Lady Outlaw

Chapter 4

Doncaster, West Riding of Yorkshire

As a child, Averey of Clun had often been mistaken for a small adult. He was born huge, causing his mother quite some pain during labour, something he hadn't stopped trying to make up to her. He continued to grow and grow until he towered over his family and the other people of Clun. He was known throughout Nottinghamshire for his immense size, both in height and in stockiness, and there were few men who were brave enough to cross him.
To those who knew him, he was a gentle giant who loved his mother, yet he had a ferocious temper when riled. It took a lot to anger Averey, but he had single-handedly ripped down a barn when he was thirty-five after a dispute over an ox, and the incident was still talked about nine years later.
At forty-four years of age, Averey feared no one and was reputed to be the strongest man in the shire, a title that had once been challenged by John Little of Locksley, who was now a dead man. As a result, Averey was often sought out and well-paid for muscle work and protection, and it was for this reason that he found himself leaving Locksley for Yorkshire one August morning, astride a huge cob, accompanying Lady Marian and her maid on their travels north.
Upon meeting Averey for the first time, Eve looked up and up into his stern expression, high above her, and lapsed into a terrified silence. Marian, who was rarely intimidated by anyone, shot a quick glance at Thornton in muted shock. She had expected a stable lad to accompany them, not this towering beast of a man, yet part of her was impressed by Thornton's find.
Her father was resigned to her departure, and fussed over the small convoy, issuing orders to the stoic Averey and providing them with food and coin for the journey. He drew Marian aside before they left.
"I know that you have to do this, but it doesn't mean I'm pleased about it," he said, frankly, worry clear in his eyes. "Although it makes me a little happier to see Thornton's choice of companion."
Marian laughed, and hugged him. "Please don't worry, Father. I don't expect anything to go wrong while Averey is with us. I can't imagine meeting anyone brave enough to approach us with him by our side."
Sir Edward gave a strained smile. "I certainly hope not, my dear." He touched her cheek, lightly. "Please come back to me."
Marian took his hand and kissed his knuckles. "I'll be back. You can't get rid of me that easily. Once I've helped Robin and Roana, Averey will escort me home."
They departed shortly after and Marian made the decision to set a fast pace, conscious of the Sheriff, Guy, and Bridlington hot on their heels. The sky was blue as they headed onto the Great North Road towards Doncaster, yet grey clouds were appearing on the horizon behind them. If Marian had cultivated a poetic nature, she may have likened it to the idea of evil leaving Nottingham Castle and heading inexorably in their direction, but she was more concerned about getting caught in a downpour, which could slow down their journey. As it was, the horses were fresh and strode out, eagerly, in high spirits, and it seemed like an ideal time to give them their heads and allow them to gallop until they were blowing gently, happier to walk at a more sedate pace.
At first, Marian attempted to strike up conversation with Averey, but quickly found that he wasn't a talker. From the scant few words she managed to squeeze out of him, she got the distinct impression that he was humouring her, and this was something Marian was unused to. Instead, she allowed Fable, her bay mare, to fall into step with Eve's dapple grey mount. Eve was too shy to initiate conversation, and Marian was finding it difficult to shake her wariness after Eve's stint as the Sheriff's spy, but maybe this was the ideal time to build some bridges.
"So, Eve," Marian began, awkwardly. "How are you finding Locksley Manor?"
Eve gave her a startled glance before lowering her eyes, deferentially. "Oh, I love it, my lady. I'm so grateful to you and Sir Edward and Sir Guy for giving me the opportunity."
"My father is happy with your work," Marian said, graciously, deliberately withholding any compliment of her own until she knew Eve better. "Where do you hail from?"
"Worksop, originally, my lady," Eve replied. "My father still lives there, working as a tanner."
"And your mother?"
Eve ducked her head. "My mother died when I was born, my lady."
Marian nodded, seeing common ground of sorts. She had lost her own mother at a young age, and surely growing up with one parent was no different for a peasant girl. "I'm sorry to hear that, Eve."
"Thank you, my lady," Eve said, quietly.
They rode for a while in companionable silence before Marian glanced across at Eve. "I see that you have come along unarmed. I did mention the necessity of a weapon of some sort. Can you handle a sword?"
"I— I have daggers, my lady," Eve stammered in response.
"Daggers?" Marian was surprised. She had assumed the maid was a simple girl, living on her wits, and selling information to ensure an easier life. She certainly hadn't expected her to be trained in combat of any sort.
"My father and brothers taught me how to use daggers to protect myself, my lady." Eve indicated towards her back. "I keep them under my cloak."
Impressed, Marian smiled at her. "I'll be very interested to see you use them, Eve."
Eve returned her smile, shyly. "I was rather hoping I wouldn't have to, my lady. Not with him here." She nodded towards Averey, who was clearly listening even as he pretended not to. She raised her voice a little. "I'm hoping nobody will threaten us for fear of Averey."
Ahead of them, the big man turned very slightly in the saddle to acknowledge her words. The ghost of a smile played on his lips before he turned to the front again. Eve and Marian exchanged glances. Averey was clearly a man of few words.
Eventually, they arrived at the small market town of Doncaster and Marian decided that they should stop for a short while. They watered the horses and ate some of the bread and salted pork her father had provided them with, sat on a patch of grass at the side of the road. There were many people travelling to and from the town centre, some on foot, others on horseback or horse and cart, and, after a while, Marian spotted the helmets of a small group of guards further up the road, heading towards them.
"We should leave," she said, urgently, scrambling to her feet and raising the hood of her cloak. "There are guards approaching. I can't tell where they're from.."
Looking scared, Eve leapt up, accidentally spilling the rest of the salted pork from the muslin cloth it was wrapped in. Averey remained seated, munching nonchalantly on a bread roll, as she picked everything up as fast as she could and hurried to her horse.
"Come on, Averey," Marian hissed as the guards drew level with them, astride impressive destriers, chatting amongst themselves. They were dressed in unfamiliar colours, which was a relief, but guards were guards, and Marian didn't want to be held up if they proved to be troublesome.
The one nearest to them turned his head and caught sight of Eve, who was cramming food into her saddle bag, furtively.
"And what have we here?" he leered, reining in his black horse and turning its head towards the group on the patch of grass. The other three guards stopped talking and came to a halt, looking over in their direction.
Pulling her hood closer around her face, Marian stepped forward. "No trouble here, my lord. We are passing through, on our way to York to visit family," she said in her best Yorkshire accent. Averey and Eve looked at her in surprise.
"Oh, you are, are yer?" The guard said, looking from Eve to Marian. He stepped closer to her, peering into the darkness that her hood created. "We've been asked t'look out for travellers, especially hooded ones. The Sheriff wants them who're passing through to pay a toll."
"Pay a toll for riding the road?" Marian asked in disbelief, losing her accent. "That's ridiculous!"
The guard shrugged. "By order of Prince John." He moved closer to Marian, suspiciously. "Who might you be, then?"
Marian pushed back her hood and drew herself up, regally. "I am Lady Marian of Knighton, on my way to York on business," she said, imperiously. "I insist that you let us pass without incident."
"Knighton? Never heard of it," the guard said, looking at his friends. "You heard of it, lads?" There was a chorus of negatives, and Marian bristled. The guard continued. "If yer a lady, y'should have money to pay the toll."
"How much is it?" she asked, teeth clenched in anger.
The guard grinned at her, evilly. "How much have you got?"
Two of the other guards dismounted and came towards them, one making his way over to Eve, who squealed as he grabbed her arm.
Marian made to draw her sword, but then Averey stood up. And up, and up, and up, until he loomed over the tallest guard. He calmly threw away the last of his bread roll and bent to pick up the staff, lying at his feet. Holding it lightly in his right hand, he thwacked the top end onto the open palm of his other hand. It made a dull, meaty sound, and he glared round at the group of guards, his expression one of fury.
"Picking on girls? Is that what the Yorkshire guard has come to? Well, why don't you pick on me instead?"

