- Chapter 47 -

It has been a couple of weeks now and the Jailer constantly refused me any allowance to visit my father who was now in prison due to my lack of 'obedience' in the Sheriff's eyes. Guy had been friendlier in private or when we had been walking past each other since the night we talked and since I saved his life. It did warm my heart to think maybe we could have a hope of regaining our friendship which I had ruined.

It was a new day in Nottingham as I got dressed in leather pants and boots with a tight fitting tunic over as I pulled my hair back into a bun which was held together by a dagger before I headed once again in the direction of the dungeons. As I reach the foot of the stairs I'm once again stopped by a guard with a halberd. A man screaming in torture can be heard echoing in the distance as I wince slightly before drawing my attention back to the guard.

"Please. Please, Jailer, let me see my father." I begged as I went on my toes to see past him as I could briefly see my father in a cell with parchment and an old, stripped quill.

"Can’t be done. I've told you."

"Esme, I am well." My father calls out which calms my nerves slightly, however I was still unhappy and nervous. This was my fault, it should be me in there not him.

"I will speak to the Sheriff." I vowed loud enough for him to hear as I jumped slightly.

"Speak away, my dear." The Sheriff called as I turned startled to see him and Guy at the top of the steps as I run up beside him and follow on after him as they walk.

"Sheriff please. This punishment hurts my father, not me." I tried to reason as he only smirked and glanced back at the direction we came.

"Oh, I don’t know. I think it hurts you both." He smirked triumphantly as I gulped. Maybe this wouldn't work out as well as I had hoped but I was determined to not give up as I continued to follow them both. I could see Guy watching me cautiously as I refused to back down.

"It is efficient, make you think before you undermine my authority again. Which... stops... trust me, is in your best interests." The Sheriff chuckled darkly.

"Please, Sheriff. There must be something I can do... Guy?" I pleaded as we all stopped in the courtyard as I turned to look at him with an ounce of hope. He gave me sorrowful eyes and a scowl in the Sheriff's direction before his back straightened slightly.

"It’s no good making those big eyes at him. He doesn't want you anymore." The Sheriff teases as I grew stiff slightly as I saw Guy doing the same and curling his fist and growling defensively slightly. Keeping in my frustration, I bounce on my feet and glance at the courtyard trying to think of anything. I refused to just give up when I was the one who put him in there.

"Tell you what, you read this announcement for me, and we'll see if we can get Daddy some dinner." The Sheriff darkly smirked placing a rolled parchment in my hands before walking down the steps as I gasped after him. I looked at Guy slightly to see him scowling with a disapproving look at the Sheriff ’s remark.

"You mean you haven’t fed him? Sheriff!" I shout out as we both run after him, I however was more determined to get my father out of there and more determined to kill the Sheriff myself. Chasing after him we made our way down into the marketplace in Nottingham as just outside the castle's main gate the Sheriff stopped by a small platform beside two young trumpeters.

"Toot, toot-toot, toot." The Sheriff chuckled leaning towards the two young trumpeters as they both in unison began to play. Hearing the sound music the townsfolk gather round as the Sheriff smirks darkly towards me as I plaster a soft fake smile, taking the parchment in his hands as I make my way up the small platform and unroll the parchment in my hand.

"People of Nottingham." I began quietly, trying to read ahead and see what it is I am about to announce.

"Louder." The Sheriff instructed.

"People of Nottingham!" My voice carried in a clear voice.

"Gooood."

"On behalf of the Sheriff. I make the following announcement. The pestilence has come to Nottingham." I announce as the crowd begins to murmur. I frown slightly as I gulp; this wasn't right I frown, but I bite my lip and behave. I have to do this, it's my fault my father is suffering!

"Do not be afraid. It is confined to the houses in Pitt Street. There will be a quarantine placed around the street. No-one is to pass through without permission. No-one is to pass food or medicine—" I began to announce before I inwardly growl. No food? No medicine? These people will die! I could see the Sheriff in the corner of my eye smirking darkly as I shook my head slightly and went back to reading the parchment. This is cruelty and barbaric!

