House Of Gisborne: The Secret Of Gisborne Part 8

Back at the camp, Robin whistled. Out of the forest, a steed waded across the water, splas.h.i.+ng through the rus.h.i.+ng creek. Marian shook her head, clearly impressed.

Marian, meet Henry, Robin said.

Henry cleverly bowed his head and Marian patted the white streak that ran down his nose.

Glad to meet you, Henry, she laughed, and Henry stamped his hoof and whinnied his own greeting.

Robin quickly informed the others what was taking place at the castle. After a round of objections over Marians role, Robin finally convinced them it was the best option.

We have to go quickly, Robin, Marian said. Well have to meet the wagon early or the guards might see us.

Yes, youre right, of course, Robin agreed.

Robin quickly mounted his horse, and he reached his hand down to Marian, who took it and allowed herself to be pulled up on the horses gleaming auburn back. She wrapped her arms around Robins waist, and they took off at a gallop through the trees, the leaves rustling underneath Henrys hooves.

The wagon comes on the east road, Marian said. Well have to meet it before the bridge or well risk being spotted by the castle guards.

Ill ride up and ask the driver for directions and slow him down. You wait by the road and jump in while I have him distracted, Robin said. Ill wait by the road for you when youre done.

Understood, Marian agreed.

They reached the road near the bridge well before midnight. Marian hid behind a bush just off the road while Robin sat on Henrys back on the bridge. When the wagon approached the bridge, Robin pulled his hood over his face and rode toward it.

Hail, good sir! Robin called to the driver, who cautiously began to slow down.

Whatdya want? the driver called, looking around as if expecting an ambush.

I only ask for directions to Wilts.h.i.+re, sir, Robin said politely.

Just keep going that way and turn north at first farm, the driver said as Marian crawled under the white cloth that covered the wagons wares.

Many thanks, kind sir, Robin said merrily. And a good evening to you!

The driver gruffly muttered something in return and slapped his reins against the horses backs, urging them back to a gallop. Marian peeked out of the wagon and winked at Robin, who nodded back with a very worried look straining his face.

Marian pulled her head back under the cloth and held her breath. She could hear the tinkling of jars or bottles jostling together beside her and knew this must be a delivery of mead and wine.

The wagon pulled into the darkened courtyard, and the driver jumped down and disappeared inside the castle. Marian cautiously peeked out of the wagon box. The nearby guards were having a conversation and were turned away. She clambered out of the box and slid around the wall, slipping into the shadows.

Having cleaned their rooms, Marian was relatively certain she knew which rooms belonged to which Lords, so she crept silently up to one of the windows and stood on her toes to peek inside. Then she quickly ducked down.

Lord Winston, I must insist, Gisbornes voice carried through the window. This plan is for the benefit of everyone in the kingdom. You simply must vote in our favor.

And what if I dont, Gisborne? Lord Winston asked defiantly. I know my citizens, and I tell you they cannot afford to pay another ten percent!

If you dont, then Lord Blackstock is prepared to withdraw his protection of your kingdom.

B-but you know what that will mean! We already have enough trouble fighting off the outlaws! What will we do?

Vote with us, Gisborne said, and the protection will continue. Lord Blackstock is even willing to send another five hundred soldiers to your kingdom if needed.

Five hundred? Lord Winston whispered in wide-eyed wonder. Then he quickly said, No. Im sorry, I cannot do it. Ten percent will mean my people starve, and I cannot allow that.

Then youve left me no choice, Gisborne said.

Marian struggled to raise herself high enough to see inside the window without being spotted. She pulled herself up on her toes, grasping the rough stone sill with her fingers. Her eyes widened as she saw Gisborne approaching Lord Winston.

What are you doing? Lord Winston demanded. Get away from me at once!

Marian suppressed a gasp as Gisbornes mouth opened, and two sharp fangs glinted in the moonlight. Gisborne wrapped his arms around Lord Winston, and even through the gla.s.s Marian could hear the sickening rip of flesh as those horrifying fangs tore into Winstons neck. Lord Winston groaned piteously, and in an instant, his body went limp.

Marian slipped, her fingers bloodied as they slid across the rough stone. She covered her mouth tightly with her hands to hold in the scream of terror that threatened to betray her location.

What is he? she wondered. Hes... some kind of monster!

There was no time to warn the others. Gisborne had already made his way to the guest chambers, and she would have no way to warn the others without being seen. She slipped through the shadows and watched as the wagon was unloaded. When the driver disappeared inside the castle along with his load, she slipped back into the wagon.

A few minutes later, the driver emerged, and he pulled the wagon out of the castle courtyard and headed back down the road. At the bridge, Robin had dragged a log across the road, causing the driver to bring the wagon to an abrupt stop. He cursed, getting out of the wagon to drag it away from his path while Marian slipped out and disappeared into the trees nearby.

As the wagon rattled away in the distance, Robin snuck up behind her.

Well? he asked, and she started.

Dont scare me like that! she gasped, her hand covering her thrumming heart.

Sorry. What has you so jumpy? Robin asked.

