An overwhelming rush of emotions hit her, and hard. First, that the man seemed of a noble nature, a gentle one. Secondly, that there was no way she was going anywhere with a strange man she'd never met. Thanks to the Sheriff, she hadn't been armed in the Holy Land. Her dagger had been taken away, her sword was, obviously, unavailable, and she didn't even have her bow. She'd died defenseless and yet still had been willing to run in front of the king's body. She would wonder what had possessed her, only she knew. She'd do whatever it took to not let Guy harm her king.
Her heart sank all over again and fear struck her eyes when she saw that dagger. Was once not enough? Twice being stabbed. What she'd thought was an afterlife, was it really just another reason to be killed again? How was that anything resembling fair? She knew she'd done her wrongs, but she didn't think she deserved death twice!
But the young man demonstrated his chivalry and offered the small blade to her. Marian held her breath, waiting for the trick. Given her recent circumstances, she felt she had a right to be wary. When he inclined his head, she took the blade, still watching him with anxious eyes. A man intent on killing her wouldn't offer her his weapon, would he? She didn't even know anymore. But the weapon wasn't far different from her own pair of daggers and she gave a small nod of gratitude. "All right," she replied agreeably enough for a woman completely terrified of what all was around her. "I would appreciate an explanation, if you have one to give. I don't understand...any of this."
Any of what? She wasn't even sure right now. Where she was? Who these people were? Who he was?