Deception

Chapter 47

- Chapter 47 -

It has been a couple of weeks now and the Jailer constantly refused me any allowance to visit my father who was now in prison due to my lack of 'obedience' in the Sheriff's eyes. Guy had been friendlier in private or when we had been walking past each other since the night we talked and since I saved his life. It did warm my heart to think maybe we could have a hope of regaining our friendship which I had ruined.

It was a new day in Nottingham as I got dressed in leather pants and boots with a tight fitting tunic over as I pulled my hair back into a bun which was held together by a dagger before I headed once again in the direction of the dungeons. As I reach the foot of the stairs I'm once again stopped by a guard with a halberd. A man screaming in torture can be heard echoing in the distance as I wince slightly before drawing my attention back to the guard.

"Please. Please, Jailer, let me see my father." I begged as I went on my toes to see past him as I could briefly see my father in a cell with parchment and an old, stripped quill.

"Can’t be done. I've told you."

"Esme, I am well." My father calls out which calms my nerves slightly, however I was still unhappy and nervous. This was my fault, it should be me in there not him.

"I will speak to the Sheriff." I vowed loud enough for him to hear as I jumped slightly.

"Speak away, my dear." The Sheriff called as I turned startled to see him and Guy at the top of the steps as I run up beside him and follow on after him as they walk.

"Sheriff please. This punishment hurts my father, not me." I tried to reason as he only smirked and glanced back at the direction we came.

"Oh, I don’t know. I think it hurts you both." He smirked triumphantly as I gulped. Maybe this wouldn't work out as well as I had hoped but I was determined to not give up as I continued to follow them both. I could see Guy watching me cautiously as I refused to back down.

"It is efficient, make you think before you undermine my authority again. Which... stops... trust me, is in your best interests." The Sheriff chuckled darkly.

"Please, Sheriff. There must be something I can do... Guy?" I pleaded as we all stopped in the courtyard as I turned to look at him with an ounce of hope. He gave me sorrowful eyes and a scowl in the Sheriff's direction before his back straightened slightly.

"It’s no good making those big eyes at him. He doesn't want you anymore." The Sheriff teases as I grew stiff slightly as I saw Guy doing the same and curling his fist and growling defensively slightly. Keeping in my frustration, I bounce on my feet and glance at the courtyard trying to think of anything. I refused to just give up when I was the one who put him in there.

"Tell you what, you read this announcement for me, and we'll see if we can get Daddy some dinner." The Sheriff darkly smirked placing a rolled parchment in my hands before walking down the steps as I gasped after him. I looked at Guy slightly to see him scowling with a disapproving look at the Sheriff ’s remark.

"You mean you haven’t fed him? Sheriff!" I shout out as we both run after him, I however was more determined to get my father out of there and more determined to kill the Sheriff myself. Chasing after him we made our way down into the marketplace in Nottingham as just outside the castle's main gate the Sheriff stopped by a small platform beside two young trumpeters.

"Toot, toot-toot, toot." The Sheriff chuckled leaning towards the two young trumpeters as they both in unison began to play. Hearing the sound music the townsfolk gather round as the Sheriff smirks darkly towards me as I plaster a soft fake smile, taking the parchment in his hands as I make my way up the small platform and unroll the parchment in my hand.