A Picnic in Sherwood

Chapter II: Prisoners

Chapter II: Prisoners

William started to worry when, after the hour of the midday meal had long passed, Ada wasn't back yet. The Earl could well imagine that she wanted to be alone with Gisborne, and he also knew that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, being an excellent swordswoman, and that Gisborne was no less; but it was simply not her habit being so late.

When, around two o'clock in the afternoon, Ada still wasn't returned to Chetwood, William decided to go and look for her; he would take two guards with him just for any eventuality. Therefore, he went in search of his head guard. They directed him to the armoury, where the sergeant was checking out the stored weapons: swords, spears, maces, bows, crossbows and arrows.

"Roland!" he called from the threshold.

The sergeant turned. "Aye, m'lord?"

"Call for two guards. Lady Adeliza isn't back yet and I want to go looking for her."

"On my way, m'lord. I'll come with Norbert."

"Very good. I'm going to the stables to have our horses saddled. I'm waiting for you there."

William headed for the stables, as Roland hastened towards the barracks, looking for his deputy.

OOO

The thugs had gone deep into Sherwood Forest, changing often direction, so much so that both Ada and Guy had lost their bearings.

They came to a rather wide clearing and Osbert called for a stop. "Get 'em off the horses", he ordered his men; two of them proceeded unceremoniously, forcing their prisoners to sit down on the ground, their hands still tied in front of them.

Guy straightened his back, quite aching from the uncomfortable position he had had to maintain for hours, and looked at Ada, worried. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.

She too stretched her sore back and limbs. "Quite", she muttered, cutting a face. "And you?"

"I could be better", the knight grumbled. He looked around, belligerent, trying to evaluate the situation and find a way to get Ada and himself out of their unhappy and dangerous situation.

Osbert came up to Ada and looked at her up and down: his stare made her uncomfortable, but she met it glaring at him defiantly.

Guy recognised Osbert's lewd expression and felt anger rising inside of him. "Watch how you treat the lady", he growled in a vicious tone. "Harm one single hair of her head and I promise you that you'll be very sorry."

Osbert looked at him scornfully; he didn't even waste time to answer him but just shrugged and turned towards his men. "Light a fire and cook somethin', I'm hungry!" he bawled, apparently forgetting about his undoubtedly obscene intentions.

Guy never took off his eyes from Osbert. The lecherous look that the brigand had given Ada left very little doubt about what had crossed his mind. Should he try to put his infamous plan into practice... Guy clenched his teeth. The bastard had to go over his dead body before he could lay one finger on Ada. Guy would defend her with his own life, should the need arise.

Hearing Guy's words, Ada felt her heart swell at the thought that he wanted to protect her. As she returned that feeling, she cast him a grateful glance, but he was staring darkly at Osbert who was walking away.

"Guy", she called him, unable to hide the distress in her voice.

Hearing her, the knight turned his face to look at her and realised she was troubled. "'Tis alright, my little Pixie", he tried to reassure her. "One way or another, we'll get out of this and whatever happens, I will not allow anyone to hurt you. Do you hear me? Before getting to you, they'll have to deal with me."