Lardener's Legacy
The two hooded figures ran through the trees, their earth coloured cloaks and the twilight of the autumn September evening rendering them almost invisible, their footfalls silent.
They were on familiar territory at last. The surrounding trees, shrubs and grasses still clinging on to the last of the summer's warmth welcomed them as if they were long lost prodigal children. But they could not take the time to savour the sights and smells of home. They had been prey for too many days. The hunters were still chasing them. Both knew what the other was thinking, and they were united in their goal. They had to get there, keep moving, keep moving. Once we get there we will be safe. The mantra kept them going through their fear and exhaustion.
Then they heard the horses. They froze. They were getting closer. The two figures regarded each other, their agreement unspoken. The smaller one reached up and cupped the face of the taller. Both nodded and then they separated. One silently sneaking through the trees, the other making towards the path of the horses, trying to make enough noise for two.
The chase was on, horse against foot, speed against agility. How long would he last? He knew that he had to be chased until the other was clear before he too could disappear into the welcome camouflage of the trees.
The other fled towards their target, swift, silent and sure footed. The path was well known to the runner. Thoughts of the person left behind as decoy, cargo being carried too precious to allow it to be taken by the hunters, not now when we are so close. So close. Please be there, please be there.
She became aware of his presence the instant before she barrelled into him. He caught her before she fell, his grip firm, his strong arms holding her back. She yelled in response, preparing to kick, scratch, bite, then stopped herself as she recognised her captor.
"John!!" her relief brought tears to her eyes.
The giant figure of John Little nearly dropped her in his surprise.
"Djaq!"
"What are you doing here? Why are you running?" the big man looked past her, "Will? Is he with you?"
The questions came out in a rush, none of which she could answer in time.
"No time to explain! Where are the others? We have to help him". Noting the urgency of her tone, her dishevelled appearance and the near panic in her expression, Little John realised that the questions could wait.
"This way" and he turned back towards the camp, towards home.
He whistled a signal as they approached the rocks that sheltered their camp and the flap swung open. Allan a Dale was standing to the left, bow strung and ready, Much was poised for battle grasping his sword. She could not see Robin and her heart sank.
On seeing the familiar petite figure beside John, Allan face broke into a grin.
"Now there is a sight for sore eyes! What brings you back?"
The expression on Much's face mirrored the delight at seeing her. "I didn't think we'd ever see you again!"
"Where is Robin?" she had no time for pleasantries. However her haste did not prevent her from noticing the crestfallen looks on the faces of her comrades.
Little John looked over at her and simply said "Not here", while the others found a great interest in their feet.
"We need to go now! Will needs us"
They watched her in silence as she placed a sack she had been carrying in the camp and ran back out again, heading towards where she had come from.
"Come on!" she shouted, startling the three men out of their stupor. They all looked at each other, shared a shrug and then jogged after her.
He did not think that he could run for much longer. He wondered if he had given Djaq enough time to get away, and if it might be safe to start circling back. The horses were still behind him, and now, even though it was getting darker, their riders had dared to leave the road. That served to slow them down, but not enough. They were gaining on him.
There was one to his right, forcing him to veer left. There another one to the left. He became aware of another in front. They were penning him in like a wild animal. These were experienced trackers and they knew how to operate in the woods.
He broke through into a small clearing and dashed for the cover on the other side. A horseman cut him off and he skidded to a halt then switched direction, preparing to sprint to safety. Another horse appeared in front of him and reared. He backed off and swivelled round, two of them blocking his way, one moved in from his left and the rider kicked out at him, knocking him off his feet. Quick as a flash he was back up again. He reached behind him and pulled out his axe. He was not going down without a fight.
"Do not be foolish. You are outnumbered." The leader of the hunters stilled his horse while the other three surrounded the young man, circling him, confusing his senses. There was no escape.
Will Scarlett waited.
"Where is the other?" the leader asked.
"Where you will never find her" he growled in response.
"Hmm. We shall see. Rest assured, we will find her, take what we want and after we are done with her we will kill her." It was intended to anger him and it worked.
He gripped his axe tighter and crouched low. One axe against four on horses, he knew his odds were not good. His heart started racing, adrenalin pumping through his body as the horsemen drew even closer. All rational thought left him and it became pure instinct – a fight for survival.
He was being pressed in by the horses, given no purchase to swing his axe. He dropped it and grabbed at the legs of the rider nearest him, who kicked out catching him in the jaw. His head snapped back and he reeled only to be struck by another horseman. The blow drove him to his knees. "Goodbye my love" the thought was fleeting as he prepared for the next strike.
Fftthhddd!
A horseman fell to the ground, an arrow protruding from his arm.
Fftthhddd!
Another was struck in the hand.
All occupants in the clearing looked up, and Will Scarlett scrambled to his feet, not daring to hope that he was being rescued. He backed away from his tormentors, breathing heavily.
"You know four on horseback against one on foot is not my idea of fair sport!"
The disembodied voice came from the direction of the arrows although there was no other sign of its owner. Yet Will almost shouted for joy, he knew that voice, trusted that voice with his life, and would follow that voice to his death if he had to.
"Show yourself, unless you are too cowardly…" the leader of the horsemen challenged the newcomer.
"Ha" returned the voice "there is a distinction between cowardice and wisdom". The voice continued on "this is my forest, you are not welcome here, leave before my men attack"
The four attackers looked around nervously.
"You have no men here – it's just you and him – and he doesn't count, this one here is a traitor to the King, we have orders from Richard himself to track him and his woman down. This is none of your business" The leader appeared confident in his defiance.
At that, a lone figure stepped out from behind a tree. Pulling a bow string, arrow aiming straight at the heart of the leader.
"He is not the traitor here. Leave"
"No, not without our prisoners" The man stared back at the hooded man and grinned at him. "you are alone", he jeered "there are no men".
The man in the trees just stood staring at him. The leader could just make out the glint in his eyes in the evening dusk.
"Right lads, bring him" he called to his men, who had recovered enough to grab a retreating Will. "Lets go"
Fftthhddd! Fftthhddd! Fftthhddd!
This time the arrows came from three different directions. A huge giant came running through bearing a long staff roaring a battle cry. He struck both of the men holding the captive with two swift blows. He picked up the axe and tossed it to Will and they nodded to each other and turned to the other two.
Two others arrived from either side, bows at the ready. Each aiming at a different target.
Then she came, bearing a sword in both hands, in fighting stance and the leader knew then that he was defeated. He turned to the hooded man who had said nothing during this time.
"So you are the famous Robin Hood. The King said that they would run to you and that you would protect them. Mark my words, it will be your undoing."
At that, he and the other remaining horseman turned and galloped off, leaving behind their unconscious comrades and four somewhat confused outlaws.
Outlaws who continued to stare at each other for several minutes before someone finally broke the awkward silence.
"So, you back for good then or what?"
Yes you could always rely on Allan a Dale.
