Sir Guy of Gisborne comes back from the Holy Land, on his conscience the knowledge of having killed Marian. Appointed Sheriff of Nottingham in the place of Vaisey, he struggles to find a way to make up for his past wrongdoings, but it's a very hard...
[My heartfelt thanks to @JeannieGisborne for her invaluable help in correcting this story; pls check her lovely stories about Guy and the Robin Hood BBC fandom, I highly recommend them]
Chapter XI
Nottingham, May 8th, 1194, morning
After Rebelle had parted with them to look for the right horse for William, Violet, Marian and Robin had strolled about in the fair-market on their own.
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"I need at least four horses", Robin mused repeating for Violet what he had already discussed with his wife. "A destrier for me, a palfrey for Marian, and two spare horses."
"A good thing Vaisey didn't confiscate your workhorses", Violet commented, pulling a face.
"Yea", Marian nodded. "At least, this way the peasants could still work..."
"If only I knew to whom he had sold them, I could try and buy them back", Robin sighed, as he had been fond of all of his coursers which the baron had commandeered to fund his journey to the Holy Land without having to break into his treasure.
"You only need to ask Sir Guy to check the books of sales", Violet observed in a practical tone. Skilled administrator of her husband's fief earlier and of her father's now, the solution looked obvious to her; not so for Robin and Marian, both used to delegate the management of their estates to their attendants, therefore they looked at her in surprise.
"Ah... I didn't think about it", the Earl of Huntingdon commented, frowning. "I admit that I don't like the idea though."
"Don't let your dislike of Gisborne influence you", his wife admonished him. "After all, he didn't have to propose you a deal so that you could take possession again of your estate."
Robin's expression darkened. He didn't like to owe the man who had been such a fierce adversary, but his true enemy had actually been the Baron of Nottingham and not Gisborne.
However, Marian was right, therefore he just nodded.
"Well, then before going on with the purchase of new horses, I suggest to go looking for Sir Guy and ask him about the books", Violet interjected. "There's a chance that, amongst the merchants attending the fair, there are those whom Vaisey sold the horses he seized!"
"'Tis surely possible", Robin admitted, with a glimmer of hope that made him hate less the thought he had to ask Gisborne for help.
They crossed the drawbridge and entered into town, heading for the castle where they asked if the sheriff could meet them. Of course, the sheriff didn't meet everyone or at any moment, but as the Earl of Huntingdon was a high-ranking nobleman, they had good chances.
Indeed, soon after a page escorted them to the sheriff's office. As they came in, Guy rose.
"What an unexpected pleasure, ladies", he met the women, bowing to them. "Locksley", he added with cold politeness.
