Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Gundam Wing and the Men of Sherwood Forest ❯ Nottingham ( Chapter 3 )

Man, I don't know what happened! This chapter just kept getting longer and longer and I didn't seem to be getting to a good stopping point, so I just sort of stopped and started another chapter. It could just be me, but this one just doesn't seem as funny as usual. Maybe I'm in a funk. I've been working really hard and I'm having a problem with my hand, so that might be it. Anyway, I'll try to do better on the next chapter.

-o-o-o-o-

Chapter 3: Nottingham

“Here is Master Goldberg's shop,” Robin announced. They had come into a street that was comprised primarily of jewelers, gold and silver smiths, and similar establishments. The shops ranged in quality from the very refined, with well-dressed gentlefolk in silk and furs going in and out, to a lower quality patronized by common folk. Master Goldberg's shop was somewhere in the middle. Robin led the way in.

The interior was dim, cool and rather small, with a long counter running all the way across the back. There was no jewelry on display. Quatre looked around in surprise.

“Shouldn't a jewelry shop have jewelry?”

“I prefer to bring out pieces appropriate to my clientele,” said a soft-spoken voice from somewhere in the back of the shop. A slightly-built middle-aged man with black hair going gray at the temples stood up from behind the counter. He bowed slightly. “Good day to you, Master Robin.”

“Good day, Master Goldberg,” Robin replied. “Have you a moment to talk business?”

“I have, but allow me to lock the door while we conduct it.” He stepped through a narrow gap in the counter and moved past them to the door. Before closing it, he hung a little sign outside that said “Just stepped out!” Then he bolted the door and turned back to them with his hands clasped in front of him. “Now then, how may I be of service to you today, Master Robin?”

Robin put his hood back. “I've a few items of jewelry to be broken down.”

Master Goldberg went back behind his counter and took out a piece of black cloth, which he spread out on the counter. “Put them here, please.”

Robin took the jewelry from his pouch and spread it out on the cloth. Master Goldberg leaned over to examine the pieces carefully using an eyepiece. He made little noises of satisfaction as he looked them over.

“These are good quality pieces, Master Robin. I recognize a few of them.” He chuckled. “Their former masters must be quite put out over the loss.”

Robin grinned. “But it's all for a good cause. The poor and destitute will eat better for their generosity.”

Master Goldberg laughed again. “The gems are of very fine quality and should fetch a good price on their own. The silver is not the best quality but the gold is quite good. I assume we shall keep our usual arrangement?”

“That is my wish.”

“Very good. Give me a few weeks and I should have your money for you.”

“Excellent, Master Goldberg!” Robin patted the man on the shoulder cheerfully. “I'll send Little John around to fetch it.” He turned to Quatre and Trowa. “Shall we be on our way?”

“Yeah, I want to find Duo and Roku,” Quatre said. “I'm not sure it's a good idea to leave them alone in the marketplace.”

“Nottingham is a safe town,” Robin assured him as they left Master Goldberg's shop.

“It's Nottingham I'm worried about. You have no idea what Duo is capable of. Your merchants may have nothing left.”

Robin's eyes went round. “Master Duo is not a pickpocket, I hope? The sheriff's men deal very harshly with pickpockets.”

“They'd have to catch him at it,” said Trowa. “But more likely he'll talk merchants into bargains that are no bargain at all for the merchant. That charming fellow can talk circles around anyone.”

Quatre nodded. “It's true. Duo can start with three copper coins and by the end of the day leave the market with silk garments, jeweled daggers, fine perfumes, scented oils, some books, a few gold coins, a handful of silver, and still have the three copper coins in his pocket.” He scowled. “And all of it shoved into Roku's storage space,” he finished under his breath.

Robin's stare was almost reverent. “He must be a genius!”

“I think the term most commonly used for him is `damn crook'!” Trowa chuckled. “But yes, it's impressive to watch.”

“He would not by any chance have a partiality to games of chance, would he?” Robin said with exaggerated casualness.

“Duo's been known to indulge in cards or dice every now and then,” Trowa said with a straight face. “Why do you ask?”

