Lying Eyes

Chapter One:
The Reaper

"He runs like lightening Robin. It's impossible to see him, let alone find where he is." Will sighed in frustration, running a hand through his untamed, dark hair. It had been like this for days. Robin Hood and his faithful companions had been searching for the man they called the 'Reaper', and yet they had returned to camp short handed once again.

"You say he runs at night. So he's like Marian… like the Night Watchman." he mused quietly, thinking to himself. Robin of Locksley, always the thinker, that… and always ready to out do the enemy. But then again, he couldn't be sure this man was the enemy yet... Robin was the leader, he always had to be suspicious for the sake of his team, but perhaps this was just someone trying to do what he was. "How's Howard doing Much?" he turned to face his right hand man as he sat jumpy beside the captive they found the other day. Burning down a church wasn't exactly something to be proud of, but they had to give him credit. The Holy Land was a brutal place, and if anyone deserved credit, it was the Crusaders.

"He's good enough... for now." Much replied, his big eyes widened at the fact his master had really asked him about his own situation. Sure, Much knew Robin cared for him, but the other's seldom thought of Much's importance in their gang, and now more then ever did Much feel the need that his work should be appraised. There weren't many people that would be able to put up with the group he had, and for as long as he had. But he was a faithful soul, and out of everyone, he would be first to give his life to save Robin Hood.

"I've talked to the locals here and there." Will added, his expression changing as he thought to what information he had managed to gather. Will watched the others as Robin paced back and forth and Allen A Dale sat with little John beside the fire, pocking it with his long staff. "Maid Marian may have taken care of the close towns. But this one's new and fast. He's hit far and close… everywhere that's suffering, and he's managed to elude Sheriff and Gisborne into thinking it's just us. While ensuring that the people know it's him."

Everyone sat in silence as the crack of the fire wood was the only sound throughout the camp. "To catch the Reaper, you'll have to create a situation where he needs to be there." Allen sighed, laying down behind the log and resting his head on his clasped hands behind his head. Allen a Dale was a good fighter, and he was brave... but there were few times he thought of others compared to himself when he was given the choice.

"And how do you purpose we do that?" Djac asked, her accent making Much smirk as he looked between Howard and the only girl within the group. Much couldn't exactly say he liked the fact that Howard had tried to kill Djac… but he disliked his position even more.

"We make him come. We create a situation." Robin smiled coyly as Will and Allen shared a joint look and instinctively leaned forward to grab their weapons. Allen his bow and arrow, paired with his sword, and Will his many axes. John immediately stood with his long staff and Much looked between the lot of them before turning back to Howard, he knew the ropes and how much they would strain under pressure and wear, so naturally, he would have to step up to the plate.

"I'm going to have to stay. I can't leave Howard alone here. Just take Djac with you, it'll be fine." he said aloud, knowing that if he hadn't volenteered to stay behind, no one would have, and reminding himself of that simple fact over and over again, he was able to finalize the decision.

"Then it's settled, we move at dusk tomorrow." Robin smiled triumphantly, laying down for a night's worth of sleep, Robin smiled to himself… as did Will and Allen, for if anything pleased them. It was messing with somebody else.


Soon enough, the time came. And after talking with the locals, it was confirmed that just their luck, the Reaper had come the night before, and if anything they new was true, the Reaper would not again move until nightfall had come. With their plan set in stone, Robin, Will and Allen watched as the sun began to set and their plan moved into action.

Having Djac race after and steal the food supplies from the families felt like more of turn coating then helping anyone... even if it was themselves. But it wasn't long until Allen spotted movement in the trees. Soon enough, a figure dressed in all black with a flowing cape and a long, secretive hood bound forwards in a sprint towards Djac, and as he pulled out two medium sized swords and wound them around himself in intricate ways… that's when the three became worried. All at once, the entire plan seemed to come crashing down around them. They expected a good fighter, but nothing to this caliber.

