So far, so good, thought Vaisey as he paced through his castle halls. Women always defend what they value most when under pressure, and Marian was no exception. Above all, her sense of morals and dignity would always win her over. Beneath that plaintive smile, Vaisey knew lay a calculating brain, plotting her next move. Whatever that may be. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head, whether it was how to subvert his power, distract his lieutenant or questionably sneak that pain-in-the-side outlaw she still obviously fancied into his castle.

As of yet, her ploys and distractions and bleeding-heart outbursts were harmless. But this time it was different. This time, much more was at stake, and he had to fix it himself. For once, he'd remove any chance for his distracted lieutenant to flub up and ruin his best plans. And finally, he thought, Gisborne's annoying infatuation would be to his advantage.

Gisborne had to be around here somewhere, he thought as he peered into every shadow and out onto every ledge and balcony. "Off skulking somewhere inconvenient, no doubt," Vaisey huffed out loud as he turned another corner.

From the new hall, Gisborne's deep, bellowing voice admonished his unseen men. His tall figure strode into view down the corridor, obvious frustration etched on his gaunt face. The Sheriff paused where he stood, pressed into the corner of the hall, simply waiting for Gisborne to notice him. But Guy's eyes remained trained on the ground before him, his mind clearly dwelling elsewhere as he marched down the hall. The closer he came, the more the Sheriff realized Guy was muttering to himself, catching Marian's name and Robin's name every other sentence. So wrapped in his own thoughts, Guy threatened to simply stalk on by.

Vaisey rolled his eyes, "You never seem to notice me anymore, Gisborne."

Guy jumped in surprise and automatically grasped his hilt with a snarl. Reeling around, his grey eyes widened as he stared down at the Sheriff's apparently amused smirk. "My lord Sheriff. I did not see you there."

"Obviously," Vaisey sniggered as he spun around and proceeded back down the hallway he had only just recently traveled. "I have a mission I'd like to discuss with you, if you think you can pay me attention just long enough to hear it."

Guy fell into step behind the short, old man; "I'm sorry, Sheriff. It's just after what happened with Lardner's Ring, and the bird…"

"And the tree, and the hostage, and the woman you've been lovesick about for over a year. Yes all that. Perfectly understandable why you'd be so entirely and incompetently distracted, Gisborne," the Sheriff's voice biting at each one of his words. Vaisey smiled to himself at Gisborne's silent response, leading on into the Council Chamber—the headquarters for the Black Knights.

Securing the thick doors behind him, Guy immediately turned around and straightened himself to his full height, knowing the chamber's heavy importance and the grave matters discussed therein. "Now, my lord, my new mission?"

Ignoring the question, Vaisey soundlessly remained with his back to Gisborne, sustaining the deafening silence for effect. His dark eyes flashed around the circular room filled with torches and chairs, and then he leaned himself over the large map of England on the table in the center. "Gisborne, do you know what town lies here in this magnanimous country of ours?"

Guy's footfalls behind him echoed through the room as he peered down over the Sheriff's shoulder at the map, the Sheriff's gnarled finger lying over the Southeast corner. "Canterbury, my lord?"

"Yes, Canterbury. And with that fair city, you simply cannot forget the illustrious Saint Thomas Beckett—Archbishop… saint... martyr… political activist…" The Sheriff trailed off, his words obviously insincere as if rattling off a lesson.

"What has any of this got to do with the Black Knights and my mission?" Guy asked, irritation nipping at his deep voice as he folded his thick arms over his chest.

Vaisey finally spun around, a bemused smile across his face, "Who said anything about the Black Knights? Oh no, my dear Gisborne, this is more of a… domestic sort of mission, let's say. Now, as you mostly likely know, the Archbishop of Canterbury has always held a most important political role, and the current bishop is no exception, particularly since he has just be enthroned. As you mostly likely do not know, Archbishop Hubert Walter has decided to celebrate his new power with a feast in honor of Canterbury's favorite martyr, the beloved Beckett. In two weeks time, the bishop has declared that all noble families who give their son or daughter to the church in a pledge of vocation will be awarded 1000 pounds."

Gisborne's eyes widened at the sum.

"Shame you haven't a child, Gisborne," the Sheriff sneered as he watched a pained grimace cross Guy's face, "No matter. I've thought of a way around it. In disguise you will go to Canterbury for the feast with your accomplice, offer her as your noble daughter, pledging vocation to the Church, you snag the 1000 pounds and the two of you run back here to Nottingham with my cash as fast as your horses' legs can carry you. Brilliant, isn't it?"

Guy cocked his eyebrow, "Quite, Sheriff, only just one question. Who is to be my daughter in disguise? She'd have to be quite young, wouldn't she?"

"I hardly think so. In fact, I think Maid Marian would serve wonderfully for this purpose."

Guy's face first flickered around a smile, and then immediately fell into a hard grimace once more. "Marian? She could not disguise herself as my daughter; she's far too… too… womanly."

The Sheriff jokingly clapped Guy on the shoulder, "Come, come now, Gisborne. You must be, what, at least ten, maybe fifteen years older. At least you look it; you could easily pass as her young… well, youngish father." Vaisey looked up at Guy's steeled face, an expression clearly not amused. "But just think, Gisborne, I'm really doing us both a favor. You take your minx on a two-week, all expense paid vacation to the lovely city of Canterbury, and I make 1000 pounds for the crown," he wrapped his arm around Guy's shoulders, "What do you say, hmm?"

A smirk slowly crossed Guy's face as he realized the extent of the plan. He really only had to appear as her father once they reached the city, but before and after then… "What do I always say, Sheriff?"

Vaisey smirked, "Is that a, 'yes, my lord Sheriff?'"

"Yes, my lord Sheriff," Guy's smirk broadened as he stepped away from the Sheriff.

"Good, you'll inform the marvelous, mighty, misleading maiden yourself, Gisborne," Vaisey instructed as he dismissed Gisborne from the chamber with a mere wave of his hand. Alone once more, he sat himself in a throne-like chair, shadows flickering from the torches as he chuckled to himself. Little did Gisborne know just how important his holiday to Canterbury was for the Black Knights, or, as a matter of fact, how important it was for their perpetual war against Robin Hood. Gisborne—the handsome imbecile. He allowed himself to lean back in his chair and close his eyes for but a moment, whispering to himself, "If you want something right, you've got to do it yourself.