|
Post by Much on Apr 1, 2009 22:54:47 GMT 1
This was a stupid idea, a very stupid idea and there was no going back.
Much had been on a trip to Nottingham town, alone to pick up a few needed cooking essentials that he could not do with out any longer. As usually the narrow streets where lined with peasants begging and wailing as rats scurried past where they sat, it was disgusting and avoidable if the taxes weren’t so bloody high. It was market Wednesday but thanks to the lovely food shortage most stalls had not been able to open and the only stall owners who had risked opening where a few cloth merchants and an old tinker. Much was disappointed at not being able to pick up a new ladle he so longed for but more so he felt an over whelming anger towards the sheriff. Even more people than usual where struggling to even buy a loaf of bread now that the prices where sky high and those who might have just been able to make it to summer where slipping away with out notice.
So much had come up with a spur of the moment plan that he now regretted. As a surge of anger waved over him he decided to brake in to the castle kitchen and steal as much food as he could physically carry. At the time it had seemed like a perfectly heroic plan where he would shine out for once as the hero, now that he was stood flat back on a wall it didn’t seem so smart. He had made it through the gates with little trouble thanks to a couple of squabbling drunks who had distracted the guards from there posts. Once on castle ground he began to run in to trouble. Guards where patrolling every inch of the castle no doubt as extra protection now that the sheriff had his traitors chatter to protect so slipping by them was more difficult than he had thought.
Much, luckily made it two corridors away from the kitchens with out alerting them to his presence but he had reached a dead end and the way he had come was now blocked. If Robin was with him he would have been able to cook up some amazingly dangerous plan to get them in and out safely but today Much was on his own and his mind was far to scattered for plan making.
“Im telling you Averay this guy was daft, thought I was a priest so he did, dropped down at my feet praying so he was”.
Two guards stood a short way away from Much, just round the corner from here he was stood in the shadows. They two where chattering boisterously to one another, there voices deep and edged with aggression as they discussed a resent event. Much shudder as he listened, by the sound of there voices the tow men where probably much larger than him and would put up a fair fight if he was found. Much sighed with desperation, why did he get him self in to these situations, cornered like a mule for the slaughter or something like that he never did understand sayings.
|
|
|
Post by Marian Fitzwalter on Apr 3, 2009 14:18:02 GMT 1
Marian desperately had to get away from her room, from the almost cell like place. Her father was not getting any better and she had to find something for him. Anything to make him feel well. Water would be the best bet, so she knew she had to get to the kitchen without being noticed by any guards. Luckily, she had the knack of being quiet, being the Nightwatchman helped with that. So she knew how to move about without being noticed.
She was fortunate that she knew the kitchen servants, most of them were there when she was a child and would often sneak her something if she came to see them during the day. Of course, they had to be more careful with that now with the Sheriff watching everyone like a hawk at times. She knew that those who worked in the kitchens were scared of angering him, and she didn't blame them. They would be killed without a care if they were caught going against the Sheriff.
She groaned quietly when she heard two sets of heavy footprints accompanied by gruff voices as she walked towards the kitchen. They were likely to give her a hard time, force her back to her room possibly, but she had to find a way to get to those kitchens. Yes they had sufficient amounts of food when it came to meal times, but her father needed something to keep his strength up. She was worried that if he didn't have anything, even water, that it would end in an awful way. She sighed a little when the guards spotted her. She hated the way they would look at her, like she was a prize.
"What do we have here then?" The taller guard spoke first, his voice going right through her. It made her shiver and instantly feel sick. They were walking closer to her, stalking her like she was a weak animal. She knew she could fend them off if anything happened but couldn't risk people asking how she managed to fight of two big guards.
"Excuse me," she spoke softly, hoping they would move.
For a moment she thought they wouldn't, then she heard something. A distant shout from another guard. Both of the guards in front of her stared her down before quickly passing by her and jogging off in the direction of the voice. She let out the breath she didn't know she was holding before starting to walk. However, it was not long until she stopped again. Out of the corner of her eye she swore she could see something move down the end of a corridor. Taking her chances, she took a small step forward.
"Hello?" she asked, not letting her worry show in her voice.
|
|
|
Post by Much on Apr 3, 2009 21:16:52 GMT 1
"Hello?"
The new voice made the hair on the back of Muchs neck stand on end. It had taken him quite by surprise as he concentrated on what the two guards where saying. He stiffened and slowly he drew his sword as silently as was possible. hopefully who ever the new voice belonged to would not be to difficult to get the better of and Much could take him down with out a sound. It was pretty unlikely but he had no other choice. With a few deep breaths he collected himself, clenched his sword and stepped out of the shadow with the best menacing face he could muster.
