They were riding as fast as they could through the woods. The King was returning and they knew they had to stop the Black Knights from killing him. If things were ever to be right again.
As soon as Much had returned to the camp and told they news they'd all packed up and left. Well, nearly all of them, Tuck had decided to stay in Sherwood.
"I am, after all, still a man off God." He'd said. So they'd agreed that he, together with Beth and the other nuns would continue to give food to the poor. Eve, too, had offered her help but after her betrayal of the Sheriff they knew she had to keep a low profile, and there weren't really anything suspicious about a bunch of nuns handing out things to the poor.
Pushing the horses to their limits they still couldn't help fearing they'd be too late. Not even bothering to stop for rest when the sun set, only slowing down their pace a little so they could eat while still mounted, they rode on towards Portsmouth.
They were still quite a way from their goal when they heard the sound of clanging swords. Terrified Robin hid his face in his hands.
"We're too late!"
But Djaq rode up and placed her hand lightly on his shoulder.
"No. Listen; this is not a sound of a merciless slaughter, it is a sound of battle!"
Removing his hands Robin looked for a moment at the Gang.
"You're right. Come on lads!"
And they rode; faster than ever. The battle for the future was about to begin, had already started, and they had to reach it.
Robin probably would've rode right into battle had the others not stopped him.
"What're you talking about? We have to hurry."
"Robin…" Marian begun, "we can't all fight from our horse like you can."
So they all dismounted their horses and crept the last few metres towards the battlefield. Fortunately the battle was going on in a small valley, enabling them to get an overview.
No words were needed; quickly Robin, Allan and Kate each put an arrow on their bows, aimed and shot; the three arrows found their targets. Then they attacked.
