Marian gulped. “We do.” She sat quietly while the guard unchained her legs.
“Can you stand, or do you need help?” He asked, one hand dropped to his sword.
“I can stand, but I cannot walk,” Marian said. She rose to her feet and accepted the hand he held out. Little fissures of a needle like pain raced up both calves, but she gritted her teeth and hobbled across the floor to where Dulcina still sat.
“I shall come back this evening,” the guard said. “I have the sheriff’s betrothed to find and a substantial reward to collect.” He winked at Marian. “Did you know the sheriff is offering a king’s ransom for your safe return?”
“I—how can you do this?” Marian asked, shifting from one leg to the other in a vain attempt to regain all feeling in them.
“He promised me a certain position at court once he has the throne.” The man shrugged. “Bein’ a guard has its perks, but it is not what I want.” He yanked the door open. “Do not attempt anything.” The door shut behind him.
“I do not know what he expects me to try,” Marian muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
“He wishes to be the court torturer.” Dulcina handed Marian a crisp pastry. “There, try that.”
Marian obediently bit into it and warm strawberry filling filled her mouth. “This is delicious.”
“These are my wedding samples,” the other woman said. She smiled and Marian saw the beginnings of a dimple. “William wishes me to try everything on the plate. I think he secretly wishes me to gain weight before we wed!”
“William…you mean Will’s father?”
Dulcina frowned. “I have had no children outside the marriage bed! What sort of light woman do you take me for?”
“I did not mean to offend you.” Marian took another bite of the pastry and chewed thoughtfully. “Where do you believe we are?”
“Home,” Dulcina popped a piece of cheese into her mouth. “Where else would I be?”
“Do you think she understands?” The shadows began whispering. “She cannot be healed.”
“So what would you have me do?” Marian licked her fingers free of strawberries. “Stop trying? Are you not the ones who led me down here to begin with?”
”We cannot remain here forever,” they retorted. “The prince is in attendance and we have things to do. She needed the company.”
“Besides,” a single childish voice said, “they are coming and they like you.”
That was all the warning she received before the two ghosts from the battlements formed in front of her. Alair’s lips curved in a smile.
“More company!” Dulcina sang out. “If you are cold, boys, take a torch from the wall. I am sorry I have no fire. I have not seen a maid in some time and I seem to have mislaid the fireplace.”
Marian blinked. Dalen and Alair laughed silently.
It felt rude to eat in front of them, but her hunger outweighed her manners and she grabbed another pastry. This one was filled with cheese and spices.
“Which ones do you like best?” Dulcina asked eagerly. “I do not wish to disappoint William with my choices.”
“Everything is delicious. Do you eat this way every morning?”
“Oh, no. Only when company comes,” the other woman replied.
“Has there been much company since you arrived?” Marian picked up a goblet and took a small sip. It was as she feared. Honey mead.
“A few visitors, but none stayed long. They must have had nightmares, because I heard them screaming during the night, but when I would rise for breakfast, they would already be gone.”
Marian shuddered. No wonder the woman was mad. The boys floated over to Marian and sat themselves next to her, folding transparent legs underneath their bodies. They sighed.
“I wish I could share the meal with you,” Marian told them.
Alair reached out and gently touched the back of his hand to Marian’s cheek. She gasped at the feeling of rough silk dragging across her flesh, and he smiled again.
“They are precious,” Dulcina said. “I wish I had children.”
“You do,” Marian said a trifle sadly.
“Who are your parents, dear? I cannot imagine them allowing you to stay out so late.”
Marian wanted to scream. “No, ma’am, they do not. But I informed them you were hosting me tonight and they said it would be all right.”
Dulcina’s smile was childlike in its simplicity. “Oh, good. I did not want to remain here alone.”
“Soon we will both leave this place,” Marian promised. “The boys promised me.”
“They are good boys,” Dulcina said. “If they say we are going to leave, then I should pack my things.” She began to gather the food on the tray into a pile.