“Well, as it happens…” Robin favored them with a sheepish grin, “my family estate was lost to some quite unscrupulous gentlemen who took advantage of my father's advanced years to wrest control of our holdings from him while I was away. They hold our estate as collateral for a rather large debt my father ran up. Should I come by enough funds to recoup that debt, I could recover my estate and thus be redeemed so that I might ask for Maid Marian's hand in marriage.”

“Gambling isn't the ideal way to go about repaying a debt,” Trowa remarked.

“Heh, heh!” Robin's laugh was decidedly forced. “Well, that's normally true, but when one has nearly nothing to begin with…”

“You end up with absolutely nothing,” Quatre concluded.

“Well…” Robin began

“You lost everything, didn't you?” Quatre asked pointedly.

Robin hung his head. “You are too sharp, my friend,” he confessed. “Alas, my attempts at rebuilding my fortune met with dismal failure. Had I not met Little John at a most propitious moment, I would have been the recipient of a sound thrashing for my penniless state.”

“You lost a bet and couldn't pay?”

“Even so. I would have, mind you, were it in my power. But I am no magician to conjure coin from thin air.”

Quatre coughed and looked away.

Trowa clapped a hand on Robin's shoulder. “As you have offered us your hospitality, we will do what we can to help you out.”

Robin smiled brightly. “What fine gentlemen you are! I am honored to know you.” He waved a hand ahead of them toward the bustling market square, at which they had just arrived. “Here we are! Let us look for your companions.”

Quatre and Trowa stopped to stare. The market square was easily one hundred meters on each side, jam packed with booths and people. It was impossible to see more than a half dozen paces through the crowd.

“We'll never find anyone in there!” Quatre exclaimed.

Trowa nodded wordlessly.

“Well, there's nothing else for it,” Robin said in his usual cheerful way. He plunged into the crowd. Trowa and Quatre followed him in.

Meanwhile, Duo and Roku found the crowded market exhilarating. The smells, the sounds, the brightly colored displays were all very enticing, and they trotted from booth to booth eagerly, checking out the wares.

“Do you smell that, Papa Duo?” Roku bounced up and down on his toes. “Someone has spicy meat sticks over there.” He pointed.

Duo looked where Roku pointed. “I think we need to go over there.” The two of them made their way to the food booth. The cook was grilling pieces of meat that were marinating in some kind of sauce over open coals. When someone placed an order, he would grab a piece of meat off the grill with tongs and skewer it on a sharp stick. Nearly everyone who passed bought something.

“Can we get some, Papa Duo?”

“Oh yeah!” Duo held up four fingers. “Four sticks, my good man!”

The cook skewered four chunks for them and handed the sticks over. “Four pence,” he sang out. “A penny a piece. There's not a better bargain in the market.”

“What a deal!” Duo handed over four copper coins and he and Roku devoured their snack happily as they moved on. “Man, this is tasty!” Duo smacked his lips.

“Um hmm!” Roku agreed with his mouth full. He swallowed. “But Papa Wu-Fei would say the meat was marinated to hide the fact that it was spoiled.”

“No doubt,” Duo agreed cheerfully. “And you can't tell, so it worked.”

Roku nodded with a grin. “Oh, look at that! Is that silk?”

Duo's eyes widened. “That most definitely looks like silk. We should check it out. My underwear's getting a little worn.”

The silk merchant was busy trying to convince a plump, well-dressed matron that the sky blue silk suited her complexion.

“I don't know,” the woman was saying. “I think I am too fair for this shade. Perhaps a darker blue would work better.”

“Well, madam,” the merchant said patiently, “this is the only blue I have today, and you did specifically ask for blue, but I think you underestimate your own attractive features.” He smiled ingratiatingly.

Duo leaned over to Roku and whispered, “That color doesn't suit her at all, but it would look great on me. Let's give the old boy a hand, shall we?” Duo stepped forward. “Madam, if you'll forgive my interruption, I must say I agree with your assessment of your own fair and delicate complexion. Such a light shade of blue will not enhance your coloring to the best advantage.” Duo reached over and picked up a fold of cloth from a bolt of silk died a deep wine color. “This shade, on the other hand, would emphasize the delicacy of your coloring, especially when Madam blushes so sweetly.” His smile caused her faint blush to creep up her neck to her plump cheeks.

“Oh sir!” she exclaimed.

