Faith Hope and Charity

Vasey was incandescent. He'd been certain that Gisborne's nerve had gone. He had wanted an excuse to do away with the man. His plan to kill him after he had failed to kill the King had looked to be fool proof. But this had been an unforeseen circumstance of the highest order.

There had been no time to continue the job after Gisborne's stunt. All that had mattered then was immediate escape.
He gave a grin as he thought that at least he was able to get rid of the pestilential Lady Charity.
As they had set off at full speed from the inn. He let a pigeon fly with the signal of 2 black feathers in its pouch.
Loxley was as good as burned.

**************************************

In the courtyard of Nottingham Castle a pigeon flew into the coop and settled on a perch cooing proudly at a job well done.
Its arrival was noted by 2 of the castle guards. Perkins and Hobbs.

Hobbs sidled in and looking in the bird's pouch grinned with malevolent pleasure as he found the 2 black feathers bound with leather.

Perkins had followed in swift silent pursuit and watched through a gap in the door.
A flash of black was all he needed to know.
As fast as his short legs would go he was off to the stables. There was a mare who was kept for brood work a much easier ride than any war horse.
Climbing onto her back he urged her towards the forest.

Allan had given him a token to show to the outlaws to prove he was a friend. So he was admitted to their camp without much trouble.
' Sheriff's signal's arrived'. He gasped. ' And Hobbs has it. He'll not take long to get to Loxley. We need to move'.

And move they did. Taking the short cut Robin had found to his old estate.

' Will and John you find Thornton and get the staff to the village. Me and Perkins will take Lady Gisborne and Allan's wife to the camp'.
It was a shock to hear such decisiveness and authority from Much but this was not a time for questions. And it was actually a good plan.................
The evacuation was not a moment too soon. Less than 10 minutes later Hobbs was there.
Thornton watched in dismay from a safe distance as flames began to lick round the building.

***********************************

The would be assassins were caught. The 3 guards were silent and trembling with terror but this was more than made up for by the cacophony from Vasey and Sykes.

They could be heard as they approached the inn. Allan ran outside as he heard it. Guy had regained consciousness and had been given a sleeping draught by Djaq.
So now Allan's mind was free to recall the threat made by Vasey to Lady Gisborne and Loxley Manor.

' You evil stinking b*****d'. He grabbed Vasey by the scruff of his neck. ' If you've harmed a hair of my Niamh's head or Lady Gisborne's...............
' I really don't know what you mean'. Vasey said serenely.

' What is all this Master A Dale?' The King strode out. What else are you saying Vasey may be guilty of besides the attempted murder of his King ?'

So Allan told him what he had over heard between Sykes and Hobbs in Nottingham.
' Is this true Lord Vasey ?' The King asked coldly. Vasey said nothing.



Guy had regained consciousness some 4 hours after his surgery. Djaq washed and redressed his wound declaring herself pleased with how he was fairing.
She gave him a sleeping draught and was pleased that he was able to grumble about this.
' This is only until the morning'. She told him firmly. ' For now you need rest'.

The King was pleased to hear that Guy was healing well.
' Does this mean that you will be able to leave him tomorrow. I'm sure Master A Dale would be equal to take care of him for a few days'.

Djaq thought about this. ' Yes My Lord'. She replied at last. ' All he will need if for his wound to be clean and the dressing changed. And for just 2 or 3 days before he can travel home'.

Richard was keen for some progress. Vasey and Sykes needed to be sent to England
to be imprisoned while awaiting trial. And he too needed to continue his journey.

One of the knights who had travelled with the King would be going with them to oversee the hand over of the prisoners.
Vasey's other 3 companions had spent a nervous half hour with the the King. 'Vasey is no longer Sheriff of Nottingham. No longer your master. You owe him nothing.
If Vasey and Sykes are safely delivered to prison in London then the 3 of you are free. If they escape before getting there then you die'.

He had seen thousands of men like these in the Holy Land. They could change allegiance in a heart beat depending on how they would benefit. If Vasey went to prison they would keep their lives. He had no fears about the choice they would make.

Djaq would also be travelling with the men. She could not disguise her longing to reach Sherwood and Will.
The King had given her a letter to be delivered to his mother Queen Eleanor.

