The Nightwatchman (English)(From Ashes Vol.2)

Chapter 35 - For Once I Agree With Allan

"Are you sure you feel well enough to ride?"
Guy got into the saddle and he looked at Allan, smiling slightly.
"The wounds are healing and I have no fever, I can't afford to neglect my work in Knighton, you know." He looked quickly over his shoulder to make sure they were far enough from Locksley before turning to his friend and speaking in a low voice. "And if Marian wanted to make breakfast today too, then my survival would be at risk."
Allan laughed.
"I'm surprised you survived so far."
Guy looked at him, guiltily.
"I ate her pancakes only the first time. Then I pretended," he confessed.
Allan laughed again.
"Perhaps love makes us blind, but not completely crazy, then. Don't feel guilty, Giz, I saw how Marian cooks. Eating once the food she prepared is already a remarkable proof of love."
Gisborne smiled to himself.
"It's so good that she wants to cook for me... I am grateful for every one of her pancakes, regardless of the outcome."
They met a man who was leading by the bridle a mule loaded with bundles of wood, and he gave them a nod.
"Good morning, Sir Guy."
Gisborne waved back, then he turned to look at Allan, amazed.
"That man greeted me. And he was smiling..."
"Do you know, Giz, maybe people are starting to realize that you've changed. After all, have you heard the cries of the crowd the other day, while the sheriff had you whipped, right?"
Guy shook his head.
"No. At that moment my attention was pretty focused on other things. But I suppose they were having fun."
"You suppose wrong, Giz. They were protesting, asking for you to be released. If the sheriff has halved the number of lashes, he certainly didn't do it for his good heart, but to prevent people to take your side."
"Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm being funny?"
"Yep."
"Not this time." Allan said cheerfully. "You're not used to it, uh?"
"Used to what?"
"Not to be hated by everyone."
Guy smiled.
"Yes. But it's not a bad feeling."

Robin Hood handed a bag full of food to Mary's mother, and the woman smiled.
"Are my husband and my son doing well?"
Robin nodded.
The men of the villages, who had been arrested by the sheriff, and who Robin set free, couldn't go home for fear of being captured again, and were forced to hide in the forest. Meanwhile the outlaws provided for their families.
"They miss you, but they are well. Jack is getting pretty good at archery, when he can go back home, you will often have fresh meat for supper."
Mary was busy polishing two apples with a clean towel and Djaq looked at her, intrigued by the commitment that the girl was putting in that task.
"What are you doing?"
The girl showed her one of the apples.
"This is for Sir Guy, maybe today he will come. I chose the most beautiful apple for him. Do you know that he chose to be whipped instead of a boy a few days ago?"
Djaq nodded and smiled.
"And the other apple?"
"That's for Allan. He is always with Sir Guy, he would be sad if I wouldn't give an apple to him too."
Mary thought for a moment, then she put on the table the two apples she was holding, and took two more from the basket.
"Here, for you and for Robin Hood."
Djaq thanked her and tossed one of two fruits to Robin, who caught it, rewarding Mary with a smile.
The little girl went to the window and looked out.
"Do you think that today Sir Guy will come?" She asked to the others.
Her mother shook her head ruefully, wondering yet again why her daughter was so fascinated by the black knight.
"I don't know," Robin said. "I saw his wounds and they aren't serious, but they can be quite painful. It all depends on how he feels."
Mary leaned a bit out of the window to watch the road better, then she pulled back with a little jump of joy.
"Here they are! They are arriving!" She shouted.
She picked the apples from the table and she ran out, smiling.
"Apparently he's feeling better." Djaq said, turning to Robin.
They looked at the door, and waited until Mary had delivered her apples to Guy and Allan, before approaching them.

Allan tied the horses in the shade, and he paused for a moment to observe how the reconstruction of Knighton Hall was going. They finally started actual reconstruction, and, although for the moment there were only a few stones and a few beams laid in their place, they were beginning to see the shape of ​​a house.
It would still take months to be complete, but Allan was happy for Gisborne. Apparently things were starting to improve for Guy, and Allan was sincerely glad to see his friend smile far more often than in the past.
He looked at him: Gisborne was quietly talking with Robin Hood, probably about some new, absurd plan that involved the Nightwatchman, if he had to judge from their secretive attitude.