"To do so risks spreading the infection and will be punished by death." I add again as I scowl back at the Sheriff, who looks back, tilting his head unperturbed.

"We will not be cowed by this infection. Business will continue as normal. All workers are to report to the castle for duty at their usual hour." I finish as I quickly roll up the parchment wanting to tear it apart in my hands as I go to step down as the Sheriff shoves past me to take my position on the platform. To say I was glad Guy was close was an understatement as I practically fell into his arms.

"Sorry" I whisper not looking up at him as he stood beside me protectively as I felt his gloved hands linger holding my waist as I felt tingles in my body.

"Now, you may hear cries for help, pleas for mercy... medicine. “Help me, help me, help me!” A word of advice..." The Sheriff shouts out as he feigns his pleas before he looks around to make sure the people are watching, then puts his fingers in his ears, frowns as if he can’t hear anything, then chuckles. I scowl and shake my head at him, he is truly a wicked man!

"He’s condemning the whole street to death." I whisper to myself as I saw Guy look down at me sadly as we watched the Sheriff continue to address the people of Nottingham.

"Go forth, in peace, to love and to serve your sheriff." The Sheriff smirked darkly as he finished he turns to step down.

"Sheriff, this is not right!" A voice shouted out over the crowd as I gasped. I knew that voice as I went on my toes to see whom I feared for. I was right it was Dan Scarlett. My smile beamed wide before my heart turned to fear. Oh no!

"What?" The Sheriff called out quietly as he was surprised to find someone stepping up against him as I bit my lip and watched Dan closely. Please, please, please! I beg to the Lord above, Dan don't say another word.

"I've just had a look at a young lass and it’s not t’ pestilence." Dan called out as the crowd began to murmur.

"Get that man to shut up." The Sheriff instructed a soldier beside him as I went wide eyed with fear.

"Oh no!" I whispered petrified. Guy looked down at me as I looked back up at him frightened as I saw that he had recognized him from Locksley as I didn't notice his hand holding mine for comfort as he gave me a gently squeeze before I turned back to the crowd, trembling.

"I've seen the pestilence before in Scarborough. These people must have food and water and medicine!" Dan shouts out once more slowly making his way forward.

"Dan please be quiet" I begged to no one in particular.

"I said shut up!" The Sheriff shouted out to him.

"I've shut up for you once before, Sheriff. It cost me my wife, my hand, and the respect of my son, so I’m not shutting up any more. Now why are you saying this is the pestilence—" Dan was cut off when I watched as from behind he gets stabbed by a soldier causing a woman to scream. It was only then did I realize I was the women who had screamed, as I covered my mouth, my body shaking.

"Dad!"

"NO!" I cried out as I felt Guy hold me protectively in a soft embrace as I could feel tears running down my face before I release myself from his grip and ran towards the castle, letting tears cloud my vision.

"Esme!" I could hear him shout after me as I ignored his voice and slammed the door to my chamber shut.

*************

The Sheriff looks on smugly as the soldier pulls his knife out of Dan, who shudders as Will watches, wide-eyed and horrified. The crowd murmurs as Dan falls to his knees, then onto his face, dead.

"Well done! Hysteria... panic... in times of crisis, not very helpful. It will not be tolerated!" The Sheriff shouted out the crowd as he nodded down towards Guy who was still distracted by seeing Esme so distressed as he wiped his face clean from emotions and pointed towards the soldiers in the courtyard.

"You heard the Sheriff! Set up those barricades!" He shouted out. His mind wanted to run after Esme and comfort her as he knew that Dan Scarlett was important to her in some form of her life. She had just witnessed his death by the Sheriff and he could only imagine how she was coping at this current moment.

Robin and his gang releases Will and turns to watch the soldiers taking the barricades into town. Two other soldiers drag off Dan’s body as Luke watches, despondent and alone. Will sees him and rushes over to him and hugs his younger brother tightly as they had both just lost their father as the townsfolk scatter.

"Go on! Move it!" Guy shouts out once more.