Prologue:
Nottingham, England
"I believe we have a common interest," A rather dapper looking man dressed in a deep blue said, sneering at his counterpart. He stood, walking slowly around the small back room of the tavern.
The other man, dressed in black leather and seated lazily in front of the dapper man, seemed to consider what he had said for a moment. "Do we? I can't see what I could gain from you. Robin Hood is gone."
The dapper man rolled his eyes, "Yes, he's gone from your town Gisborne, but it's likely he could return to finish you off for what you did to his lover."
The man dressed in leather, Gisborne, laughed bitterly. "I'd like to see him try." Gisborne had hoped his inner despair for his actions against Robin's lover, Marian, did not show.
"I can offer you more land, weapons, a title, women. All you must do is accompany me to France and finish off the Musketeers." The man looked about done with the conversation, desperate to get Gisborne on his side.
"And how can I be of any help to you? You've got armies, warships, power of your own," Gisborne asked, curious and willing to accept any compliments this man would give.
"My informants tell me you're good at what you do, and if Robin happens to run to France I'm sure you'll get your chance to finish him off for good. I want that, just as much as you do. If Robin and his band of… what do they call themselves?"
"They call themselves Robin Hood," Gisborne said with complete disgust.
Buckingham laughed. "He named his group after himself? We all may be more alike than first imagined, but I digress. If Robin Hood and his gang find the Musketeers and ally with them, I should think their combined self-righteousness could provoke the country to fight against the Cardinal and thus me." Buckingham's tone became very serious, "I will not lose France."
Gisborne looked distressed for a moment, before returning his stern gaze to the other man. Standing, he offered his hand. "You have finally offered something I'd like, Buckingham. " Buckingham looked relieved and took Gisborne's hand to shake it.
"Excellent!" Buckingham exclaimed after releasing Gisborne's hand. "We leave now. You need not bring anything; my ships are luxurious enough to provide you with what you need." He started for the door, now seemingly uninterested in Gisborne upon gaining his alliance. Gisborne followed him out into the main room of the tavern where the locals were obvious to the two men.
"Oh, and I we have a tailor aboard our ship, so you can… change for our journey." Buckingham added, not hiding his distain for Gisborne's dark leather "look".
Gisborne raised an eyebrow, "I think I'll stick to my own wardrobe. I don't do well with bright colors." Buckingham now looked offended, but smiled regardless exiting the tavern with Gisborne at his heels.
A woman dressed as extravagantly as Buckingham greeted them as they approached the carriage they were to leave England in. "Lord Buckingham," She curtsied, lifting her hand up to allow Buckingham to kiss it.
"Milady," Buckingham acknowledged with a smug tone, kissing her hand. As Gisborne watched the exchange, he came to the conclusion that it was "in fashion" for nobles to dress as a cake. He didn't like it.
"This must be Guy of Gisborne," Milady smiled, lifting her hand to Gisborne now. He took it without a pause, "Milady."
"Now that we are all acquainted, shall we leave? Wouldn't want to keep the Musketeers in comfort for too long," Buckingham said, obviously excited at the prospect of revenge. He waved his hand to signal Milady to enter the carriage, before following after her. Gisborne looked around Nottingham, debating briefly whether he should leave or not.
"Gisborne! Get in!" Buckingham shouted from inside the carriage. Gisborne glared at him, but entered the carriage taking the seat across from Buckingham and Milady. Buckingham it the roof of the carriage with his staff and the vehicle took off.