Djac was a skilled fighter, that much was easy to understand. But what worried them, as that as the person raced forward, so did the unexpected hidden knights of Gisborne.

Robin and the others never planned for them to intervene, but as Djac and Little John raced from their positions to meet up with them, Robin watched as the Reaper single handedly battled his way through over half a dozen guards. Slashing and battling with some of the most impressive swordsmanship the gang had ever seen come from somebody that size. "It's a good thing you didn't go after him anyways Djac, no offence… but you'd be done for against him." Allen smiled as Robin and Djac shot him a weary look, finding that as the man had been distracted from the overall target, their bait had made it back to the others.

"I'm not being funny, but should we shoot him, or go after him, or what? He's killing all those guards." Allen stepped in after just moments previous to his last comment.

"No, you don't kill a man with that skill. He fights like a Crusader." Robin mused, watching with care and precision as the Reaper fended off more oncoming soldiers.

"The last time you said that about someone, they tried to kill me." Djac cut in bluntly as Robin hushed her and turned back to the warrior. By now, all the soldiers had been fought off. And as the man finished and put his swords away, Robin beckoned his men after himm as they sauntered forwards, weapons ready for battle. Upon hearing their approach, the Reaper turned from an inspection of his work as his head snapped to face the others. Pulling his swords back out, Robin gave the signal, and one by one, Robin's followers took turns fighting the Reaper. Robin watched and participated himself, and as he did, he had to admit that it was true. The man seemed as equally skilled as Robin himself.

Suddenly, while fighting Robin, he turned and motioned for Little John to step in as his staff wound around the front of the Reaper and pressed his arms as well as his body against John's. Winding his swords around, it was impossible to get near him. But as Robin shook his head in disdain, he turned to Little John and nodded his head, fully knowing what John would have to do.

Bringing in his brute strength, he pulled his staff back as the Reaper lifted off the ground as he was slowly crushed between John and the staff. With agonizing groans, everyone winced and cringed on the spot as eventually, from lack of air and pain… the swords dropped from his hands, clattering to the ground. Immediatly, his hands shot to the staff and tried to pry it away from him. When Jon finally let the man go, Robin wasn't surprised at his reaction.

Falling to his knees, Robin watched with interest as he searched for the eyes of the man. Seeing half his face was covered by a lower black sash, as with the top. Leaving only his eyes visible. Eyes that would meet no one else's. The black cape on his shoulders had a rip on the back, and the leather that covered his body was ripped and dirtied.

They sat in silence for a few moments before Robin finally spoke up. "You fight with skill, with power and passion. You are a well matched opponent for any fighter." the Reaper remained unmoving as he kept his head down low but his shoulders strong and bold.

Suddenly in a burst of energy, the fighter leapt forwards and thrust a fist towards Robin, hitting him square in the jaw as he stumbled backwards shocked. Shortly after that, Allen stepped in and as he fought against the Reaper, it looked as if the man was just one step ahead each time, like he was able to anticipate where Robin and the others' moves would be aimed.

It was violent and painful, but eventually, Robin became fed up with it and pulled out his bow and arrow, aiming the weapon directly for the Reaper's head. With a deep breath, he quickly stole a glance to the rest of his team. Everyone seemed to be hurt in some way, not badly… but Little John had a scratch across the top of his left eye brow, and Allen had a bleeding lip along with Will. Djac seemed utterly unscathed through all of it. But as he looked over the Reaper, he found that as he stood defiantly, Robin was becoming more and more curious.

"Remove the cloth about your face." he ordered as the Reaper simply glared at him. "Come on now, I want to see the face of my opponent." he demanded. But to no avail, the man never moved. As Will stepped forwards to pull the cloth down, no one was expecting what came next. Ripping a dagger from under his cape, Will's arm was pulled out and thrust under him as the Reaper slowly began to back away, Will with a knife at his throat and everyone watching his every move.

