On the 4th day, Anne found a new camp deeper in the forest.
After organizing and moving the supplies they had amassed Anne cocked her head at the prisoners and asked Genie, "What are we doing with them?"
"I think we should take them to the Sheriff."
"Are you sure we should do that?" Anne was concerned that news of their actions in Newmarket forest may have been spread to all of the sheriffs of the land. "They might know about us..."
"Nonsense!" Genie snapped. "We aren't all going to go into Nottingham. Or at least, not all of us will go into the castle."
The 5 women saddled their horses. Slow progress was made to Nottingham as the men were tied to the saddles and were forced to walk behind the horses. After 3 hours at a steady pace, they finally reached the south gate entry into Nottingham town. Anne and Genie sent the 3 younger women into the castle with the prisoners. Genie reckoned it more likely that she and Anne would be the wanted women, as they were the ones who did the killing in Newmarket. They neglected to take in account the fact that no one other than the women actually knew that.
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The 3 young women led their prisoners into the castle and waited with all of the other petitioners. After an hour they were called into the Sheriff's hall.
"Ladies, how can I help you?" Vaisey asked, thinking to himself, 'Lepers...' "I am led to understand that you have some prisoners for me."
Catherine stepped forward and bowed to the Sheriff. "Yes, your lordship. On two occasions we found this man," she grabbed blondie by the arm and pulled him forward, "robbing innocent travelers in Sherwood Forest."
"Innocent travelers?" Vaisey said in a mocking tone. The jewel in his false tooth gleamed as he leaned forward and said, "What about this other fellow?"
To the side of him Vaisey's Master-at-Arms was leaning against the back of the chair. Guy of Gisborne was a man of power. A very tall man, he had an aquiline nose, strong jaw, the brightest blue eyes Catherine had ever seen and hair the colour of night. Right at this moment he was regarding the proceedings sardonically.
Moira stepped forward with the other man, "This is his henchman, Lambert."
Once Moira came forward Guy regarded the women with more interest. They looked familiar to him. He slowly recalled where he had seen these women. He leaned in to the Sheriff and whispered, "My lord, these women are outlaws. There are 6 in total but these 3 are part of the gang who killed the Prince's guards at Newcastle."
The Sheriff smiled wickedly and eyed the women. "Tell me, my Lord Whitten, are these accusations true?"
Upon hearing the blond man addressed as "Lord" Catherine groaned inwardly.
Lord Whitten stepped forward and declared, "Of course not my Sheriff. As you well know, I am a simple man. I tend to my estate and its people and go about my business." He bowed low to the Sheriff. Gisborne smirked and the Sheriff guffawed.
"Gisborne, untie these men! Guards! Take these ladies," he made air quotes around the word, "down to the dungeon. Don't put them together."
The guards led the women out of the room without incident. Lord Whitten approached the Sheriff. "I am indebted to you my lord Sheriff." He grinned, "Shall I see you next week?" He took off his glove to shake the Sheriff's hand, exposing a distinctive ring emblazoned with an eagle.
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Genie and Anne waited at the Trip Tavern for the girls to return. Each woman was nursing an ale they had purchased with the coins from the tinker.
They were sitting with a pleasant man who was happy to see such fresh-faced ladies in the place. Audrey, the serving wench, was pretty enough but not as beautiful as these 2. He was telling them about Robin Hood. They were fascinated to hear about this gang of people who stole from the rich and distributed those riches to the poor.
"They even got a woman in the gang," he said, waggling his eyebrows. "The lasses these days! They are gettin' to be real fighters. The tinker were t'town yesserday and were telling us about the girls wot saved him. Called them the Wayfarers, 'e did." The women gaped at each other, surprised by this information. "He said they was better wit' a sword then ever he'd seen! And he been around!" He nodded enthusiastically.
The women looked at each other and giggled. The man rose from his spot and said with discouragement, "I'se got to go. Twas lovely t'meet you lasses. I be hopin' to see ya t'tavern agin, real soon." He nodded to each woman and shuffled out of the tavern.
After 3 hours Genie was starting to get nervous. She paced in front of the grimy window looking out onto the Nottingham market. "Good God!" she exclaimed.
"What is it?" Anne asked.
"The blond man...and Lambert..."
Anne flew to the window and immediately paled. They spied Lord Whitten and Lambert walking nonchalantly past the tavern. "If they are walking free...where are the girls?"
Genie, the more hot-headed of the two, was immediately heading for the front door. Anne managed to catch her before she had flung open the door to chase after the thieves. "Wait! Wait a moment, Genie." Anne was holding onto Genie's upper arm with all the strength she could muster. "Come sit. We need to figure out what is going on." She dragged Genie back to the table, ordered another ale and fixed a cold stare on her. "If you go off all half-cocked we are going to get into trouble."
"Yes, yes," Genie grumbled. After a moment she asked, "So what do you think happened?"
Audrey came back with the ale, so Anne asked her, "Did you see the blond man who went by a few minutes ago?" Audrey bobbed her head yes. "Who is he?"
"He be Lord Whitten," she replied, wide eyed. "He be ownin' Upton Meadows. It be's t'biggest estate in all o' Not'in'hamshire."
Genie groaned. Anne cursed quietly under her breath. "Damn it! Our girls are likely in the dungeon by now."
"Do you think they know who we are?" demanded Genie.
"I'm thinking they probably do."
"We have to get them out..."
"You think?" Anne said sarcastically. When she saw the look of hurt in her friend's eyes she was immediately contrite. "Oh Genie, I'm sorry! I'm...I'm so afraid for the girls." Tears started down her cheeks. "They have already been through so much."
Genie covered her friends hand with her own, "I know, love. We will get them back. Now, put your thinking cap on."
They spent the next hour debating strategies. In the end, they decided that storming the castle, so to speak, was the best option. However, the lateness of the hour meant that they would have to carry out their plan the next day.
They went to the Hostler, used the last of the coins they had to stable the girls' horses for the night and returned to their camp.
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