Robert walked down the street towards his appointment just at dusk. Falwort had a full common room that night. The loud conversations and busy dinner crowd greeted Robert as he opened the front door to the inn. A monk stood politely in front of one of the private rooms near the entrance and motioned to Robert when he saw the sheriff enter.
“More crowded than normal,” Robert commented to the monk who was opening the door to the best private dining room in the inn.
“Yes,” replied the monk. “Sir Guy sent word to his men that he was paying for this evenings meal and drinks in celebration.”
“In celebration for what?”
“I really couldn’t say, Sheriff.”
Robert nodded at the monk and looked back towards the common room. He could see the back few tables, and they were crowded with French soldiers.
When he entered the private dining room, he saw the abbot sitting and reading a small journal. The loud clatter and conversations from the rest of the inn muted to a bare whisper when the door shut behind him, and yet Robert didn’t see the abbot even twitch his eyes to see who had come into the room.
“Good evening, Abbot Hubert. I trust your trip here was not too strenuous?” asked Robert.
The abbot kept reading but motioned with his hand that Robert should sit. This was the largest of Falwort’s private dining rooms, but only four chairs were set around the large table. Candles in all of the corners and a lamp hanging from the ceiling banished most of the heavy shadows of evening and created a bright, warm feeling in the room. Robert chose the seat to the left of the abbot and sat down.
Robert was tempted to interrupt the abbot’s reading and ask about what news he had brought for Sir Guy, but before his curiosity could force him to break courtesy, the door swung open and Sir Guy came in followed by Pierre.
“Good evening, dear abbot. So glad you came out to see me,” said Sir Guy to the monk. The abbot smiled broadly at the welcome. “And you, Sheriff, so pleased that you would accept my invitation. I am sure Pierre is pleased to see you as well so he would not have to go into the night air and request your presence once again.”
“Thank you, Sir Guy, a very generous invitation. You always set a wonderful dinner,” replied Robert. He was pleased to see a twist of frustration on Sir Guy’s face. Sir Guy was always pleased when he was making someone else uncomfortable.
Pierre waited until Sir Guy had chosen the seat across from Robert before he sat to the sheriff’s left. He smiled wanly at the sheriff and only curtly replied to the abbot’s greeting.
“Dear abbot,” said Sir Guy. “What news do you have for me?”
“In good time, Sir Guy, all in good time.” Abbot Hubert methodically marked the place in his book where he had stopped reading and put it away. “I always say that an empty stomach is no place to settle news. I smelled a lovely pork roast and some stew, maybe mutton, as I walked into the inn. I’m hoping for some good turnips as well.”
“I have asked the innkeeper to roast some grouse for us and I believe he did say that he had some beef stew and some roasted turnips and carrots for this evening,” said Sir Guy.
“Wonderful, most wonderful, now let us hear about your news. I understand that you will be heading back to London soon, is that correct?”
Sir Guy winced and cut his eyes towards Robert. He clearly did not want the sheriff knowing about that particular piece of news.
“Yes, it seems that the bandits in the Sherwood will have to wait until spring before their necks are stretched. I have been asked to return to King John’s court in order to act on his behalf in the wars in Brittany.”
