The Journey To Acre

Chapter 20

The loud cheer that goes up upon his arrival on deck has Guy almost turn back.

On a journey with no shortage of surreal moments, this was right up there with the best of them. Having people happy to see him was not something he was at all familiar with.

"What are yer waitin' for, ya daft sod? Get over 'ere!" Sully prompts and Guy shrugs because there's no arguing with that. What follows is akin to a rugby scrum as several men go to hug him at once, and shocked as he is to be at the centre of something so utterly foreign to him, he just stands there and lets it happen, a smirk appearing on his face as they make comments about his appearance.

"Aye, not lookin' too bad I daresay..."

"Could do wi' a feed..."

"Beard needs trimmin'..."

"Nah, jus' startin' to look half decent I reckon."

It's just as he's wondering at what point these people decided to adopt him, that the crowd parts and there is Marian, greeting him with a coy smile that instantly imprints itself on his brain.

They exchange shy hellos, taking each other in, and Guy is about to ask her if she's alright when an impatient voice from somewhere in the crowd declares, "Ah christ, don't tell me I've to draw yer a diagram..."

The individual earns a scowl from Guy and a chuckle from Marian before she springs forwards and folds the knight into a deeply satisfying hug. The chorus of awws that comes from their audience would normally have Guy feeling self conscious, but he's so overjoyed to have Marian in his arms, he can't find it in him to care. Indeed, everything that is not her falls away - his focus narrows down to the wonder that is this moment and one could hardly blame him, if when he feels her melt into his embrace, he has to pinch himself to make sure this is real.

It is over all too soon. A groan from below deck has Guy recall that which has allowed him this visit to his friends. He sighs, offering Marian an apologetic look and is about to return to his stricken master when Sully puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Let us see to that."

Guy is about to argue, but Cleggy steps forward.

"We won't take no for an answer."

Guy frowns because having poisoned his employer, he wonders what else they have in store for him.

"You've carried the weight long enough lad, let us take it from ye awhile," Jonesy says kindly and considering the hell he's been through of late, Guy isn't inclined to refuse, even if he does worry what this might entail.

"He'll not be permanently out of order," the voice belongs to a very pale Oldham, who is standing on shaky legs in the doorway.

"Aye, mores the pity," Sully grumbles.

"We just figured a respite was in order," Collins elaborates, smirking as another loud moan comes from the ailing sheriff, "in the interest of maintaining a harmonious atmosphere so-to-speak."

The men nod and grunt as if to say 'yeah, what he said', when Oldham turns to leave and Guy asks him just where he thinks he's going.

"Why to maintain the harmonious atmosphere of course," he replies, tired eyes twinkling in amusement and noticing that Guy is still frowning, he elaborates, "just a mild sedative to keep him quiet, I think we could all do with some peace, don't you agree?"

If Guy wasn't already sold on that, the hopeful look Marian gives him certainly does the trick.

Well, if you put it like that...

**********

The days that followed were heavenly.

If Guy had any bad feelings about what had happened, the peace that Vaisey's absence afforded more than made up for it. It's for his own safety, he tells himself and considering the hatred felt by the men for the sheriff, it's an accurate observation.