.”
DeSteny was relieved to know he would have a little time to muster what little strength he had left. He ducked his head. “I’m sorry to take you away from Sir Maynard and your men at such a time as this.”
Upton’s smile was quick and hard. “An old Crusader like you must know how important morale is at a point so crucial.”
“None better.” He bent, trying to press the pain into lessening.
“Then I hope you will excuse me,” said Upton.
“I’m willing to stay here while you tend to your troops and the reinforcements who have come to aid in the fight,” said deSteny.
“I shan’t be long. Then you and I will make sure we have a well-set trap ready to catch this damnable monster.”
“Do as you must,” said deSteny. He sat still, glad to have another opportunity to recruit his waning strength.
Upton returned a short while later, his mail shirt on and his gauntlets on; his sword was hanging from his broad girdle, a dagger in his left sleeve. He stood for a few heartbeats, watching deSteny and trying to stop his sympathy for the desperately stricken Sheriff. “If you’re ready?”
Blinking, deSteny rose from his place on the stone bench with difficulty. “I’ll follow you,” he said to Upton.
They made their way along a winding outside staircase, then ducked into the rear door of the bailey and took a dark, narrow passageway. The walls were marked by smoke and occasional scars from weapons.
“Is this the way to the tunnel?” DeSteny asked, feeling a bit foolish.
“It is. You can see why very few know about it,” said Upton. “I should not show anyone this place who is not the true Earl of Gisbourne. This is a most unexpected situation, and one that the older Lords could not anticipate.”
“And it is not as if I will be able to tell anyone of it,” said deSteny quietly; then, sensing Upton’s discomfort, added, “I am obliged to keep my silence.”
“Oh. Yes.” Upton indicated a side-turning in the oppressive little hall. “Turn there, if you would.”
“To the right?” DeSteny was growing faint and was beginning to wonder if he would be able to make his way out of the corridor when he had seen the entrance to the tunnel.
“Turn there.” He took a torch from a wall sconce and held it ahead of him. “There should be a lamp at the doorway.”
“Lit?”
“No. We will light it ourselves. The torch will give us the flame we need.” Upton went down the corridor, keeping one hand brushing the wall as an additional guide. “The floor here is uneven. Tread carefully.”
“Am I supposed to remain at the entrance to the tunnel?” deSteny asked. “Or had you some better location in mind?”
“If you decide it’s a good idea,” said Upton. “I wouldn’t recommend it myself. I think it might be best to make Hood come farther into the fortress—perhaps to the inner door to the courtyard.”
“That could be possible,” said deSteny, his concentration flickering.
“It would ensure his capture,” Upton said, as if to clinch the matter.
“I suppose it would,” said deSteny, hoping he would be able to last long enough to provide the lure to draw Hood to his destruction. “Is there a room at that door? I didn’t notice.”
“There’s a guard station, and this is where you can wait.” Upton said nothing about what deSteny would wait for.
“I would appreciate a watch of some sort,” deSteny said.
“Mother Barnaba is arranging that.” Upton pointed ahead. “You see? There is the door. It is stout, but the wood is rotten, and Hood will be able to get through it without too much difficulty.”
“I see it,” said deSteny. “Do you think Hood will break through?”
“He’s broken through more solid barriers than that,” said Upton. “You know this better than I.”
Rather than dwell on this, deSteny asked, “What does Mother Barnaba plan, do you know?”
“It is her plan to put women in nuns’ habits, so that Hood will not be on guard.”
“The women would be in danger.” The possibility that others would suffer bothered deSteny.
“They are in danger here, no matter what their garb,” Upton reminded deSteny.
“Sadly true,” said deSteny, and went to the wooden door, pressing his hand against the wood and trying to imagine it splintering under Hood’s blows.
The two men stood in the small, ill-lit stone chamber and did their utmost to put their apprehension behind them. Upton made sure the lamp was burning, and then he looked to deSteny. “This is a desperate business.”
“We are fighting desperate creatures,” said deSteny so calmly that he astonished himself.
“Are you certain this is what you must do?” Upton looked about as if he expected to be overheard. “You are taking a great chance.”
“As is everyone in this fortress,” said deSteny in the same tranquil voice.
Upton shook his head like an angry horse. “Don’t you know they expect you will die?”
DeSteny regarded Upton steadily. “And why not? It is what I expect. At least this way, it will not be wasted.”
Swearing, Upton turned on his heel and started up the cramped hallway toward the place where their trap would be laid.
How Hood Made Ready
for Night
SCARLET STOOD on an outcropping of rock and glowered up at the bulk of Cannock-Norton above the barren forest, his unstrung bow over his shoulder, his empty quiver hung from his upper-arm sling. His pale skin had burned during the day and now had the ruddy, baked look that meant blisters to come, and the long, long agony of healing. With a slap at the air, he came down into the safety of the shadows, saying, “It is nearer dark than mid-day—a small mercy, considering our plight.”
“And what plight is that?” Marian asked lazily, a tinge of contempt in her tone.
Scarlet decided to ignore her. “The hour is approaching when we can move unimpeded. We won’t have long to wait now.”
