I ran through the forest blindly, tripping over myself uncharacteristically in my haste. My dress was hitched up inappropriately, showing the smooth, healthy skin of my calves that had only even been seen by one man. My hair caught the wind, and billowed out behind me. My dress behaved similarly, and the light green fabric was snared by many branches and thickets on the way to my destination.
Six pairs of worried eyes assessed my current state of ruin upon my arrival.
"Marian?" My husband was walking over to me.
"It's the Sheriff." I explained breathlessly. My hands moved to my knees as I supported my tired figure. Robin's hand move to my back while the gang searched the trees for any sign of the hideous villain.
"Did he hurt you?" His voice was full of concern for me, but there were more pressing matters at hand. I held my hand up to silence him as I tried to find the air necessary to explain.
"No." I said, unable to hold myself upright. The ground was spinning, and I leaned against Robin for support.
"Djac!" He called in alarm. The small Saracen woman began to fuss over me, but I pushed her away.
"I'm fine." I assured them. I took a deep breath, and the dizziness stopped as the inhaled oxygen made its way to my brain. "It's about the Sheriff."
"What's he planning now?" Allan wanted to know.
"He's gone." There was silence, and then Robin threw his head back in frustration.
"Again?" He groaned, running his hands through his hair.
"Hasn't he learned to stay out of the woods?" Djac asked, sounding more sincere than annoyed. I shook my head.
"You don't understand." I tried to rephrase. "He's been summoned by Prince John." There was more silence.
"What does this mean?" Will voiced the question that all of us were thinking.
"It has to have something to do with the black knights." Robin was certain. He adjusted the bow on his back and collected his sword from where it lay on our bed.
"Where are you going?" Much was following him as he gathered his weapons.
"I'm going to stop the Sheriff." He started out of the camp.
"Robin, you're not being reasonable." I protested. "The Sheriff is long gone."
"We'll never catch him." Djac agreed. Robin clenched his fists in anger.
"You expect me to just sit here and wait while the Sheriff plots to kill the King?"
"We cannot help anyone in London." Will was reasoning.
"Nothing will be done in Nottingham without the Sheriff." Robin continued to attempt to persuade us.
"Robin, there is a new sheriff." I walked over to him and put my hand on his shoulder. "That's what I meant to tell you."
"A new sheriff?" Much's voice was slightly hopeful, and he received glares from the rest of the gang. "Well, he can hardly be any worse, can he?" Much was becoming defensive. Robin turned to me. Much noticed the despair in my face. "CAN he?" His voice grew panicked. I didn't look at him, and I addressed Robin as I spoke.
"He's collecting soldiers from all the local villages." I spoke solemnly.
"Why does the King need more soldiers?" Allan was curious. I glanced at him fleetingly.
"He doesn't. Least of all, peasants." I said, my eyes going to Robin.
"He's going to train them to fight with the black knights using their families for leverage." Robin said. He averted his eyes to the forest floor as the others gathered their weapons.
"What?" Much hadn't caught on. "What is it?"
"They will be killed, Much." John's voice was rough with agitation.
"Whether they starve without men to work the fields, or they are killed to punish disobedient soldiers, they-"
"They'll die." Robin's voice was low and bleak. I nodded, emotion blocking the words in my throat.
"Where are they?" Will asked as we started into the forest.
"Locksley." I answered. "The new sheriff was given the lands, and the Sheriff granted the Lord temporary power over Nottingham until he returns." I continued. "He started collecting 'volunteers' the minuet he arrived." John gave a grunt of disapproval. Robin glanced back at me.
"Alright, lads," He started. "Let's go."