We approached the doors to the main hall in Nottingham. Robin had a smirk on his face.
"You're going to do something stupid and flashy ain't ya?" I asked.
"Now why would you think that Wolf?" He asked. I shook my head and looked at Much. He was thinking the same thing as me.
"Robin of Loxley." The man at the door announced as we entered the hall.
"Good morning everyone." Robin said as we made our way down the stairs. He tossed his traveling cloak onto a guards spear and made his way to his and I stood back as the servants did, blending into the stone and wood work. "Sheriff." He greeted. Robin took off his sword and tossed it to Much. "Well carry on." He said looking at the sheriff and sitting down.
"Loxley, welcome back. I trust Sir Guy has managed your estate to your liking."
"I think he's managed my estate to your liking." Robin replied haughtily.
"Some of your peasants are an unruly bunch. We have two of them in custody awaiting punishment." The sheriff said.
"Three." Guy corrected.
"Three, well discipline wont be a problem. be warned. Laufmera." The sheriff said and Laufmera started talking.
"Discipline has never been a problem on my estate."
"Times have change."
"For the better. It seems."
"You of all people should know that the King needs funds for the Holy war."
"But is it our Holy war?" Robin interrupted. "Or is it Pope Gregory's?"
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with Rome."
"And we fall shoulder to shoulder too, I have seen it."
"Then what is your suggestion to raise money for the king?"
"Stop all taxes. Today is market day and yet there is no market."
"And your point is?"
"If a man can make more than he needs for his family he can take what remains to market. He can trade and the shire can take it's share but until then we must help every peasant, every pie man, every pinier provide for his family. Get them trading again." Robin said finishing off his point and sitting down. The Sheriff stood.
"A man who can provide for his family is a comfortable man, a lazy man. Doesn't want to work. What we need are hungry men, our noble friend seems to forget that hungry men are virtuous." The sheriff said and I laughed under my breath.
"There is a celebration of my return tonight. I trust that those 'virtuous men' wont be feasting." Robin said loftily, a cocky smirk on his lips. I stifled a laugh as the council continued. When it ended Much and I walked up to Robin.
"Well you're a cocky one aren't you?" I asked. "Come on let's get to the dungeons. I don't like being around so much pompousness. You're bad enough, I don't need to be around more Nobles." I said as we made our way up the stairs. Walking down a plethora of hallways Robin spied Marian and told Much and I to hang back. They talked and I picked up pieces of their conversation, laughing when Marian called him out on his half-baked pick up. Much and I caught up to him and I laughed again.
"Still pinning after her? You've been peddling the same tricks for years. When are you going to tell her you love her?" I asked laughing.
"I don't... Just shut up and move." He said as he pushed me forward. I snickered at him and followed him down to the dungeons. It occurred to me that this castle had the same set up as the castle in Northshire and much like every other castle in the land it's dungeon was dark, dank, and depressing. The dungeon master told one of the guards to bring out the boys from Loxley. The man that we had saved on the way Loxley came to the bars of his cell and told the jailer that he was from Loxley. The dungeon master led us to a room outside the cells and set a stool for Robin. We stood there as the boys where brought out.
"Give your names." the jailer told them.
"Will and Luke Scarlet." Will said.
"What is your crime." Robin asked.
"Bein in the wrong place at the wrong time. Living under an evil sheriff, where do out taxes go? They go to Nottingham, to the sheriff, to his birds." Will said and a guard smacked him on the head.
"Name?" The jailer asked the last boy.
"Benedict, son of Richard Giddins, surf of Loxley."
"What is your crime?" Robin asked.
"Stealing flour." Benedict said sadly.
"Are you guilty?" Robin asked. Benedict looked down guiltily. "What is your punishment?"
"Don't know." Benedict replied. The jailer scratched at his neck and I made a noise of Disgust.
"Hanging?!" Much said appalled. The boys had a look of dread on their faces and yelled to Robin as they where being taken away.
"Do you mind? We don't tell them if its the dangle. They kick up a hell of a stink." He said. I looked at the jailer and almost spat at him.
"You can't hang them for stealing flour." I said in disdain.
"The sheriff wants an example made out of them and we just had word-."
"I'll be speaking with the sheriff. Until then you treat them well or you'll have me to answer to." Robin said standing to leave.
"You got one more." The jailer said. Robin sat back down as the man from the road came in.