Oh, Robin! she wailed, flinging herself against him. It was horrible!

You didnt make in time? he asked.

Its more than that, Robin, she cried, her voice m.u.f.fled by his chest. Gisborne... hes... hes some kind of... of... monster!

Well, we knew that, Marian...

No! Marian shouted, pulling away from Robin and grabbing his shoulders firmly. Hes really a monster! I saw him! He had these... fangs! And he bit Lord Winston in the neck! Killed him nearly instantly!

Robins upper lip twitched, nearly curling into a snarl. His eyes narrowed, and his hands quivered as they nearly balled into fists.

Vampire, he growled.

What? Marian asked.

I thought they were only legends... fairy tales, Robin said.

What are you talking about? Marian demanded.

Vampires... have you not heard the stories? Men who turn into bats, drink human blood, and never, ever die...

Marian s.h.i.+vered.

But those are just stories, Robin, Marian said. Theyre not real!

You said you saw him. He had fangs. He bit Lord Winston and killed him. Hes a vampire. The stories are real!

No... no, they.. they cant be, Marian murmured, shaking her head.

We have to get back to camp, Robin said. We have to do something quickly or the whole village is in danger!

Robin whistled, and Henry dashed out of the trees. Robin deftly swung onto his back and pulled Marian on behind him. Off they sped toward the forest, toward the camp.

John! Will! Robin shouted as they splashed through the creek.

Robin dismounted while Henry was still at a trot and pulled Marian off behind him. Shafts of light fell upon the forest floor as their tent flaps opened, and the men emerged, bleary eyed, but alert.

Weve got a problem, Robin said. Youve heard of vampires?

John chuckled heartily and said, You mean the childrens stories?

Theyre not stories, Robin said seriously. Theyre real.

Will snorted and burst into laughter. Slapping Robin heartily on the back, he said, Good one, Robin! You almost had me going.

Will! Robin shouted, and Wills smile quickly faded. Im deadly serious.

What? But theyre stories, Robin, Will argued. They were made up to scare little children into coming home before dark!

Theyre not stories, Marian said. Ive seen one.

Where? John asked, suddenly serious.

At the castle, Marian said. Its Gisborne.

The group fell silent. No one spoke or even moved. Even Henry stopped his pawing of the ground and stood as still as a statue, his muscles quivering underneath his hide.

Gisborne, Will finally said. Are you certain?

Marian nodded and said, I saw him kill Lord Winston. He had two huge fangs, and he bit Lord Winston on the neck and Winston just went limp.

More silence. Everyone looked at each other, unsure what to do or say.

We have to a.s.sume Gisborne has already killed the other Lords who wouldnt comply, Robin said. So whatever Blackstock is planning is a done deal.

I cant imagine what he could be doing, Marian said. He says he wants to use all these taxes to build orphanages, but he doesnt care about that.

No, youre right. Something sinister is going on, and weve got to find out what it is, Robin agreed.

Ill do what I can to find out something at the castle, said Marian.

Youre not going back there! Robin shouted.

Oh, yes I am! Marian insisted. Robin, someone has to find out whats going on, and Im the only one who has access!

You cant! Youve seen Gisborne! And we have to a.s.sume Blackstock is one, as well. And who knows who else? Its not safe! Robin yelled.

And what do you think will happen if I suddenly neglect to show up for work? Theyll come after me... after Father! They know I need my job, and if I dont show up, theyll suspect something is wrong!

Shes right, mate, John said gently, clasping Robins shoulder. She has to go back or theyll know somethings up.

Robin opened his mouth to argue, but he could clearly see everyone was in agreement.

Fine, but you get out of there at the first sign of trouble, Robin said.

I will. I promise, Marian said.

Id better get you home, Robin said. Find out what you can tomorrow, and meet me in the same place at dusk. Meanwhile, well figure out what to do.

Alright, Marian agreed.

Marian and Robin mounted Henry, and Robin took her back to the forests edge. She slid off the horse and glanced up at Robin.

I dont like this, Robin told her.

I know, but theres no choice, she said, and he nodded.

Marian headed home with Robin watching from within the trees until she disappeared safely inside the cottage.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

The morning was chilly, but not freezing. Still, Marian s.h.i.+vered uncontrollably as she entered the castle courtyard. Her eyes flitted about her, glancing at every guard and wondering if they, too, were monsters like Gisborne.

The morning ch.o.r.es were marginally bearable. The hours crawled by as she scrubbed the floors in the corridors, and she felt fortunate that she saw no sign of Gisborne or Blackstock.

The noon hour approached, and she asked Mirabelle if she could take a break for a bite to eat. Not wanting a repeat of Marians fainting spell, she agreed. She gave Marian an apple and a hunk of stale bread, and Marian slipped off to the center courtyard to listen in on the voting.

The group had already convened. Marian could hear the commotion as the Lords discussed the vote. Finally, she heard a loud banging sound on the ma.s.sive table.

May I have your attention, please? Blackstocks voice rose above the others. Voting is about to commence. I would like to hear from any of you who may have something to say on the matter!

I have something to say, a voice bellowed loudly.