It was time to join Robin.
CHAPTER FIVE
The following days were long and dull. One day melted into another until Marian lost track of time. With nothing to do but lie in bed in a nearly dark room, she had plenty of time to plan and scheme.
The physician came to see her one morning and pronounced her healthy enough to leave the castle, and in her delight she could have kissed him. She and her father were loaded into a carriage and driven home.
“You are to return to work tomorrow morning,” the driver told her.
“Thank you,” she said, bowing politely.
She watched the cloud of dust rising behind the wheels of the carriage as it disappeared in the distance, and her eyes narrowed.
“Father, will you be all right here for a while? I have to go into town.”
“Oh, sure, I’ll be fine. But what do you have to go to town for?”
“I... have to see someone.”
“Robin?”
“Yes, Robin.”
“Be careful,” her father growled. “Don’t you let anyone see you talking to him.”
“Don’t worry, Father. No one will see me where I’m going.”
She kissed her father gently on the forehead and tossed a handful of bug-infested grain to the chickens on her way out. Rather than heading to town, Marian trudged up the hill past Lake Heron toward Sherwood Forest.
Even in the daytime, Sherwood Forest was as dark as the twilight hours. The trees were thick, and their canopy lush, blocking out so much light one could scarcely see to walk. Here and there the vegetation was sparse enough to allow a little sunlight to penetrate, but most of the forest was frighteningly dark. Fortunately, Marian knew these woods well.
There were rumors that the forest was haunted—by evil spirits, or even by monsters. Eerie noises that could not be explained terrified anyone who entered the forest, thus it remained almost entirely deserted.
For nearly an hour she wound her way through the trees, crossing the creek, climbing the hill on the other side. Finally, she reached her destination. She stuck her fingers in her mouth and whistled shrilly -- once, twice, three times.
The response came. A whistle. Once, twice... pause for three seconds, and a third whistle. A moment later, she heard the snapping of twigs, and Robin popped out from behind a tree.
“Marian!” he shouted, grabbing her into his arms and swinging her around like a doll.
Marian chuckled. “It’s good to see you, too, Robin.”
“I heard you were injured badly. I’m so sorry, Marian. Please forgive me. I never meant to...”
“Please, Robin, don’t apologize,” she interrupted him. “It’s not your fault. It’s my fault you got captured in the first place, and my fault for telling you to hit me.”
“I shouldn’t have hit you so hard.”
“You had to. It had to be believable. As it is, they think you tried to kill me, so that’s great!”
“Great? I did nearly kill you!” Robin shouted. “Marian, if you’d died, I...”
“Stop it,” Marian insisted. “I’m okay. You don’t have to keep beating yourself up over this. Besides, you owed me one.”
Robin hugged her close, his nose nuzzling gently into her hair.
“So what brings you out here?” he asked.
“I’ve come to join you,” she said.
Robin froze. Then he snorted and burst into laughter.
“Funny!” he chuckled. “No, really.”
“Really. Robin, I can’t live like this anymore. Besides, Blackstock and Gisborne are planning something big. We have to stop it.”
Robin’s smile was quickly washed away.
“Planning what?”
“I don’t know, but all those Lords that Blackstock invited in are here to hear about it, and he and Gisborne are trying to sway them onto Blackstock’s side for some reason. I overheard them talking, and Gisborne was convincing him to bring my father to the castle while I was sick because it might cause the other Lords to see Blackstock as a good guy.”
“So they were using you and your father after all they think you’ve done for them?”
“Blackstock doesn’t care. He said I was only protecting the gold that was his. He didn’t want to do anything for me, but Gisborne convinced him it would benefit him to take care of us so the other Lords would see him as a good man.”
“What a pig,” Robin spat. “That Gisborne’s a monster.”
“I know. Robin, whatever this is, it’s big. We have to stop it.”
“Alright, can you find out what’s going on?” Robin asked.
“I think so. I have access to most of the castle, so if I can spy on the banquet, maybe I can find out what’s going on.”
“You do that, and when you find out what’s happening, send word immediately. We’ll handle the rest.”
“Wait... what? No! We’re doing this together!”
“Marian, you have no combat training. How can you possibly help?”
“Need I remind you that my punch managed to knock you flat on your arse the other day?” she asked, brandishing her fist in his face.
“All right, fair point. But still, you have no training. I was an unsuspecting target. I wasn’t moving. I wasn’t fighting back.”
“So train me.”
“What?”
“Train me!”
“Marian, I...”
“Go on, then, Robin,” John interrupted from behind a tree.
His hulking frame stepped out from behind the trunk and he crossed his arms in front of him. He winked at Marian.
