The Eternal Shadow

Chapter 65

LXV

Sir Edward of Knighton, the old (and new) Sheriff of Nottingham, was lost in his thoughts.

He's moved himself back into his old study at the castle and is pondering the riddle that is the murder of his predecessors. The traces of Vaisey in the room make it difficult to think, and in particular, the collection of skulls with their macabre gap-toothed grins are disturbing him exceedingly.

"Can we do something about them?" He asks, as one of the servants comes in to check on him.

The girl grimaces queasily and assures her new employer she'll get right on it. She removes her apron and throws it over the offending objects before departing to fetch reinforcements. Sir Edward nods and watches her leave, wondering how in God's name he ever got himself in such a situation.

He shakes his head and tries to recall his previous line of thought, but is so weirded out by Vaisey's gruesome decorations that he has to leave the room. He's barely taken a step out of the door when he finds himself surrounded by guards.

Oh dear.

"Look fellows, I don't know what this is, but I assure you that I am doing my best to clear the matter up in a fair and just manner." He stammers nervously.

"Aye, we knows that Sir Edward, that's why we come lookin' for ye..." one of the men replies, chuckling to his colleagues.

The tension dissolves instantly. Sir Edward gestures that they should file into his study. "Well, err... what can I do for you?"

"I think we should introduce ourselves first: we are Sir Guy of Gisborne's men. Vaisey liked to think we were his but that weren't true my lord, not a bar of it."

Murmurs of agreement from all present.

Sir Edward is intrigued. He was not inclined to think well of the man - he tried to force his daughter into marriage and very nearly killed her after all, but he's curious as to what the men have to tell him all the same.

"And as you can imagine Sir, we're not on board with the allegations made against Sir Guy. We know you were friends with Lord Winchester, but we're askin' you to keep an open mind 'bout what we're about to tell you..."

Sir Edward is struck by that uneasy feeling again. It has been coming and going ever since he heard that Sir Guy had murdered Vaisey, for the very simple reason that it didn't make any sense. Add to that a conversation he'd had with Thornton, who was positive he watched a newlywed Sir Guy and Francesca quit Locksley for greener pastures first thing yesterday morning and well, nothing seemed to add up here.

So it was with an open mind that he prompted the men to continue, but a heavy heart, for he had a feeling he was about to find something out about his friend that he wasn't going to like.

"Well, me and some of the lads 'ere got talkin' to Vera, who is resident mother hen at the castle - bandagin' heads, stitchin' up wounds and the like - an' she told us that yesterday mornin' Winchester paid her a visit askin' her to help 'im with err... how shall I put this...? a delicate problem."

Sir Edward cannot fail to notice the smirks and titters of the men, and despite not having a clue where this was going, is thoroughly engrossed.

"He was injured?"

"Yes Sir, it seems he received a blow to the crown jewels."

The Sheriff frowns, "Sorry I didn't quite catch that."

The guards smirk and trade knowing looks as if to say 'oh yes you did.'

"Y'know, his meat and two veg." A younger guard offers and the old man nearly chokes on his own spit.