The Journey To Acre

Chapter 9

Not long after Sir Guy showed up on deck with his hair cropped close to his head, the rumours started.

When asked about it, he answered in typical reticent fashion; "Fancied a change."

Nobody was buying it though - for one because it looked as if it had been cut with a spoon. Well, perhaps not that bad, but not far off. Those shears the sheriff had been asking for, would've certainly done the job though.
It left an unpleasant taste in the mouth, as did seeing him ailing with a bad shoulder and as the gossip swept through the ship like a gale, the captain could stay silent no longer.

"I'm not in the habit of telling people how to conduct their affairs, but I cannot allow violence on board this vessel," he informs his guest, with a look that can only be described as deeply unimpressed.

"I can't say I appreciate your interference," Vaisey counters, puffing himself up with self-importance.

"And I can't say I appreciate the example you are setting my men," he retaliates, "so, I'm warning you Sheriff, one more move like that and you'll be finding yourself on dry land, do you understand?"

Vaisey nods reluctantly; he doesn't like it but he's not stupid. This is not his domain - if he wants to make it to Acre with no further delay, he'll have to toe the line like everybody else.
Having made himself clear, the captain moves on, leaving the sheriff to think on his words.
The elder man does so, but only to conclude that next time he'll punish Marian instead.

**********

"So err, Sir Guy, it's getting a bit cold at night..."

Guy turns from looking out at the waves to find Cleggy standing before him, nervously wringing his hands. What he's done to deserve this attention he doesn't know, but he's curious to hear what he has to say all the same.

"An' I was thinkin' what wi' you havin' less up top, you could use this if yer like," he holds out a knitted hat that's seen better days and is therefore most likely his own.
Guy is speechless.

"I mean yer don't have to if you don't want, but err, since it were me that give yer boss the shears, I figure I owes yer that much."

Guy frowns because he doesn't like everyone knowing his business, but then again, how often does he have someone wanting to do something nice for him? The answer is never, and therefore his dumbstruck reaction is suitably awkward.

"Come on now lad, don't be daft," Sully grins from the sidelines, taking the hat from Cleggy and placing it in his grip, "must be chilly up there," he gestures to Guy's imposing height, "an' it'll keep yer warm till yer fuzz grows back."

Guy scowls, but the men chuckle, knowing he isn't angry, they've seen Sully like this with him often enough to know that the carpenter can get away it.
Eventually, the knight mumbles a thank you and receives a mumbled "you're welcome" in reply. Uncomfortable shuffling ensues, Cleggy clears his throat and all struggle to keep their faces straight as the crowd disperses.

**********

"If you keep fidgeting, it'll only end up worse," Marian admonishes, tilting Guy's head to the side and carefully trimming the ends of his haphazard mane.

Guy tries to obey, but her touch and proximity are a special form of hell for him, knowing as he does that they are borne of pity but wishing they meant something more. He loses himself to the heavenly sensation of her fingers gliding through his tresses but curses himself, because that's not what this is.

This is damage control. No more, no less. She'd already had a go at straightening it out with the shears but they'd had more pressing problems at the time, so she'd left it in favour of tending to his shoulder. They'd hardly been suitable for the job anyway. A blessing in disguise as it turned out – blunt as they were, they'd caused no serious damage – had Vaisey used a knife, it would've been a different story.