“John, stay out of this,” Robin warned.
“What’s the matter, Robin? You think she can’t handle herself?”
“No, it’s not that. I just...”
“Just what?” Marian demanded. “You know I can throw a punch. And you taught me to use a bow when I was... what... five?”
“Four,” Robin said.
“Teach me, Robin. Please.”
Robin’s head hung limply and he sighed resignedly.
“Fine. Be here after dusk tomorrow.”
Marian squealed excitedly and threw her arms around Robin’s neck. He chuckled and hugged her close.
“Don’t make me regret this,” he said.
“You won’t, I promise!” she said.
“Come have dinner? I have something to show you.”
“Okay,” she agreed, and she followed him through the trees.
She’d never seen their camp before. It was nestled in a little hollow by the creek and surrounded on three sides by very steep cliffs. No one could manage an attack from either of the cliff faces, thus an ambush could only come across the creek, and that was well guarded.
Their tents were cleverly camouflaged, hidden well by a blanket of leaves on the roof and surrounded by trees and bushes. One would hardly notice them unless they were deliberately looking—not that too many people would dare venture into Sherwood Forest, anyway.
The rest of their camp was hidden within the rocky face of one of the cliffs. They’d hollowed out a deep cave, which was hidden by a stunning feat of engineering -- a massive stone doorway set on wooden hinges that would swing shut and disappear into the rocky cliff face. It was ingenious. Inside this cave, they did most of their cooking, keeping their campfire hidden from view.
“Robin, this place is incredible,” Marian gushed.
“You should see it at night,” Robin said. “When the lanterns are on inside the tents, they glow this bright orange, but you can’t see it from up above, only when you’re in the camp. It’s beautiful.”
Marian had never noticed how intensely green his eyes were. They were rich like emeralds with streaks of blue around the perimeters and flecks of gold scattered across them. For a moment she swayed, mesmerized.
“Marian?” Robin asked, catching her by the elbow and steadying her.
“Sorry, just got a little dizzy,” she said.
“Do you remember this place?” Robin as
ked her.
“This place? No.”
“What? We came here once when we were kids, remember?”
Marian thought back. She remembered spending hours in these woods with him, playing, hunting... he’d taught her to hunt with a bow in this very forest. But she couldn’t remember this place.
“I don’t remember.”
“We were about... oh, six or seven, I believe. You nearly fell off that cliff up there because it kind of snuck up on you and you didn’t see it. But I grabbed you just before you fell.”
“Oh... I remember! I was following a bird, I think.”
“Mm-hmm. And remember we managed to get in here by wading through the creek, and we played here all day. But when we tried to find it the next day, we couldn’t. It was like it just...”
“Disappeared,” Marian murmured, finishing his sentence.
Robin smiled down at her, his green eyes twinkling merrily. His cheeks were flushed rosy pink from the chilly air, and his sandy hair rippled in the slight breeze. She’d never noticed it before, but he was really quite handsome.
“We never did find it again,” Robin reminisced. “But I did. A couple of months ago I stumbled across it. It was like it showed up again just for me... for us. It remained hidden until we needed it.”
Robin’s eyes traveled over to his companions. They were all sitting on logs and stumps eating and laughing. They were his family... the only family he had left.
“I think it did show up just for you,” Marian said, smiling up at Robin.
He grinned, and said, “Let’s eat!”
Marian sat down on a damp, moss-covered log and John passed her a thick branch. On the end was skewered a fat chunk of roasted meat. Her mouth began to salivate as she smelled the smoky richness. She bit into it, and juice dribbled down her chin. It didn’t take her long to finish the massive hunk of meat.
“Where’d you get this?” she asked Robin curiously.
“Where do you think? It’s wild venison from right here in our own Sherwood Forest.” He spread his arms wide and twirled in a circle, marveling in the abundance that was there for the taking.
“Robin... what if Lord Blackstock finds out?”
“How would he find out? No one knows we’re out here! He can’t possibly count every last deer in the forest!” Robin chuckled.
The others laughed, but Marian was concerned.
“Robin, this isn’t funny. If you’re caught... it means death.”
“After what we’ve done, I don’t think the death of a few woodland creatures will make much of a difference, wouldn’t you say?”
He had a fair point. If Lord Blackstock or Gisborne ever caught him, he’d almost certainly be executed very swiftly.
“Just be careful,” Marian sighed. “I’d better get back to Father. It’s almost time to give him dinner.”
“Take some venison with you,” Robin offered.
“As much as Father would like that, I must decline. I can’t risk being caught with it.”
“I understand,” said Robin. “Let me walk you to the edge of the forest, anyway.”
