|
The plan was in motion to deal with our soon-to-be-ex-King Richard, and the village of Locksley was to be requisitioned for my military purposes. That meant "Mercenaries in, freeloaders out." However, the day brought a tantalizing new piece of intrigue: something called the "thesaurus patriae," which I learned to mean "treasure." Clearly something of great importance. Landing plans, perhaps...something secret. And now that I had heard about it, I wanted it! Could King Richard be hiding a pot of gold to fund a battle against Prince John?
And we were one step ahead of the outlaws, thanks to our dutiful (now sadly deceased) spy, Paxton. Oh, Hood says that the treasure is at the sign of the cross at Kirklees
Abbey? Good to know. Or was Hood trying to pull a fast one? You always
have to account for every possibility. And I was right to be cautious -
they were heading in the opposite direction! In the end, our treasure
turned out to be no pot of gold. Well, she was certainly worth her considerable weight in gold...the Queen Mother! Hmmm...how lovely to have seen her. It would have been even lovelier to see what she'd fetch for a ransom! Sadly, the outlaws got to her first. I warned her that these men - these criminals - were enemies of the State and particularly of her son, Prince John. That didn't seem to convince her. My motto is, "If you don't want to play nice, we'll play nasty." I told her that, alas, she'll never get out of
England alive. She and her outlaw guards attempted an escape, but we caught up with them. I said Prince John would never forgive me if I did not offer her the hospitality of my castle. She responded with insolence. Such spirit - and I fully intended to break that spirit. Somehow she eluded my grasp, however. Is nothing ever simple?
I had received word from Gisborne that he'd captured the Nightwatchman and was preparing his execution. After having lost the Queen Mother, I needed some light dinner entertainment, and this fit the bill. Alas, I didn't get my show. The Nightwatchman escaped. Gisborne failed me...AGAIN. Incompetence will not be tolerated - and this was his last warning.
|
