Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
✣ TURK FLU
HER FATHER HAD BECOME A bit more lenient with her as she began to obey his words, rather than fight against them. Or that was what Krystyna was causing him to believe. She began to do a lot more business with Gisborne, and today was no different.
The pair began to ride towards Treeton Mine, after part of the mine had collapsed and killed all the workers who were down there. Both stopped in the middle of the crowd, dismounting their horses and walking toward the people. She could see a young boy speaking to someone, a man whom she would hopefully presume to be his father.
It wasn't her to speak in these situations, she was told just to stand by and do what she was asked to do.
"We'll not go down there again!" One of the miners spoke, shaking his head.
"You'll do as I say." Gisborne always reacted in a much calmer way than her father did, it was refreshing to be around him more than the aggressive and brutal man that was the man who raised her.
"My brother's dead."
"And your behaviour suggests that you'd care to join him." Guy raised an eyebrow, looking down at the peasants from his high horse.
"We're on strike. Till it's sured up proper, you'll not get a miner down that death pit of yours again." Krystyna had to agree with the miners, that they had a point - it was a death trap.
"You'd rather die here."
"Yes. I'd rather my soul roamed free up here than get trapped down there again."
The man had turned to leave, but the Sheriff had ridden up to join in on the situation. As if it couldn't get any worse. A sigh left the blonde, ignoring the look that she was getting from the man's son.
"They claim that they would rather die than go back down."
"You're giving them choices?" The Sheriff teased, a chuckle coming from his lips.
Krystyna always admired that Gisborne's first choice wasn't to murder people - unless her father pushed him in the direction to. This was one of those times. Before she had time to react, a blade was sent through the protesting man's chest.
Cries from his surrounding family and co-workers, or what remained of them echoed through the air. The body dropped to the floor, joining the ones from the accident.
"Very good, Gisborne. Well -- enjoy the strike, make you feel much better. Goodbye."
As he walked away from the workers, Vaisey turned to Gisborne and spoke. "They're all sacked."
"Really? My Lord, we need the mine working." Guy argued against the older man's words.
"Really. Ah, forward planning, Gisborne. It's all under control."
However, the woman wasn't paying much attention to the conversation -- and instead was more concerned about the look the boy was giving Sir Guy. A look of hatred, of vengeance -- one that she probably hadn't seen the last of.
"There will be fresh workers arriving, that will do what they're told. By tomorrow morning, this mine will be working... Unlike you lot!"
"Bury this man's body with the others, his family will pay for the grave. They will not work. They will not be fed until I see fit. Anyone giving them assistance will hang. You're all sacked, go home." Gisborne then turned to leave, fingers catching the maiden's wrist on his way. He didn't seem too keen on his words, but had no other choice -- it was as if her father dictated how he would act, what he would say to the peasants.
And Krystyna hated it.
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
So she dressed herself as the Nightwatchman, atop her horse with a parcel of food for the family who had lost everything. All within a couple of minutes. The man of the house, the food they could have, their jobs. "Food parcels? You can't give to us. Gisborne's forbidden it. He has spies everywhere."
Oh, she knew. She didn't mind the consequences that might follow. Gisborne had no idea who was behind the mask, it was not always the blonde anyway. Without a word, without another action; she turned her horse and made her way to leave.
Before she had even left the village, Sir Guy was there, brandishing his sword and scaring her horse. Thankfully, she always had the bright idea to take a different horse to her own. The woman fell backward off the animal, though, thankfully landing on her feet.
"Nothing like a tragedy to bring out the do-gooders. Where is your leader? Where is Robin Hood?" Did he really think that the Nightwatchman operated under the outlaw? She had been around far longer than Robin had, and was not going to be restricted by his actions. "Or are you alone? Does Robin Hood think himself too important to do his own mischief now? Hm?"
She couldn't speak. He would know instantly who she was. Her voice was so distinct within the castle, and outside of it too.
"Man of few words, no matter. I'm sure I will hear your voice when you plead for your life."
By this point, she had made her way to take a hold of her horse's reins. She kept herself calm, though her deep brown hues were sending daggers toward the man through her mask.
His sword moved and sliced her hand, but Krystyna, or rather the Nightwatchman said nothing.
"Not even an 'ouch'. Ouch costs nothing, surely you could utter an ouch."
The woman turned suddenly, raising her leg so that she could kick the man over the head. Without even turning to see his condition, the Nightwatchman was back on her horse and riding off before anything else could go wrong.
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
Back at the castle, she had requested a bath, needing to calm herself down; as well as treat the wound that she had earned. Her Nightwatchman gear was carefully hidden under her bed, and her blue dress on a chair ready for once she had bathed.
The woman lowered herself into the warm water, a sharp hiss passing through her lips when her arm met the water. The wound was deep, but thankfully it didn't need stitches. She had requested some spare cloth, which thankfully wasn't an abnormal request for the lady of the castle.
Once out of the water and dressed, the woman was carefully wrapping the white cloth around her now clean and treated wound. However, the crimson liquid was soaking through it faster than she would have liked.
"Come in." Her soft voice called at the knock on her door, smiling when she saw Gisborne there. Her hands moved to clasp behind her back so that he couldn't see the wound he had unknowingly inflicted upon the maiden.
"My apologies, my lady." He apologised, hanging in the doorway instead of walking further into the room.
"Nonsense, what can I do for you, Sir Guy?"
"I've invited Marian to The Sheriff's Fair, I hope you do not mind."
"Why would I mi--"
"However-" He interrupted her, brow raising as he walked further into her room. "I do trust that you are coming. The Sheriff is sure that Robin Hood will make an appearance."
Oh, of course, he was. Nothing like an archery competition to draw out Robin -- he liked knowing how good he was. Krystyna even had the idea of entering herself, but with her shooting arm injured... well, her aim would be anything but perfect.
"I am, Sir Guy. Of course."
Fingers had moved to check that the necklace she now wore was hidden, only the brown straps showing above her dress. Though, she was certain that her father knew what it was she now wore.
