Isabella's visitor

[Isabella]

Isabella paced the room restlessly, thinking deeply about her situation. She hated being trapped inside the castle like this, held captive by the vanity of Prince John and the suspicion of her elder brother. If she left, he would not hesitate to follow her. But she had to leave and breathe freely - for a while, at least. Her mind made up, she made towards the door of the room. But she froze before she got there. Someone had just knocked at the door. Isabella frowned. Who was it? Should she open the door and welcome them in?

[Edward Griffin]

Edward stood outside Isabella's door, a blank expression on his face. He had knocked, but there had been no reply. He grumbled impatiently. He knocked again, louder and more forcefully. Still no reply. Then he spoke in his low gravelly voice. "My lady, you are wanted in the Main Hall." he said sternly. He was only a mere Castle Guard, but he had a certain authority about him. He always stood straight and tall, and looked people down with his cold piercing eyes. He never smiled, and hardly ever even blinked.

He waited a few more seconds, and then chose to speak again. "I've been sent by your brother, Sir Guy. He is waiting for you downstairs. Preperations are being made for Prince John's arrival." he cleared his throat, and his metal armor clinked as he lifted up his clenched fist to knock again.

[Isabella]

"I'm coming," Isabella said hesitantly, moving towards the door. She reached a hand towards the cold brass of the doorhandle and twisted it, coming face to face with the stern castle guard. She was desperate for escape, but evidently, that was impossible. At least she could find out more about Prince John's arrival. Taking a deep breath, she assumed the high-and-mighty air of a noble, in an attempt to impress him with her authority. Underneath it, though, she was secretly scared.
"Why should my brother want me?" she demanded, "He never does!"

[Edward Griffin]

Edward found her question foolish and insolent. He tried not to show his distaste, and simply paused for a moment before speaking again. "He wants you, my lady, because he wishes you to help with the preparations." he said coldly. "He also hopes that you will be able to be present when Prince John actually arrives." he said. Most of what he had just said he didn't really care about. But it was his duty to do whatever the Sheriff or Sir Guy told him to do. And apparently this was it.

After a silence he spoke again, "I recommend that you come downstairs as quickly as possible. It is not wise to keep Sir Guy or the Sheriff waiting." he said in a monotone, as if the words were recited.

[Isabella]

Isabella sighed, realising what a fool she looked. She studied the guard carefully, trying to decide whether or not he was a forgiving sort of man. She didn't want to have made an enemy in him - that could prove dangerous. She had no idea whose ears he could whisper into, given half the chance. Some people were just waiting for her to slip up, a reason to cause her more pain. Surely, she thought, she had had enough of that? Isabella straightened herself up and looked directly into the guard's face, trying to instill some kind of sympathy for her in him.
"Of course," she replied, "I'm sorry... it's just... I was surprised Sir Guy wanted me. It will be an honour to meet Prince John."
She smiled slightly, hoping that he would smile back.

[Edward Griffin]

Edward saw her smile. It seemed she was making an attempt to be friendly. It was probably just an act. Friendliness was always an act. He did not respond with a smile, but instead kept his face in the same emotionless position. He spoke, "Yes, it is indeed an honour to have a monarch staying here in Nottingham." he said in his low voice. He was not a good talker, since he never really had the need to talk anyway.

He moved aside, so that Isabella could make her way downstairs to the hall. He kept his eyes straight ahead, something he had been trained to do, and waited for her to pass him. She seemed in no hurry to see Prince John, the Sheriff, or her brother, and he hoped that this small shift of position would give her a step in the right direction.

[Isabella]

Isabella realised that he wanted her to leave. Surely he could not be so cold-hearted as he tried to pretend he was? Maybe, she thought, he had past. Like her. Or maybe he really was like this. She couldn't tell. But she wanted to find out for sure.
"Yes, a visitor will be very welcome. I would like him to see Nottingham. Do you know it well?"

[Basaam]

A loud groan suddenly echoed through all of the rooms in the upper levels of the castle, and was shortly followed by a loud thump.

((that was Basaam dying btw ))

[Isabella]

Isabella shot a nervous look at the castle guard.
"What was that?" she cried, before turning to run towards the sound.
"It sounded like someone in pain," she added, dashing to the room where the noise seemed to have come from. The door was shut. Isabella stopped, turning towards the guard, fearful of what could lie inside the room.
"Whose room is this?" she asked him.

[Edward Griffin]

As Isabella started to question him, he discretely rolled his eyes. He knew she was just trying to soften him up - and was just trying to find out information. She had no intention in being his friend, she was just using him. That's what most people were like. Nevertheless, Edward responded, "I've known Nottingham for a few years now." he said quietly, "But I grew up in the village of Locksley. Edwards eyes glazed over as memories of his childhood flooded back, but he dismissed them in the blink of an eyed, instead deciding to concentrate on what he was doing now.

Edward heard the thump, and turned around to face where it was coming from. Of course, he knew what was going on, but his face didn't show it. As Isabella herself ran towards the noise, Edward was in hot pursuit. The Sheriff had said he would rather not anyone else know about what he was about to do, but it was already to late. Before Isabella opened the door, Edward stood in front of it defensively. "That is information you would most likely not want to hear." he said solemnly.

[Isabella]

Isabella thought she could see a trace of emotion in the guard's face, but she couldn't tell for sure.

She stared at him, realising what he meant.
"Just because I am a woman, it does not mean I am sensitive," she told him, "Please - if whoever is in this room is injured I need to help them. Could you bring my brother here? He could help, too. I must go."
And without further ado, she pushed the door open.

[Edward Griffin]

Edward sighed as Isabella entered the room. It was her decision, and she wouldn't like what she saw. He couldn't help but smirk at her suggestion of bringing Gisbourne there. Of course he was in on the act, and wouldn't be coming to his sisters aid in a hurry. Edward simply stood back, crossed his arms, and watched what Isabella's reaction would be.

In the room he could already see the Sheriff, with his blade raised, and Basaam slumped on the floor. He would most probably have to clean the mess up. Edward let out a small grunt of disapprovement at the thought of it. But apart from that, he showed to reaction to the fact there was a dead body crumpled on the ground.

[Isabella]

Isabella was shocked by what she saw, especially as she recognised the man as Basaam, the friend of Djaq the outlaw. She had heard of their friendship before, but never dreamt it would end like this. She realised at once that if the Sheriff had done this, her brother was also involved in it, and she wasn't safe in the castle - not if she was disagreeable to the other tenants. Isabella was loathe to run away again, but it could be her only option. She felt a fool to have seen some good in Guy, to have thought for a moment that he would be willing to help her with no personal gain involved. She could trust no-one, that was for sure.
I have to tell Djaq about this, she realised, the thought darting into her mind like one of Robin Hood's arrows, I have to search through Nottingham and Locksley until I find her. Then we can decide what to do and make sure the Sheriff is brought to justice.
Her plan seemed so simple just then, and in a second, she had turned around and fled, pushing the castle guard aside on her haste to leave. Her footsteps echoed around the cold corridor. She thought she could hear more joining hers, but she did not look back. All she could think to do was to run and keep running. The only thing that mattered was Djaq. Once she found her, everything would be clear, she hoped. Her hope was ill-founded.