“Do not concern yourself with it,” Marian said. “I will ensure your things go with us when we leave.”
“She is getting better at communicating with her,” the shadows said happily.
The brothers nodded their agreement.
“I will miss them when they leave,” said the lone boy who had spoken to Marian before.
“Are you sure we cannot leave with them?”
Dalen and Alair nodded again.
All the shadows sighed in disappointment.
“You mean you cannot leave the castle? Ever?” Marian asked.
The ghosts shook their heads in unison.
“They are coming for you, Marian. Be ready.” Once more, the words belonged not to the murdered children, but to the Lady of the Lake.
“Who is coming for me?” Marian asked, but even as she watched, the shadows crawled down the dungeon walls, across the room and oozed underneath the door, leaving her and Dulcina alone with the only two ghosts in the whole castle who lacked the power of speech.
Chapter Twenty-Nine:
“Are you leaving already?” Dulcina asked. “Would you like me to make you up a basket?”
“We are leaving,” Marian corrected.
“I hope it is in a carriage,” she said. “I have always loved carriage rides.”
“We might ride in a carriage afterward.”
“Will the sheriff be joining us?” She tilted her head to one side. “I like him. He takes care of me.”
“No,” Marian told her. “He cannot come with us on this trip. It would not be appropriate.” It was the best answer she could think of.
Alair floated over to Dulcina, resting his head on her shoulder. She smiled. “He is the sweetest child. Do you think they would like to come with us?”
“I am positive they would, but they have to stay here,” Marian replied. She was about to say more, but was distracted by the lock on the door being turned.
Dalen and Alair vanished abruptly.
Two hooded figures rushed inside, drawn swords held in clenched fists.
Dulcina began to shriek. “Go away! We are waiting on a carriage, go away, go away, go away!!” She lowered her head to her knees, hands held over her ears.
The two men, for Marian could tell at a glance they were men, slammed their shoulders against the door. It flew shut and the one closest to it twisted the lock.
“Dulcina, Dulcina, shhh…” Marian knelt at the other woman’s side. “Look, look, they are not hurting us, they are simply here to…” her voice trailed off, and she looked up at the men. “Who are you and why are you here?”
“We are here t—to resc—cue you.” Lord Aelfred said, throwing back his hood.
Marian blinked in surprise. “Aelfred, how on earth did you find me…us?”
The second man threw his own cowl back. Familiar gray eyes smiled at her. “Why, Maid Marian, did you think I would refuse the opportunity to rescue you myself?”
Her heart tripped at his voice. “Robin,” she smiled in relief. “But…”
“It was the Lady,” Robin said. “She sent word to me and I slipped in through the front gates. Apparently the betrothed of the sheriff warrants a massive search party. Now, may I kidnap you in truth?”
“I
will not leave Dulcina behind,” Marian stated.
“I would never dream of it.” Robin turned to the man at his side. “Lord Aelfred, if you would be so kind.”
“Of c—course,” he stuttered. He sheathed his blade and knelt down. “Lady Dulcina, my name is Aelfred. C—can you lower your hands and listen t—to me?”
Dulcina sat up slowly. “Are you going to take me in a carriage?”
Aelfred glanced at Marian, who nodded. “Of c—course,” he said. “If that is your wish. But in order for us t—to leave, we need t—to be as quiet as possible. C—can you do that for us?”
Dulcina nodded happily. “It is akin to a game of hide and seek, then?” She reached up for the hand Aelfred extended to her and slowly rose to her feet, the chains around her ankles clanking together.
The red-haired courtier smiled. “Yes, it is something like that.”
Robin narrowed his eyes. “Aelfred, can you pick a lock?”
Aelfred snorted his amusement. “It was never a sk—kill required at c—court.”
“Well then, I shall have to do the best I can.” Robin bent down, pulling a slim strip of metal from his waistband. “Now, if I remember how to do this…” He inserted the metal into the right manacle and jimmied the clasp open.
Marian gasped. The flesh around Dulcina’s ankle was raw and oozed a whitish clear liquid.
