1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Thirty-seven

"I don't believe it," Guy muttered the next morning as he paced the floor.

Prince John stomped his foot down and shot up from his chair. "There's no point in resisting it!" he shouted angrily. "I saw them. They were all over each other."

Guy stopped pacing and turned to face the prince, trying to stay calm as John circled him. "Sire, is it possible that you could've misread the situation."

"Well, we'll see, won't we?" the prince replied bitterly. "Because I've set her a little trap."

"Trap?" Guy's voice was hoarse with worry.

"Mm," hummed the prince. "Told her all about my plan with the water."

Right, that plan, Guy knew it: Prince John's men were blocking the the spring that supplied the peasants with water. Within the hour, it was going to make every well within a 10-mile radius be dry, and Prince John was going to then hand out his own water from his own supply, thus making the people love him... hopefully.

"If she is in league with Hood, I suspect she will want to find him and tell him all about it." The prince was dangerously close to him. "And when she does, you'll be there because you'll be following them."

"And then?" Guy's voice became even more hoarse.

"With respect, they're traitors. Execute them."

Guy paled and blinked a few times. "Both of them?"

Prince John circled him slowly. "Gisborne, I have great plans for you," he said slowly. "I do hope you're not suffering from any pathetic pangs of familial loyalty." It came out more as a threat than anything.

Yes. "None at all," Guy said lowly, looking down. "My loyalty to you is absolute. Whatever the outcome, it should be my hand that resolves it for you, and I promise you–"

"Yes, bored now. Leave, please." Prince John turned away and walked back to his throne.

Guy blinked and scowled at his back, stomping out of the room after. He rounded multiple corners, not going to the stables just yet. Besides, Isabella was still in the castle, and he had to wait until she left. So instead, he looked for her. He jumped when his arm got clung onto, breathing out when he saw who it was.

"You honestly need to stop scaring me like that."

Linda laughed lightly. "It's funny seeing your reaction." She sighed and looked up at him with the tiniest smile. "I was going to take a walk. Care to join me, Sheriff?"

Guy shivered at his future title name being used by her. Nonetheless, he took her offer. She grinned and untangled herself from his arm, taking his hand instead. They traveled the halls, telling jokes to each other and making each other feel happy. Linda sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.

"What did the prince ask you to do?" she whispered, ruining the moment.

Automatically, Guy's muscles tensed. There was no avoiding her question. "I have been asked to follow my sister."

This answer caused her to frown. "As in stalk her? Why on Earth would you do that?"

Guy sighed. "It is believed that Isabella is league with Robin Hood."

Now it was her who tensed. "Why would anyone think that?" she asked coolly.

Guy swallowed. "He saw them together at Locksley." A pause. "Did you see them?" The way she nearly broke his hand by squeezing it so hard answered his question.

"If he thinks he can punish her–"

"I am to execute them both."

Linda let go of his hand and stepped to face him. "No," she said quietly. "No, he didn't ask that. Please tell me he didn't order you to do that."