Maid of Sherwood by Shanti Krishnamurty

Author:Shanti Krishnamurty [Krishnamurty, Shanti]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-05-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen:

“Why is this door locked?? Open it at once!” The sheriff’s voice came through the wooden doors clearly.

Marian looked at Robin, eyes wide. “You cannot be found here!”

“The passageway,” Nyneve directed. “Now, Robin. Hurry.”

Robin pressed a quick kiss to one of Marian’s hands before he scrambled out of the pew and ran toward the back of the chapel.

“But—there’s nothing back there,” she protested.

Father’s hand on her shoulder prevented her from rising. “He’ll be fine, Mari.”

A barely seen flick of Robin’s wrist, and Marian watched as a panel of stone slid halfway open. Without a backward glance Robin slipped through it and the panel turned to become a smooth stone wall once more.

“Break the doors down!” The sheriff ordered.

“Sheriff,” Nyneve called out, “there’s no need for such theatrics. I am coming.” Her voice suddenly shook and the glow around her dissipated until it vanished entirely. Moving more slowly than before, she walked to the doors and undid the bolt holding them shut. “Come in, sheriff.”

The sheriff and three guardsmen pushed their way into the chapel.

“Why were the doors barred, historian?”

“I am not under your jurisdiction, sheriff,” Nyneve said coldly. “An amount of courtesy is due me.”

“This is my home,” growled the sheriff. “You are here at Prince John’s suffrage, which means you are here at mine, as well.”

“You overstep yourself,” the Lady retorted. “And the doors were barred at my insistence. If you have issue with it, take it up with King Richard upon his return. I have violated none of the liberties he conferred upon me.”

“King Richard is not here,” the sheriff stated. “I am.”

The Lady glared at him. “Indeed you are. But I have done nothing wrong, sheriff, simply barred a door you did not wish barred.”

The sheriff stared at her for a moment before turning to where Marian sat. “Lady Marian, Lady Beatrix, are you all right?”

“Yes,” Marian said.

“All three of us are fine,” Mother said. “But your concern is unnecessary. Was there something in particular you needed?”

The man shook his head. “I became concerned when I could not find Lady Marian,” he said. “I very much would like to accompany her to dinner.”

“Marian will be seated with us.” Father said. “Come, Marian, Beatrix. Lady Nyneve, it was a pleasure to speak with you. I certainly hope we can do it again sometime soon.” He rose to his feet, Mother and Marian followed suit.

“I am feeling a bit tired, and we need to change before dinner.” Mother said. The woman Marian had seen earlier was gone as though she’d never existed.

“I will join you as soon as I am able,” Nyneve said calmly. “I look forward to sitting with you tonight.”

Marian felt the sheriff’s stare boring into her back on the short walk to the chapel doors.

“He is too arrogant for my comfort,” Mother fumed as they walked across the cobblestones. “He has designs on you, Mari, and I do not like it.”

“Bea, you need to keep your temper under control,” Father warned. “We’re not safe here.”

“Do you think I do not know that?” Mother snapped, and then apologized.

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