Grant What I Wish

Grant What I Wish - Chapter 11. Zugzwang

Chapter 11. Zugzwang

Come to the orchard in Spring.

There is light and wine, and sweethearts

in the pomegranate flowers.

If you do not come, these do not matter.

If you do come, these do not matter.

-Rumi

York

1195

As the towers of York came into sight, two dusty and exhausted riders pulled up on the outskirts of the city, next to the banks of the River York. Dismounting, they allowed their horses to wander down to the river to drink and graze while they determined how to proceed upon their improbable rescue mission.

Stretching weary legs, Robin experienced a grim relief that he no longer was alone on the road with Gisbourne. Besides despising the man, he thought Guy was terrible company-taciturn and self-contained, seemingly consumed by his thoughts and distracted to the point that Robin had to address him several times before he could capture his attention. He had asked Gisbourne about the warriors who had rescued him in Nottingham and who knew the way to Robin's camp, but Guy's response was vague and unsatisfactory. Robin knew nothing more than he had before. He felt unsettled, as if something significant was going on but he could not quite grasp what it was.

For his part, Guy was relieved that he no longer had to wonder how many paces behind him Marian and her men rode. True to her word, she had remained out of sight the entire journey. He had craned his neck about in search of her numerous times, until Hood accused him of seeing pursuers behind every tree. Guy said nothing, content to let his travelling companion believe he was on the lookout for guards ready to snatch him back to prison, rather than the woman both of them loved. It was frustrating knowing she was within reach, so close that he could sense her presence, yet he could not see her or speak with her while Hood was with him. He found himself yearning for her-although it had been a short time since he had learned that she was alive, he craved her presence like a starving man craves food. He was sickening for the sight of her face or the soft lilt of her voice.

He still found it extraordinary that Marian had revealed herself to him first, rather than to Hood. While grateful for the distinction, and aching to fling the knowledge into Hood's smug face, Guy longed to ask Marian why she had done so. He was half fear, half hope as to her rationale, and found himself praying, as he had not done since he was a young boy, that perhaps-just perhaps-she might be starting to care for him. Oh, he did not expect her to love him-that was too fantastical an idea to contemplate, and one he could not imagine, given all he had done to her. Still, he hoped she might cherish some small regard for him. Half a loaf was better than none.

He gazed up at the towers of the castle once more, and thought grimly of the task that lay ahead of them. Robin turned and caught his eye. "Do you have a plan?" Guy asked him tersely.

Robin replied, "Yes, I do. We wander the castle keep first then stop in at the local tavern, to learn what we can of Archer. Surely someone in York will know of him and his whereabouts. I want to be sure he is still in the dungeon before we attempt any rescue."

Guy nodded. "We will need to understand the lay of the dungeon-where it is located, how many floors it is below ground, how heavily it is guarded...." His voice trailed off as he considered what such a rescue would entail. He knew the dungeons of Nottingham like the back of his hand. Here in York, however, the dungeons were strange and unknown, as were the alleyways and streets, and he began to feel the enormity of the task that lie ahead of them.

"A few well-chosen bribes to the guards should give us some idea of the dungeon's locale and circumstances," Robin said thoughtfully. "Let us enter York separately and scout around on our own for information. We should plan on meeting at the tavern later this afternoon." He looked to Guy for agreement, and when Guy nodded once more, he walked briskly to the river bank and mounted his horse. "See you in York, Gisbourne," he said tersely, and rode off.