Death on the Menu

[minabennett]

Petty thieves. Petty was the right word for them. Why bother stealing? If they were so desperately in need of money, why didn't they stop moaning about their misfortunes and earn some damned money? 'Oh, the taxes are too high!'. An undignified snort came from the slim nose of the onlooker. Death an taxes were a certainty in life. If you paid your taxes, death would come in its own time. And if you didn't pay your taxes? Death came a lot sooner.

There was only a small crowd at the hangings today. Two peasants, sentenced to death for stealing a good-for-nothing mule. Whether they had been planning to eat it, sell it or use it, Mason didn't care. They'd done the crime, and now they were paying for it. It was a message to the rest of the pitiful peons in the city, a message most of them seemed to be getting the wrong end of. In stead of getting their own affairs in order, they were mourning and moping about the end of another 'innocent life' at the hands of the Sheriff.

Mason crossed his arms, dark leather uniform creaking with the movement. The Sheriff was doing a commendable job. He was cleaning up the muck from this mighty shire. Every pair of boots was well earned by the executioner, and Mason gave the hooded figure a casual salute as he cut down the strangled corpses. Two less criminals to dirty the streets of Nottingham with their wicked ways.

Mason was hardly an imposing figure, being quite small and slight for a guard but the sword at his belt stopped the jeers and insults from passing peasants. His short hair was a ruddy blond, brushed just that morning for the occasion. His facial hair was always orderly, though it was hardly a chore to keep it neat and tidy as it was fake. Though that secret would never be discovered if Mason got his way. Which he usually did.

The crowd was beginning to disperse, and Mason kept watch in case one of the stricken family members tried anything stupid. Mason liked being on guard for hangings, it gave him a sense of worth. He was working for a cause that would put this city into the light as a wealthy and prosperous place. Nottingham and its shire would be great, and the Sheriff would be the one to make it happen.

[hazel]

Hazel didn't know why she was at the hanging. The brunette didn't know the victims personally, in fact she didn't know them at all. It was a warm day and she'd left her family to go for a walk into the city, initially it was just an aimless walk into the city, but when she heard of a hanging, she went to investigate. In her opinion the hanging of peasants was occurring more regular, and for simple crimes that could've been punished with a lesser sentence, not death. However, the Sheriff was making some point or other. Perhaps that no crime, no matter how small, would be tolerated. The only outcome that she was witnessing was that the towns folk were getting more disillusioned and

Seeing enough of todays murder, her mood now very much sour, the brunette swung around to storm off the other way. However, others were leaving, she been forced to move back, so when Hazel did turn she was obstructed by a guard. It took her by surprise and she stared at the guard clad in leather in shock. Had he always been there? And why was he so cheerful? All that was before him was death and cruelty. Stepping back from the guard, who was only slightly taller than herself, the runaway was unsure what would happen next. No crime had been committed in this instance, yet she felt guilty and was praying she had just walked into one of the more lenient guards of the Sheriff's. "I'm sorry." The brunette spoke up clearly, genuinely sorry for bumping into the fellow.

[minabennett]

With a snarl, Mason pushed the woman away. "Are you blind? Get back, peasant." The guard sneered, his face contorting quite cruelly. "In a rush to get away, are we? Do you have something to hide? Should you be hanging too?" Mason chucked, putting a slim hand on his sword hilt.

He hated it when peasants got rowdy and started barging about. He was by no means a hefty man, and it was not dignified to be pushed around by mere peasants. Mason made a mental note to spend more time exercising when he had some free time that evening.

"Maybe a night in the prison will make you sorry. You probably deserve it, don't you?" The woman was probably one of those girls that hung around on street corners, scraping a living spreading French pox and sin. She looked fairly clean, however, but Mason liked to entertain the idea that all women were dirty and worthy of a beating or two.

[hazel]

Hazel ignored his jibes at her hiding something and needing to be hung. She had nothing to hide, she had done nothing wrong. Why this guard was so irate was beyond her, only a few seconds ago he looked so happy about watching to victims being murdered. But then that should have been an indication of what he was like. For some reason karma and sod's law was picking on her today.

