Chapter 1
NOTTINGHAM
The sheriff walked past the gallows and laughed at the two figures swinging in the breeze from it. He loved it when a plan came together. His prized hawk had put an end to Lardener and his hangman had seen to one of Hoods men (whatever his name was) and that absurd fool. He would leave the bodies swinging as a reminder to others what happened when you went against him.
All in all a good day, one of only a few he had enjoyed lately- true, he would have been happier had Guy and Allan captured Locksley from the tree but that day would come and soon. "Hmmn, what to do now?" he mused to himself as he turned back to the castle. "Guy, Guy……GUY!" he bellowed. "Send for the hangman…I wish to reward him for a job well done."
OUTLAWS CAMP
Will was stretched out on his bunk staring at the sky through the leafy canopy of the forest. He was deep in thought over the day's events. Looking for honey with Djaq that morning now seemed like an eternity ago now. It amazed him sometimes at how his life had changed in two years of being an outlaw. Today had been eventful but he had coped well. Truth be told, he was immensely proud of his idea to get Robin and Marian down from the tree. He only wished Marian were here in the camp with them now- Robin had seemed down and withdrawn since his return without her. He knew how he would feel if Djaq wasn't around all the time.
He turned over, itching and uncomfortable in the guard's uniform. It was a small price to pay by switching clothes with the guard but his new outfit was rough and too big on his lean frame. He wanted his own clothes back, with his belt to keep all of his tools and equipment that came in handy more often than not. They were also a lot warmer- more suitable for living in the forest. Maybe tomorrow he could go into Locksley or Clun and buy some material to make new clothes. He turned over again in his bunk- sleep just wasn't coming that night. Maybe if he got a bit of a warm by the fire he would feel better.
Will climbed out of bed with his blanket wrapped around his shoulders, careful to avoid John who was snoring away loudly in his own bunk below. This movement after a period of rest provoked the dull pain in his ribs to protest sharply from where the Sheriff had aimed his violent punch. Will was sure that one or maybe two of the ribs were cracked but the adrenaline pumping through his system earlier had erased the pain for a time. He was sure his chest would be black and blue by now but he didn't want to look and be reminded of earlier- did Allan know that the fool had grasped the key? Will had seen the look Allan had given him as he walked off but there had been not time for more? He was surprised at the words of venom that had come from his own mouth to Allan- the man who only a few months earlier he would have trusted with his life. How things had changed.
The fire was burning low and he was surprised to see Djaq dozing awkwardly against a tree next to it. Her brow was furrowed and she looked troubled. His heart fluttered in his chest as it did whenever he saw her. Will couldn't help this response, he was sure the others had noticed something too. Only the other day Much had snorted when Djaq had asked Will to help her look for her medicinal herbs in the forest.
Will sat quietly next to Djaq and wrapped half of the blanket over her slender form. She stirred at this and her eyes fluttered open. When she saw Will a smile replaced the troubled features. He smiled back forgetting the ache in his side for the moment.
