Arrow To The Heart (De Bron Saga) (27 page)

Dressed i
n the garb of a common laborer--thick hose of coarse gray yarn, a Phrygian cap of red wool, and dun-colored tunic--he tried to blend with the crowd as he looked over his shoulder. He was wary of being followed, not just by enemies but by Rowena Fitz Hugh. Only after a fierce argument had he at last convinced her to stay behind. Now as he pushed through the crowd he had a funny feeling that she was not too far behind.

“Troublesome woman!” Spotting her, dressed in garments similar to his, he swore beneath his breath. Her presence would put them both in danger, for now he would have to worry about not only himself but her as well.

Darting out from behind an old rickety cart, Rowena made no secret that she had ignored Kendrick’s advice. “My hosen are coarse. They make my ankles itch,” she said as she greeted him.

Pulling her cap down as far on her forehead as he could, Kendrick’s protective action belied his gruff words. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to watch over
you
,” she replied.

He swore beneath his breath again, but took her gently by the arm, leading her past a brightly garbed juggler, towards the old gray stone bridge. Thankfully he could see Chadwick’s lithe figure there. His back was towards them as he gazed towards the other side of the bridge.

“Hurry, de Bron! Why are you slowing?”

Kendrick hadn’t realized that he had, but now as he looked towards the bridge he understood that some inner voice deep inside his head
was warning him. Something was in the air that smelled rank and it wasn’t the fish or the garlic. Every nerve fiber shouted out a warning.

“Run, Rowena!”

“Run?” Stubbornly she refused, that is until the man she thought to be Chadwick turned around. It was not Chad at all, but someone she supposed to be one of Prince John’s men. Accompanying him were three men-at-arms who brandished their swords as they ran forward. “Merry-go-up!” How quickly they had been surrounded. Looking to the left, then the right, Rowena had to admit to herself that there was little chance of escape. That is until a tinker’s cart came rolling past with a smiling Humbley at the reins. So Kendrick’s servants had not let him down after all.

“Humbley!” Never had Kendrick been so glad to see anyone. Particularly since he had brought weapons. Grabbing a sword, Kendrick wielded it skillfully, felling two men-at-arms who blocked their path. He watched as one man fell into the waters below, then taking Rowena by the hand, he jumped into the wagon.

“Hold on to your cap,” Humbley commanded, pulling at the reins of the on-horse cart. The wagon burst into motion, its wheels grinding on the cobblestones. Like the wind, they flew by several of the townspeople, knocking over barrels of mead and suffering the curses of the wrathful owners.

“What has happened to my father?” Rowena had to know.

“He is a prisoner! As is poor Chadwick now.”

Breathlessly he told of how the Sheriff of Nottingham had locked up Sir William, under John’s orders, then forced the unfortunate man to sign a warrant making Kendrick an outlaw. Spying at the castle, Chadwick had learned Sir William’s whereabouts but before he could meet Kendrick at the designated spot, he had been captured, the message had been ripped out of his hand, and he had been taken back to the castle, there to languish himself.

“Father!” It was just as Rowena had feared.

Veering to the right, Humbley only narrowly managed to bring the cart under control as it threatened to capsize.

They could hear the rumble of horses’ hooves behind them and knew that the men-at-arms had called for added reinforcements.

“Hold on to the side of the cart!” Kendrick shouted as they headed straight for a pile of straw. Crashing through the middle, the cart soon came to a stop as Kendrick lifted Rowena down from the wagon. Pulling her along behind him
, he ran through the streets and into an alehouse. Peering out the window, they could see their pursuers brushing off the straw from their garments.

Rowena fought against a mist of tears. Her father was Prince John’s prisoner and she could not help but feel responsible. Sir William had feared all along that to go against John would bring dire consequences. Now circumstances revealed that he was right.

She had selfishly given in to her yearning for adventure without a thought to her father’s safety. “I was tired of listening to all the people who only talked of doing something about Prince John. And I must admit I wanted excitement.” She did not add that she had always been rebellious. “It’s my fault!”

“No!” Gathering her into his arms, Kendrick kissed her forehead. “You cannot fault yourself for following your heart and doing what you believed in. Nor can your father.”

“We have to save him!”

“Aye.”

“Do you think Rob..?”

Kendrick nodded. “He owes me a favor. Besides, I cannot think of a time when Robert didn’t enjoy a lively scuffle. “He squared his shoulders. “As do I.”

