Yes, Sir Guy

Lost for Breath

The guards brought out all of our horses. We walked down to the open area of the courtyard and mounted our horses. We all slowly made our way out of the castle and through the streets of Nottingham. "Witch ducking at Locksley pond!" a guard yelled through the streets as we made out way out. Matilda was being pulled behind one of the guards horses. When we exited the town several guards took off ahead of us as we slowly made our way to Locksley. I saw the sun start to sink behind the trees.

We made out way to the pond that sat in front of the Lodge. There was a small platform set up in front and chairs next to it for the Lords to sit. There were three chairs on the platform. The Sheriff sat down in one and Sir Guy in another. I stood behind Sir Guy as Matilda was dragged to the other side of the pond where a ducking chair was built.

"Lords, Ladies, peasants." the Sheriff started.

"Presents..." Henry blurted out.

"Have a look at this noble man. He returned from the dead, possessed. The witch shall be ducked." The men controlling the chair lifted her up above the water. "If she dies, it proves the devil has abandoned her and she will be buried on consecrated ground. If she lives, show the devil still to be in her, she will be burnt alive. Hard to know which one to hope for." The more the Sheriff talked, recently, the more I had begun to hate him. He had no respect for people or lives.

"Rosa! My Rosa!" she cried out.

"Down she goes." the Sheriff waved for the men to let the chair fall into the water. "Deep breath." He took one and mimicked what she should be doing. Once she was under he pick a few grapes from the food that was brought to him. Only he could eat as he watched someone drown.

I gripped the top of Sir Guy's chair. Being as nervous as I was it was hard to stand still behind him like I am supposed to do. How he was relaxed in his chair was surprising, yet worried me. Had he become so numb to watching people die that it no longer bothered him?

The Sheriff swirled his wine and lifted his hand to bring her back up above the water. She gasped for air as soon as she could. "You weasel faced whore's son!" she yelled.

"Who? Robin's not here." the Sheriff called back and Sir Guy gave a slight chuckle. "And three, two, one." he lowered his hand and Matilda went back under the water. Marian rode up to the platform, a look of sadness on her face. At least there was one thing we agreed on. Sir Guy stood up from his chair and walked over too her.

The Sheriff raised his hand up, and the men started to pull her out of the water but her immediately put it back down. The men lowered her deeper into the water. Sir Guy came and stood next to me. My finger nails were digging into the wood at this point. All I could do was stare at the bubbled that were coming up in the water. "Are you okay?" he whispered to me. I didn't move my eyes from where I had fixed them, and simply nodded yes to him. "It will be over soon. I promise." He leaned on the chair next to me. I did not like watching a ducking. I hadn't seen one since I came to Locksley, and I was glad, but now. It just brought back horrific memories. I could still hear the screaming.

Next thing I knew Matilda was being pulled out of the water and she wasn't moving. I hung my head. It was over. No matter what happened the out come would be the same. I was just happy that I didn't have to watch her be burnt at the stake like...like...

"Ahhh!" I heard a scream and jumped back right into Sir Guy. I breathed a sigh of relief, but sadness because of the fact that I was panicking all over again. "I curse you! May snakes crawl up your nose holes and feed on your tiny brain." she snarled.

"Down! Down, down!" The Sheriff yelled and she was lowered back into the water. A snarl still on her face as she was lowered into the water. That woman was starting to terrify me. I started to breath heavy. If it kept going like this the Sheriff was going to burn her alive. There was no way I would be able to contain myself if I had to stand by Sir Guy's side and watch that.