Change is Afoot

Untitled Part 2

Marian wandered around Locksley village with Molly by her side. They both chatted to various villagers they encountered and Marian bought herself a mixture of herbs and petals to put into the bath from Rosa, who many thought was a witch but Marian believed that she was only trying to make herself some money. She had been surprised that the fragrance had been attractive to her as she usually used rose petals to fragrance her bath or, occasionally in the evenings, lavender to help her sleep, not that that had been a problem since her marriage. Marian blushed as she thought about the ways in which Guy wore her out, although there were also nights when he just held her in his arms until she was asleep.

Marian was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear the thunder of horses hooves. Molly pulled her into the shelter of a doorway saying "My Lady, beware". As she did so, the Sheriff's guards arrived in the village. Marian looked at Molly, shocked that she had been caught daydreaming. Guy's booming voice stopped her from saying anything to her maid.

"Good afternoon Locksley" Guy yelled. "As you know the Sheriff has implemented a new water tax, four shillings per dwelling. I am here to collect those taxes and there will be a punishment for those who cannot pay."

Marian sighed, Guy had promised that no-one would be punished and she wondered if he had lied to her. She moved so that she was hidden in the shadows of the doorway before looking up at Guy, who remained sat astride his black stallion. He turned so she was no longer able to see his face so she glanced around at the villagers who were each coming forward to the chest the guards held with their tax money. Soon every household had paid the tax. Marian was amazed that everyone had been able to pay as she knew that Matthew the miller and his wife Sara had very little money.
She had sent Molly out to them at the weekend with bread that was to be thrown out at Locksley Manor to ensure they had food.

"Thank you for your understanding and your payments. As Lord of this manor it pleases me that you have been so co-operative" Guy's voice boomed out. "Guards, seal the box, we don't want that outlaw Hood or his men getting hold of this now, do we?"

The guards sealed the box and then lifted it onto the wagon before Guy and the guards rode out towards Nottingham.
"What happened Molly? Everyone paid the tax" Marian looked at her maid with confusion in her eyes.
"I'm not sure My Lady" Molly responded "it was as if they knew that the Master was coming, but I do not know how they all managed to find the money to pay the tax."

Marian and Molly moved out into the sunlight, and in doing so Sara spotted them from her doorway and ran across to greet them. "Thank you for the bread Lady Marian, I was able to send little Matthew to bed with a full stomach on Saturday evening. I am most grateful."
"Think nothing of it Sara, I would rather you had it and were able to make use of it than it was thrown out."

Sara smiled at them. "Please excuse me, I must help my husband, but I wished to thank you personally."
Sara turned and was about to walk away when Marian spoke.
"Sara, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course My Lady, what is it?"
"I do not wish to be personal, but how were you able to pay the tax today?"

Sara looked at the ground and drew a circle with her foot before looking back at Marian.

"We woke up this morning to a note warning us that we would have to pay a tax today, beside the note was a pouch containing enough coins to pay the tax. Please do not tell your husband My Lady we would not have been able to pay ourselves."
"I won't say a word Sara, your secret is safe with me, but do you know if anyone else received money to pay the tax?"
"I'm not sure My Lady, but I would imagine so as I don't think many people would have had the money that we were asked to pay."

Marian looked at Molly as Sara walked away from them and whispered one word, "Robin."