His bravado was taken more than a little aback, however, as they heard the town crier shouting out a proclamation. “Citizens of Nottingham, know you that Kendrick de Bron has been declared outlaw by our noble prince for treason against the crown and for unlawful abduction. Hear you that a reward of two hundred pounds has hereby been offered for capture of said Kendrick, alive or dead.”

“Alive or dead. Dead.” The word echoed over and over in Rowena’s brain. Suddenly what she had thought of as an adventure had turned ominously serious. “You cannot stay here!” His very life was in danger. “Kendrick!”

“I’m not afraid.” Oh, but in truth he wasn’t nearly as unconcerned as he sounded. It was as if he could already feel the sting of the headsman’s ax slice his neck. More so as he heard the alehouse door give way and realized that they had been discovered.

“Show yourself as a woman, Rowena. They will give you mercy then,” Kendrick commanded. Suddenly it was not himself that he worried about but her. He could not bear to see her wounded or slain.

“No!” This time it was she who took the lead, ducking in and out of the shadows as she tugged at Kendrick’s arm.

“Quick, follow me!”

At first Kendrick thought that it was Rowena who spoke but as he looked around he found himself staring at a wide eyed boy. One who was strangely familiar. “Who…?”

“Shhhhhhh!” He pointed at Rowena. “I recognize your friend, the archer. He saved me from a wild boar out in the forest. Now I can repay the favor. Come.”

The boy let them to a trapdoor concealed in the alehouse’s floor that led to a tunnel below which, during the Norman Conquest, had been used to smuggle goods into the city. Tugging the trapdoor open, he held it firmly as Rowena and Kendrick pushed their way inside.

The air was chilly and damp. It was dark. Still, as Rowena wrapped her arms protectively around her body, as she fumbled through the darkness, bumping into obstacles and brushing against spider webs, it was a most glorious haven. They had escaped. Taking hold of Kendrick’s hand, she whispered a thankful prayer as they broke into a run, putting Prince John’s men far behind them.

Chapter Twenty-Four

It was an exhausted Rowena and Kendrick who rode into the camp of Robin Hood. Having ridden nearly night and day, they had taken little time to eat and rest along the way. Only once had they given in to their longing for each other upon the soft grass beside a bubbling brook. Now they fought the urge to cast their eyes upon each other, fearing that their passion would be mirrored in the depths of a glance or a look.

It was Little John who met them as they rode in. “We were worried about you two,” he said in his deep booming voice. “Robin learned that the price upon your head nigh equals that put upon his own, de Bron.”

Kendrick bounded off his horse to greet the large man, nearly giving in Rowena away by helping her down from her horse as he had so often the last few days. Only by his wits did he save the day. Reaching up towards Rowena, he pretended that it was for her longbow that he came towards her. Grabbing that weapon, he examined it as if for a loose string, then handed it back to her as she got off her horse.

“So tell me where you were.” Little John put a friendly arm about Rowena’s shoulder.

“We went to Nottingham.”

“
Nottingham?” Little John grimaced. “To pay a social call on our dear sheriff?”

Rowena told the truth. “To find out about Sir William of Grantham’s whereabouts.” She couldn’t keep her voice from trembling. “It seems that the prince has gone berserk. He has imprisoned that most noble knight because of mere suspicion.”

“Suspicion? Sir William?”

“We must save him. We must!”

Fearing that Rowena was perilously close to giving herself away, Kendrick stepped in between. “Arrow was once Sir William’s stable boy. He treated him just like a son1”

“Hmmmmm, is that so?” Little John cocked one brow, then smiled.

“He was always most kind to me. And always loyal to the king.” Though she tried to keep calm, her heart was booming. They had to rescue her father!

“My servant Chadwick has been made a prisoner as well.”

“Then of course, we cannot let John go about locking up men who see things our way.” He paused, then asked “Where is he?”

“In
Nottingham Castle.”

“
Nottingham Castle.”

Rowena watched as Little John made his way to the fireside where Robin Hood sat in discussion with the jolly Friar Tuck. She could not help but feel apprehensive about the holy man, fearing that it was he who had given her message into enemy hands. Would he seek to betray them all now as well? How could she trust him?

As Little John returned and touched upon Robin Hood’s rescue plan, she found out that she would have no choice. Friar Tuck was to give them aid in shielding the rescued prisoners in his old abbey once they were out of the castle.

“Sir William will be disguised as a friar. That will amuse him well,” she murmured, thankful that in such a disguise he would be safe. Deep in thought she followed John, joining with him, Robin and Allan-A-Dale to discuss the plot in detail.