Filey, East Riding of Yorkshire, later that day

Dusk was falling by the time the small group of riders reached the crest of the hill, pausing to look out over the valley below. Filey Manor lay amid arable farmland and wooded areas, lit in the darkening evening, a warm and inviting beacon after the long ride. Roana felt a well of happiness brim over deep inside. No matter how much joy she had found in Nottingham, Filey would always be home.
"Is that our stop?" Will asked, looking over at her.
Roana nodded. "That's Filey Manor."
"It's not on fire yet, then?" Allan quipped to hide his nerves. They all stared at him in disbelief. "What? It's not!"
"Ever heard of tact, Allan?" Little John growled, urging his horse on. "Come on, then. I need to get out of this saddle."
Sensing the change of mood in their riders, the horses followed Little John's mount enthusiastically, galloping along the dirt path that lead down to the valley floor. Robin had reluctantly stayed behind in Malton for the night, along with Djaq and Much, but the decision to ride on ahead had galvanised the rest of them into action.
Roana couldn't wait to see her uncle and aunt. It had been so long since she had last set eyes on them, and she missed their presence in her life. Even though she now had Robin and Allan, Marian and the rest of the gang, she still needed Robert and Eleanor. That would never change.
The next few days would be pivotal for her. There was so much to do; stop William from carrying out his dastardly plans, and save Filey Manor; deal with the aftermath of her broken betrothal with both her aunt and uncle and William's father; and introduce Robert and Eleanor to Allan, her love, and convince them of the depth of her feelings. It was a slightly foreboding, but also exhilarating, thought. She stood on the precipice of the life she had always desired, and surely they would be able to see that and accept her decisions.
Reaching the main track to the manor house and farm, the group came to a halt at a closed gate which prevented them from travelling any further.
"Well, this is new," Roana mused, eyeing the accompanying wooden fence that appeared to surround the farm on all sides.
"Extra security?" Allan suggested as Will dismounted and approached the gate, scrutinising the fixtures closely.
"I can easily get this open," he said in a preoccupied tone. "Whoever made it hasn't done the best of jobs, but I can sort that out."
He whipped out his axe and began to tinker with the lock. Eventually, he opened the gate and allowed them to pass through before closing it again, fiddling with the latch. "That's a bit better, but with the right tools, I can make it a lot better."
There was a rustling in the bushes beside the track and, suddenly, an arrow thunked into the ground between Allan and John. The horses shied away, and Roana struggled to control her mount as she looked around, quickly, trying to catch a glimpse of their assailant.
"Don't move," a loud, disembodied voice came from the bushes. "You're trespassing. State your business on private land, or you will find an arrow in your arse."