Chapter 3

Knighton Manor - a week later

"Come down now or I will torch your house!" Gisborne shouted, Marian sprinted across the landing to stairwell and ran down the staircase. "Father!" She shouted, "Father!" She reached the bottom of the stairs and was horrified when she saw a guard holding onto her father and Gisborne yielding a torch.

"You will come when I say!" Gisborne shouted again.

"What do you want?" Marian demanded.

"Your coming to the castle the sheriff wants you where he can see you."

"No we are not my father is frail realise him!"

"You do not tell me what to do." Marian had never seen Gisborne so angry. "Burn the house."

"No guy! No." Gisborne pushed Marian back. "Please sir Guy."

"Better." Gisborne stared at Marian, he had her exactly where he wanted her, now he was going to make her beg. "BEG." He snarled. Marian looked at her father with tears in her eyes, the image of the night her mother died all to fresh in Marian's mind. He looked frightened and she would do anything to stop his fear.

She took a deep breath and started, "Please, Sir Guy, I beg you."

"Much better." He sighed. He walked to the soldier with who was holding the torch, "But still not good enough." He began to light the curtains in the house.

"NOOOO!" Marian screamed. Gisborne turned around and began to push her out the house, "Get off me," Marian sniffed through her screams and tears. As the guards grabbed her to walk her and her father to Nottingham she saw Robin aiming an arrow at Gisborne, she shook her head and Robin silently cursed her. She looked behind her at the house burning and prayed to God that the workers had made it out and that someone would get her horses.

Meanwhile

"MARK!" Adam shouted running through the servants quarters. "JESS!" "MARY!" he continued to run. "SOPHIA," everyone rushed from their rooms, "The house is on fire we have to leave,"

"The master and lady Marian," Sophia said rushing towards the stairwell to the house. Adam grabbed her,

"They are already out, I will explain later, trust me." Adam said rushing her out of the door. "The dogs," He gasped as he heard them howling. "I have to go back!" Just as Adam made to run Robin came rushing around the corner,

"Is everyone out?!" He shouted.

"Yes. Robin, Marian's horses." Adam said, as soon as Adam had said it Robin knew what he had to do! He ran to pull open the doors of the stables, the flames had just started licking at the stables. "Mark go with him." Adam shouted as he ran back into the house, he reached the room where the dogs slept and opened the door. The two dogs ran out and into the courtyard shortly followed by Adam.

When he exited the house he saw Robin and Mark stood with the three horses, mark appeared to be trying to calm the one he was holding but it continued to whine and stamp his foot. Adam ran across and looked at Leo's leg, "He's burnt it," He said, "We can't do anything about it now, we will have to wait until morning."

"Do you all have somewhere to stay?" Robin asked staring as the house creaked and cracked falling into a huge pile of burning wood. He knew what Marian would be thinking off, and he wanted nothing more than to rebuild her home straight away.

"Yes thank you Robin," Sophia said, "The other villagers will take us in I am sure." Sophia smiled.

"Is there anything you need? Blankets, food?" He asked, just as he finished the entire house fell and massive clouds of smoke and ash rose from the remains of Knighton hall.

"Robin," Adam said.

"Yes Adam."

"Make sure she's ok, wont you?"

"Of course I will, you have my word." Robin said. "Now are you sure you will be ok?"

"We will be fine." Adam said.
"Then I had better be going before someone sees me. If you need anything just walk into the forest my men will find you." Robin said and headed in the direction of Sherwood.