A busy morning in the Infirmary (Open)

[Sister Magdalene]

Magdalene nodded as Tuck confirmed her worst fears. It was true, if the Sheriff or Sir Guy found out this poor child was here, then nothing would stop them. "My Sisters will say nothing. Perhaps it is fortunate that she arrived after this morning's surgery so no one saw her here." The good Sister jumped when Brother Tuck landed a punch on the Lady's chin. She didn't condone violence but, in this circumstance, it seemed just. Making sure the girl was lying comfortably on the bed, Mags sent young Agnes to fetch a leather cord and when the girl returned, the Sister bound the patient's wrists. Bidding the serving girl to watch over the Lady, Magdalene turned to Tuck and gave him a vague smile as he mentioned sedatives. "Strange you should say that," Mag murmured. "I have a medicine that could do just that. It relaxes the body and paralyses the tongue. I've used it on people overcome with an apoplexy. Its very effective." Summoning one of her Sisters to fetch the drug, Magdalene administered it herself, allowing three drops to fall into the unconscious woman's mouth.

Then, standing up, Mags smiled wearily at Tuck. "Now lets take that walk shall we?" And, leading the way, they walked down the corridor to the stone staircase and, at the bottom of it, Magdalene opened the heavy oak door which led to the garden. Stepping out into the fresh air, the Sister raised her face to the sun and allowed it to warm her. The pleasant fragrant scent of the herbs and flowers jostled together as they reached her nose. "I seem to remember that life was never boring with you around, Tuck, when we were both novices. And it doesn't appear to have changed either." She inhaled deeply then opened her eyes and looked sideways at her companion. "You don't think that poor child up there actually meant the Prince do you? Surely, such important news as that, it would have been heralded throughout the land." She looked shrewdly at Tuck. "Do you think she's a bit deluded? I wonder if she's a bit weak in the mind. You know, simple." To emphasise her point, Magdalene tapped the side of her temple with her index finger.

[Tuck]

Tuck understood that what went on inside the Priory was likely to stay there. That was the tradition and the practice. Tuck nodded his head in the affirmative .... he had not thought that Mags would actually object to his physical action, nor was he surprised that she had an herb or mixture that would suffice in keeping the Lady Rosetta sedated. He thought that one way or another she would be immobilized enough for Tuck to retire into the gardens with Sister Mags, at least for a short time. Before long they were out and on their way for a short visit into the gardens. Tuck seemed to remember that she had said that they had only here four months or so, but he expected that she would be able to put her stamp on things quickly enough.

As they began their walk Tuck figured that Mags would be interested in a continuation of the talk that they had been having since it had been most rudely interrupted. "As I had previously indicated, I had become disillusioned with the Crusades and my Order's role in it, and after a discussion with my Abbott it was determined that I leave for a time," he smiled. "I had heard some about the troubles back her in Britain, but was really unaware of the magnitude of the oppression that was taking place. I had heard, as I came closer and closer, of the activities of one called Robin Hood, an outlaw."

"If Britain is to be saved it will be through such as him, I believe, one who fights for the rights and privileges, and well-being of the people. However, I know longer see it just as a question of the oppressed versus oppressors. Britain is taking on all of the hallmarks of a country right before a civil. There is a monarch on a long absensce whose thoughts are on other matters. A brother who seees himself not as a stewaard, but as the rightful king. And this prince is gathering up allies to serve him in his cause. Originally, from what I understand, was the conflict between Robin Hood and Sir Guy, but it has degenerated, as many of these conflicts do, into something more personal, and therefore, more brutal."

"I have talked to Sir Guy. He does not even see that he is serving Prince John, his only view is the the destruction of Robin Hood. Nothing else matters to him. And here we have the people and the Church caught in the middle. As I saw when I left, my destiny and my work must lie with Robin Hood and his outlaws. Only through them can Britain have peace and freedom. The ironic thing is that these outlaws are fight for Richard, and I know not if he knows or cares. Chances are he will die fighting, and Prince John will be king. Fight we must, though, for a righteous cause, and that be not for Prince John."