"You are not from Loxley." Robin stated.
"I know but you saved me once before."
"That was a long way from Nottingham here I am known." Robin replied exasperatedly.
"But you're saving those others, you'll save me. Please my wife, my newborn babe." he said.
"You said your wife was expecting." Much said.
"She had it." He said.
"Your lies today will be your undoing. I can not save the others and now I fear you will share their fate." Robin told him.
"What fate?" He said as we went to leave. "I'm not from Loxley." He told the jailer. " I'm from Rochdale. Rochdale! that's why they call me Allan a Dale!" He cried.
"Dumb ass." I said passing him to leave. The jailer told the guard to throw him with the boys. I sighed as we made our way out.
"Is there really nothing you can do Robin?" I asked.
"I don't think the sheriff will bend to my request for pardon." he said.
"It's still worth a try." Much said. "We can't just let them hang."
"We'll try." Robin said.
"I'm going for a walk. Try to keep from thoughts of killing the sheriff." I said and walked past Robin and Much. I decided to explore the castle and found that this castle did in fact have the same set up as the castle in Northshire. Walking along one hall way in particular I saw Marian coming out of one of the many bedrooms in the castle. "Marian." I called.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" She asked. "You where the girl with Robin at the council meeting."
"Yes I am. It's been a while since we last spoke. I'm Andriana, we used to play together as children." I said as the recognition flitted onto her face.
"Andriana! Look at you all grown up! What are you doing here? Why did you leave Loxley?"
"It's a long story, incredibly boring." I said.
"Well we have a few hour until the feast, I'd love to hear it." she said.
I told her everything from the moment I left. Living in the woods and learning to hunt. Stealing, lying and swindling.I told her how I got my nickname Wolf and how much trouble I got into and why I left England. I told her about my escapades in Europe and making my way to the desert. How Robin had saved my life and the King let me fight in the war. I left out the part when Robin almost died and how every moment in the war was hell for me. I told her how we made it back to England and saving Allan. "And then we found out that a few boys from the village where here and now they're awaiting the gallows. I hope that Robin figures out a way to save them. They don't deserve to die, Allan might but I can't really judge him. He's probably like me, just another common criminal." I said ending my tale in time for her to get ready for the feast. "I should find Robin. He's probably worried that I tried to kill the sheriff bein' gone so long." She nodded. "Have fun at the feast." I said as I walked away.
I found Robin and Much just outside the dinning hall and greeted them. "So whats the plan if the sheriff declines?" I asked Much
"I don't know he'll figure something out I'm sure." He said. We walked into the hall and saw the sheriff and Guy standing just inside the entrance.
"Ah." The sheriff said. "Huntington you're missing your own feast. Rumors abound."
"What rumors?"
"That you're weak. That you've returned weakened from your excursions in the holy land."
"My master returns with honors. Honors from the king!" Much said offended. Robin put up his hand silencing him. Never once taking his eyes off the sheriff.
"Well the greater honor would have been to stand and fight." The sheriff said. My blood boiled at his insult to Robin. I started towards him but Much held me back.
"I have visited my peasants in your dungeon. They have committed grave crimes." Robin said.
"Master surely-"Much started but Robin silenced him once again.
"Which would make all the more compassionate your gesture of pardoning them."
"Pardoning them? I will see them hanged." The sheriff said. "In the morning you said yourself that we risked rebellion. We must have order."
"It is custom for the sheriff to hear his nobles request for pardon."
"La dee da dee da." the sheriff said interrupting Robin. "Oh by the way in your absence we nominated you to over-see tomorrows entertainment."
"No."
"You don't want these rumors of weakness to spread do you? best to scratch them now. Otherwise we'd all pay." the sheriff said walking away. Marian came in just after and Guys face lit up.
"Marian, might I have the pleasure of your company?" He asked. Marian looked at Robin then back to Guy and nodded. Guy took her arm and walked down the stairs with her. Robin looked out over the feasting guests and I sighed.
"This is madness. What kind of country has this turned into?" Much asked.
"One that needs fixed." I said turning to leave.
"Marian said that Sir Edward wanted to see us. Tonight after midnight we go to his house, we need to hear things from his perspective." Robin said catching up to me. I nodded and we rode back to Loxley and waited for midnight.