After getting several steps away from the group, Robin joined the others as they gathered together in front of him. Suddenly, Will was thrown forwards and as the Reaper turned around and began running. Everyone watched in awe as with a simple whistle like sound, a black stallion rode forwards and picked up the rider as he ran.

Pulling out his bow, Robin needed no further encourage meant as he pulled back the string. Watching through the eye of a decision, Robin wasn't expecting it when the Reaper suddenly collapsed from his horse and fell tumbling towards the ground, his horse struck with panic, continued galloping a ways until it finally stopped and turned around.

"Robin, you didn't… did you?" Little John asked as Robin turned and denied it. Leading his team over as they approached the man and pursued him with caution. They didn't know who he was, or what he was, but they knew he was capable of putting up a good fight, and that's the type of person they wanted on their side.

"Hey! You! Reaper!" Allen started as he snapped and clapped his hands a few times. Walking forward, Robin and the rest watched bemused as Allen approached the man cautiously. Unexpectedly, Allen wound round and struck the Reaper with his foot in the side, sending him tumbling to the side and clutching his tender ribs.

As everyone dove forward, Allen simply dusted himself off with pride. "There… now we're even." He stated defiantly before turning around.

"You… Reaper. Care to defend yourself before you die?" Robin mocked as the man simply lifted himself weakly to his hands and knees and shook his body, anxious to get the dirt off. "What? Nothing to say?" he smiled again as the man took a deep breath and hissed through his teeth in pain. "One would think you would have something to say to an enemy."

"Man is his own worst enemy." the voice was small but controlled, angered and bold, but still respectable and collected.

"What was that?" Robin smiled as the man raised to his feet. Coughing ever so slightly and dusting the dirt off of his clothing.

With a smirk, Robin motioned to Allen, and as he stepped forwards, the Reaper retaliated just as quick. "Your coming with us Reaper. I think I like you." Robin mocked again as Allen forced the man's hands behind his back and tied them.

"You dare take prisoner one of your own?" he demanded in a collected voice again.

"Your nothing like me Reaper." Robin smiled and shook his head in dismay.

"You were attacked, hurt, you saved the King's life and they left you. You come home and things have changed… now you strive for glory by helping others." the voice was there again, and as Robin shook his head with a smirk, he looked to Will to find that he was already headed for the horse, a horse that would do nothing but prance around and dodge Will's every move.

"The horse…" Robin turned to the Reaper as he watched the hooded man look from under his large cover. With a long, high whistle, the animal immediately stopped and pranced over.

"The horse will walk with me until I send it away." he said defiantly as Robin nodded his head and the others watched a shared look, the four started off into the forest after Djac placed all the food back on the door steps of the houses. Earning most likely a glare from the masked stranger.

Xxxxxx

As the camp came into sight, Allen prodded the man ahead faster and gave him a light shove. The horse instinctively picked up the pace beside the Reaper, and as he caught his foot on a root and stumbled over, the animal immediately turned to Allen and gave him a shove with the top of his nose. As Allen stumbled forwards, the animal simply walked right past him. Cursing the horse, he got to his feet and punched a near by Will who was still laughing at the sight.

"Come on then, let's see who the real bandit is." Allen spat then, stormed forwards. With a hearty breath, the Reaper dodged Allen's awaiting hands that motioned to remove the fabrique around his face. Jumping up high, the Reaper brought his knees to his chest, taking his hands underneath his feet and bringing the rope tied limbs to the front.

Diving forward, Allen swung a fist towards the Reaper and just as he dodged it, he retaliated with a blow to Allen's stomach. Doubling over, Allen began to loose patience. Charging forwards, he ploughed into the man and sent him flying backwards into Will as they both crashed to the ground.

Will could feel the Reaper struggled to regain his composure, but he couldn't help but think that the man, for his size... seemed uncannily skilled and fast.

