Thanks everybody, comments are really reassuring when you start a new fic! I love your icon, libbi! The coloring is beautiful!
Chapter Two-----------------------------------
In the cover of the night, a woman arrived in the sheriff's chamber. He looked at her and sighed, "I knew my plan would work." He noisily tapped his fingers on the table, "So what have you got to tell me?"
"Well, I'm in. Robin Hood has accepted me," she looked around nervously.
"Does that help me? A clue: no!"
"I'm sorry. I've only had a few hours," the visitor said anxiously. "Where is he?"
"He is in the dungeons," Vaysey rose from his chair, "Come, come."
A man sat in the dungeons, with both his wrists chained to the wall. He could not think of anything that would have wound him up here.
Matilda was leaning over him, making him drink a terrible tasting liquid. "I'm sorry, honey. Baldy is making me do this."
As he started to drift off, he heard a woman call him, "Joel, Joel . . ."
Allan was on the night guard. Through the trees, he thought he could make out the figure of his sister. "Anna," he called. "Is that you?"
"Yes, now quiet! Don't wake the camp!" she whispered an put a hand over his mouth.
Allan batted her hand away, "Where have you been? It's the middle of the night!"
"Nowhere! You ask too many questions! I couldn't sleep!"
Anna started to walk away but Allan would not let her, "You're an outlaw now! You can't just walk around!"
"I know, alright!" she loosened from her brother's grip and headed for camp.
"It's my favorite time of year again," Robin said, later that day.
Little John smiled, "Tax season?"
"Yes," he answered. "And I have a plan!"
"Is it a half plan, Master?" Much asked, looking up at Robin.
"Um . . . no."
Djaq rolled her eyes, "It is."
"Is not," Robin argued. "At least it's a plan."
Becoming angry, Little John screamed, "Will you just tell us?"
"Fine. The sheriff will not fool us again. Two of us will have to act as guards at the castle until the taxes come in. Our guards can tell a certain serving girl, preferably Anna, that the taxes have arrived. She will leave the castle and go to the Trip To Jerusalem Inn, where the rest of us will be, and pass on the information to us. Any questions?"
"Yes, uh . . are you sure you want me in that place? I mean it's really important?" Anna asked.
"Of course we do! Why do you ask?" Robin replied.
"Oh . . . no reason."
"So now that it is cleared up," the outlaw leader exclaimed and threw a bag full of coins to Anna, "we will make our daily rounds. You can go to Locksley, Anna-A-Dale."
The same woman that visited the sheriff was now visiting Sir Guy at the manor. "And that's his plan." She sighed. "Make sure you do not forget to tell him. It is very important he knows."
"I won't forget. When is Hood going to set it into motion?"
"I don't know. He told us a few moments ago."
Gisbourne leaned into her. He whispered, "If you are holding back information, your husband will hang. I ask you one more time, when is Hood going to steal the taxes?"
"Honestly, I don't know. When I'm dressed as a maid, I will see the sheriff."