"I could break them out. Before they're supposed to hang tomorrow. I know the lay out pretty well, it's the same as the castle of Northsire." I told Robin as we where getting the horses ready.
"No. If you got caught the pardon the King gave you would do no good. I want to try to do this so none of them would have to run. I want them to come back to Loxley." Robin said in response. I grumbled and agreed. Living in the woods isn't as fun as it sounds and I wouldn't want little Luke to do that or poor old Dan. As we rode up to Knighton hall the doors opened and Marian stepped out of the way to let us in.
"Well." Marian said after Robin didn't move. "Well don't just stand there if the sheriffs men see."
"What? you'll give them the pleasure of your company?" Robin interrupted.
"Oh grow up." she said as he passed her. I gave her an apologetic smile. Robin sat in front of Sir Edward as Much and I stood near the fire.
"I'm sorry I couldn't greet you before." He apologized.
"How did this monster become sheriff?" Robin asked.
"I did not watch my back." Sir Edward explained. "Prince John gives out the shires in his brothers absence. My bid was not accepted.
"What can be done?" I asked.
"I can do nothing. I am being watched. and I must thing of my daughter. When I speak out no one listens. Robin it is up to you my friend."
"Well what can we do?" Much asked.
"Play Nottingham's game. Speak to the lords. slowly you can turn them, do not make the mistake I and others have made and make your decent public. Consolidate you position quietly."
"I do not have time. Tomorrow I am to order the hangings of four of my own peasants."
"Twill be the long game I am afraid." Sir Edward said ruefully.
"Will and Luke Scarlet cannot wait. Benedict Giddins, Allan a Dale."
"You must let them die it is a test. Fail it and there will be consequences." Marian said.
"Perhaps." Robin countered.
"Definitely!" She said. "This is not a game." She said as her father silenced her.
"My daughter speaks when she should not. but she is right. Tide your temper, bide your time, until you can act decisively. Or else you can kiss you lands, if not your life, goodbye." Sir Edward said. Robin thanked him and we rode home.
No one said a word. Robin was lost in thought all night and I was to sick with the thought of innocent men dying for a silly crime. When dawn broke we saddled up the horses and rode to Nottingham. when we got there people had already gathered in the square. they called Robin, of all people, a murderer. One woman spat in his face but he just wiped it off and kept walking. I was enraged at how they where treating him. They acted as if this was Robins fault, that he was the one that sentenced them to this fate. I almost lashed out until Much put a hand on my shoulder in attempts to calm me. I breathed in and out until my anger had lessened. Robin made his way to the sheriff.
"Ladies and gentlemen we are gathered here today to witness the carrying out of justice in the name of god and King Richard, Bring out the prisoners." The sheriff said so everyone could hear. Will, Luke, Benedict and Allan where lead out into the square. "Robin of Loxley, Earl of Huntington, having recently returned from the Holy way with a personal accommodation from the King himself will read the proclamation." the sheriff handed the scroll to Robin who snatched it up. Allan, will, Luke, and Benedict where stood on stools and waiting for the noose to be place around their necks.
"Let it be heard and known, throughout the lands and realms of Richard, his Majesty the king of England, that on this the twenty sixth day of April, in the year of our lord eleven hundred and ninety two, that the following men have been tried under law and found guilty Benedict Giddins of Loxley, Will Scarlet of Loxley, Luke Scarlet of Loxley, Allan a Dale of Loxley, these same men have been sentenced to hang by a rope until they are dead." Robin read. The sacks where placed over their heads and the noose around their necks.
"Wait!" one man shouted.
"Oh no don't kill my baby, my little brother, my in bread cousin!" The sheriff shouted.
"On behalf of Antoni Bishop I claim benefit of clergy for these men." The man shouted. "these men cannot hang."
"These aren't holy men. These people cannot please the cloth" The sheriff stated.
"I came last night to administer their last rights." He said.
"So?"
"And each one came to me last night repenting for their sins and asking me to take the cloth. I felt duty bound to consult the bishop and he in turn confers status of novice upon these men."
"Shut up."
"I Antoni veri reverent rica stalic, here by confer-"
"Shut up!" the sheriff screamed. "Is this possible?" he asked the monk with them.
"They could not have become novices overnight." the monk said.
"They've become postulants. Novice novices if you like, and so are under the protection of the church."
the sheriff looked at Robin. "Novice novices? How novel. Well, hang them, arrest him." He said. the man ran but was caught by some guards. The sheriff nodded and the stools beneath the prisoners was taken away.
