The events yesterday just kept surprising me. First I experienced what Black Powder could do. Lambert was arrested and probably still being tortured and somehow Much was now made the new Earl of Bonchurch. Was the Sheriff playing some sort of joke? I was dressed in a deep green gown, my hair plaited down my back as I was making my way down the main steps of Nottingham Castle towards the courtyard.

I wasn't paying that much attention to my surroundings before I heard a loud growl, followed by a thump as I glanced over to see Guy kicking a bench under one of the blooming trees. I frowned before I strutted towards him as Guy was leaning against one of the lower tree branches looking furious and upset.

"Guy!" I called out as I saw Guy turn away from me as I rolled my eyes before walking towards him once more. "You are upset."

"I’m fine. I cannot discuss it." He grumbled not facing me, trying to ignore the fact I was standing behind him as I raised an eyebrow.

"I had not imagined the man who wishes to marry me would shut me out of his thoughts." I played as he sighed before he turned to me, his expression softening a bit yet he looked furious. He was such a mystery to look at I frowned at him trying to read him. He never gave much away and he was completely shutting me out this time.

"Forgive me, Esme. I’m not myself." He apologized looking away slightly.

"Has the Sheriff angered you?" I asked hoping to get some answers.

"No, the Sheriff undermines me whenever possible. That’s not unusual." He grumbled as I had to prevent myself from smirking. It was true, the Sheriff did undermine him and liked to prove him to be a useless.

"Is this about Lambert and finding the ledger? This black powder is costing you a dear friend." I questioned softly as his expression hardened as he looked at me with those emotionless yet furious eyes.

"I am angry, Esme, because the Greek fire was my project and the Sheriff took it away from me." He sulked angrily as he leant against the branch biting his thumb through his black leather glow as if to try and stop himself from lashing out in fury. I bit my lower lip thinking there must be a way to save Lambert he didn't deserve this fate of torture.

"Suppose we were to take matters into our own hands. Surely the Sheriff would not mind how you went about it. He strikes me as an end-game man. If you could find the ledger..." I asked him quietly as he looked at me interested a spark of curiosity in his eyes.

"What would you suggest?" He asked his eagerness demanding in his voice.

"Show Lambert you are still his friend. Take him to a place of safety. Inform the Sheriff of your plans if you wish, I'm not trying to imply to go behind his back but you always say people respond to loyalty." I whispered as I looked around to see we weren't overheard. I only added the bit about the Sheriff since I knew I had to play it safe. I needed to make it look like I was on their side when I wasn’t.

"No. Lambert would never trust me now." Guy grumbled defeated as I tried to think harder, he must, there had to be a way to save him.

"I think he would if you proved beyond all doubt that you could protect him…"

"How?" Guy was so eager. Like a child waiting for a treat.

"Take him to Kirklees. Perhaps tomorrow. There is a Council of Nobles so the Sheriff will be busy. Regain Lambert’s trust." I told him as I gingerly put my hand on Guy's shoulder and he turns looks down at it, almost surprised yet happy I was showing affection as I took a tiny step closer.

"You and he are old friends. Build on that friendship." I whispered to him not breaking any eye contact.

"Very well." He agreed as I gave a small smile, before I made my way to the stables and was handed my horse to make my way home. Though as I got closer to my home I was shocked as I saw a Physician leaving the house as I rode towards Knighton Hall faster.

"Lady Esme" He acknowledge before he left as a stable boy grabbed my horse from me as I ran inside and towards my father's chambers.

"Father?" I asked him nervous as I sat beside him on the bed. He looked pale, his face glowed with sweat as a cold cloth was placed over his head.

"It's just a fever the physician will come again tomorrow" He weakly smiled as I looked at him concerned. I held onto his weak fragile hand as I patted a cold cloth across his face concerned as his eyes drooped tired.

"You must… you must visit Bonchurch…" He struggled as I shushed him.

"You need to rest" I whispered calmly as he looked at me as I gave a small nod. I hummed a soft lullaby that my mother and father would sing to me as he slowly drifted to sleep as I escaped him room shutting the door behind me quietly. I got out of my dress and dressed in my pants and top to ride to Bonchurch. It took me about an hour, before I dismounted my horse and handed the reins to the stable boy.