“Step close and see for yourself,” Duo continued. He caught the lady's hand and drew her closer so he could drape the wine-red silk over her shoulder. “See how finely it enhances you. And with your rich golden curls lying on your shoulders, you look like an innocent maid.”

The woman giggled and her blush deepened. “You speak too sweetly, sir! Surely age has coarsened my skin too much.”

Duo stroked gentle fingers along the skin of her cheek, down her neck and nearly to her bosom. “Oh madam, I beg to differ! Skin this soft and smooth might be found on a baby's bottom.”

“Oh my!” The woman looked faint. She turned to the merchant. “I'll take ten yards of the wine-colored silk. I'll send my maid around to fetch it tomorrow.” She turned back to Duo. “Thank you, sir!” she said a little breathlessly. She hurried away, looking back over her shoulder at Duo so many times she collided with people at every other step.

Duo smiled brightly at the merchant. “The wine-colored silk is more expensive than the blue, I think, so I've just made you a nice profit.”

“Yes…” the merchant's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“I rather like the shade of that blue silk.”

“Indeed?”

“That yellow is rather nice, too.”

“Have you a mind to make a purchase?”

“I have, but as I've just helped you out, I thought we might come to some kind of an arrangement.”

The merchant drew himself up importantly. “I am no charity, sir!”

Duo held up his hands. “Oh, I would never expect to receive something for nothing, but perhaps you might consider splitting the profit on the sale to that woman by discounting my purchase.”

“Well…”

“Think about it, my friend! Had I not come along, the lady might well have purchased nothing, but I convinced her to buy your most expensive silk instead. Surely that's worth a little consideration.” Duo smiled his most charming smile.

The merchant frowned. “I suppose…”

And Duo got down to the serious business of haggling. Ten minutes later, he left with two yards each of the blue and the yellow silk, having parted with only four silver coins. “Do you mind tucking this into your storage space for the moment? We need to find a seamstress.”

“Ok.” Roku glanced around before slipping the package of silk under his arm, where it disappeared. “I think you took advantage of the silk merchant. Shouldn't silk cost more than one silver piece per yard?”

Duo grinned. “Maybe. But it's not my fault if he can't do arithmetic in his head as fast as I can.”

“You were listening to his thoughts.”

“Only a little. It's really loud here, so hearing any one person is kind of tough.” Duo pointed. “Hey look! A bookseller! Let's go check it out.”

And so it went. Duo and Roku roamed the marketplace, stopping here and there to look, and every now and then making a purchase. They also found a game of dice in progress against the back wall of a booth and Duo cleaned everyone out before moving on.

“I needed a little more spending money.”

“I still have all your gold from the Quest, Papa Duo.”

“I know, but there's no need to dip into my reserves when people are so willing to let me have theirs. You want another snack? They've got meat pies in that booth over there.”

“I love meat pies!”

They were just finishing up their snack when Quatre, Trowa and Robin found them.

“Eating again, Duo?” Trowa remarked. “How many meals does this make since we saw you last?”

“We haven't had any meals. This is just a snack.”

“It's our fifth snack,” Roku said, licking his fingers.

Quatre groaned. “I have no idea how you two manage to stay so slim, eating as much as you do.” He put his arm around Roku's shoulders. “Papa Duo hasn't stuffed your storage space full of junk, has he?”

“No, Mama. We only bought a few things.”

“What a surprise.”

“Have you seen the others at all?” Trowa asked.

“No,” said Duo, “but we weren't really looking for them. Is it time to start back?”

“Almost,” said Robin, “but I would like to stop by and see Maid Marian first. It would please me to introduce my lady to my newest companions.”

“Sounds good,” Duo said. “Maybe she can name a good seamstress for me. I need to get some new undergarments made.”

Quatre perked up. “You bought some silk?”

“Yup!” Duo grinned. “And I got that yellow that you like.”

“That was very thoughtful of you.”

Trowa sighed and put a hand over his face. “Roku, can you please find the others?”

“Sure, Papa Trowa.” Roku lifted his head and sniffed. “This way, I think,” and he led the way off across the market.

Over drinks at a tavern not too far from the weapon seller's shop where they had first stopped, Heero and Treize were comparing the relative merits of the heavy-bladed broadsword versus the lighter straight sword that Treize preferred.