"I love you boys." Dan yelled. "I love you Will. I love you Luke. I'll see you im Heaven." I watched in horror as they kicked, trying to find some way of getting another breath. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Robin make a dash towards a guard with a bow and let lose an arrow cutting Allan's noose.
"Good people of Nottingham, These men have committed no crime worth more than a spell in the stocks." He said as he cut the rope hanging Will. "Will you tolerate this injustice? I for one will not." He said sending to more arrows, cutting Benedict and Luke's noose. I ran to them, punching a guard and taking his sword. Defending them while Robin threw the sword he had freeing Much. Fighting off the guards trying to recapture the boys Much came to me and helped.
"Robin time to go!" I yelled. "Now!" Once he caught up with us we ran to the horses I pulled Alan up behind me.
"Master Archers, what do we do?" Much asked.
"Give them something to shoot at." I smiled and kicked my horse.
"God you're crazy." I heard Allan say from behind me.
"Just shut it and hang on." I said as we rode towards the guards who let loose a few pointless arrows and scattered. We rode hard and fast into Sherwood forest after finding a good place to hide we stopped and Much started to build a fire.
"Well thank you Robin. At least I spent a few days as a free woman. I'm now an outlaw again." I said punching his arm
"You didn't have o come with us you know. You could have stayed and went on your merry way."
"And what? Just leave you boys to fend for yourselves in the woods?" I quipped.
"Wolf, go find something to eat." Robin told be. I grabbed my bow and quiver.
"Who wants to help?" I asked. I looked at the gang and raised a brow, staring them down.
"Just go alone, or is the little girl scared of the forest?" Allan asked me. I dropped my bow and tackled him, pinning him beneath me. "Ow, what was that for?"
"Do not talk to me like I'm some helpless little whelp." I said releasing him. I grabbed my bow and walked off. I heard someone following me and figured it was Robin or Much, the only two people brave enough to be around me like this.
"Are you gunna stop so I can apologies?" Allan said. I turned to look at him. " I'm sorry. I didn't think that someone as beautiful as ya could do anything." He said. I scoffed and walked further into the forest when he got in front of me, stopping me. "What's yer name?"
"Wolf." I said plainly.
"Wolf? The wolf in girls clothes?" He asked.
"That's what they used to call me."
"I'm not bein funny but do you know how broke I was because of ya?" I shook my head. "Look I am sorry about the whole girl thing."
"What you're sorry now that you know that I'm Wolf? Or are you sorry that I'm just generally better than you?"
"Well I mean that's goin a bit far but hey!" He said turning to get my attention again. turned to him and drew back my bow. "What are ya doin?" He asked. I fired a shot just passed his head and pinned a squirrel to a tree.
"Getting food." I said as I walked passed him to retrieve the squirrel. I turned back to see him look at me relieved and smiling.
"Nice shot." He said. "Who taught you how to shoot?"
"I did." I said. "I grew up in the forest. Lived in them while I learned to pick pocket and swindle men out of their money."
"What about your family didn't they buy food?"
"Look can we not talk about this? I don't like it and I hoped that things would change after the war but they didn't. Robin dragged me back into being a criminal."
"Well I mean it ain't all bad."
"Yeah, livin in the woods being hunted. Livin the dream." I said as I shot another squirrel mid jump. I gathered it up and brought it back to Much to cook up.
"Why ain't you cookin?" Allan asked.
"Do you like living?" Much asked.. Allan nodded. "Then don't let her cook for you. Ever." I laughed because the only reason he thought I was a terrible cook was because I messed up on purpose so the men at camp would stop expecting it from me.
"Why do you think I learned to pick pocket and steal?" I laughed. Much skinned and set the squirrel on a spit to cook. Allan and I sat with the rest around the fire.
"Be honest with me, this does not bode well for my lodge, my Bonchurch but..." Much said looking at Robin who cocked an eye at him. "I knew it." Much said.
"This is your lodge now my friend. Sherwood Lodge." Allan said.
"I am not your friend." Much said angrily. Robin shushed Much and then I heard it. men approaching. I grabbed my bow and notched an arrow in it.
Oooo. Dramatic cliff hanger. Any way thank you for reading. If there even is anyone. I'f you do read let me tell you that I love you.