“Do you think she can walk?” Marian whispered to Robin.
He turned to the other ankle and in two flicks of his wrist, that manacle came loose as well. “It does not matter.” His answer was brutal in its honesty. “If she cannot walk, then she must be carried. Every available guard is descending upon Sherwood Forest with the hope of collecting the reward the sheriff has posted.”
“Is it so very much, then?” Marian’s curiosity got the better of her.
Robin barked a laugh. “It rivals the bounty placed on my head,” he admitted. “Whatever value the sheriff sees in you is great.”
“C—can I help you?” Aelfred questioned Dulcina.
The other woman shook her head. “I do not understand what happened to me,” she said, her voice high and frightened. “Why do my ankles hurt so much?”
“You have not used them without the manacles in many years,” Robin said softly. He touched the other woman’s shoulder. “But if you allow it, Lord Aelfred can help you.”
“He said he would take me in a carriage. Are you sure he was telling the truth?”
“I was not lying,” Aelfred said. “If you leave with us, I promise you will ride in the grandest carriage at my disposal.”
Dulcina bit her lip. “Is it drawn by a set of matching horses?” She struggled to her feet, wincing as her ankles bore the support of her body without the added weight of the chains.
The tall red-head smiled gently. “I have a pair of beautiful grays and I would love t—to show them t—to you, but it is important that we leave immediately.”
“Oh, all right.” She took a single step forward, but her ankle folded underneath her and she would have fallen if Aelfred had not caught her in his arms.
“Place your arms about my neck, and I will c—carry you,” Aelfred said.
Dulcina smiled at him flirtatiously. “This is most improper, but since we are to be wed, I will allow it.” She wound her arms around him and laid her head against his chest.
Aelfred flushed and Marian saw Robin smile as he bent down to help her to her own feet. “Most of the guards have left the castle,” he said. “But we still need to be careful. I will go first. Aelfred, Marian will take your sword and guard the rear.”
Aelfred threw a glance at Marian. “Are you sure that is wise?”
Robin smirked. “She is better than most men with a blade,” he said. “I would trust her with my life, and you would be wise to do the same.”
The older man nodded. “I do not wish t—to put Dulcina down. You may t—take my sword.”
Marian bit her lip, but removed Aelfred’s sword from its sheath. Robin unbolted the door and the four of them slipped into the empty corridor.
Chapter Thirty:
“The passageway has been cleared,” Robin stated, “but it will not stay that way for long. We need to get to the chapel.”
“Where is the sheriff?” Marian asked.
“He left for Sherwood Forest after informing your parents of the ‘kidnapping’.” Robin said.
Marian could only imagine Mother’s reaction to that. “Mother did not say anything—”
“She was quite distraught, as you c—can well imagine.” Aelfred said. “Then she sent for me and told me to bring the Lady Nyneve t—to her. The historian is a force t—to be reckoned with. She informed me I was t—to go int—to the forest and find Robin of Locksley. I had no int—tention of doing so, but then I found myself exactly there, doing exactly that.” His voice was wondering.
“You have no idea,” Marian muttered under her breath.
“Keep your head lowered when we reach the more populated areas of the castle,” Robin instructed. “We will not be out of danger until we reach Sherwood.” He belatedly pulled his cowl back up and Aelfred followed suit.
They hurried down the corridor, the dust from the floor rising into their nostrils. Marian stifled a sneeze as they emerged from the dim passageway and into the castle proper.
“Friar, you startled me!” A serving girl squeaked at the sight of Robin. Then she saw Dulcina in Aelfred’s arms. “Oh, do you need me to summon a surgeon? Is she all right?”
“She is well enough,” Aelfred said, walking forward until he blocked her view of Robin and Marian. “I was walking with her and she fainted unexpectedly. I am taking her up t—to her—her rooms.”
The girl’s eyes widened and she blushed. “Her rooms? Oh, yes, milord.” She scampered off.