Hood, who had lain in the shallow cavern of the rock on which Scarlet had stood, rolled onto his side and blinked his red eyes. “Have we found out what we wanted to know?”
“Not yet. The harper is coming. He should be here by now,” said the Red Friar. “He will know how it is to be done.”
“How I am to enter the fortress?” said Hood. “You can follow after me as soon as I have secured the place.”
“Do you think you can do this without help?” Scarlet asked. “Shouldn’t you have someone with you?”
“I don’t think the rest of you would be able to penetrate the fortress without attracting too much notice.” Hood slapped the curve of the rock. “I understand the tunnel is narrow, and we couldn’t storm up it in large numbers.”
“Aren’t you afraid that the defenders might anticipate something of this nature?” Scarlet inquired, with a warning glance at Marian.
“Why should they?” Hood countered. “Most of them know nothing of the tunnel. Why should they suppose that we know anything at all about it?”
“Perhaps it is only a soldiers’ tale,” the Red Friar said.
“If it is, we will know soon enough, and I will make sure the harper is well-paid for his perfidy.” Hood made slow fists of his big, white hands.
“I still say it may not be safe,” the Red Friar persisted.
“Oh, Friar, you’re not going to refuse your bl—good wishes, are you?” Lady Marian cocked her head. When she began to speak again, it was with a quiet intensity that was all the more fascinating for its subdued delivery. “We are doing more than punishing those who would destroy us. And this is more than an attack on a
fortress: it is an act of duty, and I know whereof I speak. It is important for us now to use every advantage we might discover. This means that we can finally claim Sherwood as our fief. All that stands in our way are deSteny and deGisbourne. DeSteny is fatally wounded, but deGisbourne is still a force in the forest. It is difficult to remember that that man, Sir Lambert, would have been my father-in-law if my marriage had gone through.”
“Is that why you want to see the fortress fall?” Scarlet asked.
“No,” she said. “Or if it is, it is only part of the reason I want to see the fortress surrender to our good folk. I have my own reasons to want to end deGisbourne’s arrogant sway. My uncle may have been pleased with the marriage I was pledged to contract, but my father never looked on the match with favor, not simply because of Sir Gui’s foppery, but because of the family, and all that it has done. My uncle saw deGisbourne as having grand potential to garner power, and therefore worthy of making an alliance with deBeauchamp that would benefit both families. I thought this was folly, and said so, much to the displeasure of my uncle, who didn’t think I knew my own mind. But before his death, I had almost persuaded my father to let me remain single. When he died, he left me without any allies, and no one to advocate on my behalf, so I had no choice but to consent or be locked away in a cell for my obduracy. Still I hold to my belief: too long have the deGisbournes ruled in this part of England as if they had never bowed to the Plantagenets. It is time they be brought low.”
“So you have authorized the vengeance,” said Scarlet at his most bitter. “What can we be but honored?”
Marian deBeauchamp started laughing, a nasty edge in her voice. “You must know nothing about the family if you cannot see how arrogant they are, how far they have gone to claim authority for themselves.”
The Red Friar sighed. “You cannot make such accusations, Lady Marian, not without answering before the Barons for such temerity.”
“Why would the Barons pay any heed to me, even if I presented myself to be heard? I am not the King’s mother, and that means I could not expect to be believed. What woman is thought to have enough knowledge to report anything to the Barons? The Church recognizes only marriage vows and pledges of nuns as being untainted by lies. Women are as false as Eve, and no man will believe them.”
“There is good reason for such beliefs, Lady Marian,” said the Red Friar.
“It is what everyone thinks,” said Hood, reaching out to tweak Marian’s ankle with a kind of negligent affection.
“Tell me why you should do anything to help the King,” Scarlet challenged.
“I am the daughter of a landed Lord and I have the same obligation as my father had. I must uphold the honor of deBeauchamp, whether I am a vampire or the wife of a landed Lord.” Marian looked over at Scarlet. “You say you were of a good House; surely you haven’t ended your vassalage.”
“I have loyalty to Hood,” Scarlet said. “As should you be, foremost.”
“What are you—” Marian began.
“Be quiet, both of you,” said Hood. “If you think I will be pleased with your wrangling, you will be sadly mistaken.”
“This is hardly the time to posture,” said the Red Friar. “What do you want us to do tonight?”
“Get through the gates, of course,” said Hood. “I will be inside, ridding us of the opposition they hope to muster against us.”
“Assuming you are not found out and dispatched,” said Scarlet. “But that’s your risk, isn’t it?”
Hood brought his head up. “It is, and I trust you will not forget what I have been willing to do to keep us from having to battle deSteny and the Prince.”
“I will do my best to keep this in mind,” said Scarlet with heavy sarcasm. “You may want to remind me from time to time.”
“Tread softly, Scarlet,” said Hood. “Or I may forget something, too.”
“Just as you wish.” Scarlet walked away, keeping in the shadows as he went; he held his head at a slight angle showing how annoyed he was.