"It was an accident. I apologised." And unlike most peasants, she had a wider vocabulary, mainly because of the fact she was educated. But the guard didn't know that, and never would. What would happen if every peasant in every village found out she was a runaway noble woman? Probably mock and sneer at her for what she had given up. And why she gave it up, a futile quest for love and romance that would probably never herald any results. "What more do you want?" But Hazel was still defiant and stood up for herself, she wasn't going to be bullied by this guard because he was having a bad day.

[minabennett]

The hanging had put Mason in a rather chipper mood, but this female peasant was ruining that. "An accident? You should look where you're going!" Mason ground his teeth, glaring at the insolent woman. Why did all women think that they could talk to men this way? He was quite clearly more important than her, and she chose to talk back at him?

"You're trying my patience, girl. What's your name? And don't even think of lying to me." Mason knew he was being rather hypocritical, seeing as he was in fact a women himself, though nobody but him would ever know that little secret.

[donjavier]

Javier was feeling faintly disgusted. He hadn’t wanted to attend the hanging in the first place, but as a visiting dignitary it was his duty to show his face at at least some public events. He would have rathered it was something less gruesome, something more along the lines of the Silver Arrow Competition, but he’d been pestered into it by ‘Bastian, who was under the impression he needed cheering up. It was true, he had been down since Issie has inexplicably vanished, but he doubted seeing more people die would make him feel any better about the possibility that that was what might have happened to a woman he cared about. Still, refusing would probably have been social suicide. He could have tried claiming that such things didn’t happen in Spain - which would have been a complete lie, if anything they were worse - but he didn’t want to overuse the cultural ignorance card, and he was expected to tolerate English culture anyway.

As the crowd started to disperse, he found himself thinking about Issie more and more. He missed her. In a sea of nobles that could never understand him, she’d been like an island of normality. She’d even attempted to learn Spanish! He couldn’t imagine any of the stuck up noble women that populated Nottingham doing that for him.

Perhaps it was because of the nostalgia that when he saw a peasant girl in apparent trouble with a guard that he decided to intervene. Perhaps he just had a soft spot for peasant girls. The guard seemed to be acting a little big for his boots, he was so slight Javi was surprised he was old enough to grow a beard. Perhaps that’s why he was picking on a girl rather than full grown man. Javier knew his thoughts were spiteful, but he couldn’t help but hold a residual grudge for guards, after the way he and his family had been treated by them in the past.

Trying his best to swallow down his Spanish accent and get his grammar right, Javi sauntered up to there the guard and the girl were standing “Is there a problema here?” He asked, revelling in the power his finely tailored clothes gave him. With any luck, this wouldn’t turn out as badly as it was likely to.

[hazel]

"I'm Hazel." The woman said with an air of contempt, as she had every right to be in a foul mood. Just as bad as the guard. She didn't want to be in this situation and was glad when a foreign sounding man came over. However, she didn't answer him, she wasn't sure it was her place or what the guard would do if she gave her events. Instead she cast her eyes to the ground. If this wealthy looking man was anything like the guard she was heading for a lot of trouble. And all over an accident, it seemed very unfair to her.

If only Hazel had stayed at home and married. She'd still be a noble woman and wouldn't have to worry about all the maquerading and life as a lowly peasant. It was times like this she missed it, that power. But she couldn't go back, all she could do was stare at the floor and hope that it all passed without incident, no matter how unlikely that would be.

[minabennett]

Quite tempted to throttle the girl, Mason turned sharply at the approach of the noble man. With a smirk, Mason stepped back from the woman. A noble interfering in the matters of a peasant girl, how very annoying. Mason knew he couldn't threaten the oddly-spoken noble, however tempting it may be.

"No, there is no problema here." The guard sneered, looking between the two. Why did nobles have to spoil his fun? The preferred the ones that doted on their fortunes rather than their morals. if it weren't for their fortunes, the Sheriff would never tolerate them loitering in the city, saving peasants from a night in the stocks.

"My name is Mason Nash, my lord. Do you want something of me?" How degrading, to be ordered about by a man dressed in what could only be described as pointless filigree. Did he realize how amusing he looked, smothered in fabrics of queer colors and decorated with stupid adornments and patterns. What exactly was wrong with plain clothes?

[donjavier]

When the girl didn’t respond, Javier started to wonder if he’d made a mistake. Not all girls were like Isabel Brighton. In fact, most of them were nothing like her. He’d be amazed if he ever met another girl so outspoken and forthright - the one he was [sort of] in the process of rescuing didn’t look like she could be outspoken if you put her on the battlements and told her to scream at the top of her lungs or you’d push her off. Not that Javi would do something like that, such things were more the hobby of vindictive castle guards.