“The real advantage of the broadsword,” Heero opined, “is the weight. You can crush right through steel, bone, whatever gets in your way. It's as efficient as an energy blade.”

“True,” Treize agreed, “but there's no finesse. I suppose if you're in a hurry, that's one thing, but I always hate rushing a fight. It's so much more satisfying when you can fully exercise your opponent's skill.” He nodded toward Wu-Fei. “Take my fights with Wu-Fei, for example. Those were tremendously satisfying.”

Wu-Fei frowned slightly. “Maybe for you. I lost the first one and you let me kill you in the second.”

“Minor details, both,” Treize demurred.

“Yes, but I find one seldom has time for such pretty combat,” Heero said. “I always seem to end up fighting multiple opponents.”

“You just never want to take the time,” Wu-Fei accused with a smile. “You're always in a bad mood. Although you'll have to see him fight, Treize, to really appreciate his technique. He always manages to make a beheading look graceful.”

A faint smile touched Heero's lips.

“Well, I am hoping to avoid fighting,” Zechs said. “I had quite enough of it during the war.”

“So you bought that short sword because…?”

Zechs smiled slightly. “I don't want to fight, but that doesn't mean I don't believe in being prepared. And I find that a little sparring works as well as foreplay with Treize for putting him in the mood. It's also good exercise.”

“What? The sparring or what comes after?”

“Both!” Zechs laughed. He sipped his ale. “This drink has a pleasant tang. It's a little stronger than the beer I'm accustomed to.”

“I don't know how you can stomach it,” Wu-Fei admitted. “The stuff makes me nauseous.”

“Everything makes you nauseous!” Duo announced cheerfully. “Bartender! Another round!”

“You found us!” Treize exclaimed in surprise. “I thought we would have to come looking for you.”

“We had Roku,” Quatre replied. “Even in human form, he still has a tiger's sense of smell. He can track down his Papas anywhere.” Quatre, Trowa, Duo, Roku and Robin crowded in around the table with Heero, Wu-Fei, Treize and Zechs.

A barmaid arrived with several tankards clasped by the handles in both hands. “Here you go, gentlemen!” she said cheerfully. She slid the tankards onto the table and collected Heero's empty mug. Zechs downed the rest of his ale and handed her his mug as well. She blushed bright red when he smiled at her. “Thank you, sir!” She hurried off to get the rest of their drinks.

Duo downed his mug in one long pull, smacking the tankard onto the table with a loud bang. “Ah! That was just what I needed!” When the barmaid returned, he waved the mug at her. “Two more just like that, my lass!” He flipped a gold coin through the air at her and she caught it deftly.

“Right away, sir!” She dashed off to the bar with the coin clutched in her hand. After a brief, excited exchange with the bartender, she returned with another fistful of tankards. “That's such a rich payment, sir,” she said to Duo, “my master wants to know if you'd like some dinner, too. There's a nice stew, and we've roast chicken, boiled potatoes and fresh bread as well.”

Duo sat up straight, his eyes sparkling. “Now that's a right fine suggestion. Let's have bowls of stew all around, a couple of chickens, some potatoes and a few loaves of bread. Do you have jam?” At her nod, he continued. “Let's have jam for the bread, then, and whatever pastries you might have for dessert. Oh, and some milk for our son.”

“Very good, sir!” She dashed off.

Robin stared. “But Master Duo, did not you and young Roku eat in the market already?”

“Like I said, that was just a snack. Now it's time for dinner.” Duo emptied another mug and pointed at the one in front of Wu-Fei. “You're not going to drink that, are you?”

“No.” Wu-Fei shoved the mug across the table at Duo. “Drink up.”

“Don't mind if I do.” Duo swallowed half of it in four quick gulps. “Now I feel better.”

Everyone was staring at him.

“Does he always drink like that?” Treize asked curiously.

“Yup,” Heero nodded.

“Amazing.”

The food was quite palatable. The stew was thick and had a lot of meat in it. The chickens were plump and juicy. The bread was fresh and the jam quite sweet. There was apple pie for dessert. Duo tipped the serving maid a few extra coppers for being attentive, although Zechs' smiles might have been tip enough, judging from the way she giggled and sighed every time he looked at her.

After dinner, Robin again suggested calling on Maid Marian. “Although it is somewhat late, it is still before the dinner hour in her household, so we may yet find her unoccupied.”

