Courting Time

Chapter 6

Grabbing their weapons from where they lay on the forest floor, the gang followed Robin hoping Will hadn't done anything stupid. Cal had been running as fast as he could that he was now out of breath. Learning the news that his sister was going to be used as a pawn in a dangerous game of politics, he knew he had to rescue her. He did not care that Robin would be angry at him for going solo. Chloë needed to be protected and they both needed to escape. Remembering how he was dressed Cal had stolen some other clothing. Rather than looking like a wanted outlaw, he was dressed up in more finer garments. Since no one at Nottingham nor in the Castle knew him he could safely enter without being discovered. Just in case anyone asked who e was he had a story covered. He would say that he was the Lady Marian's brother. If they did not believe his story he would tell them he had been travelling abroad and had just returned. Convinced that his guise would work, Cal entered the market square and walked towards the gates of the Castle. On guard at the opening of the gates were two soldiers. Noticing they had a visitor in their midst two long axes came down and block Cal's entrance in.

 "You may not enter the castle grounds without permission." One of the soldiers announced in a gruff voice.

"Move along, sir." Replied the other.

Cal cleared his throat and in his best medieval tongue he could remember he responded,

"Do you, good sirs not know who I am?"

The guards gazed at him with blank faces.

"I am William Thornton, Lady Marian is my sister."

Immediately the guards let him through without question. That was easy, Cal thought. Maybe too easy. He was worried that he would be arrested, but no one came up to him to do so. Having asked a servant where he could find the Lady Marian, he was directed to wait in the Great Hall where someone would be down shortly. Pacing up and down the floor, Cal waited nervously. Footsteps soon approached and a man Cal recognised as Sir Guy entered.

"And who are you?" Sir Guy asked brusquely.

Cal bowed.

"Sir Guy, I am William Thornton. Lady Marian is my sister."

"Your sister?" Sir Guy questioned.

"Yes, Sir Guy."

"Lady Marian never mentioned a brother."

"Sir Guy, if you do not believe me, ask her yourself."

"Very well. You may have an audience with her. But, you must wait here, I will send for her."

Watching Sir Guy leave the Hall to fetch Chloë. Cal let out a breath he didn't notice he was holding. He hoped Sir Guy wouldn't figure out who he really was. Even if he did discover his identity Cal wasn't sure what he would do. After all, he wasn't really Will Scarlet. He might look like him, but he wasn't actually him. Would the Sheriff or Sir Guy believe him if he got discovered? Would Cal be able to save himself from being condemned to death for treason? He didn't know if he could defend his life, but hopefully, it wouldn't come to that. Minutes later Chloë entered the Hall. A smile spread over her face. She was glad to see him and so was he.

"Cal!"

"Hey."

"What are you doing here?"

"Chloë, we need to get out of here."

"What are you talking about?"

"Please trust me." Cal begged.

Chloë chuckled.

"Look what happened the last time I trusted you."

"That was not entirely my fault. I'm not the one who got us into this time warp in the first place."