1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Thirty-one

angry guy is my favorite guy omf. look at that profile.

*****

If Allan wanted to go to Nottingham, it could wait. John didn't want to think about what he would say or do if he saw him like this, for it would probably be something cheeky and start with, "I'm not being funny, but..." and then he would ramble on.

As soon as Bertha made her grand entrance, a whole crowd gathered along the streets. While she was riding the carriage—John right next to her with a sword and a shield, along with the rag over his head—the children were running around and throwing ribbons everywhere, collecting money for bets, such and such. Walt was on Titus' shoulders, grinning madly.

"Bertha's Circus Maximus!" he cried out with glee. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's your lucky day! Bertha's Circus Maximus is in town! Place your bets here to add some extra excitement!"

"Whoa," Bertha said to the horses as she stopped them. Titus put Walt down on the ground. Bertha leaned down to talk to John. "The ladies love him."

While the kids plus Walt were collecting bets and Bertha was smiling at the crowd, none of them saw Vaisey and the Captain standing behind everyone.

"Bring her to see me," he ordered with a frown.

The Captain nodded and went to Bertha. Vaisey went back to the castle, waiting in the main room with a goblet in hand. A few minutes later, Bertha walked in accompanied by two guards. As soon as she walked in, she did a fancy bow.

"No need for that, Bertha," Vaisey said with a roll of his eyes. "I don't expect it from old acquaintances."

Bertha frowned and picked her head up at the mention of her name. She grinned. "Vaisey?"

"Sheriff Vaisey," he corrected. "Let's not dispense with all formalities."

"Where is your little girl? What was her name again? And Caralinda?"

"Linda is away. She's visiting my Master-at-Arms. As for Cara..." Vaisey shuddered and moved on. "Now, the last time we spoke, I told you if I ever saw you in Nottingham again that I would kill you, but here you are."

Bertha shrugged. "In my defense, I heard that you were no longer Sheriff."

Vaisey's expression grew dark. "Why shouldn't I be? Who told you that?"

Bertha dodged his question. "I was told you'd moved on to better things."

"Unfortunately for you, it was a lie," Vaisey said. He smirked and chuckled quietly. He turned around, and Bertha turned to go. He snapped his fingers, stopping her in her tracks. "Not so fast. I assume you're here to alleviate the locals of their purses."

"I go where the audiences are."

"No, you go where men are prepared to gamble on your fixed fights." He put down his cup and turned on his heel.

"Fixed?" she repeated with disgust. "My fights are for real." She took a step forward.

Vaisey chuckled once more and also took a step forward. "Let's not insult each other, Bertha."

"How much do you want?" Bertha huffed.

"Two-hundred crowns," he answered, holding up two fingers, and she paled. "Anything else you make, you can keep."

Bertha scoffed. "I can't make that in a day," she said. "There won't be anything over."

Vaisey sat on his table. "That's your problem."

"I can give you half."

"Then I shall only half hang you."

[the sheriff of sass ladies and gentlemen.]