They walked in silence though the forest. Marian dared not speak again of her training, lest Robin change his mind, and Robin clearly had more on his mind than simply seeing her home safely.
Once they reached the perimeter of the forest, Robin froze. “This is as far as I go,” he said.
Marian looked forward, realizing the forest would soon open up into the field above Lake Heron. She nodded.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night?” Marian asked.
“I’ll meet you here at dusk,” Robin agreed.
“What if I don’t make here in time? Sometimes I must work late.”
“Have you been walking home by yourself after dusk?” Robin admonished her.
“Well, yes... I have no choice, Robin.”
“It’s not safe out there after dark,” Robin pointed out.
“So I’ve heard. But there is little I can do about it. Mirabelle sends me home when I’m finished with my work, and not a moment sooner.”
“Then get your work done earlier,” Robin said.
Marian glared at him through narrowed eyes. “Well, I do try, Robin. Sometimes there is more work to do than other days.”
“I hate this,” Robin grumbled. “I should be able to come and escort you home safely, but instead I have to hide in this forest like an animal!”
“I’ll be fine. Lord Gisborne actually took me home one evening.”
“He did what?” Robin nearly shouted.
“He met me on the road from the castle and offered me a ride home.”
“And you accepted?” Robin demanded.
“What would you have me do, Robin? Do you think that it would be prudent of me to deny the kindness of Lord Blackstock’s own bodyguard? The only reason I’m not in prison myself is because Gisborne trusts what I say! Do you think he’d be so eager to do that if I refused a simple ride home from him?”
“I... but...” Robin couldn’t think of an argument solid enough to hold water, so he threw up his hands and growled with frustration.
“He was horrible to me, Robin. He insulted our home. He looked absolutely disgusted when he saw it. Like he was better than me because I lived in a tiny hovel. I was so angry!”
“Sounds like Gisborne,” Robin spat. “Like I said, he’s a pig.”
Marian noticed the white-hot orb of the sun settling further down in the sky, sinking toward the horizon.
“I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Be safe,” Robin said.
Marian turned and began to jog across the field, never turning back to notice Robin watching her until she disappeared in the distance.
CHAPTER SIX
The next day, Marian was delighted to hear that Mirabelle needed her services during the banquet. Lord Gisborne had told Mirabelle to choose three of her most trusted girls for service, and he had specifically requested that Marian be one of them.
“After what you did for Lord Blackstock, they trust you,” Mirabelle said. “So you’ll not be scrubbing floors today. You’re gonna help serve the Lords in the Banquet Hall!”
Marian tried to hide the smile that threatened to burst forth. She couldn’t have hoped for a better chance to hear what was going on than to be invited to serve during the banquet.
They set about preparing the Banquet Hall at once. Candles were lit, a fire was roaring in the hearth, flowers in beautiful vases lined the table, and Lord Blackstock’s banner was hung across the back wall. The room looked stunning.
At nearly noon, the hall began to fill. The Lords took their places along the long sides of the table, and their chatter filled the hall as they waited for the appearance of their host. At precisely noon, Lord Blackstock entered the hall followed closely by Gisborne.
Blackstock’s cheeks were sunken, and his face whiter than normal. He cast a furtive glance at Mirabelle, who’s panic-stricken face turned behind her, and she quickly pulled the curtains more tightly together. The tiny shaft of light that had been falling across the floor disappeared.
Blackstock took his seat at the head of the table, and Gisborne slid into the seat beside him, nodding politely to the other guests. His eyes briefly glanced in Marian’s direction, and she bowed her head and stared at the floor.
“My dear fellow Lords,” Blackstock began. “I am so delighted you could come, and I do hope you’ll enjoy the bountiful feast I’ve had prepared for you. Without further ado, let us eat, drink, and be merry!”
The guests nodded their approval at the Biblical reference, and Mirabelle, Marian, and the other two maids began service. The table was piled high with mountains of food—racks and loin of venison, two large suckling pigs spit roasted with the crispiest of crackling, buttery white bread rolls, meat pies, pillowy mashed root vegetables and heaping bowls of every imaginable garnish. Golden goblets were filled with wine and cider, and tankards of ale were passed around. The room was cheerful and buzzing
with excitement.
The great wooden doors opened, and a troupe of musicians, featuring a minstrel and a troubadour along with several dancing maidens clad in colorful silks. The ladies danced their way about the room as the musicians played and sang. They wound their colorful scarves around the necks of the guests, their cherry red lips pouting subtly as they leaned forward and smiled at the Lords.
The Secret of Gisborne: A BBW Shifter Paranormal Romance (House of Gisborne Book 1) Page 5