“I would not want to inconvenience her,” Treize said.

“She will be glad to see us, I assure you,” Robin said as he led the way out of the tavern. “Maid Marian lives at the home of friends, who are keeping her in His Majesty's name, as she is his ward. But King Richard has many wards, so the care of each individual maiden varies, according to her station and the interest of those who keep her. Maid Marian's guardians, to my good fortune, are somewhat lax in her supervision. Her handmaiden will bring my lady out to us.”

Maid Marian lived in a fine manor house surrounded by a wide garden with a high wall around it. The front gates stood open, though, and Robin marched through without hesitation to knock on the front door. The young maid who answered the door curtsied when she saw Robin.

“Good evening, Master Locksley,” she said.

“Good evening, June. Is my lady available for a brief consultation?”

“I think so, sir, but give me a moment to ask. Please come in.” She held the door open and admitted them all into the front hall before disappearing up the flight of stairs that rose from the back of the entryway. She returned quickly in the wake of another young woman.

Maid Marian was quite pretty. She had long brown hair that flowed down her back in a smooth wave. Her figure was trim, but shapely, with a slightly more generous allowance of bosom than was common. She had wide green eyes, a small pert nose and a small triangular chin. Her mouth, also small, nevertheless had full lips that looked ripe for kissing.

“Robin!” she cried. “I had not hoped to see you again so soon!” She hurried up to him and favored him with a kiss on the cheek.

“Dear Marian!” Robin exclaimed in return. “I delight in the sight of you once more.” He gazed happily into her eyes for a moment. “But look, I have brought several new friends to meet you who have just joined my band of Merry Men.”

Robin introduced them one by one so Marian could greet each person in turn. She shook hands with each of them and patted Roku on the head. She stared rather lingeringly at Zechs, whose smile and murmured greeting made the maid June turn pale. But when Marian was introduced to Treize, she froze. Treize, being Treize, bowed over her hand with consummate grace and brushed his lips across her knuckles.

“Maid Marian,” he purred, “your grace and beauty are no less than our friend Robin claimed, who spoke with far too much modesty when he elaborated your charms.”

Marian drew in a ragged breath.

“Robin is indeed a most fortunate gentleman to have won your heart.”

“Thank you, sir,” Marian replied breathlessly. Her generous bosom rose and fell noticeably. “But anon, it is nearly the dinner hour.” She looked over her shoulder. “My guardians, Lord and Lady Bentley, will shortly come down. I would love to have you stay…”

“Alas, no,” Robin quickly spoke up. “We stopped only for a moment. We must return to Sherwood before dark.” He clasped her hands in his. “I will return to see you again as soon as I can.”

“Please do.” She looked into his eyes, but when he kissed her cheek, her eyes strayed to Treize. “Good night, my friends. I look forward to meeting you again.”

Everyone bid her goodbye as they crowded back out the door. June closed and latched it behind them, but not before staring wistfully at Zechs again.

Duo rubbed the back of his head and leaned close to Wu-Fei's ear. “If Treize or Zechs ever has the inclination to dally with a woman, they won't lack for opportunities. Every woman who sets eyes on them has the most un-maiden-like thoughts. It's getting me excited.”

Wu-Fei rolled his eyes. “Not again. I'm sleeping tonight. Bug Heero. The sprites will keep him up all night anyway.”

“There's a thought.”

“We must hurry if we are to get through the gates before sunset,” Robin said. “We'll have to pay a bribe to get the guards to let us out once the gates are closed.”

They broke into a trot and made it out of Nottingham just as the gates were being swung shut. The fields outside were empty, so Roku immediately shifted into tiger form and ranged ahead of them, the fluffy white tip of his tail glowing in the fading light.

“That was fun,” Duo said. “We should do that again.”

Robin glanced at him curiously. “Master Duo, how did you fare in the market today? Did you spend much money?”

“Yeah, but I came out ahead. I came across some lads with no skill at dice, so my winnings covered my expenses and a bit over.”

Robin shook his head. “Alas, I wish I had such luck. Were it so, I would be reclining this night in my own hall instead of on the mossy ground.”

“With your head cushioned on Marian's bosom?” Duo chuckled.

Even in the fading light, they could all see Robin's blush.