Javier couldn’t help but inwardly recoil at the slight on his accent. Amazingly, he hadn’t yet encountered anyone who turned against him because of his nationality - most of them seemed more fascinated than anything else - but he supposed it was only a matter of time. Still, it wouldn’t do to be offended by a mere guard. He’d learnt in his time spent among nobles, that if someone of lesser rank did something out of turn, reminding them that you were more important than they were, and you were completely indifferent to everything they did generally did the trick. Or at least that was how it was supposed to work. Oh well, thought Javi, time to try out the old acting thing again.

“It was not you to whom the question was addressed” He replied, as frostily as he could muster, and added “Eres totalmente un cabron sin morales ni honor” in what he hoped were uninterested tones, although he didn‘t suppose anyone around them would have a clue what he‘d just said. He looked the guard up and down with contempt as he introduced himself. Well, that was a bit more like it, but Javier still didn’t like the look of this man “Nothing but for you to leave this young lady en peace” He said, with a curt smile “Por favor”

[hazel]

Hazel looked up when she heard that the question had not been addressed to the guard. Did this nobleman not know that this could get the woman in trouble? Taking a breath, and her life in her hands, she answered the nobleman, hoping that she'd still be alive tomorrow.

"It was an accident, sir. I walked into this guard and he has taken exception to it." Hazel still had to learn that she was a peasant and shouldn't be using such sophisticated vocabulary. She'd give herself away if she kept up acting intelligent. She had to dumb down for her own sake. "I've apologised, but it doesn't seem he will accept it." That all being said, she bit her tongue and really hoped that she'd live to see tomorrow morning.

There was a small smile when he spoke spanish, she had no idea what was said, she learnt German, very little french while she was still in her noble household, but not spanish. Though she did admire the language, as she admired every other language in the world. Head tilted to one side, she was very curious as to what he said and how the young guard would take it. But she daren't draw anymore attention to herself.

[minabennett]

Mason wrinkled his nose at the foreign words, pretty sure that he had been insulted but with no knowledge of other languages to base it on. "I'm sorry, I don't speak foreign." It could be Greek for all he cared, couldn't the nuisance speak English properly. Pour favour what? What did that even mean?

He eyed the noble for a little longer than was polite before he bowed half-heartedly. "Of course, my lord. I hope she entertains you well." With a glare at the woman, Mason moved off to patrol the area, keeping an eye on the noble and his damsel.

Mason cared little for what the man wanted of the peasant, though seeing as she was not particularly ugly, Mason could guess why a noble would go out of his way to gain her favour. Maybe that was what the man had meant, his accent mangling the words. 'For a favour'. Well he could have all the favours he wanted of her, the extravagant waste of space.

[mira]

Mira had come to Nottingham early that morning as she did every week to sell and trade the ware the peasants of Loxley had made. She did this for them for she knew how proud they were and as much as they took the hand outs that Robin gave them, like anyone they had pride. That's where Mira came in, taking their trade to market each week, managing to get them better prices than they ever would, simple because of her standing.

These trips to Nottingham were about the only place she would use her title of Lady, using it to her advantage and it also kept the sheriff's men from looking too closely at her.

She had left the wagon at the main gates, and had gone about her duty quickly and efficiently. Mr Masons small toys had got a good price and she had managed to sell Mrs Henty's embroidery for enough that she bought them some fresh bacon. That would make a welcome change from the endless rabbit stews.

She found herself in the main courtyard where she saw a couple of peasants had just been hung. "What were their crimes" she asked a nearby peasant who immediately bowed to her, for these trips to Nottingham were also about the only times she brought herself to wear a dress. "I believe they stole a mule my Lady and are being making an example of" Mira thanked her and dropped a silver coin in her hand. "thank you , thank you" the woman said backing off and bowing. Mira waved a hand at her and turned to walk away.

So it was she overheard a remark made in Spanish and since it was a language her father had taught her she could not help to look to see who had spoken it and more so who it had been spoken too. . . Mason Nash, she should have known. When ever there he was hanging , he was sure to be skulking around like a rat. Smiling, she made her way to where the peasant girl stood with the Noble that had hurled the insult.