Tuck smiled broadly at her comment and questions. "No, I expect things were never boring with me around were they, no matter how much you would have like tranquility. It seems that I always have to stir the pot." Then his face turned a bit more grim. "No, I don't think she is all there. However, she is a noblewoman, and a fair one a that. I would n't stretch it beyond the realm of possibility. I think we have t plan that she might be right, just to cover ourselves with what might be the worst possibility, and have a plan to address it, eh?"

[Sister Magdalene]

Sister Magdalene paused briefly by one of the herb beds and pulled off a sprig of sage. Rubbing the leaves between her fingers, she held it up to her nose as she continued to listen to Tuck. He had a pleasant voice, and a gift for story telling. She rested her hand on his sleeve momentarily. "We hear, almost daily, of all the good that Robin Hood and his men do for the poor in Nottingham and hereabouts. When you find him, Tuck, and I know you will for you're the most determined man I know, I want you to tell him that I will do anything within my abilities to help him. The Poor are always the ones who suffer the worst. The Lords and Noble men are more concerned with accumulating more wealth to swell their coffers." Mags gave a sad sigh.

"If only the King would return and oust Prince John." Such an outburst on her part would have surprised Mags but for too long, she'd had to hold her tongue. After all, who wanted an outspoken Nun pointing out the faults that the Nobles did not want to acknowledge. "Whatever happens, the Church will endure, that is for sure. Even if this, my adopted country, is taken to the very brink." Magdalene shook her head sadly, knowing she'd probably already said too much. "I think it must be left to men such as Robin Hood to champion those too weak to stand up for themselves. And he will need your counsel, Tuck, I'm sure of that."

Sister Mags continued walking down the path, turning her mind now to that young Noblewoman who had come into their lives and turned them upside down. "It depends how much that young lady remembers when she eventually comes to. Perhaps, we could persuade her that she was found injured in the street and brought to the Infirmary for treatment. Maybe, it would be possible to convince her that all of her rantings were hallucinations?"

[Tuck]

Tuck and Sister Magdalene took a rather leisurely stroll through the gardens. It seemed to Tuck that she had to sample the physical properties of each of the herbs thatr they passed by. Some might of thought that this was an example of some quirky behavior by the Sister. Tuck knew better. He knew that it was a very ordered ritual that she went through as she thought things through. He knew that if he was just patient her thoughts and words of wisdom would come pouring forth in her own good time. In the meantime he would just enjoy the tranquility of the Gardens. It was good for his soul, he knew. "Aw Mags, I'm afraid he is only one who is found when he wants to, or makes a mistake, and that happens rarely I would say."

"Yes, the good that he has done for the poor and undefended has indeed traveled far and wide. If he is not aware of desires to assist him, which I doubt, I will be sure to inform him. Well, Sister Mags, that has always been the way for the poor, as well as the Nobles. Perhaps he will let me help him help the people. Anyway, that is my hope. I have been searching for my new calling ... I hope that this is it. Now, what could I have ever have done to make you think that I am so determined, Mags," he said with a broad smile, as they stopped in the gardens. "That's the biggest part of the problem, my dearest friend. I know that Robin, from what I have heard, is one of the king's greatest supporters. However, I fear that Richard's only true desire is having another war to fight, and not in governing."

"The Prince, though, even with all his evil, and his desire to oppress, what he wants to do is govern. And with his brother's predilection for warfare, I expect he will one day be king. Then, it will be up to the nobles to stand up to him as a group, and hopefully, Robin, as Earl of Huntingdon will be there to lead them. Of course the Church will be there, especially if it has wise folk like you leading it, at least at this level. Its this level that's most important. The high churchmen really have no idea what's going on, even in their 'home' parishes." Tuck shrugged, "If Robin thinks that what I have to say is useful, I hope to be with him there as well."