"Marian" he breathed with relief his arm still held in the air as he froze at the site of her. " Am i glad to see you!" Much was sure he had never been so happy to see Marian in his life. If it was one person who would get him out of the castle, bar robin it would be Marian. Even though he was still in immediate danger what with two guards blocking his way to the kitchen and others blocking his exit he felt strangely relaxed. He slowly bright his sword down out of the hair, his knuckles where white with the tightness of his grip. She would think he was insane once he explained what his plans where. To come here with out Robin and with out telling any one what he was doing, what a fool.
"Can you help me" He whispered as quietly as he could with out being inaudible"please say you can help me. I need to get in and out of the kitchen...with out being seen".
[sorry its so short i had more but i lost it ]
|
|
|
Post by Marian Fitzwalter on Apr 3, 2009 22:00:41 GMT 1
Marian smiled a little when she realised it was Much. She was a little surprised by his sword being pointed towards her but she knew he wouldn't hurt her. She found herself glancing around him, thinking she would see Robin or another member of the gang with Much, frowning when she realised he was here alone.
"I'm glad to see you, but what are you doing here alone?" she really was worried for him, she knew if he was found he would be in trouble.
"Can you help me? Please say you can help me. I need to get in and out of the kitchen...with out being seen".
Marian nodded as he spoke. She knew she would be able to help him, but they both would have to be very careful that they weren't seen, together or on their own. Marian would not be punished that much if she was found alone but with Much...she would surely be hanged, along with Much.
"Yes, of course." She turned, checking to see if the corridor was clear. "Quickly, Much. I know the castle very well, there are a few corridors that lead to the kitchen which are less crowded with guards, we can go that way."
|
|
|
Post by Much on Apr 4, 2009 1:22:12 GMT 1
"I'm glad to see you, but what are you doing here alone?"
What was he doing alone? Foolish foolish Much he should have gone back and got the others before attempting something like this and now he was putting Marian in danger. Oh what would Robin say? Much was sure that Robin would kill him if Marian was harmed while helping him.
"I don't know exactly, this was a spur of the moment kind of thing. Very stupid of me but there where more people than usual begging in the street and there is more than enough food in the castle..."
The loud chortles from the guards echoed loudly in the thin hall way making the hair on muches neck prickle once more. There laughs sounded more like the laugh of a hyena, not that he had seen one but he had heard story about them on his travels. All those strange story's of strange beasts with long necks and noses it all sounded so ridiculous.
"Please lead the way i would like to put as much distance between me and the guards as I can"he whispered maybe slightly to loud but the two men didn't seem to notice.
|
|
|
Post by Marian Fitzwalter on Apr 5, 2009 15:50:02 GMT 1
"I don't know exactly, this was a spur of the moment kind of thing. Very stupid of me but there where more people than usual begging in the street and there is more than enough food in the castle..."
Marian understood completely. She felt the same whenever she had to walk through the village and see all those people who couldn't feed their families because of the tax rate. Especially now, with the food shortage. Prices for even the simplest of food were so high and it really was heartbreaking.
"I know, Much," she said, reaching forward to touch his shoulder lightly. "It is not stupid, don't worry. You are being who are you are."
Marian turned when she heard the laughter. So far they seemed okay, the guards were not close enough to notice them immediately, but if they didn't hurry they were definitly going to be caught. And that would not end well.
"Please lead the way i would like to put as much distance between me and the guards as I can"
Marian nodded, then turned again to check.
"We must hurry," she said, sounding as serious as she could. She began to walk, staying on the balls of her feet so her heels would not give them away. Instead of turning the normal way towards the kitchen, she turned and walked down a side corridor. It was never protected, she knew that, but it would take them a little longer to walk to the kitchen than usual.
|
|
|
Post by Much on Apr 6, 2009 18:31:03 GMT 1
Much nodded obediently as he followed Marian trying to be as light footed as was possible. It was only mid afternoon but in the castle with the dim light and gloomy moody atmosphere it felt more like midnight. It was making Much sleepy and he felt his eyes droop sleepily. As he followed his feet began to hit to floor heavier than before making himself nervous again. As they passed down corridor after corridor that Much had never seen his nerves began to mount higher and higher and her could feel a nerves rant coming on.
“Do you know where you’re going? I mean you haven’t been here long are you sure you know where you’re going?”
Much was beginning to wish he had never ventured in to Nottingham that morning. If he hand then he wouldn’t be in the mess he was in now and would be sat happily in the forest making soup or possible some bacon. Ahh what he would give fore a nice slice of bacon and a slice of hot bread a t that very moment, his mouth began to water at the thought.