“I have doubts about him,” said Hood as he watched Scarlet sauntering toward the heart of the grove. “He may not deserve to feed with the rest of us.”
“Do you intend to stop him?” Marian asked.
“I may, I may,” said Hood.
“If you think him disloyal, why do you hesitate?” Marian pursued. “Let him show his devotion or pay the price for his lack of fealty.”
Hood ducked his head. “I will think about it—it is still a while before the sun sets, so I will cogitate on it. I can put that time to such use.” He stared up toward the sky.
The Red Friar stepped back, panic in his eyes. “I should do something. I’ll try to find Alan-a-Dale.” Glad to have an excuse to get away from Hood.
Marian leaned back and grinned. “To think that this will do so much! You will gain a fortress, deGisbourne will fall, and the Crown will be served.”
“Be damned to the Crown,” Hood snarled. “This triumph is to be mine. Mine! I share it with no one.”
Marian looked dismayed. “You can turn this to your advantage. Once your worth is known, there are ways to gain the protection of the Crown, so that the Prince could be forced to stop all actions against you. I am still a nobleman’s daughter, and that should let me address the Prince.”
“You have already said that no one listens to women, and that includes you, my Lady,” said Hood bluntly. “Besides, I have no need for the Prince to protect me. In time, it is I who shall protect him.”
Marian frowned and studied Hood in silence until Alan came up from the deepest part of the grove and made his way toward Hood. The harper answered her smile with a nervous rictus of his own. “I will leave you to your plans,” she said, and moved away in the opposite direction to the route Scarlet had taken.
“You wish to see me about the fortress?” Alan said, keeping as much distance as he could.
“I want to know where to find the entrance to the tunnel,” said Hood. “And everything you have learned about what is inside the tunnel, and the fortress.”
Alan hitched up his shoulder and tried his best to look at ease. “The entrance is hidden in a dense copse. I will show you where it is. Once you enter the tunnel, you will go about a quarter mile, proceeding upward in a narrow channel cut in the rock on which the fortress of Cannock-Norton is built.”
“I assumed as much,” said Hood in a tone that indicated that there were a number of matters deserving his attention, and he was becoming impatient.
“The tunnel has a small antechamber when it joins the main corridor of the fortress, where supplies and arms are stored and the wounded are sometimes taken for protection during a battle.” Alan offered this up as an apology.
“This begins to be interesting,” said Hood, pulling at his lower lip.
“I’d volunteer to go into the fortress as a spy, but I doubt that I could find out anything more without creating suspicion.” He bowed at the waist as if to a Bishop.
Hood chuckled. “You may have to do that yet, if I cannot get into the fortress through the tunnel.”
Alan blanched more than his already pale coloration. “If ... if you require it, I will do it, of course.”
“That you will,” said Hood.
“I am yours to command, of course.” Alan looked miserable.
“Just as well,” said Hood. “If you come with me now and show me the hidden door, you may join the others in the attack.”
“If I don’t?” Alan was more frightened than brave, and his voice quivered.
“If you do not do what I expect, you will provide fodder for those who won’t be allowed to participate in the coming battle. You will be nothing but the slops for the unworthy.” Hood grinned, showing his long, white teeth. “Go on ahead—I’ll follow you.”
“Of course,” he said in utter capitul
ation. Alan set out, feeling a sinking in his chest as he started toward the deepest shadow of the rocky promontory where Cannock-Norton loomed, anticipating darkness.
How Cannock-Norton
was Readied for Defense
AS THE DAY waned, the men of the fortress went from the chapel to their posts, to the courtyard, or to arm themselves for the long wait ahead. It would be a clear, cold night, with the gibbous moon just appearing at the edges the bare branches, and enough of a wind to make the forest creak and moan. Bare branches and twigs rubbed together as if in a futile attempt to start a fire. Torches flared on the wall sconces, and the braziers did their utmost to hold the night at bay. The men walked their posts uneasily, talking little, saying only that it would be a fine night.
“This is the worst part,” said Sir Humphrey as he paced beside Nicodemus Upton. Both knew they were being overheard and both did their best to appear to be unaware of it. “It makes it hard, this being Cannock-Norton and not Nottingham. My men are not as eager as they would be on the walls of their own town, but they long to avenge their comrades, so none will shirk their duties.”
“What do you mean?” Upton demanded, trying to keep his voice calm.
“These vile creatures have preyed upon Nottingham for long enough, and all my men know it,” said Sir Humphrey. “I do hope we will triumph here, for I would not like to have to try this at Nottingham.”
“I understand that you have already fought these fiends in Nottingham,” said Upton.
Sir Humphrey bristled. “How do you mean that?”
Upton shrugged, nonplused. “Only that the men who came with you must be angry and worn out from what has happened. I wouldn’t say that there were any doubts about the mettle of your men. You are all known for your bravery.”
“Oh,” said Sir Humphrey, his voice dropping to a much softer level. “I wouldn’t want their honor impugned.”
“Then I suppose you must do as well here, to vindicate your soldiers’ reputations,” said Upton, as if to show he understood the situation.
Trouble in the Forest Book Two Page 25