The Queen was requested to go to Nottingham with Djaq to check on the well being of Lady Gisborne , to see if her home was still intact and to ask the people of Loxley for their experiences of the changes said to have been occurring in their Lord.

Djaq sat with Allan and he smiled at her restlessness. ' Don't you worry. ' He told her. ' I reckon I can cope with a bit of wound washing and dressing changing.

So d' you reckon Giz'll be fine to travel home in a couple of days then ? Cos I think
Lady Giz is the best medicine he could have.

Djaq chuckled. ' And you are longing for your darling wife also ?'

Allan gave a cheeky wink. ' Not half I am. Sleeping alone don't suit me at all.'
He paused then went on. 'It don't suit Will neither. He's going to be one happy little carpenter when he sees you sweetheart'.

Early next morning the little party set off for Aquileia. The King's ships would still be there undergoing repair after being wrecked.
The King's knight was under orders to send 3 of the soldiers back to the King. He had business further into Europe before heading for England so would not be returning to that particular port.


Guy awoke groggy from his drugged slumbers to find his wound being tended to by Allan instead of Djaq.
' Sorry to disappoint'. Allan grinned cheerfully at the muzzily confused face before him. ' You've been used to the lovely Djaq leaning over you and now you get my ugly mush'.

Guy managed a pale grin. ' I've wakened to worse faces than yours before now'. His voice was still croaky but would strengthen as the drug left his body.
' Where is Djaq ?' He asked.

Allan told him how not only Djaq but Vasey and Sykes were off to England.
' He ain't Sheriff no more by the way'. He added. ' He'll be having a trial before long and I reckon it'll be a one way journey to hell for him'.

He heard a deep sigh from Guy. ' Then I'll be joining him won't I ?' Allan grimaced. ' Not now surely. Not after you saved His Nib's neck ?' Guy gave a mirthless chuckle. ' With everything that Vasey can tell about me ? I doubt one little act will wipe all that out'.

' That's not what I mean'. Allan put a hand on Guy's arm. ' You've been putting a lot of effort into changing your ways of late. That's got to count in your favour surely......'.

' Indeed it does'. Both men jumped in surprise as the King entered the room. Allan leapt to his feet and Guy attempted to lie more respectfully.

'At your ease Gentlemen'. The King told them. ' Stay Master A Dale there is nothing I have to say to Sir Guy that is unfit for your ears. In fact as you delivered the letter of which I wish to speak............'

' Letter Sire ?' Guy asked. Thoroughly perplexed.

' It seems that your Lady is a remarkable woman'. The King replied. ' Let me read you some of her message'.

Lord King,
If all is as it should be you will be reading this after having your life saved by my husband Sir Guy of Gisborne. Who I fervently pray is also alive and well.

I am painfully aware that My Lord has a far from favourable reputation due to his working for Lord Vasey Sheriff of Nottingham.
I do not deny his far from benevolent behaviour in the past. But I crave Your Majesty's indulgence of my bringing to your attention his valient efforts to change his ways of late..................

' I will not bore you with details'. He told them skimming down the letter.
' Then she continues'..........

I cannot claim to know all the details but I do know that when My Lord was a child his family's land and honour was lost.
My Lord has spent his life therefore longing to restore them. The only path that opened for him was that offered by Vasey.
Then after their last ill advised trip to the Holy Land I was brought to be My Lord's bride and I swore to help him to save his soul.
I cannot believe that this must mean the end of his ambitions. I beg Your Majesty to allow him to prove himself worthy of your pardon for his past. And to be the member of his family to regain their honour.

Your Majesty's humble servant.
Lady Charity of Gisborne.

' As I said. A remarkable Lady'. The King smiled. ' Do not think Sir Guy that the efforts you have been making have gone unnoticed.
I have ways of keeping track of those I know to be my enemies. I know about the Black Knights. And yes I have had you personally watched closely. And I was most fascinated to hear of your transformation of late.

I am therefore minded to give you the chance to prove yourself worthy to regain the honour taken from your house.
You will serve the new Sheriff of Nottingham for a year. If you give a good account of yourself there then you will have lands of your own.'

Guy heaved a sigh. ' That's more than generous Sire. Thank You'.

TBC