“Marian I’m not licking this maybe it would be better if we left and got Robin then returned? “
He was being a coward but he didn’t care he would rather save his own neck at the very moment than those where safely outside of the castle. His grip tightened on his sward to the point if he gripped it might tighten he might do some serious damage to his hand.
|
|
|
Post by Marian Fitzwalter on Apr 6, 2009 21:47:42 GMT 1
“Do you know where you’re going? I mean you haven’t been here long are you sure you know where you’re going?”
Marian glanced at Much, realising that even he had little faith in her. It really did hurt her, would he be questioning Robin if he were leading him the way. But she did not let her feelings show, choosing to keep on walking instead.
"You forget that my father was once the Sheriff, Much, and I spent many days in the castle as a child. I know certain corridors that even the guards do not know of."
She tried not to sound too annoyed, but she really did not like the doubt in his voice. As if she was not capable of knowing her way to something as simple as a kitchen even if it was a seperate way. She knew she could help, and Much's apparent lack of trust in her knowledge burned.
“Marian I’m not licking this maybe it would be better if we left and got Robin then returned? “
Marian rolled her eyes, taking a deep breath. So she was right. He really did think it would be far better if they had Robin with them. Turning to him, she tried not to let the annoyance and tension show through her body and face.
"Much, you feel free to bring Robin here if you wish. However, we are not that far away from the kitchen and if you need my help you have it. You do not always need Robin."
She was proof of that, she had been helping the poor far longer than Robin had. Turning on her heel again, she walked along a corridor which eventually lead to a door. Placing her hand on the handle, she turned her head to look at Much, waiting to see if he was going to come with her or not.
|
|
|
Post by Much on Apr 7, 2009 1:00:12 GMT 1
Much twisted his shoulders uncomfortable in her nerves state, at times like this he was not the best company, his annoying side became heightened. As he watched Marian he noticed a change in he expression. Had he said something to offend her? He quirkily began to back track but was easily lost in his own thoughts so it did not help one bit.
"You forget that my father was once the Sheriff, Much, and I spent many days in the castle as a child. I know certain corridors that even the guards do not know of."
Much’s eyes where darting around like a crazy dog as he kept an eye and an ear out for any hint of danger. Much had almost forgotten that Marians father was once the sheriff it felt like a life time ago, a life time that Much could hardly remember. those where the good days, even though Much was a lowly manservant Robin still treated him like his closest friend, not like he did now .
“Ahh yes I had forgotten, sorry Marian do forgive me,” he whispered creeping up behind her and placing his left hand on the cold stone wall for balance. ”Do you ever think about those days? You know back when you and Robin where betrothed and the summer days we spent by the lake?”
This was not the time or the place for a conversation like this but Much was the kind of person that when a thought popped in to his head he would have to say it allowed or else it would irritate him until he did. Much blushed at his stupid proposal and nodded glumly.
“Yes, you are right to the kitchens it is. Is it much farther?”
|
|
|
Post by Marian Fitzwalter on Apr 7, 2009 1:31:47 GMT 1
“Ahh yes I had forgotten, sorry Marian do forgive me.”
Marian glanced over her shoulder at him as he got closer. She really wasn't that annoyed, but she did still get that feeling he thought she was weak. Which she wasn't. Of course, it was probably just paranoia. She went to speak, but he was talking before she could say a word.
”Do you ever think about those days? You know back when you and Robin where betrothed and the summer days we spent by the lake?”
Marian looked away from Much for a moment when he asked her that, feeling her heart skip a beat when she thought back to those days. Back then they were so close, Much was never Robin's manservant, he was too close to their own age to seem like that, he was more of a friend. They would spend every day that they could together, in the sunshine during the summer.
And of course, the way she was with Robin. They were getting back to that closeness now, but it was taking too long and she missed it. The giggles they would have, the walks they would take. Shaking her head a little, she looked back at Much realising he may actually want an answer.
"It does not do well to dwell on the past Much," she said quietly before looking away from him. "I think about it often."
“Yes, you are right to the kitchens it is. Is it much farther?”
She took a deep breath, opening the door to a room which was full of cleaning tools. She could already smell the food from the kitchen which was through the door at the other side of the room.
"Not that far, Much," she said with a light laugh.
|
|
|
Post by Much on Apr 7, 2009 16:32:22 GMT 1
Much smiled sweetly still panting with stress his sward clanking lightly at his side as he dropped it out of the air. He untucked his tattered green scarf and loosened it around his neck and freedom around his neck comforting him a little. As the carried on down the thin hall ways and candle lit passages Much babbled away about old times,mostly to himself but for Marian as well. He retold story of warm evenings by the lake not far from Nettlesstone where they would attempt to fish and Much would sing loud and out of tune songs. "Yes i miss them, and i miss the food ohh the food!".