Jumping to his feet, the man looked between Allen and Will and dove to the right, bounding over the fallen logs and leaves. Watching him run, Will and Allen finally realized why they called him the Reaper, and even more so why people couldn't find him after he began to run… his feet moved over the ground like wind, quiet and controlled. But his body shot through the forest almost like a blur, as if he were moving to fast to see.

"Stop!" Robin's voice was loud and vibrant, and as he pulled back and string of his bow and aimed for her back. Allen for one, just wished he would let go of the string and put them out of their misery already. "Turn around, and walk back to camp." he warned in a serious tone… the smile of amusement on Allen's face was enough to make Much smirk and sigh as he shook his head and turned back to Howard, talking with edge in his voice.

Watching with a keen eye, the Reaper walked back into camp and took one look towards Much and Howard and stopped dead in his tracks. Turning to face them head on, the Reaper stalked forwards and then suddenly halted just feet away. Howard looked up with haunted eyes and caught the look of the Reaper underneath his hood, his face shadowed by the dark cloth, but surprise evident on his face.

Will sauntered up from behind the Reaper and lead him towards the fire, seating him on the log and tying an extra rope, bounding his hands to the weighted log and leaving to sit on the other side of fire, starring with the signature Scarlet family green eyes.

"So… Reaper. Care to enlighten us?" Robin asked as the rest of the group followed him towards the fire.

"I hail from Limerick Ireland, I am a Crusader." the Reaper said from under his hood, the fire lighting only some of his face in the darkened night. It had taken the day to return from the village they found the Reaper in, and now… once again, the night was falling quickly.

"What's your name?" Robin asked as he leaned forwards and starred with keen eyes.

"I hail from Limerick Ireland, I am a Crusader."

"If you're a Crusader, then why are you here? Shouldn't you be serving under the king?" Allen asked, taking the bread from Little John as he offered it.

"When your tortured to insanity, they don't allow you to stay." he hissed angrily.

"You don't sound insane… but I could be mistaken." Much his voice wavering before falling quiet.

"Look at your friend over there." he motioned to Howard as suddenly, the other's looked a hole lot more defensive. "Sometimes, you don't have a choice. But I'm one of the unlucky ones. I remember, I changed back." the Reaper spat, directing to answer to Much rather then the others.

"Then why do you hide under a hood?" Robin asked, Allen and Will drifting off as Much returned to the side of Howard's encasing and Little John began to fall asleep also.

"Loosing your pride as a Crusader is worse then loosing your head as a nobleman." he retorted, shrinking down to the ground and leaning up against the log by the fire.

"How did you know I was a Crusader? How did you know I was sent back?" Robin asked one last question before sleeping himself.

"A man fit enough to be a Crusader does not willingly walk away from king and country, he does not walk away from the Holy Land. I have seen many fall, and many rise Robin Hood, and your eyes speak for themselves." the Reaper shifted uncomfortably on the ground.

"And what do they say?" he mused in a somewhat mocking voice.

Picking himself back up slightly, the Reaper's voice turned cold again. "They are the eyes of a man that has won the battle, lost the war… and thirsts for the chance at glory again." he spat towards Robin.

"And how do you know?" he demanded in an accusing voice.

"Because… you look through the same eyes I once lived with." he stated with a sigh, his voice somewhat quieter then before.

"How did you over come it? Could I do the same?" Robin asked, then caught himself, sensing his weakness. "Never mind, I do not wish to know. Nonsense like that is foolish." he smirked and turned to lay beside the fire.

Silence crept throughout the camp, despite the crack of the fire and the whistle of the wind. "Come to me when you've lost everything you ever cared for. Then… I'll tell you if it's something that can be over come by a stronger force." the voice was hushed, forced, and the more Robin tried to ignore it, the more he found himself falling asleep to the words of his reminder.


This is my first Robin Hood story... i haven't been a fan for long... and i just started watching them but i immediatly fell in love!

there will be more WILL SCARLET in all the other chapters, but i had to start it first.

thanks... and let me know what you think!