The Storyteller

Chapter 4: Through the Door

Lynna ran a hand down the side of the loom, admiring the feel of the smooth wood on the palm of her hand. The loom sat perfectly in the corner of the gray room, with a basket of yarn next to it. She felt safer in this place with materials she knew. The yarn had been dyed for her and had been brought up by servants along with the loom. At first she had been so shocked she hardly knew how to respond, but she soon found her voice again and had thanked the servants in bringing her supplies.

She pulled up her chair and stared at the empty loom, her eyes dancing with unseen patterns, colors, and designs. Her linen dress bunched up in between her fingers as she tapped her feet on the floor; thinking. She leaned over off to the side to look at the dyed yarn in the basket. Yellows, blues, and reds. Simple colors. She would make do, perhaps she would be able to request some gold or silver thread for the edges of the tapestry.

She plunged her hand into the basket and withdrew the yellow yarn. It was like tangible sunlight. She tossed the balled up yarn in her hand. The door to her room had been left open to allow for the light to enter the room. A guard was stationed outside, but Lynna knew better than to attempt to escape, besides, she thought gloomily, her lame leg would surely prevent her from getting very far. She set down the wool yarn and picked up the piece of parchment and charcoal from the basket and hobbled from the room. The guard looked as if he was about to stop her, but Lynna spoke up hastily. “I need to draw my pattern, sir. The Sheriff has requested I weave him a tapestry of this castle, I must see it in order to weave it.” To that the guard had nodded, along with indicating that he would accompany her so the he would be able to continue monitoring her. She did not mind.

It was when she reached the steps leading down to the Castle Grounds which she had to take pause. Hesitantly, she placed one foot onto the first step and slowly brought her lame leg to follow. She couldn't keep her weight solely on that one leg and she hastily had to step down to the next; where she always overbalanced herself with the swift movement. The guard gripped her arm to steady her. She thanked him and allowed him to help her down the rest of the way.

Once the obstacle of the stairway was cleared she made her way over to a small bench, stationed under the shade of a tree. She took a seat and set her parchment on her lap, the bit of charcoal in her right hand already blackening her fingers. She wasn't a fair hand at drawing, but she could get the lines down straight enough for a decent enough picture. She pursed her lips in concentration and hummed whenever she allowed herself to relax a bit. She tucked her hair behind her ears, getting charcoal smudges on her cheeks and the corners of her forehead.

She glanced up from her work now and again only to see Guy of Gisborne heading down the Castle steps. She gathered her parchment to her and quickly hobbled up to the guard. “I am finished now, I...I would like to go back to my room.”

The guard nodded and was about to lead her back inside when they were stopped by Gisborne. “What are you doing out here?” He asked with a slight sneer of annoyance.

“I was just going back inside, my lord.” Lynna said quietly, looking to the floor, to afraid she would lose her voice if she looked up at him.

“That was not what I asked you.” Guy snapped, “You were to remain in your room.”

“I...I know, my lord, but I had...” Lynna stammered, but was quickly cut off as Guy grabbed the collar of her tattered dress and practically lifted her off of the ground so he could look at her eye-to-eye.

“I will ask you again. What are you doing out here?” He growled.

“I was drawing the pattern for the tapestry, my lord.” Lynna whispered, now forced to look into the burning blue eyes. Her own eyes went wide in fright, and her breath came in short gasps.