Oh God help us. Much was dancing and pointing into the trees. I looked to where his finger was pointing and raised my eyebrow. ''Master, look, the sea!''
''No Much, a lake,''Robin turned Much's head to face the real sea. ''That's the sea Much.''
''I knew that Master.'' With that Much begun briskly striding down the path at quite a pace. Robin simply grinned and inhaled deeply, setting off down the path, jogging to catch up with Much. I smiled to myself as I watched them pushing each other playfully. As I started down the path after them, I would never have guessed that none of us would ever be quite the same. So I followed with naïve hope in my head but deep regret in my heart.
The dock was bustling with young men all ready to sign up and join the king on his crusades. Robin and Much signed their names and were let aboard the ship. By this time, I was beginning to have doubts as to how easy it would be. Would they realise I wasn't a boy? What would they do if they found out? I shook myself firmly. They wouldn't find out. I would make sure of that. Dipping the quill in the inkwell, I realised that I didn't have a name for myself. Suddenly, I found myself inspired and scribbled down my 'new' name. ''Robert Sherwood eh?'' the soldier with the parchment asked. He squinted at the mask under my hood. ''Nasty accident hmmm?'' I nodded, relieved that he had jumped to his own conclusion. With that I swiftly boarded the boat as he called out to say that there was no more room on board.
I found the sleeping quarters on the middle deck. Ironically, I was on the bunk under Robin and Much's bunks. Across from me a young man, he couldn't have been more than 20, was sitting on his bunk. At the time I was unaware that this man would grow to become one of my closest friends. I took a closer look at him. He had dark tousled hair which stuck up everywhere. Quite handsome really. I wondered why he wanted to go to war. All ofa sudden, he glanced up at me with piercing light blue eyes. I quickly decided that my pillow was the most interesting object in the room. My cheeks were going red and I was now very glad of the mask. He chuckled to himself. ''Michael. Michael Fuller.'' I looked up and noticed that he had offered me his hand and his eyes were warm and friendly. I reached out and shook it with a little hesitation. ''You must be Robert Sherwood. I heard the soldier questioning you.'' Nodding my head, I found myself feeling very relaxed by the kind understanding of this man who was seemingly wise beyond his years. ''Robert? Robert was my father's name.'' Robin joined the conversation. Shortly we were all engaged in friendly conversation. For the first time in a long while, I fell asleep completely content listening to the boys' companionable chatter.
The next morning, we all stood together facing England as the boat set out. ''Home. Farewell England. Stay safe until we return.'' I whispered to myself. But Michael must have heard me as he rested a comforting hand on my shoulder. And we all stood like that, watching our home until it disappeared over the horizon. Only then did we turn to our future, the wide open sea in the bleak morning sun.