Tuck shook his head in disbelief as the subject of Lady Rosetta once more came back up. "I really don't think its as much a question of what she remembers as what her mind will invents. I think she probably accepts hallucinations as visions, and as such, makes her hallucinations much more real than reality itself, and I think has the potential to make her most undependable and dangerous., wouldn't you agree?"

[Sister Magdalene]

Magdalene nodded thoughtfully as she absorbed what Tuck said. He still had a mesmerising voice and a very persuasive turn of phrase, that was for sure! "I'm sure Robin Hood makes it his business to know what is going on. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he already knows of your being in Nottingham. It never fails to amaze me just how far the good people will go repay the kindness and charity he gives them." Mags paused at a wooden bench and seated herself, shaking out her robes so that they would not crease.

"Stay true to your path, Tuck, and I am sure he will find you before long. But do not depend too much on the Church. There have been murmurs about corruption at the highest level and I am just a poor nun, one of the lowliest. I'm afraid I don't hold as much sway as you give me credit." The good Sister added. She played with the piece of sage in her hands. "I fear the country is being bled dry by the Nobles. And it is the poor and weak who will suffer. Oh, if only we lived in the days of Arthur. What a glorious time that must have been."

The strain of the morning was starting to show on her face. If she hadn't had enough concerns before, now she was burdened with the unexpected arrival of Lady Rosetta. "I fear our hardships now would be nothing compared to what we can expect if that young Lady," Mags nodded in the direction of the House, "is discovered in our care. I will not rest easy whilst there is such palpable danger to my fellow Sisters, and yourself of course."

[Tuck]

It was always a pleasure to talk to Mags. Tuck always got the sense that she was really listening to what she was being told, and carefully weighing the words. It was not only that she was listening to what was being said, but that she was also trying to figure out what the long-term effect might be. "I'm sure that he has his ways of finding out just about everything, whether it be big or small in importance. Oh he may know .... that is for sure .... but I doubt that my presence would be looked on as a significant event." When he saw Sister Magdalene sit and straighten her clothes he know that she was going to tell him something that she thought was important.

"The thing is, Mags, I know really very little about what my path is. Oh, to be sure, I know that I need to find this Robin, and help him in his efforts. However, how I'm supposed to go about it, or get him and his outlaws to trust an outsider like myself, I know not." At her next comment Tuck just smiled and shook his head. "I found how much certain churchmen could be trusted in the Holy Land."

"Why do you think I left them .... the things that I saw .... no man, religious or not, should have to see. i know the list of those to be trusted is very short, and that your name is always at the top of such a list. You may think of yourself as lowly, my Sister, but the Lord looking down on your works understands your true worth. He will reward you in the next life, understanding that we do what we do because it is right and not for any earthly or even heavenly reward. It is enough Mags for us to live in this time, and not wish for another," he laughed.

As Sister Mags talked about Lady Rosetta he understood the strain that it was putting her under. "I think you should send word to Robin, and explain your situation, and see if he could assist in the transport of the Lady, while she is still sedated, to one of the outlying villages like Clun, where she could recuperate in safety, for us all."

[Sister Magdalene]

"You are an honest and good man, Tuck." Mags said softly. "If Robin Hood is all he's cracked up to be, he'll realise that. I suggest you tred carefully though as Robin may be expecting treachery." Magdalene nodded to herself. "I can see you have suffered and, indeed, are suffering still my old friend. I shall include you in my prayers."

Gracefully, the good Sister rose from the bench. "I wish I could get word to Robin Hood, but I'm afraid I don't know who to trust with such a message." She bit her lip anxiously for a moment. "Although I have no doubt that he would assist me. Its in his soul, I suppose. No, I think I must walk to Locksley. He still has connections with the place. Perhaps I can leave a message for him there." Sister Magdalene started to walk back towards the House. "Come along, Tuck, it seems be both have things to do before the end of this day!"