"The castle of Nottingham will be a difficult fortress to siege, so we will have to act by our wits," Rob was saying.  "I will disguise myself as a barber.  We will get a message to Sir William to pretend to have a tooth ache which causes him great pain.  Even John must be sympathetic to such a plight."

"Let us hope,"  Rowena whispered.

"John will have to let a barber in to pull the offensive tooth," Robin continued.  "Me!"

"No, Robin.  It is much too dangerous for you to do," argued Will Scarlet, joining the group.  "Your face is too well known among the Prince's men.  Let me act the part!"

"No, I am not a coward."

”Yes, you are likewise not a fool."

For quite a while they argued between themselves but having thought a moment and seeing the wisdom of Will Scarlet's argument, Robin at last agreed.  "All right."  He patted Kendrick on the back.  "You and I, old friend, will wait patiently until they can let us in the castle walls." He looked at Arrow.  "What if Kendrick and I dress as old women.  We should go undetected then, eh? I will leave it up to Kendrick to rescue his manservant.”"

Rowena smiled.  "Dressing in foolish skirts worked for me.  Pray tell we will see if you make as good a woman as did I."  She waited and when Robin did not include her in the scheme asked, "but what of me?"

"You, lad, will accompany Will as barber's apprentice.  It will be your duty to lead Sir William safely through the gates.  How like you that?"  The lad's smile was his answer.

Robin picked up a twig and drew upon the ground.  Rowena could see that it was a map, no doubt of the castle.

"I have been in Nottingham castle many times upon one mischief or the other.  The door is thick and sturdy.  We could never drive it down, but look here."  The outlaw leader pointed to what appeared to be a long shaft that reached nearly to the ground.  "'T is the latrine shaft.  We have only to climb up here to acquire access to yon castle."

"The latrine."  Rowena wrinkled her nose in disgust.  She did not envy those whose duty it would be to enter the castle thus.  Glad was she to be able to accompany Will Scarlet through the door.  "And just who might those fortunate climbers be?"

There were no volunteers.  In the end straws had to be drawn, the owners of the short straws the unfortunates.  For a long time they and the company of archers crowded around Robin Hood as final plans were hatched and fine-tuned.  They would leave long before dawn's first rays touched the earth in order to reach Nottingham castle before the servants and lords were astir.

Nottingham castle looked gloomy and  foreboding.  As Rowena walked beside Will Scarlet towards the wooden doors, she eyed the mammoth fortress with apprehension.  Would the plan work?  Would Allan-A-Dale in his guise as a minstrel be able to smuggle a message to her father so that he could aid them?  For that matter, was her father even alive?  Was he well?  These questions played heavily on her mind as she set one booted foot in front of the other.

"How do I look?"  Will scarlet stroked the beard of which he was so proud and smiled with gleaming teeth.

Turning her head, Rowena surveyed him.  He was a handsome man if a trifle effeminate for her liking.  His looks however, were misleading.  She had heard that Will most certainly did not lack in courage and that he was skilled with both bow and sword.  Somehow, though he did not look like she imagined most barbers would look, she tried to give him confidence.  "You look just right."

"I certainly hope so," he said with a shrug, touching his garments with disgust.  "These garments smell of sweat."  The clothing as well as the instruments he carried with him had been borrowed from a barber in the village who was loyal to Robin and his band.  "The odor of my person offends me."

Rowena laughed, pointing to the archers whose job it was to climb up the latrine.  "Perhaps, but consider how lucky you are, my friend.  At least you need fear no sudden surprises."  Since the latrines were cleaned with rainwater from time to time there was the danger that the archers would find themselves met with a waterfall.

"Water, we hope," Will whispered, knocking loudly upon the castle door.  They were met by a stern faced, red-haired man-at-arms, swathed in armor, who eyed them up and down with nary a trace of a smile.

"State your business," he growled, looking as if something had soured his stomach.

"I am a barber and this is my apprentice.  We come from yon village to offer our aid, if it is needed."

"We don't have need of you," the guardsman answered, making as if to slam the portal closed again.  Will Scarlet risked his well-being as he hastily thrust his foot in the space between door and frame.

"Not so quickly.  I want to talk with someone of higher rank than you."

"My master can offer his services as bloodletter, dentist, surgeon as well as trimmer of hair,"  Rowena hastily added.  Humbly she bowed.  "Please, Sir.  We are in need of work.  Won't you let us in?"

The man-at-arms touched his sword in a threatening manner, looking at the several other armed men who stood near by, but instead of being aggressive he at last stood aside.  "I'll ask about," he barked angrily.  "But if no one has need of you, I expect you to be off on your way."

