"I've got a hammer," Allan A Dale blurted, frozen in place, but arm held up in an attack position.

"And I have an axe," the taller boy replied. "I guess we'll see which has the longer reach, but my money would be on the axe."

"And so would mine, but of course, that would be if I was a betting man. Now why don't we put these silly little toys down and talk about this like grown men," Allan chuckled humorlessly, letting the hammer drop to the grass by his feet.

The eldest Scarlett boy loosened his grip but didn't drop the weapon. "You're lying. Something tells me you are a betting man, but you bet on the wrong family. You are going to follow me and we're going to find the Sheriff. Maybe he'll even give me some money as a reward for your worthless hide. It will go towards paying us back for that food which you stole."

"Now now, boy, it's not stealing if it was freely given, as it was by your mother. I can't help if these blue eyes of mine are popular with the ladies. And since no harm was done, and you don't seem the ruthless type Will, it was Will wasn't it? Well, Will, since you aren't ruthless why don't you put down the axe and let me go my merry way." Allan smiled, hoping to stop the boy from advancing even farther towards the thief. Why had he dropped the hammer? He had nothing but his wits against this youth, and while formidable, he didn't know if they could help him this time.

"Ruthless, huh? No, that would make me too much like you. You are more disgusting than maggots; preying on innocent, hard-working people. You cheat them out of food, money, anything they have. You would be better locked up in a cell, or perhaps even hanged for your crimes. Our sheriff does certainly like the hanging." Will spat, his grip tightening on the axe.

"Your sheriff also seems to enjoy letting his people reign in poverty, while he sits pretty in that castle over there, wouldn't you say?"

"We're not talking about the sheriff, we are talking about you," Will responded. But Allan could see the confusion arising in those large green eyes. Allan suppressed his grin; the boy was coming around right where the thief wanted.

"This sheriff is just like all the authority figures from my past, those who could care less about you, only themselves. You may be starving, but as long as they have their venison drenched in honey with the finest wines, they could care less. Tell me, at his last feast, what did your precious sheriff have to eat?"

"Rosie said the food made the tables creak at the weight."

"And did Rosie get to have any of that food?"

"No." Will admitted, axe falling to his side. "The servants are never allowed to eat the master's food."

"So there's not enough food here, but at least the taxes are low, right?"

"No," Will said again, frustration clearly evident upon his features.

"And so it is that the management of this here town leaves you poor workers to fend off this cruel world yourselves. I'm just like you, my friend; just a tired soul trying to survive in this world."

"By stealing," Will shot back, the venom gone for now, but Allan could tell it could reappear at any moment.

"It's what I've been forced to become, say, how would you like to earn some extra money for your family? Some money for food or maybe even a nice scarf for your mother, does that sound nice?"

"Food and money, yes, they sound good. But I will not steal, I was raised better."

Allan visibly flinched and struggled to hold down his anger. He had made it this far, he wouldn't ruin it now, no matter how much his temper was flaring. "You wouldn't be stealing, just assisting me in a small business venture. We'll split the profits and then, you and me, we'll go our separate ways. Interested?"

Allan could see the turmoil in those expressive eyes and face as Will considered various possibilities. "What kind of business venture?" the Scarlett boy asked.

"Can't tell you unless you agree, I don't need you running off to the guards."

"But we wouldn't be hurting or stealing from these people?"

"Not unless you want to, but I for one, don't intend to either hurt or steal. So are you in?" Allan needled.

"What about my family?"

"Tell them you are going out hunting, or have a job or something. I'm sure you can come up with something."

"I've never lied to them before."

"Then don't lie. The best way always lies in half-truths."

Will glared at the glib man before him, "Fine, I'm coming with you, but you will have absolutely nothing else to do with my family. You'll sleep out here tonight, by the woodpile. And just to make sure you don't run off in the night…" Allan A Dale gulped as Will Scarlett put the axe to his neck, long fingers quickly finding the thief's meager moneybag. "This stays with me tonight," the boy told Allan.

"A'right, a'right, I'll see you in the morning lad. Say, do you have any spare blankets lying about, it's a bit cold tonight."

Will shoved him away and headed back inside, calling over his shoulder, "I guess we'll see just how strong your survival really is. Have a pleasant evening, idiot."