"Well said my friend" she greeted him "I am Mira, at your service and any day someone can insult Mason has made a friend of me" she smiled wondering who he was. No doubt from the words, he had trying to protect the peasant from some rude remark. "Are you all right my dear" she asked turning to the girl.

[donjavier]

Javier was bristling both at the slight made on his language and the young lady before him. Mason Nash clearly had no sense of courtesy, and Javi wondered how far his jurisdiction really went. Being friend with Sebastian Mannering was useful for some things, at least, and maybe he’d be able to find a way to get back at Mason in ways other than punching him in the face. Unfortunately, there were no other alternatives at that very moment, so punching him in the face would have to suffice.

Even more unfortunately, at that moment he was approached by a dark skinned woman, and couldn’t exactly walk away from her when she was talking to him to go and punch someone, for proprieties sake. “I- er, thank you” He said, feeling slightly disorientated by the whole situation. How did she know he’d insulted the guard? The woman looked Saracen to him, although a jot paler than usual, and he had never yet come across one who spoke his language. Not that he’d come across that many Saracens, but French was the language to learn, these days, that was what was in fashion.

Javier turned to look at the girl the newcomer was addressing. In all the thoughts of punching, he’d quite forgotten about her. He felt slightly guilty about it, she was the reason he’d gotten involved in the first place, so he should probably have paid her a little more attention “I hope that man’s foul words have not caused you offence” He said earnestly, offering her a little half-bow “Don Javier de Valencia” He smiled warmly, hoping having two members of the nobility didn’t distress the girl in any way. He wouldn’t want someone else to faint on him.

[mira]

Mira smiled for clearly he had not expecting anyone to know the language he was speaking. "I am sorry" she said, the smile still on her face " I did not mean to startle, I merely just found it amusing and wondered what he had said to make you reply with such words"

Her father had traveled far and wide before he had married and growing up he had taught her no less than 5 languages. She did not have much reason to use them in a place like Nottingham Shire so to her it was a pleasure to be able to hear it. Although she would not quite have had the same effect if SHE had said it, as true Spaniard would.

He surprised her though being so concerned and standing up for a mere peasant. That was in her character of course but she had never come across it in any other Nobles, certainly not in front of a Sheriffs man anyway. Then when he bowed to her she did raise her eyebrows, but at least she gained his name. “Well Don Javier de Valencia” she thought "You are full of surprises are you not"

She studied him for a moment longer, then she looked back at the girl, most unusual indeed and she was not sure what to make of it. Suddenly she wanted to know more of this man who stood up for the peasant girls like he was Robin Hood.

"I do not think I have seen you around these parts before, are you new in town" she asked hoping to gain some knowledge. She had not forgotten the girl but some of the guards were watching them and she had to keep up appearances and that meant ignoring the girl for now. "Just that you have a lot to learn about things, your actions could get this girl killed if you are not careful" She had lowered her voice to tell him this for clearly he had no idea of the protocol of such things.

"And you" she said turning to the girl "Give me your name and if anyone asks just tell them you are my servant"
[/b]

[hazel]

Hazel was quite relieved when the guard left, she honestly thought she was going to be kept in prison for a while. She wasn't entirely out of the words, guards and the sheriff's men somehow always found a way of revenge, but she could worry about that later. For now she wanted to thank the noble man who had spared her some trouble, and over nothing. And as Hazel was about to do just that, a woman, finely dressed come over and stopped her in her tracks.

In answer to her question about how she was, Hazel answered the dark skinned lady. "I am fine, thank you." A smile on her lips, it definitely wasn't her intent to cause such a fuss, but these things happened. Then Hazel turned back to the nobleman. "Not offence, perhaps a little fright but I'll live." She smiled. "It's nice to meet you Don Javier." From her time as a peasant and a former noble she knew not to touch the noble man, it would most likely cause him offence, instead she offered a courtesy and a warm smile. Interchanges of kindness, like what Javier had done for her always made her cheerful.

However, that quickly changed at the finely dressed lady's words. "Excuse me, I thank you for your politeness and concern, but I am a peasant. Already I have a lowly station, I could not masquerade as your servant and lower myself further." And Hazel had no intention of giving the woman her name. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the help, but it was the tone taken, ordering her about and she coulen't stand for it. What she hoped was that she hadn't given Javier a bad impression, or angered the noble woman enough that she would put her in the stocks.