"Of course, Sir."  Rowena's smile was all innocence.  She watched the man walk away, crossing her fingers all the while.

"Pleasant fellow, isn't he,"  Will Scarlet hissed, nervously tapping his fingers upon his arm as they waited.

At last the guardsman returned.  "Come with me."  He led them towards the lower hall and then to a stone stairwell which no doubt led to the cells of those unfortunate enough to find themselves to be the Prince's "guests".   "This way."  The guard gave them a push.  The thought came to Rowena's mind that perhaps this was a trap.  Surely it was possible.

"Where are you taking us?" she asked, keeping her eyes upon the stone steps in case she had to flee.

The man-at-arms words set her at ease.  "There is a prisoner inside who pains with a toothache.  It is for him that you are here."  He took out a large ring of keys and fitted one of them in the lock of a small wooden door.

Rowena looked in the cell and saw her father clinging to the bars.  It took every ounce of self-control she had not to cry out his name.  Instead she merely said, "we have come for your toothache, my lord."  Her eyes silently communicated with her father.

"Well, 'tis about time, too," Sir William scolded.  "I feared I would nearly die of the pain."  He pointed towards the back of his mouth at a lower tooth.

Rowena followed Will Scarlet inside the cell and were thereby followed by the guardsman, who tapped his foot impatiently.

"Let me have a look," Will said, inching his way closer.  Meanwhile, Rowena reached inside her apron and brought forth a dagger.  Springing upon the guard  she held it at the guard's throat.

"What the devil?"  He struggled at first, but as the point pressed at his juggler vein all fight quickly evaporated.

"Cry out or make one move and I will kill you," she threatened.  To save her father she might have to.  "Now remove your clothing."

Will Scarlet too had a dagger.  He pressed in close to the guardsman, forcing that man to remove his garments one by one.

"Sir William, take off your clothing and dress in these."  Rowena  handed him the clothing of the man-at-arms.  "Hurry."

Sir William donned them in great haste as Rowena secured the guard and stuffed the hem of her apron in his mouth to keep him from sounding an alarm.

"Hurry," she called out again, beckoning Will Scarlet and her father to follow her.  Climbing the stairway, they looked about for any sign of pursuit, but there was none.  It was the time of day when the other men-at-arms seemed to be more concerned with their stomachs than in guarding the prince's prisoners.  Only when they came to the hall did she hear any sound of a scuffle.  Robin was tussling with a handsomely dressed lord, stealing the rings off his fingers and a golden amulet from around his neck.   He would make certain the jewelry would go into the coffer for Richard's return, a much better use than to adorn some arrogant buffoon, he said.

"Stay here with Sir William," Will Scarlet bid his young apprentice.  "I must help Rob ."  Thus said, he plunged into the fighting, wielding his barber's tools as deadly as he did a sword.  Rowena made use of the distraction to squeeze her father's hand.

"I was so worried!"

"But not so much so as to keep from traipsing off."  His tone was stern.  "An outlaw, BiGod."

"No, John is the outlaw.  I but align myself with those who are actively trying to save Richard." For a moment she felt defiant, but her anger quickly faded.  "Father, try to understand.  I am fighting for the rightful king in my own way."

"Cavorting around with a band of irresponsible men.  Dressing like a man."  He shook his head.  "I wanted better for you."

"You wanted me to be happy and safe and content," she whispered.  He nodded.  "And I am."  As they walked along she tried to briefly tell him about all that had happened to her since last they had seen each other, but there was no time.  The other outlaws had entered the castle turning it into a battlefield.   It was dangerous to be distracted.  Grabbing her father by the arm she gave up any attempt at explanations, saying merely, "come!"

Their escape wasn't as easily attained as their entrance, however.  As Rowena and her father tried to leave through the gates, they were suddenly confronted by a dark figure coming as if from nowhere.  Standing in front of the door he blocked their way.

"John!"  Rowena eyed the Prince with distaste but without fear.  He didn't frighten her in the least.  If she couldn't get the best of him then she didn't deserve to be a member of Robin Hood's band.  Brazenly she hefted her sword, daring him to stop her from leaving.

"Anxious to duck away without thanking me for my hospitality, Sir William," he smirked.  "Shame, shame, shame."

"Hospitality.  Is that what it was?"  Sir William bristled, angry that although once he was known for his prowess, he was as helpless now as a gelded lamb. "Fie on you, John and shame it is on
you
.  Your brother trusted you and yet you betray him again and again."