Robin quirked an eyebrow at Aelfred’s back. “You are taking her to her rooms? Do you realize that girl will spread the gossip far and wide?”
Aelfred shrugged as best as he could with the silent Dulcina in his arms. “I had t—to say something.”
“We are to be married,” Dulcina said. “A soft bed would not be amiss.”
“I c—could never do that,” Aelfred said. “It would c—compromise you unbearably.”
Dulcina unwound one arm from his neck and patted his cheek. “You are sweet,” she said. “Are we going to your carriage?”
“As soon as we c—can, my dear,” Aelfred said. “I promise.”
Robin strode past Aelfred and Marian. “The castle is deserted, if we move quickly we should be able to reach the chapel without incident.”
It didn’t take them long to reach the chapel doors. Robin pulled them open and gestured Aelfred and Marian inside, bolting the doors shut once they had entered.
“Why are we here?” Aelfred set Dulcina down gently in a pew. “I do not see how this will help Dulcina.”
“We are waiting for someone,” Robin said. “Once he arrives, we can leave.”
“Leave and go where?” Aelfred demanded. “I will not put Dulcina through the st—tress of hiding in the friars quarters.”
The door at the back of the chapel swung open and Tuck walked through it, straightening his robes. “The forest is overrun with guards,” he greeted them. “Nyneve wants to know if you can travel unseen to the heart.”
Robin shook his head. “I cannot, not with Dulcina’s injuries.”
Tuck frowned. “Then we will travel as best we can for as long as we can. Lord Aelfred, I can take Dulcina from here. Your part in this need not continue.”
The red-haired man gazed down at Dulcina, who was swaying gently in her seat, her eyes closed and a half smile upon her lips. “I would prefer t—to st—tay with her,” he said. “She needs me right now.”
“You are a good man, Aelfred. I am sorry Prince John never saw your value.”
“If he had, I c—couldn’t have helped him.” He pointed to Robin. “Or Dulcina.”
“Is it time to go?” Dulcina glanced up
at the sound of her name.
“Yes, it apparently is.” Aelfred lifted her and she snuggled close to him again.
“Marian, your parents are eager to see you again,” Tuck said. “Allowing you to remain in the dungeons was—difficult—for them.”
“I can imagine,” Marian said. She began to hand Aelfred his sword, then paused. “Uh, do you want this back?”
“My arms are full,” Aelfred said, “and it appears you c—can handle one just fine.”
“It is not the same as Ex—as mine, but it is well balanced.”
“Enough chatter,” Robin said. “Tuck, we will follow you.”
It did not take them long to reach the end of the chapel corridor and open the door.
“I must return to the chapel,” Tuck said. “I will meet you later.” He pushed the door and as it slid shut Marian could see him trotting back up the dark expanse.
“About damn time you arrived,” Nyneve stood, arms crossed, at the edge of the small clearing.
“My Lady, I am heartbroken at making you wait,” Robin said with a grin.
“Step aside, Robin, and let me see to Dulcina. Things are progressing more rapidly than we had anticipated. The sheriff is approaching the heart of Sherwood.”
“You are allowing that?” Robin sounded surprised.
Aelfred spoke from behind Robin. “How is it up to a hist—torian t—to allow anyone int—to Sherwood? I thought the forest was the king’s domain.”
Maybe it was the trick of the light, but Marian was positive the historian became taller and somehow more regal in the white tunic and leggings of soft doeskin.
“The heart of the forest has always belonged to me, Lord Aelfred.” Nyneve’s granite colored eyes glowed eerily in the reduced light of the forest. “Come, children. Dulcina needs help and we have a man to murder.”
“Wait, what?” Aelfred protested. “I did not agree t—to murder anyone!”
“It is not up to you,” Nyneve said. “And it will not be done by your hand.” She pointed at Robin. “He will do it with Excalibur.”
Chapter Thirty-One:
Robin raised one eyebrow. “For someone intent on keeping that blade secret, you are suddenly quite unconcerned about who is listening.”
Maid of Sherwood Page 15
