The strong odors of fish and spices competed to sting Robin's nostrils, making him queasy. The intense burning sun worsened his condition, and he wondered how he would fare onboard the ship, with the sea billowing beneath him. Even so, he refused to wait another day to begin his voyage home, after missing England for five long years.
Seated on a barrel by the docks in the Port of Acre, Robin watched the activity around him with interest while waiting for Much to return. He'd sent his servant ahead to purchase their passage home onboard a merchant ship, since he was still weak from the wound and the ensuing fever that had almost claimed his life.
The ship that would be his home for the next several weeks, The Trego, was docked and being loaded with cargo to be sold throughout Europe. Sea birds cried out and swooped down from overhead, scavenging for food. Crates containing caskets of olive oil, bolts of vividly colored silks and woven carpets, beads, and, most plentiful of all, cartons and cartons of rich spices were filling up The Trego's hull. Robin watched the sweaty dockmen haul and load, haul and load, grinning to himself when he caught them swearing in colorful Arabic, using words he had not learned from reading the Quran.
As he was beginning to feel restless and grow tired of waiting, Much returned, bringing orange slices wrapped in a linen handerchief.
"Here," Much ordered, fussing over Robin like a mother hen, "eat these. All of them."
The sweet, juicy fruit was just what Robin needed to refresh him. Feeling better, he stood and asked, "Were you able to get us passage?"
"It wasn't easy," Much replied, "but when I explained I was travelling with the Earl of Huntington, Captain of the King Richard's Private Guard, the captain of the ship himself bid me welcome."
"Former Captain," Robin sighed.
"No, the actual one. The one who commands the ship."
"I meant me," Robin said. "I'm no longer Captain."
"Oh! That's right. Well, don't feel bad about it. We're making it out of here alive, and for a few months there, I wasn't sure we would! It was touch and go with you, you know."
Robin put a hand to his side. The pain from his wound still lingered, but he was more grateful to Much than he could ever express. "Well," he said, "shall we?"
"Home to England!" Much cried, delighted.
"Home to Locksley. And for you, home to Bonchurch."
"Master! Do you really mean it? I mean, you've mentioned it, but are you really giving me Bonchurch? Really? Me?"
"You have earned it, my friend," Robin responded, clapping a hand on Much's shoulder and smiling good naturedly into his eyes.
Leaning on Much's arm, Robin made his way toward the ship. Home, he thought, with mixed feelings. Home to the people he loved. But when the one he loved best in all the world was wed to another, would it really be home any longer?
...
Unknown to Robin and Much, a swarthy faced Turk in colorful garments had eavesdropped on their conversation.
"The Earl of Huntington," he thought with fascination. "Melek Ric's Mad Archer! And in a weakened state!" Running from his place on the docks, he boarded his own ship, a small craft, and told his captain the great news.
"Excellent," the pirate captain purred in Arabic. "We follow The Trego, and then, on the open sea, attack and board her. We'll rob her passengers, kill the weak, make slaves of the strong, and rape all the women. But as for the greatest treasure onboard, the Mad Archer of Acre, we'll capture and ransom him. King Richard of the English will pay a fortune to free his best loved captain, won't he, me hearties?"
"Aye, aye, Captain!" the pirates chanted.