Knocking on the door it opened as the maid servant opened. She had long blonde hair and wore a simple tattered blue gown as she curtsied towards me.

"Lady Esme." I stepped inside as she looked slightly nervous.

"I have come to pay my respects to the new Earl of Bonchurch." I informed her as she nodded and extends her arm into the room to indicate Much standing by the fireplace in his new dressing gown with a goblet in his hand. I stepped over to him as the servant closes the door behind me.

"Lady Esme." Much greeted as he turned. I must admit he cleaned up nice. His hair was slicked back, his posture was amazingly straight for once as he looked like he always a lord.

"Lord Much. Perhaps you might call on us soon at Knighton with our mutual friend." I smiled slightly, it was good to Much as he stepped over towards me.

"I do not think that that will be possible." He spoke as he leant towards my ear to whisper something. "Robin hasn’t come yet." I must admit was I slightly alarmed at the mention of Robin’s name, as I turned to look over my shoulder to see if the maid overheard. I am pretty sure she would be working for the Sheriff.

"Well, then, I shall call again when it is more convenient." I informed him before I slipped out a note from my pocket and held it up for Much.

"This is for him." I whispered before handing it over. He nodded with a small smile before I took my leave as Much pocketed the note in his dressing gown as I made my way home. I was brushing down my horse when I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder. Turning around startled with a raised fist, ready to punch the person who frightened me. Robin catches it and laughs arrogantly. His tone throughout shows cynicism, sarcasm and jealousy. I struggled to keep my temper under control despite his attitude.

"All right. I got your note." He told me as he turns and walks a few steps away.

"So!" He exclaimed as he claps and rubs his hands together, then turns to face me. "Gisborne’s going to help us."

"Yes." I responded shortly as Robin put his hands on his hips.

"And what on earth did you do to him to make him agree to that?" He asked suspiciously as I growled placing my hands on my hips mocking him.

"Nothing! I played on his conscience." I growled as he scoffed.

"You see, I’d believe you, if I thought he had one." He sneered playfully, stepping back to me "So go on, what did you promise him?"

"Stop it! Lambert is his friend. Gisborne feels undermined by the Sheriff and I took advantage of the situation." I growled he would think I would do otherwise. It disgusted me to think I would promise Guy anything! Yes I am promised to marry him but that was to save my father and my own neck. Like I would promise him anything willingly.

"Clever you!" Robin snapped as I glared.

"Well, I cannot see how we can get Lambert out any other way." I snapped back as Robin turns away, as I followed after him. "This is the best opportunity we have at the perfect time. Guy thinks—"

"Guy thinks! So what is this plan?" He grumbled angrily as he interrupted taking a quick step towards me almost making me stumble against the wooden post.

"Guy will not attend the Council of Nobles in the morning. He will use the Sheriff ’s absence to secure Lambert’s release and then take him on to Kirklees where it is safe. If you wait on the Great North Road, you can intercept them and seize Lambert yourself. And for heaven’s sake, find that ledger and burn it." I pleaded as I saw Robin having a war with himself as he considered my plan.

"I already have the ledger, and I am not going to burn it. I’m keeping it safe for Lambert." Robin hissed as I went wide eyed. FOOL! This is the key to the worlds destruction if not today sometime in the future for sure.

"At the risk of the Sheriff getting hold of it?" I questioned trying to make him see reason as Robin looks aside. "And what then? It is too dangerous."

"How is it our calling to judge what should or shouldn’t exist as knowledge?" Robin defended as I glared refusing to break eye contact. He knew full well how dangerous this ledger and the powder is! Yet he isn’t using his head to think rationally. I would have burnt it when I first had the chance.

"It is our calling to protect others." I pleaded as Robin scoffs. That was it, I was done trying to be a Lady around Robin anymore, as my anger was ready to burst from inside.

"If it is glory you seek by keeping the ledger then God help you." I shouted at him bitterly before I roughly pushed past him. He grabbed my arm as I yanked myself away and made it inside the house. I knew he was still watching me as I didn't care. My anger vanished when my eyes met my father's pale glowing face as he slept. I patted a cloth over his forehead before I took a seat by his bed, praying for his health……