Food was always a weakness for Much yet he never put on very much weight and for that he was glad. Just as his thoughts turned once again to food a kitchen door cam in to sight. Much beamed at the welcoming sight and placed a warm hand on Marians shoulder still panting.
"Well done Marian" he breathed "What about the kitchen staff? A diversion?"
|
|
|
Post by Marian Fitzwalter on Apr 7, 2009 17:59:25 GMT 1
Marian enjoyed this too much, thinking about past times when things were different and far more lighter. When she held more hope for the future. She liked listening to Much talk with such joy of the years they had spent together as children, and it somehow made the walk easier. She found herself wanting to stop the walk and just sit and talk with him. Spend more time just talking like they used to do. With Robin. Of course, she didn't need Robin there as an excuse to talk to Much now like when she was younger. Back then, Much would be there when she spent time with Robin.
"Yes i miss them, and i miss the food ohh the food!"
Marian laughed gently at his exclamation, nodding a little. She understood how someone like Much could miss the food, he had been well catered for throughout his youth and to suddenly go to the lack of food he had as an Outlaw, never mind the food shortage, would probably be awful for him. After all, he never did stop eating as a child.
"Considering how often you ate growing up I am not surprised. I rarely saw you without you having either just eaten, or eating at the time."
"Well done Marian. What about the kitchen staff? A diversion?"
Marian smiled when Much touched her shoulder, turning to look at him. Shaking her head a little, her smile grew bigger.
"It depends who is in there. Most of the kitchen servants I am fortunate to have known from a young age and they cater for me often. And help the Nightwatchman from time to time."
|
|
|
Post by Much on Apr 7, 2009 22:47:37 GMT 1
"Considering how often you ate growing up I am not surprised. I rarely saw you without you having either just eaten, or eating at the time."
He knew he ate all the time but did every one see him like that? Apparently so Much wasn’t sure if he should be offended by that but at this moment there where far worse things to worry about. Much made a mantel note, that would most likely be forgotten, to worry about his eating habits later. It always seemed to him quite a coincidence that they where about to enter a kitchen while he was thinking food thoughts.
Much stared at the kitchen door with apprehension, an odd feeling usually a kitchen brought joy this was a confusing day for him. He returned Marians smile and placed his sward back by his side freeing up his hands and rubbed them together eagerly. Hopefully they could be in and out of the castle with in the next hour.
"It depends who is in there. Most of the kitchen servants I am fortunate to have known from a young age and they cater for me often. And help the Nightwatchman from time to time."
Much breathed a sigh of relief glad he wouldn’t have to be acting as a distraction today. When the gang where out doing there daily good deeds Much would have to put his life in danger to act as the diversion securing there safety.
“Shall we enter? I’m beginning to feel claustrophobic and I confess I am hungry…”
|
|
|
Post by Marian Fitzwalter on Apr 9, 2009 15:14:18 GMT 1
“Shall we enter? I’m beginning to feel claustrophobic and I confess I am hungry…”
Marian laughed lightly, opening the door and glancing in. She knew the women there very well, knew she could trust him. After all, they helped her occasionally with food for her father or the poor.
"You can get some food to take back to camp, plus some for some of the villages, but not a lot can be taken otherwise the servants will face punishment."
Marian glanced back into the kitchen, noting it was now empty. It must have been time to go home or they were needed elsewhere. She smiled at Much before opening the door.
"Quickly Much, if we get the food before they come we do not put them at risk."
|
|
|
Post by Much on Apr 9, 2009 16:48:14 GMT 1
"You can get some food to take back to camp, plus some for some of the villages, but not a lot can be taken otherwise the servants will face punishment."
Much would like nothing more than to raid the castle kitchen and bring everything back to the camp with him but hew new all to well that most of the food would be given away. He bet that the food wouldn't even make it out of Nottingham town. As hungry as Much might be he had a big heart and would hate himself if he passed by the hungry of Nottingham with out feeding them just to satisfie himself.
"I'll take as much as i can carry i think that is reasonable don't you think. I'm sure that that will not attract to much attention surly. Yes lets enter and get out of hear,"He added with a nerves look behind him.
The smooth entrance to the castle with no detection was lucky and Much hoped with all his hope that they would be able to make it out ladened with food. Creeping ahead of Marian not being able to hold himself back any longer Much pushed open the large wooden kitchen door and peered inside. Empty of people but filled with food Much was in heaven if it where not for the danger element.
"Marian you have been holding out on me" He exclaimed with joy rushing first toward the cheese before moving on to bread.
|
|