Maid of Sherwood (17 page)

Chapter Twenty-Eight:

“Time to break your fast!” The announcement was followed by the opening of the dungeon door.

Marian opened her eyes blearily. At some point during the long night, she had fallen asleep, curled into a ball. She tried to stretch her legs and cried out at the cramping pain that shot through them.

“If you rub them, it will help.” Dulcina sounded surprisingly lucid.

“Thank you. Umm…do you know who I am?” Marian obeyed the other woman’s instruction, carefully stretching out first one leg, then the other.

Dulcina smiled and Marian’s heart leapt with possibility.

“She does not.” The guard pushed the door shut behind him with the thrust of one meaty hip. “I brought enough food for both of you. If you,” he addressed Marian, “are agreeable, I have permission to allow you to eat together. If not, you can eat whatever she may toss your way.”

Marian looked him over. He was a large man; not as large as Little John, but imposing in his own right and the sword he carried had obviously seen use. “I agree.”

“A guest!” Dulcina clapped her hands merrily. “It will be a feast!”

The guard placed two trays on the floor next to Dulcina and strode toward Marian.

“The sheriff told me what you did,” the man said. “If you spit upon me, I will eviscerate you, royal background or no. Do we have an understanding?”

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.