Much hesitantly led the horses on foot, while Robin tracked a trail of bare human footprints through Sherwood Forest. Every time a crow cawed or a twig snapped, Much jumped nervously.
"Look," Robin said, "another silver strand of hair."
"And another one of those horrible, horrible twig people!"
Much crossed himself twice, just to be sure. Frowning, Robin snapped the twig figure from the tree and crushed it underfoot.
"What can it mean?" Much asked.
"Bare footprints and silver hair mean poverty and old age," Robin answered, "and someone who needs our help. Twig figures? I'm not so sure. But they're nothing to fear, Much."
"Then why are you destroying them?"
"Because they incite fear, and rumor, and superstition. Three things the people of Locksley do not need."
"I knew that," Much proclaimed confidently.
An acorn dropped from the branches of an oak, causing Much to leap two feet into the air and nearly lose his breakfast.
"Come on," Robin grinned, laughing lightly and shaking his head at his friend. "I think we're getting close."
Much watched as Robin quickened his steps and disappeared through the thickening foliage. "Close?" he asked the horses. "Close to what?"
Realizing he would rather run toward danger at Robin's side, than stand all alone and wait for danger to find him, he lifted his voice and called, "Robin! Wait for me!" Urging the horses forward, he followed his friend, muttering under his breath the entire way.
...
Even before they reached the small cave carved into a hillside, they could smell the sickening sweet odors issuing from it. The horses were as spooked as Much and refused to advance, so Robin told Much to tie their reins to a tree.
At least twenty more twig figures swung from chest high tree branches, and Robin distastefully tore them down and snapped them to bits under his boots. Much's arm was so tired from crossing himself, it cramped.
"That cave would appear to house our 'witch,' " Robin said quietly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Are you ready to pay her a call?"
"You love this, don't you?" Much snapped.
Robin, grinning, gave Much an inquisitive look. "Come on, there's nothing to fear. You brought your shield along!"
Much humphed. "Fine lot of good my shield will do, protecting me from the invisible forces of darkness!"
"It saved you from Saladin's armies, not to mention Sheriff Vaisey and Gisbourne! The way I see it, we've already stared Evil straight in the face, and come out victors. Come on!"
Sighing, Much followed Robin to the mouth of the cave. Every step closer increased the offensive smells, so that Robin needed all his sense of breeding not to wrinkle his nose in disgust. Much didn't even try to stifle his coughs.
Just outside the entrance, Robin gently lifted his voice and called, "Good morning! May we come in? My name is Robin of Locksley, and this is my friend Much, Lord Bonchurch. We come in friendship."
There was no answer save a deep humming sound from within. Robin and Much looked at one another, then stepped inside the cave.
"I hate caves!" Much whispered. "Especially this one! Ugh! It's full of bat droppings, and stinky smells coming from God knows what, and...and...This is horrible!"
"Shh!" Robin had to grab Much's cloak to prevent him from turning and fleeing.
It took a few moments for their eyes to adjust to the darkness, but when they did, neither liked what he saw.